ANCHORAGE IN THE AOL NEWS.........Well, well, well I was just signing on to discuss the weather a bit when I checked my e-mail and found an article about Anchorage's record snow fall. Everything they say is true but when you are here it just seems like no big deal.
I am glad we finally talked them into changing us to SUVs-actually, I have an AWD (all wheel drive, which is not as large as an SUV but better than a Pontiac G-6). The side street I live on had narrowed down to one lane but last weekend they cleared it back to a whole street and the dump trucks hauled off the snow. I guess that's an advantage to living near downtown.
When I go for a walk on a side walk that has been cleared the snow is between shoulder and elbow deep on each side. That does seem rather amazing to me.
I was going to remark on something someone said to me the other day, "you must just run from one building to another." I got to thinking about that and realized I spend more time outside than I did in Texas in the winter. I guess it is what you get used to-and, the length of the winter. At home you are stuck inside, what-maybe 2-3 months? It's actually a nice break...some introspective downtime.
But, in Alaska if you stayed in during winter you would be stuck indoors for more like 6 months. That is a lot different! From the beginning of my arrival here people urged me to find something I like to do outside during the winter and do it! There is a good awareness that staying indoors leads, not only to weight gain, but to depression.
So, I don't know if it is a matter of that realization or just the nature of the folks who choose to live in "the last frontier" but people spend lots of time outside. When I look out the window at work I always see walkers and skiers on the trail across the street (also moose). At noon we walk around the lake (4 moose yesterday) and there are other walkers and skiers there all the time. People are outdoors in all sorts of weather.
Having said that, I will say that my outerwear has consumed much of my attention and money. Thank goodness for the big coat I got for Christmas in 2005-that has pretty much taken care of winter coat issues. Except for the fact that I need something for the rainy times-I bought a fall coat but it isn't as warm as I'd like. I now own wool caps, mittens (much warmer than gloves) and three different shoes/boots (none I am real happy with-the ones that I like best where given to me by another traveler).
So, one just bundles up and heads out into it-and it is a wonder to behold!!!!
Having said that I have decided against Eagle River today. I think that the highway would be ok but the road into the Nature Center is really windy and sometime steep. Instead I am going to walk downtown and take pictures of the ice sculptures. I didn't even realize they were there until I went to the concert last weekend. So, expect pictures (finally) this weekend.