Alaska Blows! (ya know, wind)

We had a major wind storm come through the other night.  I believe it was in the 60 mph range in Anchorage, and over 100 a few miles south.  Parts of town were shut down the next day, and we were without power for 24 hrs or so.  

There was plenty of damage from the storm, and the majority was from fallen trees.  I'm used to South Dakota and Colorado soil, so this was a new experience.  I looked up a description of our ground here- The forest floor is composed of a surface layer known as duff, which is composed of accumulations of leaves, twigs and other organic matter shed from the tree canopies above. Beneath this layer the soil may be very fertile for the top few inches, then it becomes more spare deeper down.  You probably thought that was my wording, I'm sure.  

The amount of damage was partly due to timing.  Usually these winds don't happen until later in the year, after the trees have dropped their leaves and aren't heavy with sap.  As far as why they have such shallow roots, I believe this is due to the amount of rain, and the permafrost.  If the roots don't have to search for water, they will grow sideways.  As far as permafrost, I don't know how deep it is here, but I'm sure roots don't want anything to do with it.  I hope you aren't reading this as part of a botany class, 'cause I have neither supporting facts nor sources.  Take it for what it's worth, and enjoy the pictures.

Heidi's morning commute just got a detour.

Another detour.  These guys were busy today!

Just a couple units down from us.

Same tree outside the fence, threatening some lines.

Can't have that!

They trimmed it, and left the parts there so it would think about what it had done.

Here are a couple shots for comparison from our first visit to Anchorage, May 20th.

 Anchorage has a very nice trail system.  Very pretty in the summer, with plenty of bike, foot and paw traffic.  In the winter, they are used for cross-country ski trails.  You can follow the fairly flat paved trails, or head off into the trees on the more adventurous ones.

Heidi, checking out our future neighborhood trail.

Ah man!  Our awesome trail is a little spooky now.  Watch out for bear, moose, and falling trees! 

Kudra is not impressed, but will pose for size reference.

My bike for size reference.  These trees are tall!

I hope everyone is ok!

All the trees and their roots look like an upside down T,  Just a very tall stick with a tiny little base.  These were growing partly in the creek.  When they tip over, their roots peel up the soil, and it looks like a piece of sod.

Same trees as the last pic, sticking together until the end.

My bike is good at balancing in them.

Just like some peeled up turf.

I tried to show the disarray of the forest, but ended up with a pretty sweet picture instead.  Pretty nuts to see a bunch of 60-80 ft trees laying down! 

Potter's marsh, on the south end of Anchorage.  They built a raised walkway so you can check out the wildlife.  You might see salmon, beavers, moose, and all kinds of birds.  This photo was also taken in late May, and the snow has been slowly melting all summer until.....

Early September, when we get a crazy wind storm and our first dusting.

Time to get out the snowboard already!

Heidi is headed to the north slope next week, and will probably bring back colder looking pictures than these.  She might also see some real Alaskan animals, like whales, snow fox, and maybe even a polar bear!  Until then, you'll have to enjoy another blog from me, probably having to do with mountain biking.  Yeah, yeah, I'm sure that doesn't sound very exciting to you, but bear with me.  Ha!  Bear with me!