A new month, a new winter.
It snowed yesterday, and this snow brought a couple of inches of accumulation. A glance out the front window shows a temperature of 22F. Steve took his truck to work this morning, because my car still doesn’t have its studded tires mounted. He said he hit several slippery spots in the hills and had to slow to 30mph for the majority of the drive to avoid sliding. Thank goodness, he doesn’t have to deal with any traffic on his morning and afternoon commutes. His shift starts 30 minutes before the rest of the employees (and ends 30 minutes earlier), so he doesn’t have anyone on the road with him when he comes and goes.
I put together this video, from footage I shot yesterday as the snow was falling:
I’m picking up my friend Abby in a few hours, and we’re going to lunch. We’re eating at The Chowder House today. It’s been quite a while since I’ve eaten there, and soup and a sandwich will hit the spot this afternoon. After lunch, we plan to stop by The Stash and see how things are going with the move to the new store.
I need to run to the Post Office and overnight my youngest son’s birth certificate to him. It seems in the state of Wisconsin, you can not get a driver’s license (his license from NC is expiring) without an original birth certificate. Brandon has two military ID cards with his photo, his social security card, his NC license, a certified copy of his birth certificate and a bunch of other stuff showing that he is indeed who he says he is, but they want his ORIGINAL birth certificate. What a major hassle!
I hope the roads aren’t too bad. I get nervous driving after the first couple of snowfalls because so many people *forget* how to drive safely on slick roads. Some folks are new to AK and have never driven on snowy/icy roads. Others have been here long enough to know better, but still insist on doing 60mph on a snow-covered highway. (Until they find themselves in a ditch!) I’ll be taking my time for sure.
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A few days ago, while running errands, I stopped at Creamers Field to see if there was any still-laying snow from our flurries. The sun was shining, and the leaves were blowing off the trees. There was still a dusting of snow laying in those places which don’t get much sunshine. I was surprised to see so many people out walking and enjoying the sunshine. Sedona and I did a quick lap and I took a few photos:
The footbridge at Creamer’s Field
Another view of the same bridge:
Remember the Seasonal Wetland Pond? There’s not much pond there now.
I like the way the snow has settled into the rows:
Leaves blowing off the trees:
When I got home, I took a few photos in my backyard too. The rose hips look pretty cloaked in snow. I also happened to catch the gray jays on my back deck. They love peanut butter and have been ’stealing’ it from the squirrel!
A little while ago, I posted photos of the hairy woodpecker who spent a lot of time at my feeders. This is a downy woodpecker (male, as evident by the red spot on his head). He is much smaller than the hairy woodpecker. I’m glad to see he’s returned.
We had beautiful clear skies the night before the snow came. I decided to take my camera out in the front yard and take photos of the stars again. In the first photo of our house, the light that’s causing the shadows is from our neighbor’s house across the street. The long exposure really made it look much brighter than it was.
So many stars!:
A quick animation to point out the big dipper. It was really bright that night, because I couldn’t see many of the other stars. Then I downloaded this photo and all the other stars showed up:
I’m going to take my camera with me today, just in case any photo ops present themselves. Maybe I’ll do a quick drive into Pioneer Park with Abby too. We’ll see how the day goes.
If you live local, be careful driving out there!
Have a happy October!
How beautiful. It is great to be able to see snow when I am sitting here still dressed in short sleeves and wearing sandals. The photos are marvelous and just made my day! Thank you so much for sharing.
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Comment by Charlene — October 1, 2008 @ 10:45 am
What a pretty video, Susan. Oh how I wish I was there! I loved watching Sedona in the snow. She reminded me of the Siberian Huskey that I used to have. How she loved snow. Especially the first snowfall of the year. Unfortunately, here in NC as you know the snow opportunities were few and far between. I check your journal every day to see what, if anything you’ve written. I hope to get back to AK next year if all goes well. Keep up your wonderful work, Susan. I live for it.
