It's All Relative

Bush Alaska, in early March, is a far cry from what anyone in the lower 48 would call "spring." And yet, it sure feels like it today. It's Saturday afternoon, sunny, clear, and about 12-13 above, with little to no winds.

The snow will not melt for another 6-8 weeks, perhaps longer. But earlier today, as I was walking into Airport Pizza - our local coffeeshop/sports-bar/restaurant - I saw a handful of people sitting outside already with their frosty beers, happily soaking up the Alaskan sun at 20 degrees below freezing.

In a season when frostbite is still a legitimate concern, and when the Bering Sea is frozen solid as far as the eye can see, this was a refreshing sight. Tomorrow it may sink back to -20, there still may be a handful of blizzards in store for the coming weeks. But today, it's spring.