13 December 2017

We've Entered That Long, Dark Tunnel

... of the six weeks surrounding the winter solstice.

Sunrise today was at 10:08, and sunset will be at 3:42pm. Okay, that still feels wrong. That's 15:42, thank you very much. We're still losing 90 seconds per day, although that slows down a lot, this close to the shortest day. We get about 4 1/2 hours of daylight on the 21st. Unless it's cloudy; then it will be dark later earlier, and then earlier later, if you get my drift. :)

The only reason I get to have any daylight at all, on weekdays, is because I work such an early shift. Leaving work at 14:15, it's still bright out.

Well, as bright as our northern latitude will permit: the sun's roughly 30 to 35 percent dimmer here than in the central Plains.

But I'm not complaining. I get to drive home through the mountains, and I never EVER get tired of that!

10 comments:

Rob said...

Do what I do. Mark the first day of baseball spring training, on a calendar. That is a goal that winter ending is near.

So do you get DARK winter, or just short days??

Rev. Paul said...

Rob, unless there's a lot of snow on the ground to reflect moon or streetlights, it's pretty dark. This year, our November snow has melted, and the temps are still too warm. We are NOT happy about it. Oh, well.

ProudHillbilly said...

I'd say ick but at least my cats have switched over to demanding breakfast at sunrise. Which is later now. For a while they seemed tied to a clock time.And I'm so busy, including outside, that the shorter days don't bother me like they did when I was gainfully employed.

Old NFO said...

At least you're not further north. Then it gets down to about 2 hours of 'light' a day.

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev Paul,
Living in Alaska is a gift from the good Lord. All those amazing mountains, the wilderness, water, and wildlife are so majestic.....one can never tire from seeing/experiencing this.



Rev. Paul said...

PH, pets never seem to pay attention to the clock, darn it. :) And the short days don't bother me much; just once in awhile.

NFO, I was thinking about that today - it could be Fairbanks. Or the village formerly known as Barrow (they changed it to Utqiaġvik).

Sandy, I never ever get tired of Alaska, and the mountains on a sunny day still bring tears to my eyes. We are SO blessed. But the lack of daylight makes knowing evening vs. morning a bit tricky. If you take a nap in the afternoon or early evening, you have to check the clock carefully. Wouldn't be the first time someone work up at 6 pm, thinking it was time for breakfast.

LindaG said...

I well remember going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark.
My remote was Clear Air Force Station in the Tanana Valley; and our Join Spouse tour at Eielson AFB,in Fairbanks. Great times. Especially in the summer when you can fish all night without a lantern. :-)

Rev. Paul said...

I hear you, Linda. I've told friends & family about how it doesn't really gets dark in the summer, when the skies are clear. I'm never quite sure if they believe me.

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

Do you live where you get the Aurora Borealis Reverend? If I had a Bucket List, that would be on it.

Rev. Paul said...

Yes, TB - we see the aurora frequently. Folks 'round here were fussing last night because it was interfering with the meteor viewing.