Fall, don’t blink or you will miss it

Alaska in the fall. A season so beautiful and quick that it comes and goes in a blink of an eye. I think it is the fastest of all our seasons up here. And yet it is one the most wonderful times of the year. A time of cold transition and vibrant color. Alaskan autumn is unique.

Most people think when it comes to fall that it is something like those in New England. Well I’m from there and I have been all over the place since those days. It spoiled me in some ways. But I also learned that every place has their own take on this short season of color. Alaska’s version is something to behold and love.

Alaska’s version reminds me a great deal of fall in Germany. A country I spent more than a few years living in on the U.S Army tourist plan. In other words I was stationed there- twice. During the last years of the Cold War. From 1981 to 1982 and my second tour from 1985 to 1988. There were lots of cottonwood and birch in the area that turned a bright gold in autumn. Much like it does here. Except here in Alaska there is a lot more of it.

Plus we mustn’t rule out the ground cover. All that fireweed is turning a rusty red. The other ground hugging plants are turning orange, rust, and deep red. The entire pallet is nearly there, one has to look down and not just up into the trees. Go up into Hatcher’s Pass or better yet try Denali and you will see what I mean. But don’t wait too long.

The Valley itself can produce some wonderful fall vistas of post card quality. My favorite view is when there is a light dusting of snow on the mountains surrounding us. The sun is out, the sky clear and the air crisp, with all the golden hued trees aflame on every hill. The greens of the pine and some of the ground cover give a contrast to the colors of rust and gold filling in the rest. You can’t beat that view at all. Well maybe you can but you will be hard pressed to do so.

So go out and grab your cameras. Take some shots for family and friends. Show off what is best about Alaska and yes the Valley too during this most colorful of seasons. Sadly, it will go away suddenly and the longest of our seasons here will begin — winter.