Good Morning, Sunshine....Sorta

Memories

I moved to Alaska to stay in Dec. 2003. I was probably in a bit of a fog those first couple weeks but with Christmas sneaking up on me, remember where I spent my first Christmas in Alaska: Chena Hot Springs. It was a balmy -38 degrees outside during the day and the window over my bed had a layer of ice nearly an inch thick on the inside because of the severe cold and moisture inside. So, I learned early on that I really wasn't going to freeze to death in these kinda temps, not to mention that ice forming inside windows is just one of those freaky Alaskan things. 

This was the view outside the door to the little cabin I was staying in. The steamy looking spot sorta right center is from the springs. Even now it astounds me to realize that I simply got up, got dressed, and stomped around outside in those kinda temps to take these photos. I need to see if I can find some more from this adventure but, well, not now. Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas, Everyone.

Sunshine on my snow

 Sunshine was hitting the hanging icicles just right.

 Light and shadow in the front yard

Still cold, negative digits, brrrrr

 It wasn't as pretty today, alas, but had some stuff to mail, so headed out the door. It was a balmy -6 or so when I left the house, snapping the spruce as I pulled outta the garage.

 Just an interesting pile of (probably) brush, sticks and branches, and snow alongside the south fence.

 Wasilla Lake

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 My best guess at present is that this helicopter was the rescue copter from Anchorage. Didn't know at the time but there was a bad wreck over off Palmer-Wasilla Hwy and one of the victims had to be flown out by helicopter to receiver emergency care asap.

 Raven flying over the lake.

 Not sure what the story behind this snow covered car is as, well, we hadn't had any snow at that point today and it shouldn't have been covered if it'd just been parked there.

 Even the ravens, who normally seem oblivious, seemed cold.

 Rocks at the entrance to the parking lot for skateboard park.

 The view from the parking lot.

 Do you see the face hiding in this shot?

 Heading up the hill....

 Then what to my wondering eyes should appear....

.....and then the camera batteries decided it was cold and went on strike, too. I'll have to get some better pix of this at some point. It's just up the street from me and is very cool.

COLD!!! But beautiful....

 It's high noon as I type but the temps are still clinging to that minus sign in front of the numbers. As a result, despite the beauty calling to me from my own backyard, I opted to stay inside and shoot through the windows. The blue sky, hoar frost, and snow clinging (of course it is, it's frozen in place!) to the trees, makes for a breathlessly beautiful view.