21 June 2018

As Far As the Solstice Goes (UPDATED)

... this year, we are less-than-impressed.

While the summer solstice in Alaska is an event which draws tens of thousands of tourists annually (who wouldn't like to see a day or three when there's no night-time?), this year - like most recent years - it's cloudy.

Not heavily overcast, mind, but still not the sunshine and blue skies from which we get the joy of "hey, it's 2 am and it's still not dark".

I'm speaking of our part of Alaska, of course; it is sunny elsewhere. In Fairbanks, they're playing Midnight Sun baseball: a series of games which will run continuously for 24 hours.

And there are of course celebrations locally, including the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage, as well as some other footraces and charity events. Many stayed up all night to observe the gloomy - but not darkened - skies overnight.

For our part, we enjoy this six-week period where it never gets completely dark, but it's not worth staying up for unless the sun is out.

But still, it's a novel experience for folks from parts more southerly to see it stay light all the time, and is something everyone should experience at least once.

But sunny weather would be a nice touch.


UPDATE: shortly after I posted this, the sun started peeking through the clouds, and eventually stayed out for a couple of hours. We sat out on the deck from 7 until 9 pm, and enjoyed every minute of it.

6 comments:

threecollie said...

I love the long, long days of summer and hate to see them start to grow shorter....however, that is too long! lol

Rev. Paul said...

You only say that because the roosters would be crowing all night. :) But actually, it's pretty awesome.

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

The Ravishing Mrs. TB can never get enough sunlight. She would love your summers but loathe your winters.

Rev. Paul said...

TB, I hear & understand. While it's true that the only really dark month this far south in Alaska is December, there are a number of Alaskans who spend their winters down south, some going as far away as Arizona. We call 'em "snowbirds". And many more of us travel to sunnier climes, like us going to Hawaii every spring, to get a much-needed dose of sunlight after the winter.

Old NFO said...

I always remember teeing off in Iceland at midnight, finishing at 0400... LOL The 'other' problem was staggering out of the club and trying to figure out if it was noon or midnight! :-)

Rev. Paul said...

Jim, that latter problem is still an issue, given my limited work schedule. After the 3rd third-shift night/morning, I never know if I'm waking up at 5 pm, or if I slept through until Friday morning. It can be disorienting, at the very least.