My First Break-Up - (Alaskan Style)

My First Break-Up (Alaskan Style)

 

So I have been to Alaska 3 times in the last five months and, as you all know, I love it here.  Everyone says, “Just wait until summer, Just wait until summer!”.  That goes without saying but I am definitely enjoying all the seasons here in Alaska.  Daylight has now surpassed what we are used to in California, temperatures are consistently over freezing during the day, the snow is melting, and spring is just around the corner.  This is what Alaskan’s call “break up”.  Locals may find it dirty and ugly but I see it as a glimpse of what is to come. 

We drove from Anchorage and Seward and back and this was the best indication of breakup.  The roads are clear, snow on the hills and in the mountains, ice walls have turned to waterfalls, the inlet has no more icebergs and just the fast water, ice ponds are turning into lakes and civilization is starting to rebound.  The roads were full with RV’s headed out and transportation companies taking boats to the ocean.  Restaurants in Seward are beginning to see tourists, resorts are beginning to open and activities are changing from dog sleds to ATV tours.  You sure get the feeling that spring is here!

As we look off the balcony of our condo, moose pellets are left on the edge of the forest.  I’m excited to see that there may be a creek through the forest and may attract the animals that we can see and hear mating calls from our windows.  The walking and biking trail at the end of street is now accessible.  The cruise ships haven’t begun to arrive but the tourist traps are gearing up for their arrival.  My stepson and I checked out the Ulu Factory and the Alaska Wild Berry Products and both were empty.  We were able to see their wears and check out their displays without anyone else in their stores.  In a month, that surely won’t be the case. 

In February we joined the Anchorage HOG club and we’re looking forward to being able to ride motorcycles through the Kenai Peninsula and Denali Park among other areas with the club.  At the time, there was very little glimpse that motorcycle riding was even a possibility in this state.  Now, oh man!, we cannot wait!  As we visited the shop today,  Anchorage House of Harley shop is jumping and their service department is getting the customers bikes ready for the season.  Spring is right around the corner.  Out on the road we are seeing more and more people enjoying their 2 wheels of transportation.  Life is Good! 

Born and raised in California our seasons are not pronounced.  The mildness of change can come overnight.  One week is winter and the next is summer.  Spring is endless weeks of 80 degree weather.  Here in Anchorage you can enjoy the snow, dead and frozen brown grass beginning to sprout, people wearing shorts as it’s now 50 degrees, and roads accessible without automatic 4WD.  People emerge and life begins to change.  Halibut fishing season is among us which my husband and son will partake in this week.  No more dog sled ride and Meghan and myself will now venture out on an ATV tour to Knik Glacier this week.  May 1^st begins even more options. 

I look forward to seeing the promise of summer.  Winter was amazing.  Spring with daylight until 930pm at night gives us such promise.  Summer, oh the allure of summer, may just seal the deal.  Anchorage and Alaska gives us such natural love and beauty that just the thought of what summer can bring holds much excitement of what is ahead.