Signs of Change

Winter is Coming

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I’m not someone who tries to make predictions about the weather. I prefer to prepare and go with whatever is thrown my way. Predictions and forecasts are so often wrong, I find them pointless, to be honest. That said it’s hard to ignore some of the curious changes that have already begun on the mountain.

A little fireweed plant, nearly done flowering.

Fireweed

Fireweed begins blooming at the bottom of the flower and opens higher up as the season progresses. The common belief in Alaska is that when the flowers reach the top - winter is well on its way. A few days ago I noticed, to my surprise, that some are already at the top. Though I made note of it, I decided not to think too seriously about it.

Starting to turn white and looking like it’s packed on some weight for winter.

Hares

Then just yesterday, Curt pointed out something else that I consider a more serious sign of the changing season. The wild hares often in my yard during twilight - have begun to turn white. Subtly, their brown summer coats have begun to make way for the brilliant white which makes them invisible in the snow.

I mentioned to him,
’The season has begun to change’
To which he replied,
’well, it is mid-august’

We talked about an interesting difference between us. My schedule is marked by the changes in the world around us rather than the date on the calendar. My days are guided by what the mountain says. If the berries are ripe, it’s time to pick. If it’s raining or snowing, it might be a good day to stay inside by the fire.

Usually, I notice things like the rabbits changing before Curt does. This year Curt noticed before me. Though he’s more guided by the calendar, he’s becoming a mountain person too. The change has him seeming more at peace in his world. Though it’s already mid-August, we both can feel that we need to start getting firewood very soon. In an unspoken way, we know what needs to happen as though we’ve found a rhythm with the mountain.

Blue Huckleberries at full blast

Huckleberries and Cold Nights

We’ve picked pounds of huckleberries already whereas usually, they’re just getting ripe by now. Is it a really good season? Or, could Winter be aiming to make an early appearance? Also, the nights have begun to drop off. Just a bit -but enough to put on pants as soon as the sun sets. I love this kind of weather, sleeping in the cold and wearing a cozy hoodie in the morning while I have my coffee.

It’s feeling like a real thing!

A Season of Change

This feels like a season of change on the mountain, not only in the weather but in lifestyle. We’ve spent the past few months working double time building and improving. The new barn will make life this winter much easier. The house is starting to look beautiful and we’re making a workshop to pursue our interests while the world is covered in snow.

The first winter was intense.

My Non-Forecast

This feels a lot like 2020, my first year here and the year I fell in love with this mountain. Abundant berries and foraging, lush greenery and an intensely beautiful winter. I hope the snow will fall like it did that year. We weren’t ready for it but we made due and had fun. Though the deep snow is still menacing, there aren’t words for how excited I am for the change of the season both in weather and in life.

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