In Alaska, fall is one of those “blink-and-you-miss-it” situations. Last summer’s deluge of rain kept things green longer than usual, but eventually our world turned golden. For maybe a week? It was still chronically wet outside, but I guess that’s why God invented raincoats. (Or maybe that was George Macintosh? One of those two.)

Maggie was the lottery winner of the season. She made plans for a trail ride at Eklutna Lake on September 29th, and the group committed to go, rain or shine. Lucky her: it was shine!

But all good things must come to an end, and now it’s time to psych ourselves up for wintery fun instead. There were plenty of ice skaters on Potter Marsh setting a good example for us this week:

Fall is fading and my 26th Alaskan winter is right around the corner. Snow tires are on the cars, the heated water dish is in the chicken coop, and soup is officially back in the meal rotation. It’s dark when I drive to work, but at this point it’s still light when I come home. And the pavement is still visible, which is something I never take for granted.

So I guess we’re ready.

Excited? Notsomuch.

But ready nonetheless!