Wild Winter in Anchorage

If 'wild' and 'cold' go together, this is the winter of both. However, everytime I compare our winters with those back East, I think this is still the place to live. There was a period of time when the temperative did not rise above zero, but now it's a balmy fifteen degrees or so, and there are indoor and outdoor choices to fill your days. The ice sculptures in Town Square are quite beautiful and a stroll thru this park is a delight.

The University offers so much that you could be flitting back and forth between the Planetarium show at the Conoco-Phillips Science Building, Folk Festival in The Wendy Williamson Auditorium, Jazz Benefits at the Arts Building, and Sports events on both the campus and the Sullivan Arena.

Skiing dominates the outdoor sports, with downhill skiing at Alyeska Resort, which is 40 miles south of town, and cross country skiing at Kincaid Park being the dominent venus for these.

Plans are gearing up for the Fur Rendezvous celebration, which promises to the big lead-in weeks to the Iditarod Raes. So it won't be long until the long dark days are over and we will have survived another year of an Alaskan winter. It's still a good time to visit Anchorage before the big crowds of summer start arriving.

Anchorage Wild Winter

The weather pattern in Anchorage is quite different from the rest of the state. While the northern area maintains its below zero weather, we are now in the plus numbers, and going thru the sloppy days. It's a pleasure after a few weeks of unbearable cold. I took the image above from our daily newpaper, and it's so close to my condo, I thought that this typifies our wild life.

This beautiful rack remains on this beautiful moose, but I'm ready to accept it anytime. I realize that he's going the wrong way on our one way thoroughfare, but he still gets right-of-way. I recently did some minor work on my car, so used a neighbor's heated garage, as my carport just wouldn't do. When I pulled out, I was greeted by a similar size moose, and I'm really afraid of them up close. . . with reason, but I won't go into that here!

While the moose feed off our our beautiful flowers and summer crops, there are plenty of berries to whet their appetite in the winter. The obviously like city life. But remember, they have right-of-way . . . oh, did I saw that before?

The new year brings with it a ray of hope for so many things. Forget the resolutions, as I refer to decisions made in the nation's capitol. This is not a poltical blog, so let's focus on visiting Alaska in the winter. The city hosted a "Fire and Ice" celebration for New Year's Eve. It also voted to allow fireworks from 9:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m., but, as expected, it caused a lot of concern, and especially was not kind to the pets. It really kept the police busy responding to the 'crazies', so they'll be changing law for sure next year. I will say, tho' that the very black sky enhanced the beauty and colors of the fireworks.

The calendar is filling up with the traditional events of winter, namely Fur Rendezvous, and sports events. These include many cross-country events at Kinkaid Park, and Alpine ski races at Alyeska Resort. The Concert Association has an assortment of programs, and they have school performances at the Center for Performing Arts throughout the winter. There is so much to do in greater Anchorage that we wonder how the snowbirds don't want to stay around. The tourist will like to visit in the winter and see what a 'real' winter looks like!

Winter Weather Winds Into Anchorage

Our English language precludes pronouncing 'winds' with a long "i" or a short "i" but either way is appropriate for what we've had in Anchorage recently. Just because the temperature hits zero, or below zero, is no reason to stay home. Especially with all the Christmas parties and associated activities.

This year we had some added excitement with the winter solstice and solar eclipse happening the same night, and I was thrilled to watch the whole thing from indoors, of course. This image does not show the true sighting, but it's all I find.

Some diversions include producting pilot videos, and this image shows a friend's work on Living Wild~Alaska ... followed by this great meet-and-greet party. The venu is a new Mediterranean cage called The Grape Leaf. Midtown Anchorage has opened at least a dozen new restaurants in the recent years, which makes it hard to stay home for dinner.

Another 'fun' party was the annual Pioneers of Alaska Christma party, which was special because of the skit the gals performed doing Whoopi Goldberg's nuns chorus number. It's gonna be put on youtube, so check back because I'll surely post the address.

