The Beauty of Winter in Alaska

This blog is turning into a photo album, but my good friend Shawneen, took this picture from the Kenai Peninsula and I think it's great . .. I never used to steer clear of the cold weather, but I have to admit, as I get older .. . hmmm, did I say that . .. I like to look out from indoors by the fireplace. January is the entry to the big political season, and also the forthcoming Fur Rendezvous, so I've been busy attending meet-and-greets of several friends running for office. I don't know why. . . but I won't get into political speeches here on my travel blog. So just enjoy this moose.

One of the treasures of the winter sky is the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. It's pretty hard to capture these in a photo, as they 'roll' and even the videos don't really show it well, but you get the idea. I have to remember to keep looking up because when I'm out that late at night, I usually duck my head and run indoors.

If you don't believe me, I'll post a map of the weather here. Remember, I'm in Anchorage, not Fairbanks.

Winter Beauty in Anchorge

As winter peaks, and the days get longer, the traditional activites are in high gear. Most notable are the beautiful ice sculptures in our Town Square. This image by Rebecca Belcher was posted in the local paper, and captures the beauty of light refraction.

The beauty of Mt. Susitna, or the Sleeping Lady, remains throughout the year, and serves to remind me why I live in this beautiful state. (I only need a reminder when the temperature drops below zero).

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With all the positives of Alaska, I would be remiss to not mention the sadness we all feel about the earthquake in Haiti last week. By comparison, our 1964 earthquake was minor, and less than a dozen lives were lost. Our prayers are with the people of Haiti, and the rescue teams, as they continue to search and sort. Maybe someday we will figure it all out, as that is the last place I would have thought the earth would open. So I close this week's blog with sadness.

Anchorage Welcomes New Decade

Altho' I recognize that all cities change over the years, I don't think any have outdone Anchorage. One of our major couplets is the A-C Street one, but at the south end before the division, C Street has sprouted many new restaurants, hotels, and office buildings.

Hidden just south of our library is a back-40 park, named for the donor. Cuddy Park is delightful and here's a picture of their lake.

Another big magnet is Kinkaid Park, which is the original homestead of another family that donated this very large undeveloped area just south of ANC airport.

The many trails attract international cross-country ski competitions and the building hosts everything from political rallies to weddings. Since it is on a overlook to Cook Inlet, the view from the top of the hill is quite spectacular, and it is also the culmination of the 15-mile planet walk.

Now, if it's your pleasure to remain indoors where it's warmer, we do have an ice hockey team. The Anchorage Aces have had championship years, but this isn't one of them, as they are riding the longest losing streak ever, so we won't go into that.

This is NOT fishing season, but I couldn't resist posting this 35 lb. halibut that didn't make it thru the summer. The expression on his face tells it all.

Please understand that these images I'm posting on my blog are copied from our local newspaper, and I don't have any written permission to post them, so if this is my last blog, you'll know they got me. . . or I'll write from jail.

I still want to encourage you to plan to visit Alaska, and remember to take out some of my travel insurance before you leave! Need I display some more wildlife shots to show you why?

Chicken in Alaska

That's me . . . it's just too cold to do anything outdoors, so I'm posting some other wildlife for the reader . . . these are pictures submitted by readers of our local skinny newspaper. I hope you enjoy them. . . many are taken right within Anchorage, as the winter brings out more wildlife into the city . . .to get food from our garbage and backpack.

These muskox were photographed by Ken Stenak in Shishmaref... isn't that a neat name!

How about this shot of a mallard hen at Taku Lake, taken by Danny Anctil.

Kinkaid Park is just south of ANC (airport code) and there sits a snowy owl taken by Scott Kendall.

Homer is on the Kenai Peninsula, sometimes called the End of the Road. The woman who used to feed the eagles died, and it's no longer allowed to feed them.

Corrine Johnson took this shot of the Wild Birds at Birch Lake - also near Anchorage.

That doesn't mean there isn't a lot going on in Anchorage, too. Come visit us as we share our wonderful environment. Christmas is as good a time as any. Our homes are beautifully decorated, and caroling is everywhere, too.

Housekeeping in Anchorage

It's too cold to venture outside ... global cooling . . . so getting rid of some images here .. this first one is a watercolor of Gail Niebrugge, an artist friend of mine.

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Next,we have a human replica of the Statue of Liberty. Unfortunately, this is too small to see that this is made of actual live people, standing in this formation. . . it would be too difficult to postwith enough pixels, but you can try to enlarge it, to see what I mean.

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and here's a magician to advertise our upcoming Magic Show - December 26 -29th . . . a flyer will be appearing on our Alaska Magic Circle page, when I get a minute to post it.

Like I say, come visit Alaska!

Eagle over Alaska

I couldn't resist copying this beautiful shot by Bill Roth, as I sit indoors and stay warm. It's just kind of chilly out there, or as the weather man puts it . . . in the 'single digits'.

This is a shot of our beautiful fountain at the library. Of course, no water flows inthe winter because it's ice, but the colored spotlight on the structure is quite beautful. In the summer, the fountain does sprew water, but remember, we have daylight all the time, so it's hard to see the colors. The gal who spearheadd this project, thru "Friends of the Library" is gone now, but her daughter is the spitting image of her, in looks and personality, and I enjoy her friendship, as she's active in all walks of life, and unlke her mother, we share political beliefs. But this is a travel blog, so I won't elaborate on that one.

Br-r-r - Chilly in Anchorage

You'd think that after 43 winters here, one would get used to the winter chills. Wrong ... it doesn't happen. There is a plus side to this, tho'.. . . hmmm, let me think. Well, when the snow falls, everything looks so clean and bright and white! It's wise to park your car in a covered area, as 6" of snow on the roof is really heavy to shovel off, and I empathize with my neighbors with driveways to clear. It's just the advantage of living in a condo.

As darkness falls before 4 p.m. now, activities increase and you'll find a wealth of bazaars, plays, concerts, symphony, x-c skiing, ice hockey, figure skating, indoor tennis, Sunday football and other events. With Christmas around the corner, we have several parties for the young ones, and of course, office parties for the not-young ones, who think they are.

The Pioneers of Alaska - Women's Igloo #4 - has a big one with 85 kids coming. I know the number because we wrapped that many present for them. The Petroleum Club, likewise, has a heap of children for their party, too, and the committee does a super job of picking presents to match the guests.

You really would enjoy seeing our winter, as well as the tourist-crowded summer, as we have a lot to do, or do NOTHING AT ALL!