So last week the Betster was cruising north on the Bypass in the Betstermobile when someone in one of those Ford Exxon Valdez SUVs strayed into the strip of road sand down the middle. Holy Scirocco, Gunga Din! You know those movies set in the Sahara where like a dust storm blows in and buries camels? Like that.

Criminy, when last winter's road dust gets kicked up and the sun shines through it, turn on the ground radar, because visibility drops down to your hood ornament.

Good grief, the Betster thought. When the heck is the dust going to get cleaned up?

Next thing you know, kawhump, an easterly blew in and took care of that problem. You think it's possible to like get the road dust that's under all that snow to get put on top of this quaint and amusing ice?

So yeah, if you thought winter had ended and that glorious Saturday with like a half-googol of fishermen in town was the way things would be from now until Labor Day, well, how long have you been in Alaska, cheechako?

Don't take off those studs yet. As you chip away the latest layer of slush and ice, think fondly of dusty days, and fear not, come sunny days or new fallen snow, you'll always have something fun to do, like some of these Best Bets:

BEST AT THE MERCY OF THE TIDES BET: Think you've got it rough just being swept along by events out of control? It could be worse. You could be plankton, tossed hither and yon by the currents and the tides. Celebrate these sea creatures with "PlanktonFest" from 3-5 p.m. today at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. There's a discovery lab, a plankton costume-making workshop and other neat events.

BEST OUT OF THE FISHBOWL BET: Rep. Paul Seaton, our man in Juneau, has been slavin' away all legislative session making sure the lower peninsula gets its due. He's taking a break from all that carousin' in the Capitol this week. From 6 to 8 p.m., he holds an open house at the Legislative Information Office for we humble constituents. Go say hello and let him know what the Leg oughta do before the session ends.

BEST ROLL THOSE OVOIDS BET: Devout Christians have been restraining themselves all Lent. Sunday is the big day, of course, Easter, when those of the faith celebrate the Resurrection. Somehow this holiday involves eggs. At the Pratt Museum from 1 to 3 p.m. there's an Easter scavenger hunt with crafts and other activities. Out in Anchor Point at the VFW Post 10221, a traditional Easter egg hunt for the kids starts at 2 p.m.