Let's talk weather....

I was watching the "SomersinAlaska" YouTube channel and Jessica said that we are in full on winter mode.  After yesterday, I would have to agree.  So, let's talk weather since I have arrived.

On the 4100+ mile journey across the US and Canada, I watched the seasons change from late summer to early fall, to full on fall colors to the bare trees of late fall.  Each mile moved me either north or west and sometimes both at the same time.  It was fun to watch, sort of like time lapse photography but in real-time.

When we arrived in Fairbanks, the trees that had leaves had long since dropped them.  In fact, our lawn guy had already come in for the final mowing and leaf removal.  Only the few stubborn leaves that resisted the seasonal changes remained to fall for me to get the feel of fall.

I had left Parkesburg with the air conditioner running.  I arrived in Fairbanks to full on furnace running.  During the day it was comfortable to be out in a light jacket or a hoodie.  But I soon found myself looking for a heavier coat at Walmart so I could attend a bonfire party in the snow that was falling a few hundred feet higher without looking like a total idiot.  After all, the truck had not arrived with the winter clothes that I thought I would not need until much later.

So, we are in the middle of our third significant snow fall.  There was an early storm before the truck arrived.  It was just a tease as it melted away letting the grass show.  The truck arrived before the next storm.  But it was a week or so before any of the coats appeared as they were not in any of the wardrobe boxes.

The next snow was between 3 and 4 inches.  Rob had a bit more up on the mountain.  He was able to use his new snow blower to clear his driveway.  Then he spent the next day with me.  He broke out the snow blower that was left behind and was able to blow out my driveway.  I had actually taken the car out before he removed the snow and I had no trouble.

I have never been confident in my ability to drive in snow.  I knew this when I made the decision to come here.  So I knew/know that this is something I will have to gradually get used to.  I am very pleased with the location of the house to the things I will need, so I have no doubt I will conquer this obstacle.  I may not go out right away after a snow, but little by little, I will make the adjustments I need to make.

I woke up this morning to quite a but of additional snow.  I had my ankle boots on and the snow was creeping over the tops as I was walking the dogs this morning.  It will continue snowing today and into tomorrow.  They are calling for 4 to 8 on top of the snow we already had.  And all of this snow will be remaining on the ground until the spring thaw... whenever that might be.

I talked to Rob about calling in the plow guy (the lawn guy who mows our lawn) to clear the driveway.  But Rob wants to wait until tonight's plans get firmed up.  There may be a dinner... it is Wednesday.... and then he may tackle the driveway with me after that so I can learn how to use the blower.  If I can do that, then I will not be paying to have the snow plowed, which will save much money in the long run.

It was nice to have Rob to talk to about things like this.  One of the reasons I moved here is to be able to run things by family that are on my mind rather than having to make decisions on my own.  It is one of the things I did not like doing since Rudy died.

Yesterday we had some electrical work done on the house.  In preparing for a generator, the electrician had noted some issues with the outside electrical supply equipment.  It had sustained some damage either when a tree fell or a pole moved, but it was not caught by the inspector and it needed to be addressed.  So the recommended electrician came yesterday for phase one... repair.  He did a wonderful job at a good price, so Bill Stewart at Stew's Electric has become our 'go-to' electrician.

When I woke up, the outside temp was 0.  We had quickly gone into freezing and below.  Now back in Parkesburg, freezing and below will take your breath away.  You walk outside and the cold penetrates your clothing and hits your skin with shivering results that can go into your bones in no time.  That is because the moisture in the air holds the cold and it lays heavily in the air and just chills you so quickly.

Here, the air is dry.  So even in the freezing and below, it does not "feel" as cold.  This also means that the snow has a different texture.  Back in Parkesburg, you can get the really big snowflakes.  Those are wet and heavy.  The snow here is tiny little flakes.  Sometimes you do not even see it until it lands in your coat or the dog's back.  It is not heavy.  It is light and fluffy... perfect for a snow blower.  Kate says that as it stays on the ground that it actually changes.  I know that as I walked the dogs on the previous snow, the snow on the ground actually crunched as you walked on it.  That, plus the snow never seems to get dirty.  It glistens in the sunlight.  As you walk along, it actually looks like someone took handfuls of teeny tiny crystals and scattered them on top of the snow.  If you are fond of glitter, you would love the snow here.

So, I need to get my day going.  I have been making progress in the kitchen.  I am taking a break for now to do this blog and will pick up later in the day to get more things done in the kitchen.  And it is already early afternoon here... you guys out East are sitting down for dinner.  I am going to have a more lazy kind of day, I guess.  

That works for me.  I deserve a break every now and then!!