Stellar Air Seaplane ride from Homer, AK
“Season” is upon Us!
I’ve never lived anywhere where there were true, distinct seasons. Born and raised in California you go from
winter to summer overnight. Spring is a
mild summer and fall is a cooler summer.
Trees change gradually and if you didn’t see what was in the “seasonal
items” aisle at Costco or Walmart, you probably wouldn’t know that there was a
transition upon us.
This last month up in Alaska has been amazing to enjoy the
transition from winter into spring. When
I arrived mid-April there was still random snow on the ground and the
temperature still dipped below freezing over night. Then literally from dusk to dawn one day buds
were on the trees. Add in two days of
rain and all of a sudden all the dead grass from winter turned green and the
trees went crazy. Nature must know that
the progression must happen quick because you can just about watch the trees
bud and blossom. One day a lake is still
covered in ice and the next day seaplanes are readying to use the same lake for
their runway!
Randy and I took off for a weekend down on the Kenai
Peninsula and the road that we have traveled many, many times had changed. Same curves and scenery but the street
sweepers have cleaned up the roads, studded tires now need to be off all
vehicles plus signs have gone up to not park on the side of the road. In additon
port-a-potties are now set up at highway pull outs, speed limits have been
reduced, and additional wildlife warning signs have been put up. We see more and more 5th wheels,
motorhomes, motorcycles, trucks with off road toys being hauled and locals are
trying to get in position before the tourists get here. This is tourist season! That time when the cruise ships begin
bringing passengers to discover the Last Frontier. All the shops are reading with logo items and
trinkets to be brought home as gifts.
You can feel all of this in the air. Alaska is amped up! Nature is changing. Ice falls are now water falls. Frozen lakes and marshlands are showing the
birds and animals what they have to offer.
The bears are waking up hungry.
The moose have their young.
Mother nature is happy and thriving!
Days are longer. Daylight is
long. From dusk to dawn you may only
have 5-6 hours of complete darkness. It
will continue to stay lighter and lighter until the summer solstice and by the
end of June there won’t be complete darkness.
The added light provides Alaska’s people exciting times to enjoy the
outdoors and that energy is contagious.
It’s difficult to put into words the energized feeling that
is shared among the people. Everyone
knows that the summer is short and there’s a lot to do in a short amount of
time. Construction goes nuts. Road work is in a hurry trying to balance the
tourists visiting the state of Alaska and the short time to complete projects
before the snow returns. Summer
activities begin, fishing boats going out, seaplanes, glacier cruises, white
water rafting and seasonal restaurants and hotels are beginning to open for the
season. Ads on TV switch to activity
companies and dinner cruises.
It’s so fun to be a part of this, to feel the energy and
enjoy the excitement. I no longer feel
as if I’m the visitor, I am one of Alaska’s children readying for the
masses. As so many people have said to
me, I now say to others, WELCOME TO ALASKA!
