Global warming causes wimps?

The Yukon is sure changing. Or at least Yukoners are. Not that many years ago, the deep-freeze that we’re now in was the norm for a few weeks every year. While it was still a common conversation starter, life went on as usual. This year, activity has noticeably slowed in Whitehorse, though. When I went to Canadian Tire for some bird seed a couple of days ago, the store was almost empty and the clerk was quite surprised that I’d go out “in this weather” for “just bird seed”. Our dog walks are shorter and the hot tub isn’t getting used as often (getting naked at minus 45 isn’t a whole lot of fun regardless of how good the water feels!), but other than that, things are pretty normal for Cathy and I.

I quite enjoy this cold, actually. I suppose that’s not quite true – it’s not the cold I enjoy, it’s the fact that this cold is one of the things that makes the Yukon unique that I enjoy. I enjoy the ice fog, the gorgeous pastels of the evening light, the sight of people so bundled up you can’t even tell if they’re male or female much less who they are. And it’s beautiful as well – crystal clear (once you get above the ice fog). The first photo below was taken as I was about to pull out of the Mary Lake subdivision on my way into town yesterday – that’s the Alaska Highway ahead. The second is the ever-growing ice towers, taken at 4:52, 10 minutes before sunset.