The Climber

There's certainly lots of snow for us to enjoy in Alaska this winter, and now is the time to do so. The light is returning, the crust is hardening, and the worst of winter is certainly over. I took advantage of this weather to don snowshoes and pack down some trails into the woods next to our house. Though only a few hundred yards away, this patch of alders is completely inaccessible in summer. The grass reaches 10 feet tall, the route is all hummocks, and its a battle getting in there.
Fiona loved it in there, and my idea is to groom a trail into there this spring and keep it open all summer. A small seasonal rivulet works its way through there, and I thought I could make it her personal playground in the woods. I just hope the moose are willing to share, because this is their route in and off our property, and establishing a trail will certainly bring them into our yard with more regularity. I think it will create more sandhill crane traffic, too. We will soon have our own zoo, just not for petting.

The Great Snow

 I can only think of one winter, 1999 to be specific, that there has been this much snow on the lower Kenai Peninsula. The system that has hammered us this winter has been relentless; a combination of cold temperatures, high winds, and lots of snow.
We were lucky enough to be in Arizona for a few weeks, and I thought that the nastiness would only last a few weeks. I was wrong, this has lasted a few months.
There have been a few lulls in the action that have allowed us to go out, play, and enjoy this winter wonderland.
I guess this is what keeps the crowds away.

The Rocks of Red

 Arizona. Digging it.