Autumn had been surprisingly warm but temperatures have dropped into the 20s and 30s, which is were we expect them to be at this time of year. The high-pressure systems have made for some gloriously sunny days and postcard-perfect views of the Chugach Range.
Clear days tend to mean clear nights, which provide the best viewing for the aurora borealis. On Wednesday night I got my first glimpse of the year. Unearthly, compelling, fascinating stuff even here in town, where light pollution tends to blunt the impact.
Then again, it was the middle of the night and I had no interest in driving to a darker area for a better view. Standing on the back deck in just a bathrobe was a bit chilly but I still got a good look and as always, seeing the northern lights felt like a privilege.
If they’re not visible where you live, check out these two links:
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute has an aurora slide show on its landing page.
YouTube has a nice real-time video shot by some folks who pulled over to watch the lights. Apparently it was shot in Finland but the accents indicate a couple of U.S. visitors in the car.
Note: I found the “look at that!” comments and the music a bit intrusive. You might want to turn down the sound on your computer before clicking.
Free money for staying put
The other piece of niceness was the bump-up in my checking account thanks to direct deposit of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend. This year it was $1,884 but mine was $1,859 because I donated $25 to a local cause.
Thirteen years have gone by since my last PFD, and I won’t lie: It’s a pleasant thing to receive. When I lived here before I considered it as a way to offset the “Alaska Gouge,” i.e., the higher cost of living. Just about everything we use has to be trucked, barged or flown up – way up.
Airfares are much higher, too. One of the many things I miss about Seattle is the chance to get some really good deals on flights across the country or even just shorter hops to visit my daughter in Phoenix.
This PFD won’t go toward travel, but rather toward financial peace of mind: Rounded up to $2,000 it will leave checking and get moved to my Roth IRA. That’s a nice head start; I’ll have until April 15 to find another $4,500 to max out the account.
Now that these two pieces of autumn have clicked into place, it’s time to acknowledge that winter really is right around the corner. In fact, they’re predicting snow this weekend.
Not before time, mind you. Yet somehow it’s always a tiny shock when those first flakes hit the ground. Each year I tell myself that this is the winter where I don’t let it get me down. Mostly I succeed but there are times when I wonder why a Jersey girl is living in such a cold and isolated place.
Pushing back the darkness
Last weekend DF and my niece and I attacked a giant stack of wood that’s been curing in the yard for a year. The resulting pile would be taller than I am if it hadn’t spread out so far – your aim wavers a bit after a couple of hours of throwing stove lengths.
Thank goodness for the invention of the gasoline-powered log splitter. Our ancestors would have had to use axes and mauls.
That wood will provide the lovely nights by the fire that help keep winter in perspective. So will the “dawn simulator” alarm clock, which gradually wakes us up, and the Seasonal Affective Disorder light therapy box, which makes sure we stay that way.
Besides: If winter comes, can the Talkeetna Bachelors Auction and Wilderness Woman Competition be far behind?
Related reading:
Thanks for including the video. Need to put seeing the lights for myself on a bucket list.
Well, bring a jacket: Fall and winter are the only times to get a good look.
Donna, I don’t know which I like better: your sensible financial advice or your lovely writing about Alaska!
Aw, thanks.
Here in Southern California, the temperature hit 100 F for the second day in a row, which coupled with exceptional drought conditions makes for extreme fire conditions.
How I envy your early fall cold temeratures and possible snow forecasts.
Wish I could send some cool temps and precipitation your way.
How lucky you are to see the aurora borealis from your back deck:) I have been fascinated by the aurora since childhood. I scan the night sky whenever the news says a solar flare makes it possible to see Aurora in the continental US. But it never seems to mean central Jersey. I do see the glow of North Jersey and NYC and the glow of Philly so there is just too much light pollution.
I’m not a winter fan either. I like being able to go outside and play in the yard. I take pictures of my prettiest flowers in the yard and look at them in the winter. We all need a hack to get through the cold.
Stay warm, my friend.
With all that wood stacked? I will definitely stay warm. And also think of flowers.