November Already?

And in October what did we do?  Other than the usual school and work routines, not a whole lot.  During our clear and cold spell, Bryant and I went on an evening hike to the top of the Butte, which is an short steep hike with lots of rewards.  The moon was almost full and rising, while the sun was setting.  

Bryant built a woodshed earlier this fall, which gave us the mission to fill it.  For several weekends, we went to the property to bring back some wood. Slowly the empty space is disappearing. 



 Even though the snow is holding off, the cold has definitely crept in. One thing we know for certain up here is that it won't be too much longer before we are shoveling the entryway and plowing the drive. 

Guardian of the River and Road

There is about 15 feet between Knik River Road and the Knik River. Much of this riverbank area is lined with cottonwoods and alder bushes.  Friday, I noticed a bald eagle near the top of a cottonwood tree unconcerned with both the traffic and the rain; every so often its head would rotate back and forth between the river and the road.  Fast forward two days. There I am running down Knik River Road and in the same spot is a bald eagle, oblivious to the traffic and the rain rotating its head back and forth. Seems like the fall drizzles has put a damper on its spirits as well. 

Last Days of September

  Pioneer Peak Viewed from front deck at the house

 We woke up Saturday to the snow level at about 500 feet.  Thankfully it didn't take long for the sun to melt it all away.  After dealing with a few house chores, Bryant and I decided to head to the property.  He built a woodshed at the house; all we needed was wood to fill it up.  

King Fisher Lake

It turned out to be a nice weekend.  We enjoyed an evening canoeing on King Fisher Lake, which is about 100 feet from our property line on Mat-Su Borough land and an evening fire with an almost full moon.  Although the frost was heavy in the morning, that eventually melted away and we brought back a truckload of wood to the house.  Now, all that is left is the fun part:  splitting and stacking! 

Fall Reflections

Rain, Flooding, and More Fall Colors

Driving into Palmer Friday morning, we noticed flashing lights along the Old Glenn Highway in the Butte (the small community between our house and Palmer and also where I teach).  Although it was dark, we could see water where it shouldn't be.  After dropping the kids off and getting in my morning run, I made my way over there to take some pictures.  There has been a lot of rain lately and the braided, unpredictable Matanuska River has been eating away at the bank.  The course of the river is shifting and unfortunately a couple houses have been taking the hit.    

 

Old Glenn Highway House

 A little cabin on this property was already lost to the river a few weeks ago and the house itself is now in danger. Once the river jumped the bank, water started flowing in all kinds of places water hasn't been in the last 40 years.

The bike path from the Butte to Palmer

After school, I walked the river trail behind our house to see what was going on with the Knik River. While it is running higher than normal, it is still contained in its banks.   

Knik River viewed from the River Trail

Even though it has been windy and rainy this fall, it hasn't been cold.  There has only been one day of frost, and I think that is why the fall colors seem to be hanging on a little longer than normal. 

A nearby pond

Shadows and Snow on the Mountains

Mostly Cloudy with the Flavor of Fall



Cottonwood Trees by Man-Made

Lake, Knik River, Alaska

Dark mornings, the color on the trees, frost on the windshield, and moose and caribou antlers sticking up in the back of pick-up trucks passing by are all indicators that the season is changing.  Alaska's short lived fall season has arrived.  Now it's a matter of squeezing in a few more outdoor activities between the raindrops before the snow arrives.