Winter or something like it

First day at home (December 1st)

When we first returned home to Juneau after our wedding in Charleston (more on that very soon!), a seasonal change had clearly taken place in the time we’d been away. On December 1st it looked like this outside...

Auke Lake (December 1st)

The freshly fallen snow reminded me of everything good about winter. Perhaps in a fit of Vitamin-D induced optimism from being in South Carolina, I didn’t even mind unearthing the car from the ten inches of snow that had fallen right before we’d returned.

Our view from the front porch (December 3rd)

However, at the cabin, our water hose had frozen. Fortunately for us, my husband can fix and rig up pretty much anything and so he’d prepared us for the impending wintry weather by setting us up with an indoor, 55-gallon water barrel and a pump and switch system.

The barrel’s water hose is connected to an on-demand propane water heater (which, from a reformed skeptic’s perspective, is a truly awesome thing to have in any house). Scotty also keeps a water hose on hand in order to fill up the barrel should it run dry (after a few days of regular use).

Perhaps, in direct irony to his careful preparation, winter just hasn’t really been winter yet. Not that I'm complaining.

Our first day home was coldest day we’ve yet to experience this season. Since then, temperatures climbed into the mid-40s, occasionally dipping into the mid-30s at night but certainly nothing we, or the regular water hose can’t handle. And for that, my friends, we are thankful.

Sunny and melting at the cabin (December 3rd)

Water systems (or lack there-of) aside, we are perfectly warm and comfortable at home. The view still is the absolute best, that is, when it’s light out. This leads me to another fact about winter challenges in Alaska: the darkness.

Mid-afternoon moonrise (December 3rd)

Perhaps it’s largely due to us getting some extended time down south in November, but this year it hasn’t been as difficult for me to deal with as in years past. Still, a few days ago I was suddenly bummed out to realize I hadn’t felt the sun on my skin in two weeks since that first snowy day back in town.

It’s a strange feeling, not unlike something my childhood pet parakeets must have felt when we’d throw a blanket over their birdcage to get them to shut up and go to sleep at night. 

Clouds like this contribute to the "birdcage" feeling... (December 10th)

... and weather like this in general (December 9th)

Perhaps it’s the birdcage effect that makes it feel that much harder to get up in the morning. I also find myself longing for more time to spend outside and have experienced an almost physical sensation of craving sunlight. Today, the sun rose at 8:41 a.m. and will set at 3:05 p.m. which means at no time outside of my work day is it light out.

Sunset at lunchtime (December 3rd)

On a happier note, the Northern Hemisphere only has five more days of losing light and then we’re gaining again. I’m definitely ready for it but in the meantime there’s plenty to do, like get out those wedding thank you cards along with Christmas cards. And I mean it this year…

There are going to be some changes coming for this blog, such as new name and focus. Can't wait to share more!

Back sooonn…. :)

xo Lara