A Blanket of Snow

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself. ~ Ruth Stout ~

Alaska is an awe-inspiring place to live. It is easy for me to find beautiful things to photograph here. But just before winter fully arrives, the landscape seems to blend together into a large brown mass. The leaves which remain are pale yellow and spotted with brown. The limbs and twigs on the trees shrivel and dry out. The wild grass, which used to be a nice golden shade of yellow, turns beige. The fireweed has long since lost its seeds, and the rich magenta flowers are a pleasant memory.

The world seems to be going to sleep. Soon it will be tucked in tightly with a frosty, white blanket.

For fifteen minutes this evening, we got a preview of what is to come. The huge flakes brought children outdoors, twirling in circles with their mouths open. Running up and down the hills. Laughing and playing.

I wanted to join them....