It's That Time Again

We're firmly in the annual six-week stretch when it never gets dark, here in southcentral Alaska. There's twilight from about 01:30 until around 03:00, but you could still go for a walk. Or even cut the grass, if you have REALLY understanding neighbors.

And for those visiting during the summer, we're fairly far south. The farther north you go, the longer the full light lasts. North of the Arctic Circle, it doesn't get dark at all during this season.

And someone usually asks if the lack of darkness interferes with sleep. Yes, for some people it does. We've always used light-blocking drapes or wooden mini-blinds. Newbies have been known to tape black plastic trash bags or aluminum foil over their bedroom windows. 

But it's usually not a problem. One merely has to keep an eye on the time, to know when to go to bed. It is easy to miss your regular bedtime when the sun is still shining in the windows. 

For a Couple of Hours, It Was Awesome

When I got home from work around 1500 hrs today, it was 66°, almost no breeze, and bright sunny blue skies. By 1700, it had clouded up. After a brief resurgence of sunshine, the skies grew dark again ... the winds picked up ... and thunder (!) began to rumble. 

AccuHunch says we're due for t-storms with hail and possible heavy rain intervals this evening. For the record, "awesome" weather moments have been in short supply this season. At least, so far.

But for a brief, shining interlude, we sat on the deck and luxuriated in an Alaskan summer. It was awesome. 

Enjoying NotWinter (sometimes called "summer")

Whilst a goodly portion of the Lower 48 roasts in triple-digit heat, we're having another cool and damp (lots of rain showers) summer. Although we've had a few days in the low 70s, most of our temps have been upper 50s to lower 60s, with lows ranging from 38 to 48 overnight.

So how do we spend time enjoying our home, and especially the deck?

Well, you start with warm clothes and/or a jacket, hoodie, or what have you. Socks are a must. And then ...

you light the space heater and Thermacell ...

provide a blanket for anyone in need, and keep the feet close to the heat.

We waited a very, very long time for a home of our own. And dang it, we're gonna enjoy that deck no matter what!

Another Day in the Rain

So Younger Daughter, who sells jewelry on the side, is setting up in the Lions' Club park a couple miles from here. Hundreds of vendors, including multiple choices of food, and fireworks at midnight.

It's been drizzling steadily since the overnight hours, so my lovely wife and I offered to set up the canopy. Since it's windy as well as wet, we stretched tarps on three sides to keep the summer weather out. Ha! (And note to self: buy more bungee cords.)

Now that the canopy's up and the jewelry distribution around the tables is underway, it became clear that I was a 5th wheel, so I'm safely back home.

AccuHunch promises, with their very best scientific guess, that the rain will end sometime between 5 and 9 pm. But, this being Alaska, folks are used to wet and cool.

We're also quite used to AccuHunch having no flippin' idea what they're talking about. But I digress.

Meanwhile, I have a Cabela's flyer to peruse, and good books to read, including the latest from JL Curtis:

Click here to see the Amazon page

The Calendar Says It's June

but we're still having April weather.

It was 44 and raining when I left for work. AccuHunch guesses the temp will rocket - rocket, I say - all the way up to 50 today. With a 70 per cent chance of rain.

It's 70-percenting as I type this, so at least they got that part right.

Oh well, at least it was warm for a couple of hours last week ...

Well On The Way to Summer Solstice

Around the end of May, we enter a six-week stretch when it doesn't ever get dark, with 22+ hour days.

Springtime milestone: Anchorage hits 15 hours of sunlight

ANCHORAGE (KTUU) -

Sunny skies, calm winds and long days are back, prompting more summer-oriented residents to return to parks and trails across Anchorage.

On Tuesday, Southcentral Alaska witnessed the first day of the spring season with more than 15 hours of daylight. The last date the area saw that much light was Aug. 23. 

... The light is returning to Alaska at a rate of about five minutes per day. The sun now rises before 6:30 a.m., and on Tuesday, it set at 9:30 p.m, giving residents plenty of time to get off work and enjoy the sunlight.

In June, we get about 90 minutes of dusky weather, but it never gets dark. The sun merely dips below the horizon for a few minutes, and pops right back up.

There are those who can't sleep when it's light outside, but room-darkening shades or curtains go a long way. Some even put aluminum foil or black plastic trash bags on their bedroom windows. We're grateful we never had to do that. 

It's glorious to have daylight whenever you want it. :)