The Sun Almost Rises

How many websites do you know of that sport a sign like this? The pending sunrise is a big deal...it feels almost like the anticipation just prior to Christmas. Sunrise fever is high here in Barrow with just a week until the big day.

I know you wonder what it's like to live in the darkness for 2 ½ months. Well, here's a secret...it's not really dark ALL of the time; just most of the time these past few months.  Since the sun set, we have had civil twilight for several minutes, which is similar to that hour or so just after the sun sets in normal climates. Now that we're only a week away from the BIG day, it's light for longer periods. Also, we have "almost" sunrises every day, now. The best viewing right now is out Clearwater Lake Road. We spent an hour out there today, walking the dogs and marveling at the sky.

 

It's between noon and 2:00 p.m. that these pictures are taken. It's been relatively warm because the wind is not blowing ferociously. Today it was around -13℉ and quite pleasant though I still wound up with frozen eyelashes. 



See how Raven gets a little white beard after running around? That's what my eyelashes look like at the end of our walk. In the 45 minutes we were out the sky changed dramatically. I took 82 pictures; I kept trying to capture the beauty. I guess you just have to be here to really get the "feel" of the sky, but I'm doing my best to give you a taste. Every day that we have like this, I keep thinking that Barrow is a very well-kept secret. Okay, it's not for everyone, and I'm sure you're thinking it's definitely not for you. However, I can understand why the Iñupiat settled here. 
There is a uniqueness throughout Barrow, as we were reminded yesterday when we made our monthly stop at the gas station. I can hear your gasps from here...yes, it is really only about once a month that we need gas, a little more often in this weather because we need to warm up the car for longer periods. 
Here's a common sight at the gas station...the local kids fueling up before taking off on an adventure. I'm thinking you don't see this at many of your local gas stations. Note they are wearing helmets, though it doesn't appear that they are eligible for driver's licenses!