Alaskans know how to do winter. I was told to be sure to put studded tires on our cars. Starting September 30th, you are officially allowed to drive on them. You can keep the "studs" on until April 15th. The tire stores have been swamped the last month doing "tire change overs". I thought I'd beat the rush and show up to the tire place 15 minutes before they opened on a Monday morning. I did, but I was still 7th in line and had about an hour wait. But, the Suburban's got the studs now, and we are ready for the white stuff to start falling any day.
An elder at church instructed me in the proper footwear for quick trips outside the house - waterproof boots with a felt liner having a loop at the top that makes them easy to put on. Another family from the church who moved just before we arrived left a huge container of winter gear, including a pair of boots that match this description.
So, studded tires...check, easy-on waterproof boots...check.
It may be too late to put up Christmas lights outside (although I didn't plan on doing it anyway). Apparently, Alaskans don't wait until December comes to get into the Yuletide spirit. I've noticed several houses, including our neighbors, with their lights already on. It must be because if you wait too long, you'll be putting up lights in the snow and ice.
Or, you can do what the previous owners of our house did: put up the Christmas lights, and never take them down. We did take them down, though. They looked awful up there on the house and didn't work anyway.
The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are falling. Yes, we are about to experience our first winter up here in north country. Once we've made it, we'll no longer be such greenhorns.
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