Once again, Alaskans come together to celebrate one of the few populated holidays in most of the world.
Today, December 21, celebrates winter solstice, the shortest day of the entire year or, the day with the most darkness. This is the day when we Alaskans go a bit crazy. We celebrate no matter what day it falls on. To most Americans, this is just another day.
Winter finnally shows up in anchorage with twenty inches in three days.
But, we love this day. This is the day celebrated in various ways to say goodbye to the twenty hours of darkness in anticipation of the light returning to this northern hemisphere. It’s a day all Alaskans look forward to. Although winter has technically just set in, it’s not resented as Alaskans know that the light is returning and the snow begins to melt in breakup, the light is returning in minutes a day and soon the fish will be returning to the waters in which are enjoyed by most residents.
This time of year, many Alaskans experience SADness or Seasonal Affectedness’ Disorder. To many, solstice is a reminder of happier days ahead. Most people lack in vitamin D which is from the sun, but Alaskans are more prone to lack much more of it and should supplement their diet with the vitamin. This vitamin helps mood and this time of year, Alaskans can be rather grumpy than in the summer.
The whole thought of solstice makes people happy just thinking about the return of daylight. While it is usually a cold time of year, residents do not falter in their celebrations. Celebrations this time of year do not lack as everyone looks for any reason to enjoy life. The darkest day of the year is not unusual with tent campers atop flattop trail in the Chugach Mountains inside of Anchorage. This night although short, is easy enough to watch the sun or light come and go in a few hours time which makes for a great winter outing especially if the Aurora Borealis or the Northern lights make an appearance which adds to the majestic beauty of the frozen lakes, snow covered trees and frost laden window sills.
With Christmas and New Years just days after the solstice, the long month of December is made shorter by the many celebrations and shopping frenzies. February in Alaska is the Fur Rondy winter celebration followed by the Iditarod dog sled race in March. By the time the last dogsled makes it to Nome, Alaska for the end of the race, the sun is at about a ten hour a day length.
