 Chilly Reception |
Chilly Reception |
September 3, 2008Arcticulates ®Focusing on Alaska's BeautyAuthor: K. FieldsChilly Reception!I have been feeling a definite chill in the air, a sure sign that it’s the beginning of hunting/rainy season, and downright cold nights. Good ole’ Fall in Alaska It always seems like we are “smack-dab” in the middle of the fall season, it never seems to gradually happen, it’s just “all a sudden” here!< I am sure anyone who lives here, can tell you the signs to look for in predicting the first snow dusting, termination dust Golden Yellows Accent the Purple Mountains Majesty!
Here is a few that I have heard and I am sure there are plenty more where these came from... Fireweed will have the blossoms at the very top; you have a two week time limit before the first snow, and if the blossoms all fall off and the plants turn red, then look out, because that is a sign that we are in for extreme temperatures and lots of snow. I have heard that when termination dust (snow) is seen on Donnelly Dome (a small mountain dome near by) , then within 2 weeks we will see the first heavy snowfall. I have heard that when you spot the rabbits turning white, then it will snow within 2 weeks. After the first frost, the low bush cranberries (yummy in muffins and pancakes: Cooking in Alaska) will be ready to pick, and you have less then two weeks to do it before the snow covers them. Beautiful Autumn Red and Burgundy Ground Cover
I myself always watch for the dusting of snow on Donnelly Dome (a small mountain dome nearby). Every single time I see it, even if I have been crying the blues over summer ending (which I do with much drama), I get a thrill inside. Because even though I love summer here, I really love the winter season. We Northern Alaskans have a lot to do before the first snow fall, usually, because it almost always sticks ( does not melt) and then we get lots more. We have to get the yards/grounds cleaned up, and summer toys, and necessities like watering hoses emptied and put away. The last of the trimming/pruning is done on plants and trees. Making sure nothing is laying around on the ground (like toys, and rakes) that the snow will cover and will make a dangerous place to walk in during the dark winter days. Autumn Colors Bring Out the Colors of Rainbow Mountain
There are storm windows to put in, or the windows covered in plastic sheeting, or shutters put up to help keep the heat in and the condensation off the windows (that can eventually build up into a 5 inch frost pushing the windows out or cracking them). Ladders are put into place now, before the first heavy snows hit, so getting on the roof is safe and easy, in order to shovel off the snow when it starts getting heavy and deep. Any openings into the house are checked to make sure they are blocked or filled with insulation (to keep out the cold and the varmints that seem to want to live in our cozy warm houses if they can get in). Animal pens/sheds are cleaned up and filled with fresh straw or hay (to protect the animals during our extreme winter temperatures). Cars are checked to make sure the heater pad on the oil pans, block heaters, and heater plugs are working (so they don’t freeze up and can’t be used till spring), and the extension cords are unwound and stretched (in the extreme cold, the cords will freeze, and will break if you try and unwind them) out to the driveway if the car is parked outside for the winter, to be ready to plug in as soon as you get home. Heaters are serviced and made ready for the long winter months; fuel tanks are filled or topped off. Breathtaking Scenery of Autumn in Alaska
Water well houses are checked to see if new insulation is in order and a new light bulb is put in if your well house requires one, (they create enough heat to keep the well house from freezing in extreme temps) , and heat tape is checked on the pipes and replaced where needed to prevent water freeze up and busted pipes Firewood is collected and stacked for easy access for those of us who own wood stoves and furnaces to keep our homes warm. Also as a fire safety measure chimneys and stove pipes are cleaned out and made ready (this prevents tragic loss of homes and lives in the middle of winter where at -40 or lower, the water sometimes freezes as it’s going through the fire hoses from the fire trucks) Winter gear is pulled out of storage and made ready for use, and summer things are sadly put away. School required cold weather gear with reflective cloth or tape on the backpacks, coats, and boots, are put in easy reach for the children as they trudge out to the school bus in the dark early morning hours. Still No Snow Dusting! Whew!
These are just some of the things done here to prepare for our long winter months. Most get them done quickly so they can concentrate on hunting moose and caribou to fill the freezer a major staple along with salmon and halibut in a lot of Alaskan’s winter food stash. Later... K Fields See also: Whiff of Fall
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