Small Town Fun

This weekend is Colony Christmas in downtown Palmer. Yesterday we enjoyed a community pancake breakfast and then scuttled off to a craft fair at the Palmer Train Depot. History of the New Deal is still alive and well in Palmer and the people here are very proud of their heritage…if you are an Alaskan, you’re in, and if you are planning to stay and contribute to this great little small town, well, you are definitely in! It’s amazing the connections you can make just by talking with people in your community, especially in a small town such as this. Last night we were treated to a hometown parade of lights followed by fireworks!! Palmer folks really know how to celebrate Christmas, this was the second fireworks display I’ve seen in the last 2 weeks!
It is really great to feel a part of a community. I don’t know if it is just easier here in Alaska to do so or if I just never tried in San Diego, but depending on where we end up I will definitely make a stronger effort to become part of my local community, whether it is through work or through volunteer efforts, it really is worth the time to reach out to those around you. You never know what kinds of opportunities may arise from contacts you make as long as you are open to the possibilities, and you might even make a friend or two.

Whoosh!

The little cabin in the suburb of Alaskan wilderness in which I live is currently shaking with the anticipation of Mary’s safe return…literally. The gusts of wind tobogganing down the Matanuska River valley are so strong that the house is shaking. I checked the NOAA website and they state 45 mph winds tonight with gusts up to 75 mph, whoosh! I am amazed by its force! I had to go outside to pick up the pet gate banging around on the deck and, man, the wind, literally took my breath away, what a rush!

I was looking over Mary’s posts with all of her pictures of snow scenes and I am so confused how there can be absolutely no snow on the ground in December in Alaska. That’s right, NO SNOW. We had a chinook, a bit like the Santa Ana’s San Diegans get…a warm wind that melted all the accumulation a couple of weeks ago and we haven’t had precipitation with cold temperatures since. Makes me feel cautious about how quickly climate change may actually be occurring. No one sees the affects as much as this state. With the decrease of sea ice, retreating glaciers, entire coastal villages evacuated…

Anyway, folks around here are a bit grumpy about the lack of snow…since the sun rises about 9:45 and sets about 3:45 having the snow on the ground actually lightens up the place. So it has seemed much darker than usual. It is so difficult to get up at a decent time in the morning…I know, I’m living the student life, but believe it or not I actually enjoy getting up early so I can have a productive day and it is ridiculously difficult. Fun part is that I actually get to see the sunrise every morning since it is so late and it is SO beautiful peeping around the talkeetna and the chugach range. The white rugged peaks with glorious golden sunbeams reaching out…amazing, I feel very lucky to see it.

Well, the wind is starting to slow a little…so maybe I can get some sleep tonight!