Finally, breakup is here at last in Southcentral

It started during the Easter holiday weekend. The great switch was thrown. Suddenly, we had warm days and cool nights. Temperatures roamed up into the mid-40s, melting the snow that has been here since November. Breakup has arrived at last.

It may be a tad early, but I’m hearing no complaints about that, none whatsoever, which is fine by me. I am loving every minute of it. All that warm sunlight doing its thing is more than welcome at my home. With each steady drip as the snow melts slowly away it is sure sign that warmer days are ahead. The great thaw has begun.

It was a such a day in Palmer in the first week of April that made it all come about for me. I ditched my field jacket, wool cap and gloves for the first time in months and put on my flight glasses and baseball cap with the Army logo. Then, with just my OD green wool overshirt and backpack, I set out for a walk under the midday sun in downtown Palmer.

It was 48-plus and nary a cloud in the deep blue sky. The mountains, still deep in their slumber under a blanket of thick snow, gleamed brightly like polished bone under the sun’s rays. The air still had a gentle, crisp bite. Each breath was a pleasure to take in. It tasted of fresh spring like water from a mountain stream.

The streets and sidewalks were clear of snow and quite dry. Oh, there was still snow on the ground between buildings and the open spaces in front and behind the snow was blinding from the sun’s glare.

Thank god for my government-issue aviator sunglasses.

The water tower, which always reminded me of a Martian war machine from H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds,” wasn’t menacing at all in reality. It dominated the skyline in its faded silver skin and the block letters of “Palmer” painted in a friendly black. It to seemed to enjoy the warmth of the day as well.

So off I went through town, stopping off at a thrift store or two to buy a couple of books. And then back out in the sunshine. Everyone I ran into was in the same mood as I, enjoying the day without all the winter gear for the first time in months.

Of course there will be problems that occur with breakup. Melting snow in the day turns to ice at night. Flooding in the streets at times. Soil freed of the grip of snow and ice during the winter months becomes a mass of mud. It will become green with new plant growth in a little while, just not yet.

Potholes seem to appear as if from nowhere, making a drive down the road, well, rather exciting if one isn’t careful. Thankfully, the pothole rangers are out and about filling in those pesky things in record time. That is something you don’t see in the Lower 48. Believe me, I know.

Alaska herself will become fickle. Our weather will change for the worse in the time between this writing and the time it takes to publish it in the paper. Snow, rain and wind will be the culprits, so expect interesting times when it comes to Alaska weather during breakup.

Despite all that, breakup is a time of renewal, the rebirth of the land from a long winter’s sleep. It is a time I love to experience firsthand, an wakening of the spirit in the warmth of the sun and life renewed. That makes living here in the great land very special indeed.

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