65, clear, and nary a breeze brings out the spiritual me. Especially when I’m out on my bike on the 3rd of May!
That’s the aptly named Exit glacier back there, the halfway point of my ride last Saturday. You’ve seen it before if you’re a regular here. Some will coldly say, “Yeah, “Exit”, go ahead, get outta here, and good riddance.” But such an attitude I think only serves to enforce the stereotype of cold being a harsh mistress, and ignores the magnificence of its boldest expressions. Don’t get me wrong, clearly I love a warm day in Alaska, wouldn’t mind enjoying a few more, but so much of the grandeur of our surroundings up here is made possible by winter, and the outwash of its brief, annual retreats. Winter’s bad rap is undeserved.