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.

It Was Nice While It Lasted

Since winter arrived last October, we have been daydreaming about sitting out on the deck, enjoying coffee or whatever. It has seemed increasingly distant as our spring stretched out, cooler temps holding sway ... until today.

Today, we had glorious sunshine and blue skies. The temp climbed from 43 this morning to 61 while we worked in the yard, and then - this afternoon - it hit 66 lovely degrees. We sat out, we sipped beverages, we talked, we luxuriated in it.

It lasted for an hour.

The clouds rolled in, distant thunder began to rumble and echo through the mountains, and the breeze became a gusty wind.

And now? A steady rain, gusty winds, and 57 degrees.

But it sure was nice ... for a while.

An Early Winter's Day

It's been a decent day, with the sun we crave after a snowstorm.

We did our usual weekly shopping; I helped Older Daughter replace the spark plugs in her truck ... and now we're chilling and watching Game of Thrones. 

The sun is most welcome ; it makes the dark winter days more bearable.

There's Something About a Change in the Weather

that makes Alaskan drivers worse than usual.

On the first snowy day, even long-time Alaskans drive like they've never seen snow before. On the first rainy day after a long dry spell, Alaskans slow down and drive like the pavement's icy. And on sunny days, like it was this morning, they drive like they're blinded by that big, bright light in the sky.

And to top it off, Anchorage is finishing its annual construction season, and there's uneven pavement to navigate.

There's something about watching a 1-ton 4x4 with 35" tires creeping at 1/2 mile per hour over a 2" drop off, as it any faster might cause 'splodey bits to go flying, or something.

Sheesh.

But we're safely at home now, and intending to stay. Besides, we have several episodes of Homeland to catch up on, and there's fresh meat loaf to enjoy.

Y'all be safe out there.

Sunday Morning

There was a dense fog earlier, but the sun is bright, and the glare is blinding. That is, for all us Alaskans who spend so many months of short daylight hours and now resemble mole people, squinting at that big shiny thing in the sky.

Mole man ... sorta

Visitors from the States will think we fuss too much, and they're probably right. The sun is a good one-third brighter down there. I didn't need sunglasses when we first arrived, but was wearing shades just like everyone else, the next spring.

We're doing a bit of preparation for next week's departure to sunnier climes ... and I just haven't been motivated to write much.

Sorry 'bout that. I do appreciate those of you who still drop by, and those leave comments, too. Have a great day!

It Was a Good Weekend

Saturday morning, I stood in line outside the neighborhood tire shop, waiting to get the summer tires mounted on our cars.

The view from the parking lot

Yesterday, we decided to go "non-traditional" for Easter dinner: barbequed chicken and pork, fresh homemade potato salad, and a selection of dessert pastries made by our younger daughter.

Uncooked chicken on the left, with the finished pork tenderloins in the stoneware pot on the right. BBQ sauce is in the tub, right front.

It was a warm, sunny weekend, with temps a few degrees above normal in the low 50s. Nothing to complain about. :)

Now we shall see what the day holds. I hope your Monday is a good one - and thank you for stopping by.