With the snowfall Friday/Saturday, this has now become the 6th snowiest winter on record.
It is a sloggy, mushy mess outside now. But at least the trees are budding!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
18+ Inches and still snowing! Where's Squirt???
The deck furniture...
Our front porch...
There he is! Barely able to see over the snow banks...
Our front porch...
There he is! Barely able to see over the snow banks...
Friday, April 25, 2008
11th Snowiest Season - not any more!
After a solid week of high 40's and low 50's, with all of the snow gone except the big bladed piles, I sit here blogging away in a blizzard.
Yes...
We have had another 10 inches of snow and expect another 5-6 before morning.
And this is a good...heavy....solid....wet snow. The kind that gives you an aerobic workout whether you are shoveling by hand or running the snow thrower around the drive.
Good thing Squirt got his summer haircut this morning at the groomers. He was actually shivering outside while shoveling snow. That is mostly because he stands and barks (explaining how I need to shovel differently) while I move the snow around so he can do his business.
And to think, we are getting 15 hours and 30 minutes of sunlight a day, our tulips, chives and poppies were green and growing. Hope it doesn't get too cold to set them back!
While out on our ATV trip to Sutton, Alaska last weekend, we saw lots of moose tracks and 2-3 bear dens. We weren't 100% sure they were bear dens, but if I was a bear, it is exactly where I would want to go for the winter. No one went in to check it out. However, the weather was beautiful and the trails mostly slushy snow. There were a couple of spots it was muddy and we were by the end of the trip.
Squirt went along with us but had to stay and guard the 4-Runner and trailer. It was kind of funny when we returned. Some person in a big, blue helmet opened the car door (me). He didn't know if he should protect or be happy.
Before this morning, Squirt was affectionately known as the "mud bug". His tummy was black from our walks and him throwing up mud when going through puddles. Now he is clean, white dog. Up until we take him for the next walk....then it will be back to mud bug status.
Our first set of company arrives 2 weeks from tomorrow...Hope most of the snow is gone or they will be surprised....and cold!
BTW - the bears are out and hungry!
http://www.adn.com/bearattacks/story/385220.html
Yes...
We have had another 10 inches of snow and expect another 5-6 before morning.
And this is a good...heavy....solid....wet snow. The kind that gives you an aerobic workout whether you are shoveling by hand or running the snow thrower around the drive.
Good thing Squirt got his summer haircut this morning at the groomers. He was actually shivering outside while shoveling snow. That is mostly because he stands and barks (explaining how I need to shovel differently) while I move the snow around so he can do his business.
And to think, we are getting 15 hours and 30 minutes of sunlight a day, our tulips, chives and poppies were green and growing. Hope it doesn't get too cold to set them back!
While out on our ATV trip to Sutton, Alaska last weekend, we saw lots of moose tracks and 2-3 bear dens. We weren't 100% sure they were bear dens, but if I was a bear, it is exactly where I would want to go for the winter. No one went in to check it out. However, the weather was beautiful and the trails mostly slushy snow. There were a couple of spots it was muddy and we were by the end of the trip.
Squirt went along with us but had to stay and guard the 4-Runner and trailer. It was kind of funny when we returned. Some person in a big, blue helmet opened the car door (me). He didn't know if he should protect or be happy.
Before this morning, Squirt was affectionately known as the "mud bug". His tummy was black from our walks and him throwing up mud when going through puddles. Now he is clean, white dog. Up until we take him for the next walk....then it will be back to mud bug status.
Our first set of company arrives 2 weeks from tomorrow...Hope most of the snow is gone or they will be surprised....and cold!
BTW - the bears are out and hungry!
http://www.adn.com/bearattacks/story/385220.html
Saturday, April 19, 2008
50's this coming week -
There goes all of the snow for good this year!
Amazingly enough, we had the 11th snowiest winter on record during 2007 - 2009. 91.9 inches of snow was the official measurement in town. We should have had more as we are higher in elevation...and I had to shovel more than people living at lower elevations! It didn't seem like 91 inches. Last year, with 69 inches, was quite a bit deeper. I guess this winter just started later and we had more melt days in between big accumulations.
However, the last few days have been absolutely beautiful. More than 15 hours of bright sunshine and above freezing. The geese stopped by the park strip across from the office building this week on their annual migration to the Slope. They are so loud while honking about the latest gossip regarding what happened over the winter down South. When I told Robert about the forecast 50s starting Monday, his response was - time to open the windows and turn on the fan. My perspective is we need to get the shorts out and maybe open 1 window.
The deck furniture came out of storage and is ready to go for that first warm evening enabling us to dine outside. In less than a month, the animal babies and tourists will start showing up! Our first set of company this year arrives May 10th. Our second set on June 5th. I am so excited to have them come. Not only is it fantastic they are visiting, it gives us an excuse to take vacation from work and do Alaskan things!!!
Amazingly enough, we had the 11th snowiest winter on record during 2007 - 2009. 91.9 inches of snow was the official measurement in town. We should have had more as we are higher in elevation...and I had to shovel more than people living at lower elevations! It didn't seem like 91 inches. Last year, with 69 inches, was quite a bit deeper. I guess this winter just started later and we had more melt days in between big accumulations.
However, the last few days have been absolutely beautiful. More than 15 hours of bright sunshine and above freezing. The geese stopped by the park strip across from the office building this week on their annual migration to the Slope. They are so loud while honking about the latest gossip regarding what happened over the winter down South. When I told Robert about the forecast 50s starting Monday, his response was - time to open the windows and turn on the fan. My perspective is we need to get the shorts out and maybe open 1 window.
