28 March 2017

Springtime in Alaska

No, not 40 below. That old Johnny Horton song is about the interior of the state.
 
It's a typical Spring here in southcentral Alaska. By yesterday, all the roads were 90% clear of ice & snow (except for those which get no sun at all).
 
So this morning, it's snowing with several inches on the way. Lots of black ice, and lots of accidents. I'm glad I come in early, and avoided the worst of it. Even at that, I passed several ditch-divers - or, as we call it, "free-style highway parking" - a couple of fender-benders, and one roll-over.
 
Captured from the Book O' Faces this morning.
 
The people heading into Anchorage now report that traffic is backed up for 25 or 30 miles, moving at speeds between 5 and 25 mph. See what happens when there's only one road in/out of the big city?
 
Ditto.
 
And again I say, ditto.

9 comments:

drjim said...

Really, only ONE road in and out of a city that size??

And I thought L.A. was bad.....

Twenty or so years ago, when I was involved with various Amateur Radio "disaster communications services", I asked one of the uniformed guys at a training session how long it would take to evacuate L.A.

He basically said it would take several weeks, and even then you'd only get about 85~90% of the people out.

Rev. Paul said...

Just the one highway, Jim. It heads north and south, and the terrain prohibits any other land routes.

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

I shudder to think what Alaska car insurance rates are.

Rev. Paul said...

They're a bit higher than in most places, but then everything here costs more than average.

LindaG said...

Back in the 70s, I remember a gallon of milk being $5. No idea what it is now.
The only option to driving is to take the train, TB, and I don't know how feasible that is for a working day.
It is the one thing I regret we never did.
But we did Chitna. And dip netting in Sunshine Creek. Fished the base lake in July at midnight without a flashlight to bait the hook because the sun really doesn't set in Alaska in the wintertime, just like it mostly never rises in the winter. A couple hours of twilight.
Well, in Fairbanks, anyway.
Be safe, Reverend. God bless.

Rev. Paul said...

Linda, most of your observations/memories are still pertinent today. The train still isn't an option, as it's not designed for commuters, and never was. And with fares over $2K just from Anchorage to Fairbanks (360 miles), it never will be.

LindaG said...

Ah. See we never rode the train so I didn't realize it cost that much. That is too bad.
Hubby remembers when he was growing up, walking up the street a half mile, flagging down the train, and taking it to New Orleans for the day. But alas, no more passenger trains here any more. Only freight trains run that rail now.
Too bad that Alaska train seems aimed toward tourists?

Rev. Paul said...

The Alaska RR has priced itself out of practicality for most residents, except on very special occasions. We'd love to ride it on a regular basis, just for the views, but are not willing to part with that much money for an overnight trip.

LindaG said...

I can understand that! Maybe on a 50th Anniversary or some such. It is too bad it costs so much.