December in Kenai, Alaska

Darkness prevails.  Being New Englanders, we expected the winter darkness to descend upon the land in the late afternoon.  Much to our surprise, the night does not turn into day until 10:30 a.m.  This might be my only chance to quip that I rise at the crack of dawn.  :)   The sun seems always to be on the horizon and never overhead--a phenomenon every bit as bizarre as 20-hours of summer daylight.

The view from our window now appears as a snow globe.

Eagles are SO big when you look at them 

eye-to-eye.

We just don't get tired of watching our backyard visitors.  It is even becoming commonplace to pass them in the driveway, in town, strolling the plowed bike trail, in the church yard and beside the grocery store. :)

How cold is it when bubbles freeze you ask?

At -10 degrees bubbles go poof and turn into snowflakes.

-25 degrees

25 degrees BELOW zero is the temperature at which bubbles freeze!!!

What a find!!!  A new Christmas tree ornament.

When I am not in a state of semi-hibernation, cross stitching a wedding gift passes the time.

Adrienne sent a jigsaw puzzle to amuse us.

Oh God, let me get through this winter so I can wear my flip-flops again!!!  My toes are strangling in these boots.  Nightingale is in his glory prancing around in his circa 1985 green wool pants .

Trout Lake

November 4, 2012
I'm thinking hibernation...Ronna is thinking a 3-day adventure before winter arrives in force--a 6-mile hike to a Forest Service cabin on Trout Lake from the Resurrection Trail in Cooper Landing.

Before I knew what happened, we were on the trail.  Six miles felt like a long way to me!

It was a beautiful, clear day.  The surrounding mountains had a dusting of snow and the trail showed evidence of those who came before us--brown bear, wolves, moose and rabbits.

That charming little cabin on the lake was a welcome sight!

There was firewood to cut...

      and water to dip.

             



    It is hard to find adequate words to describe
the beauty all around us.

   A huge bonfire!

We feel fortunate indeed to be spending the winter in the company of this generous and giving family of Martins in Kenai, Alaska.  My hero Ronna carried her pack and pulled mine in a sled on the trek out.  I strolled like a lady of leisure.  :-)  She is quite a woman!

Juneau Falls

What a GREAT start to the winter!

  Time to hibernate!