Break-Up Time

A recent outing up Donnelly Dome

Although winter is hanging on strong (it’s still frequently below zero in the evening and morning), it seems that we are in the last few weeks of its brawny grasp.  The daytime temperatures are now consistently hovering around freezing or above.  We also have 14 solid hours of daylight!  The depths of winter are fading from our memories.   From this point on, there should be no more:

-frozen, square tires on our cars

-frozen everything inside our cars- batteries, steering wheel, stick shift, brake pedal, etc

-frozen toilets and showers

-frozen floor in our cabin (in which our shoes are literally stuck to the floor in the morning)

-extremely high electricity and oil bills

This makes me very happy (understatement).

Rather than actually being called spring, the season that is approaching us is referred to as Break-Up season.  It occurs when the ice on the rivers begins to break apart, changing from solid to liquid.  It is also marked by the melting of the snow that has been on the ground since the beginning of October.  

In my own mind, I feel that there is a double meaning to the term “break-up” season.  I envision the term as also referring to me ending a tumultuous and semi-painful relationship with Winter.   It’s been a long seven months and although Winter and I shared many good times together, it is evident that we both need a break from each other’s company, meaning it’s time to go our separate ways.   I don’t envision myself shedding any tears over our break-up.  I eagerly look forward to dating Summer once again. 

Winter wasn’t all pain and sorrow, though.  Winter was also beautiful with powdery, sparkling white snow, gliding ski tracks, dancing Northern Lights in the sky, and a peaceful silence that encompassed the land .  As we kiss Winter goodbye, here’s a look back at some fond memories we shared: 

Cross country skiing through the powder, straight from our front door

Lots of caribou sightings in Donnelly Flats

Ditto from the previous caption

Passing the sign that always cracks us up on the Richardson.  Pipeline viewpoint to the left?  Seriously? I think I'll take the snow capped,  MAJESTIC viewpoint dead ahead of Mt.Moffit!  Where's the sign for that one?????  

Snowshoeing in the fluffiest powder I have ever experienced

Escaping from snow by hiking on windblown Donnelly Dome

Moose crossing!  (A whole lot of moose!)

The five moose after crossing the road prior to intimidating a herd of caribou forty strong 

Two cuties out hiking recently