hey hey everyone (Anchorage, Fairbanks: home, vacation, art)

[karfar]

Originally Posted by alaskarain

I know I have only had 1 winter here, but I gotta say the winter wasn't no where near as bad in my area as everyone I talked to before getting here made it out to be, the worst thing about it is the ice to me. Its only truely brutal when the wind blows. Worst thing to me is the long long day light hours. The short daylight hours didn't last long at all. I find I have a love-hate feeling in regards to the long days. I love the extra hours to play and explore but really messes with my sleep, can't get my windows dark enough to cover the light to sleep, Theres more fabric on my windows then on my bed...lol

I didn't realize that the all day daylight thing happened in Anchorage, I thought it was in the northern part of the state, along w/the constant darkness at times as well. Well, Wisconsin too is known for whacked out weather. We take it w/a grain of salt & lots of alcohol

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by karfar

At least you have a sense of humor about it Anything to keep from going absolutely crazy, right? I can't wait for the switch from piles of snow to mind-melting heat

Humor? Hell no! I'm dead serious about it!

From my point of view "summer" is just a miserable time that we can use to get ready for the fun part of the year! My favorite week is the first week in October, because by the end of that week it is always frozen down solid, with white stuff all over. It doesn't squeek yet perhaps, but at least there's snow on the ground. (If you haven't been north of the Alaska Range, you might not realize that "good" snow isn't wet and slushy, but is something that literally squeeks when you walk on it!)

Barrow is pretty good in the summer, because we only rarely get more than a few days that go above 65 degrees. 65 is hot enough to cause heat prostration for everyone who's been here longer than half a dozen years or so. At 70 degrees half the town is unable to function.

It's you folks down south, suffering from tropical delirium diseases, that are humorous.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by Floyd_Davidson

Humor? Hell no! I'm dead serious about it!

From my point of view "summer" is just a miserable time that we can use to get ready for the fun part of the year! My favorite week is the first week in October, because by the end of that week it is always frozen down solid, with white stuff all over. It doesn't squeek yet perhaps, but at least there's snow on the ground. (If you haven't been north of the Alaska Range, you might not realize that "good" snow isn't wet and slushy, but is something that literally squeeks when you walk on it!)

Barrow is pretty good in the summer, because we only rarely get more than a few days that go above 65 degrees. 65 is hot enough to cause heat prostration for everyone who's been here longer than half a dozen years or so. At 70 degrees half the town is unable to function.

It's you folks down south, suffering from tropical delirium diseases, that are humorous.

When it gets to be 45 degrees here in winter, people get out their shorts. Then, when it gets up to 90 & humid as crap in the summer, everyone's complaining about hallucinations & laying around like slugs. The happy middle ground is fall & spring which are really just blinks of the eye as far as I'm concerned, they last an average of 2 weeks. But I'm happy we have change of seasons, keeps things interesting.

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by alaskarain

I know I have only had 1 winter here, but I gotta say the winter wasn't no where near as bad in my area as everyone I talked to before getting here made it out to be, the worst thing about it is the ice to me. Its only truely brutal when the wind blows. Worst thing to me is the long long day light hours. The short daylight hours didn't last long at all. I find I have a love-hate feeling in regards to the long days. I love the extra hours to play and explore but really messes with my sleep, can't get my windows dark enough to cover the light to sleep, Theres more fabric on my windows then on my bed...lol

Your experience is actually the more normal. Everyone worries about what it's like to have such long dark winters... but the statistics show that every spring, about this time of year, is when Alaskans as group go nuts from too much light. The suicides, domestic violence, and general craziness that comes from excessive alcohol abuse is worse in the spring. It doesn't help that in many villages located along rivers people also run the risk of a flood destroying everything they own.

Oh, to get the windows dark! Use aluminum foil. Or just learn to sleep with the lights on (leave the room lights on in the winter and it won't be a problem in the summer).

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by DannyL

we're having light on/off snow right now.

I just realized I haven't looked out the window all day... Lordy-loo I'm sick of snow!

[ASpilot2be]

I vote we skip summer, and keep winter, spring, and fall

[alaskarain]

Originally Posted by Floyd_Davidson

Your experience is actually the more normal. Everyone worries about what it's like to have such long dark winters... but the statistics show that every spring, about this time of year, is when Alaskans as group go nuts from too much light. The suicides, domestic violence, and general craziness that comes from excessive alcohol abuse is worse in the spring. It doesn't help that in many villages located along rivers people also run the risk of a flood destroying everything they own.

Oh, to get the windows dark! Use aluminum foil. Or just learn to sleep with the lights on (leave the room lights on in the winter and it won't be a problem in the summer).

In my years working at the police department back in alabama and oklahoma, suicide and domestics increased almost by half during the winter months because weather prevented most from getting out of the house. Cabin fever mixed with bad situations to start off with is a bad combination, no matter where you are, but I heard the same was true here, that the long dark days and winter is when such events increase. However it maybe im glad I don't have to deal with all. I love all the seasons here.

Done the foil, done the dark wicker blinds with thick blankets. A fly can land on the wall and I will wake up, I hate being such a light sleeper. Last year I finally adjusted after some time, so maybe this year will be easier since I know more what to expect. Thanks for the info though.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by ASpilot2be

I vote we skip summer, and keep winter, spring, and fall

I'll second that motion. Should keep the wussies away.
But I still want summer vacation.

[warptman]

I'm going on a summer vacation...

[Rance]

Yes you are! And so am I. I'm headed for Sweden on the 30th. Although they are getting dumped on with snow right now. Hannah just got 3 more inches of the white stuff today. It was her first easter with snow this year. Might even be prettier there now with snow. In January they didn't have 10 snowflakes in the whole southern part of the country!