The deck furniture came out of storage and is ready to go for that first warm evening enabling us to dine outside. In less than a month, the animal babies and tourists will start showing up! Our first set of company this year arrives May 10th. Our second set on June 5th. I am so excited to have them come. Not only is it fantastic they are visiting, it gives us an excuse to take vacation from work and do Alaskan things!!!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Poor, Little Camaro...
It had to spend time in the snow and cold yesterday! The 4-Runner needed a 75,000 mile service (not something you want to wait on) and when I made the appointment, most of the snow as gone and it was getting in the 40s during the day.
Then over the last week, our house had about 12-14 inches of snow and it turned cooler again. (For example, it is 8 degrees right now but a perfectly clear and beautiful morning! ) On top of that, right after we put the Toyota in the shop, it started snowing - hard- at the house again. Luckily, non stuck on the streets and while the Camaro spun tires a few times, it did fine.
I KNOW it was ready to sleep in the garage again last night!
How about that Mario Chalmers (KU Basketball clutch shooter) on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. Hooray for the Big 12 winning the tourney and congrats to Mario for the role he played. Amazingly enough, Mario is only the second Alaskan to be on the cover of SI. The first was Tommy Moe, a gold and silver medalist in the 1994 Olympics for downhill and Super-G.
One other sports note this week...Sports Illustrated named the 25 Toughest Athletes and Lance Mackey (Iditarod and Yukon Quest winner for the last 2 years) was number two on the list. Congrats to Lance for his newest accomplishment!
All in all - a banner week for Alaskan athletes in the headlines!
Then over the last week, our house had about 12-14 inches of snow and it turned cooler again. (For example, it is 8 degrees right now but a perfectly clear and beautiful morning! ) On top of that, right after we put the Toyota in the shop, it started snowing - hard- at the house again. Luckily, non stuck on the streets and while the Camaro spun tires a few times, it did fine.
I KNOW it was ready to sleep in the garage again last night!
How about that Mario Chalmers (KU Basketball clutch shooter) on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. Hooray for the Big 12 winning the tourney and congrats to Mario for the role he played. Amazingly enough, Mario is only the second Alaskan to be on the cover of SI. The first was Tommy Moe, a gold and silver medalist in the 1994 Olympics for downhill and Super-G.
One other sports note this week...Sports Illustrated named the 25 Toughest Athletes and Lance Mackey (Iditarod and Yukon Quest winner for the last 2 years) was number two on the list. Congrats to Lance for his newest accomplishment!
All in all - a banner week for Alaskan athletes in the headlines!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Mother Nature isn't ready for Spring
Obviously....
There was snow in the forecast yesterday. It started about 9:00 am and quit about 10 inches later (according to the news)....
And it is now snowing as I type...another 5-7 inches (according to the news last night).
Yesterday was the first 2 shovel day we have had this year and with all of the snow gone off of the deck and out of the yard, needless to say I was surprised.
So is Squirt!
There was snow in the forecast yesterday. It started about 9:00 am and quit about 10 inches later (according to the news)....
And it is now snowing as I type...another 5-7 inches (according to the news last night).
Yesterday was the first 2 shovel day we have had this year and with all of the snow gone off of the deck and out of the yard, needless to say I was surprised.
So is Squirt!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Summer's Comin'!
How do I know???
Because the Mat-Su Outdoors Show was last weekend which we attended to tune up for the THE GREAT ALASKAN SPORTSMAN SHOW this weekend.
I actually enjoy walking around the shows and looking at all of the toys. There's usually some really fun vendors such as the Garlic Gourmet or the Pampered Chef that I occasionally buy things at (which reminds me - I need to go to the ATM :) ).
Robert missed last year due to a business trip so he was ready. He stopped at every other booth looking at guns, rafts, clothes, waders, etc. He now has new cammo for the moose hunt. (BTW - the hunt has now extended to caribou and black bear. Still waffling on the brown bear.) I am excited to introduce him to the show this weekend. He will be amazed at the parking problems alone.
The coolest thing about last week's show is they had a Great Horned Owl there who was in rehab after being hit by a car. He was so pretty and his eyes so intense. Talking to the handler, I'll bet that is the same type of owl that is living in our neighborhood. I hope he visits the show this weekend and I have the opportunity to watch him again.
Because the Mat-Su Outdoors Show was last weekend which we attended to tune up for the THE GREAT ALASKAN SPORTSMAN SHOW this weekend.
I actually enjoy walking around the shows and looking at all of the toys. There's usually some really fun vendors such as the Garlic Gourmet or the Pampered Chef that I occasionally buy things at (which reminds me - I need to go to the ATM :) ).
Robert missed last year due to a business trip so he was ready. He stopped at every other booth looking at guns, rafts, clothes, waders, etc. He now has new cammo for the moose hunt. (BTW - the hunt has now extended to caribou and black bear. Still waffling on the brown bear.) I am excited to introduce him to the show this weekend. He will be amazed at the parking problems alone.
The coolest thing about last week's show is they had a Great Horned Owl there who was in rehab after being hit by a car. He was so pretty and his eyes so intense. Talking to the handler, I'll bet that is the same type of owl that is living in our neighborhood. I hope he visits the show this weekend and I have the opportunity to watch him again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)