Monday, December 21, 2009

Happy Solstice

Officially the shortest day of 2009, and the end of the old Solar year. Winter Solstice also marks the astronomical beginning ("official") or middle (cultural) of winter, depending on how you want to look at it.

The sun rose at 11:17 AM and set at 2:46 PM, for a total day length of 3h 28m.
Twilight began 9:48 AM and ended at 4:15 PM, for a total 6h 26 of visible light.
Tomorrow, the first day of the new Solar year, will be 15s longer.

It's unseasonably warm today, with highs in the upper 20's (normal average is single digits below zero); and it looks like we're in for a warm spell for the next few days if the Weather Guessers can be trusted. G-man and I plan to make a few forays to stock up on firewood for the historically worst part of winter (end of January/beginning of February). We also hope to scout out possible building sites, check on the area we thought we have a natural spring, and survey for trees that would make suitable house logs now that we have a better idea how many and what size we'll need (thanks Rooster!). Hiking in the forest should be interesting, even though it's warm now, there's 2-3 feet of snow on the ground and deeper drifts in some areas. We'll try to remember to take the camera and get ya'll some photos!! ;)

4 comments:

GW67 said...

Hi guys! just read your entire blog...fantastic adventure. Can't wait until you start building your cabin/house/eco friendly place...not sure what you are going to call it. Anyway, all the best, looking forward to more posts.

GW67

Linda Foley said...

I always start 'my' year on the solstice! The beginning!

Jeremy and Jenny said...

Merry Christmas and a happy new year. God bless.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you would benifit from a couple of pairs of snowsnoes :) We've had more snow than usual the last couple of winters here in central Alberta, and I've been thankful for snowshoes when there's only one foot of snow! I'm catching up on reading your blog and loving it! I'm seriously considering and looking into the possibility of renting a bit of land down here in civilized country and putting up a wall tent since I can't afford a house. As much as the north keeps tugging at my heart, the pull of my family is stonger. Of course, down here we have to deal with regulations and that sort of thing. Blah.
Tsaraph