Spring In Alaska?

Seriously...volcanoes, snow storms, moose sightings, people climbing trees to get away from bears, bonfires--who has time for spring?  

These are just a few of the topics in our news here in Anchorage--LOL!  

Yes, the volcano continues to erupt--the ash has been going northeast, so it is missing Anchorage--darn, no "Volcano Day" off!!!  We are all still hopeful though!

On Saturday night Anchorage got 6 inches of heavy wet snow--Alaskans say this is the type of snow that melts the other snow--REALLY--I guess you have to reach where ever you can!  I was in the Valley (that's what Wasilla and area is called) so I didn't have to experience the snowfall.  Yesterday it was almost 40 degrees so it's melting!!  Speaking of Wasilla, I still haven't spied Sarah...I think she has been in Juneau actually working?!?  She's falling out of favor with Alaskans--they all figure she just has her own agenda--duh--a little slow here--you betcha!

 Moose are everywhere--I was driving in the middle of town--one just crossed the 4 lane highway--he wasn't even near the moose crossing sign--I yelled at him, much like Art would, and told him to cross at the sign!!  There was also one just hanging in the yard last week--Mary's dog went wild.  No one here ever tires of seeing moose--it's good luck!

The big news story last weekend was the man who was hiking and had to climb a tree to get away from the bear--you see he was lucky for two reasons--I'm told bears are slow this time of year (still sleepy) and he was able to yell at some people walking their dog near by--the dog scared the bear away.  Now I know why everyone here has multiple dogs--no, not just a couple--multiple!

Saturday, I went to a Spring Equinox Beach Party.  Let me describe my outfit--down coat, snow pants, mittens, boots, long underwear, heavy socks, hand and feet warmers...you get the picture.  I ask, does that sound like spring attire?  Well, it was a blast and I forgot my camera--sorry.  About 50 people showed up--we cooked-out hot dogs and huddled around the bonfire.  It was held at Kincaid Park--the walk to the "beach" was beautiful.  The park is located on the west side of town, across from Fire Island.  It was a clear day and had tremendous  views of Denali and Redoubt (volcano)--although it had not erupted yet.

I played Bunco with a bunch of school folk--the host makes dinner--Yum!  A free meal and dice--I'm living large here in AK!

By the way--I brought out my "Spring- Winter" jacket--maybe I can retire the "Down-Winter" jacket for the season--HA!

Happy Spring!