14 May 2016

The First Weekend

in the new house is off to a great start.

When we wake up in the mornings, all we've been able to hear - so far - is birds chirping in the trees. Of course it's summer in Alaska, so it's light already at 04:30 hrs.

A tech from the cable company was here this morning, and our TV, internet and wi-fi are restored. The new TV stand I ordered hasn't yet arrived, and we haven't yet found the pedestal that came with the TV.

Our rented home in Anchorage was two blocks from the highway, one block from the old highway, two blocks from a grass landing strip, and 1 1/2 blocks from the railroad tracks. We heard motorcycles, loud cars, music and neighbors at all hours. It was manageable in winter, when the windows were closed, but always present.

All of the lots in this wooded mountainside subdivision are a half-acre in size, so the houses are well-spaced. Here, there's little traffic sound except when a car passes (rare), the neighbors are hundreds of feet away rather than a few dozen, and we're nowhere the highway. In fact, what I can hear as I type this next to open windows at 13:00 hrs is a few birds, a distant airliner rumbles softly, and there's a persistent bee which is determined that the screen shouldn't be in his way.

Our view in all directions is trees. Mostly deciduous trees on the south side, but the front yard - facing the mountain - is nearly all blue spruce. Very tall blue spruce. :)  But beyond the trees is a mountain which fills the view to the north. We noticed that, while seated with our coffee, we couldn't see the sky without going to the window and looking up at a sharp angle. Winter-time views, when the foliage is thinner, should be spectacularly snowy.

I cannot adequately express the joy we're experiencing here. All I can tell you is how satisfying it was, when the cable tech asked whether I'm the owner.

"Yes. Yes, I am."

10 comments:

Ed Bonderenka said...

You are in Alaska with windows open.
It's 46 degrees here today.
Hmmmmm.

But once again, congratulations.

Old NFO said...

That is outstanding! :-)

ProudHillbilly said...

Lovely!

Rev. Paul said...

Ed, to be fair, we open the windows pretty much anytime the temp's above 40. Living in a colder climate, we tend to be about 20° more tolerant than Lower 48 folks.

NFO, it's wonderful - and I'll post pics soon.

PH, it is. We're still pinching ourselves.

threecollie said...

I can imagine your delight in the calm, quiet and bird song. We live with an interstate, a main state highway and a river with a lot of traffic right in front of the house, two speedways, one to east and one west, and a major rail line just across the river. We stopped at a friend's place a few miles away the other day and the silence was so sweet and calming. I wish you all the best in your new home...sounds like you made a great choice and will much enjoy it. Oh, and low 40s here too. ugh

Chickenmom said...

We hear the birds, the cows lowing and of course, Charlie! May you and your family enjoy all the wonderful sounds and scents of country life!

Rev. Paul said...

threecollie, I know how sounds can travel across a river or open fields. The silence is a wonderful addition to our lives. :)

Thank you, Chickenmom.

Guffaw in AZ said...

+1 on Old NFO

gfa

Rev. Paul said...

:)

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

A proud owner!!