Week of Contrasts . . .

Alaska this past week has been full of contrasts.

There was ‘fall’ in the air with the mountains and valleys painted in the yellows and reds of autumn. The night brought with it a full moon. This was an October ‘harvest moon’ year and one that appeared to brighten our spirits from the cloudy days and nights these past few weeks.

Fall leaves

Aspens

Looking down

the valley

We had a slight chill in the air at night with ‘termination dust’ on the mountaintops.

Termination Dust

We had strong winds from 60 to 100 mph along the hillside (where I live) and Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet.

Leaves gone

&

Fog in the Valley

There was a warm trend almost like a late summer with our temperatures in the mid 60’s for a few days but with it came the rain.

And lots of it.

Seward received over 9 inches in less than 24 hours.

Valdez Alaska also received record rainfall but was cutoff from the road system as roads and bridges washed out along the Richardson Highway.

Washed Out

The normally pristine waters of the falls in Keystone Canyon, including Horsetail and Bridal Veil, were running a dirty brown from their normally virginal white with large rocky debris clearly flowing in the gushing waters before concrete blockades were put up at Mile 12 of the Richardson Highway to prevent motorists from driving into the dangerous canyon.

Tons of Water

Tons of rocky debris mixed with muddy water began gushing through Snowslide Gulch in Keystone Canyon Monday which probably contributed to the flooding of the bridge which officials say has moved five feet from where it is supposed to abut the highway across the Lowe River.

This morning with clearing skies and a crisp drop in temperatures also brought out foggy conditions for most of Anchorage and the Mat-su valley along the Knik River. Last night also brought snow to the mountains and Hatcher’s Pass was covered again with a fresh blanket of pure white snow.

Good Eats Here

There were a few anxious people heading up by Independence Mine to be the first to play and hike in the snow again. This is one of our ‘rites of passage’ with the changing seasons.

Looking West

Hatcher Pass

Another is that first good car wash after ‘break up’ (snow and ice break up in spring) getting the road salt and sludge off of your rig (truck).

The darkness of the winter season is showing itself with the loss of 5 minutes 40 seconds of daylight everyday for the last month or so. It is dropping fast since the ‘daylight savings’ time is still in effect. The upcoming change will settle in the darkness for sure and the people of Barrow get ready to lose the sun for their annual 68 day period of no sun rises. The sun will set on Nov 18 and not rise again until January 24, 2007.

The fireweed has gone . . .

Cabin

Fireweed in Fall

The coming snow approaches as the darkness settles in and blankets us with the faint smell of wood burning in our fireplaces. I’ll throw a steak on the BBQ in the middle of winter as the outdoor grilling continues regardless of the weather, and a nice cold one to keep us warm. (Is that an oxymoron?)

Ice