So, it's still a good time to visit Alaska, and our weather should not be a deterrent, as we are prepared, unlike so many cities in the lower states who are really having a challenging winter.

Christmas comes to Anchorage

This tree was decorated by someone who obviously felt the spirit, and if you're driving into Anchorage, you'll see it along the highway. There are so many events coming along this month that sometimes they just overlap. . . the weather has been cooperating and we have just enough snow to make everything look Christmas-y. Between getting cards and letters out, it's time to decorate and cook goodies, and there's just a lot to do. I think our city has as nice a Christmas season as any other, and our Town Square is so beautiful with all blue lights, it makes you feel dreamy.

The First Friday Art Walk is always joyous, and this month, it includes the Andy Warhol exhibit at the Museum of Art and History. On a sadder note, the beautiful Steinway Piano Gallery just across the street is going out of business. Such an opportunity to buy a Steinway, which has never been equalled. That includes the Yamaha, which is a close second.

Sports events clutter the newspaper, with an eye on national sports, too. This is the time of year that some school events necessarily move to The Dome, which is a huge inflated building adjacent to a mega-church in the area of the airport.

Ah, me, which way to turn. But you can do everything, or nothing at all. Some evenings that is the best option. And so we look forward to another year in big A.

Alaska Weather Reigns

I guess there's nothing new about the cold weather in November. It's too cold for snow, and the ice creates plenty of problems driving, walking, or biking. Yes, there are bikers in Anchorage thruout the winter, and I think they have studded tires on their wheels, too! This has closed schools and threatens attendance at the big events of Thanksgiving weekend, namely, the Great Alaska Shootout (basketball tournament at the University of Alaska Anchorage, with four women's teams, and 8 men's teams) and the Nutcracker Ballet. There are a heap of other offerings, such as bazaars everywhere, religious services, and the museum goes all out, with their beautiful Christmas tree and programs.

This is also a time for nostalgia, so if you want to reminisce about Old Anchorage, click here!

Catching up with Fall in Anchorage

Time flies when you're having fun. Hallowe'en gives us the opportunity to dress up... or dress your pup. Well, that's not my cup of tea, but it happens, and you have to admit, this guy is kind of cute.

Fall in Anchorage is quite beautiful when you see scenes like these trumpeter swans. There remains a variety of wildlife within city limits, and that's another reason to visit Anchorage, any time of year. The shoulder season is becoming a popular place for corporate meetings and conventions, and the new Dena'ina Convention Center has become a premier venue for everything from circuses to trade shows, too.

On the sports scene, West High School just won the state championship in football, and our Aces Hockey team is coming on strong this year, after a disappointing last year. Of course, the sports bars in town are all thriving, too, and it's surprising to me how much interest there is in college sports, and pro-sports, too.

September fades away in Anchorage

The beautiful weather waited until September this year. Warm sunny days, plus friends and fellowship. The tourist numbers may be down, but there is plenty of activity without them. The Pioneers of Alaska had their annual convention in Ketchikan this year, and the Anchorage Igloos were well represented.

We had a few windy days, which doesn't help on the golf course, unless you're going the right direction. However, the winds didn't compare to the hurricanes I experienced on my trip to San Antonio.

One of the recent delights on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage, is the new planetarium. Dr. Rector is the director who puts on shows every few weeks, and there is a great variety. Most recently, the Black Holes were shown and that is not my favorite part of the Solar System, but I guess I can accept that they do exist way out there.

The other ongoing events in September is the startup on the concert season with the Symphony back playing, together with the Sitka Music Series that comes to Anchorage at the same time. Also, the Concert Association has the big production of Mama Mia in October, plus a full schedule of other offerings. So September is the start of 'my' fiscal year, even without back to school activities. The football season is in full swing, and my club is back to Sunday football breakfasts . .. and Monday night, too . . . and more.

So, if you're thinking of visiting Anchorage, the shoulder season can be just as much fun as the busy summer. Come on up, and when you do, don't forget to get some of my Travel Insurance online.