Monday, January 12, 2009

It has been -35 C here lately, or colder, and then with the wind chill, the temperature is unspeakable. The sun comes up around 10 in the morning, and disappears again before 4 in the afternoon. Everyone is clumping around town in their giant white Sorels, kids are forced to wear itchy long johns, and in short, winter is looking never-ending. Normally, all this makes me rather cranky. But this weekend I was reminded of why I really, really love it here.
When I was unloading the car at the dump on Saturday, a raven (I love ravens. They are the coolest birds.) came and sat on the roof of my car, looked right at me, and chattered away. I think he was talking about the weather, or perhaps he was introducing me to his family all gathered around on the ground. Who knows. It was just a neat experience.
Then, as I was leaving, I saw a coyote wandering around the dump. He was totally not afraid of me (which is a bad sign) and just kept doing his thing while I drove up next to him. His huge, fluffy tail was almost as big as his body, and he seemed completely unaffected by the cold.
As I was driving home, I glanced down a side road off the highway, and caught a glimpse of a moose. I quickly turned and went back, and slowly drove right up to a mama moose, standing with her little one, looking majestic and regal in the way that only those beasts can.
As I continued home, I actually looked around me. When it's bitter cold outside, the sky here is clear and sharp blue. The sun was setting, and it made all the snow blindingly bright, with pink and blue shades everywhere.
I know I complain. And really, I think I have the right to at times. But every once in awhile it's nice to be reminded of what the Yukon is all about.

5 comments:

Matt, Kara, Hunter and Cavan said...

I find it hilarious that we both blogged about fun trips to the dump this weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Despite the long, long winters, the Yukon is a very special place, and you've just described some of the reasons. Even a trip to the dump can turn into a memorable experience (in a good way!)

dogsled_stacie said...

You weird northerners and your dump trips.

That reminds me - I'm overdue for a dump trip! :)

icancarryallthebagsandthebabiestoo said...

I am actually, completely jealous of your weather. I'm in Philadelphia. Today we're at a seasonal low of 28 degrees. But, still no snow. It's so unfair for it to be so cold and still have no snow!

Anonymous said...

-35 is pretty unspeakable by me. That's the sort of temperature we've been having this week -- WITH the windchill -- and we all think it's totally unspeakable.

Those other things, though? Very cool. I have never once in my life seen a live moose outside of a zoo.