Since the Alaskan nights are dark again, we've been monitoring the website of the Geophysical Institute for the University of Alaska at Fairbanks to find out the best time to view the Aurora. They have a map with a scale that shows the likelihood of an Aurora appearance on any given night. We learned that our best chance of seeing the lights near Anchorage would be on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. After checking the weather forecast, it was confirmed that these nights would indeed be clear. All was in place and we were ready!
Sadly, Tuesday night was a dud. We had set our alarm to wake up around 3am (which is when they were most likely to be visible) but all we saw was a blurry shape in the sky that looked like a vague cloud. It was probably the Aurora, but it wasn't clear enough to discern. Since only a few weeks remain before we leave, we weren't about to give up our quest.
I was pointed to a Facebook group that sends notifications when the Aurora is visible and began monitoring it. Posts started pouring in Wednesday night, and according to the spotters, we were in for a treat right after sunset! I woke up the whole family and we headed out to the balcony to watch the show together. It was cold but we hardly noticed because the lights were glorious! They danced and faded in and out like wisps of colored smoke. I can't even begin to tell you what a wonderful thing it was to share this experience with our children. We were all thrilled! After I figured out the settings on my camera (I'm no pro) we were able to take these pictures.
The neighbors across the lake keep their lights on all night, so that's what you're seeing at the bottom.
These pictures show the lights as green, but we also saw some with pink and blue in them.
Our kids had a great time spotting the different ribbons. The show lasted for about an hour, but we stayed out longer "just in case". The locals tell me that when it's very quiet outside, you can hear them sing. They make sounds! This person actually recorded it. What do you think?
Saturday we visited the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer. It was a beautiful day and we were glad to have gone to the fair when it opened, because the traffic heading there was crazy! The Musk Ox Farm, itself, is nearby and was very easy to get to once we were past the fairgrounds. It's a real farm with other farms next to it. It has pastures and gated areas to separate the herd. We took a tour and our guide was a wealth of information. He explained the history of musk oxen and how the farm is currently working to domesticate their herd. He also told us that Jeopardy host, Alex Trebek, has been a tireless supporter of the farm and has been honored with the title "Herd Godfather." Then he took us out to the fields.
We avoided a certain pasture because one of the bucks was growling at us (protecting his ladies...). I had no idea musk oxen could growl! They also compete with each other for top billing in the herd and butt heads. Their skulls and horns are specifically designed to withstand the force, which is pretty significant. When they feel threatened, the males will circle up around the females and babies to protect them. Not many predators chance messing with them after that.
Here's the male giving us the stink eye
We learned about how the Qiviut (Musk Ox Wool- pronounced kiv-ee-yute) is harvested by combing out the under layer, instead of shearing it off, and how the wool is 6x warmer than sheep's wool. It's also softer than cashmere and doesn't shrink in the wash. After feeling a sample, I can attest that it's the softest natural fiber I've ever felt. Plus, it's durable. One woman said that she'd had her nachaq (pronounced nahh-shock. Our guide is wearing one around his neck in the first picture.) for over thirty years. My favorite part of how they use the fiber is that they work with native people in different parts of Alaska to knit the wool into specific patterns to be sold at local shops. The artists are paid for their work and are part of a co-op to make sure they are fairly treated and compensated.
This is the combing pen
At the end of the tour, the kids had fun feeding fireweed to the babies. Apparently it's one of their favorite treats!
The past few months have gone by in a flash. In between all the sightseeing, we've been doing every day life. My husband has been working from home mostly, and flew back to Washington a few times for meetings. We've been cleaning house, grocery shopping, vegging out, and deciding what to do next. While on one of the message boards for our local communities I saw an announcement for an open sew day at the community center. I didn't have to be told twice! Before you could say "bobsyouruncle" my project was packed and I was waving goodbye to the kids while they stayed home with dad.
The group I met is a small group from a small town. Most of them make up a guild called the "IditaQuilters." They welcomed me in and it was great to be able to talk to women with similar interests. We admired each others work and exchanged information. One woman was even sweet enough to send me off with a jar of freshly made raspbarb (raspberry-rhubarb) jam.
These women told me about the area and what they do during the year. Some stay year-round. Some are seasonal. They showed me patriotic quilts they make for an organization that works with veterans. I can't remember which one exactly, so I'll ask next time I see them. They've also been working together to make quilts for the fire victims of Willow, Alaska. Many people lost everything but fortunately all the dogs were saved. Quilters from all over Alaska came together to send quilts to make the lives of the victims a little more comfortable. Quilters are a generous lot. They have made many, but still have a way to go.
Here are a few pictures of quilts they were kind enough to let me photograph.
Oh! A tidbit about Alaska that I've found interesting is that a lot of people and businesses use milepost markers as part of their address. For example I might be directed to find the "so-and-so hotel at milepost 87 in small town, Alaska." That's how we found the tiny town of Wiseman when we were up in the Arctic. I wonder if other states use that system in rural areas?
Happy September!
- Jen
(Newly registered Independent Consultant for Thirty-One Gifts. ;-))