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Comment by Marylyn — October 1, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
Ahhhhh I love it!!! The video is so fun. I was totally laughing at how goofy Sedona was with the snow. She is quite excited for it! That night sky is gorgeous. I am one of those people who could just lay on the ground all night starring at the stars! I love the night sky and you have such awesome views! We finally made a fire in the woodstove last night just to heat up the floor in the basement. I couldn’t take the chill anymore! LOL! We’ll see how long I can go before we start another one!
Stay warm and stay safe on those roads! Hope you enjoyed your lunch out!
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Comment by LynnMN — October 1, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
Hello Susan,
I just love your pictures! The word “pictures/photos” doesn’t do them justice. They are works of ART!
Sedona is such a happy dog. We had a Vizsla named Digger, for obvious reasons. She was enthusiastic about everything. She loved to go cross country skiing with me. We had a wonderful trail right out the back door thanks to the snowmobiles and the groomers. When she got tired she trotted behind me and sometimes would step on the backs of my skies sending me nose first into the snow! I miss her so.
Do you have any trouble with animals eating or trying to steal your suet or seeds? Our chipmunks are still awake and cleaning out the feeder that lays on the deck. A wood supported gallon glass jar tipped on its side. I keep it out all winter so the squirrels can get inside out of the snow and eat undisturbed. Some mornings the jar is so deep under the new snow that there isn’t even a bump. The cat sleeps in a basket in front of the glass doors just a few feet from the feeders. I have a photo of a squirrel with his feet against the glass looking in at the cat just inches away. I imagine he is saying “Can you come out to play”?
Still fairly warm here in Maine. 50’s today.
Gail
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Comment by Gail Drake — October 1, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
Great pictures. You take wonderful shots. I wish I could do the same. I need to work at it a little better. Enjoy the snow. I wish I was there. I miss Fairbanks so much.
Tammy
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Comment by Tammy Kauffman — October 1, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
You have no idea how you feed the souls of those stuck in the south! I love how your journal entries and exquisite photos set off storms of memories for me of my years in Fairbanks. Thank you, in a perfect world, I will take you to lunch at Gambardellas’ and we will catch up like old friends (who have never met before).
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Comment by Therese — October 1, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
Hi Susan!
The movie of Sedona made my heart sing! It looked like she was making snow angels in the snow. Hee hee And I just love watching the birds and squirrels. If our big cat didn’t lurk around the back patio so much, I’m sure I would have more birds coming around.
We walked along side the Wetland Pond when we were there at Creamers field back in August, but it looks so much different now! We might get a chance to come back there between Christmas and New Years. If we do, I hope we have a chance to get together again, but for some one on one time, okay? Keep up the wonderful work you do Susan…it’s so nice to read your words and see your beautiful pictures. Take care!
Hugs!
Lea Ann
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Comment by Lea Ann — October 1, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
Oh Susan I loved the picture of the stars through the trees. I just put a quote in my monthly hospice newsletter that fits it perfectly!
Perhaps, they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.– Eskimo legend
Have a great weekend!
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Comment by Karen — October 2, 2008 @ 6:52 am
Hi, Alaska is my dream home. Go there every year, even in winter, so Iappreciate your beautiful pictures! Used to be on the artic-cam comments. Willow
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Comment by willow — October 2, 2008 @ 8:27 am
Good eve from beautiful Minnesota.
I found your site by reading posts on the Artic Cam,Newsminer site.
I sure hope I can be cheerful as you when the snow starts here. Think we have a bit to go before that happens.
Our daughter has lived in Alaska for over 15years now. How she wintered some tough times in Fairbanks cold is beyond me.
I go up every year in the summer to see her and did this past summer. We have done some travels around Alaska.
I will be heading up again this month when Baby decides to come into this world. I sure hope the weather isn’t below zero at the end of Oct. Or beginning of Nov. ???
Thank you for sharing your writings and beautiful pictures with us.
Jackie in Minnesota
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Comment by Jackie DuCharme — October 2, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
ahhhh. Thanks for posting this. I’m going to make some hot chocolate and watch it again
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Comment by Another Susan — October 6, 2008 @ 8:33 pm