Long Nights and Winter Weather

Assuming winter in a small, SE Alaska coast town would be prone to fog, rain, wind, and cold, packing for warmth and comfort was essential.  However, the first full week revealed what? a changing climate? Unusually clear blue skies exposing all the surrounding mountains, water & islands as far as the eye can see, sunrise greetings in bed, sunset viewing just a walk down the street and sunshine all day long FOR A WEEK!!  And warm temps. And! AND!! an atypical showing of the Aurora Borealis view-able at a reasonable hour for several nights running! The week was spent in un-accosted-by-rain walks every day exploring the area, grocery shopping, setting up my cozy girl-cave room, greeting oh-so-friendly Sitkans, identifying volunteer opportunities and finding myself thinking; yup, this is where I'm supposed to be. 


A few weeks have passed now. Flat, gray drizzlies greet us, but not Seattle-style for days on end. Squalls provide excitement with strong winds and sideways rain; tropical jungle-type patterns occur (without the heat!) during which the day is filled with sunshine while the rain falls at night. In December, winter snow arrived building several inches in a day or two followed by f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g temperatures.
The nights are unbelievably crisp, clear and quiet with twinkling stars and a soft yellow moon.

The sun is low, the daylight hours are short. Daylight is a commodity not to be wasted indoors. Walks, exercise and volunteering keep me busy. Then, I look forward to 4pm when darkness settles. Not only is it a time to enjoy with others, it's also cherished time to enjoy alone; reading, writing, contemplating. 


Always one to celebrate changing weather, and one to complain about stagnant weather patterns, I'd love to enjoy more rainy, dreary gray days!