I live and write on Lingít Aaní, and gratefully acknowledge the past, present and future caretakers of this beautiful place, the Jilkaat Kwaan and Jilkoot Kwaan.

Well, it’s snowing today in Haines, the first of the season, with a winter weather advisory and everything. We are in Tenakee Springs. Down in the tropics on Chichagof Island (for a few more days)  where it is raining, again.

But yesterday was a beautiful day for a hike-

And what a day to ride the Juneau ferry.  What a day to wake up, then again every day you are upright  is a good one, as the old folks say–

It’s true. All the days — rain, clouds and some sun breaks– have offered up plenty of fall colors.

some astonishingly so–

The bikes and buggy at the foot of the school stairs are a sure sign of fall. The home school meets up there, and there’s morning childcare for the  littlest residents.

A make-shift rain porch at the boat building shop. Firewood stays dry-ish under more of those handy tarps–

Life without cars is pretty great.

They say we may get some flurries here in a few days. It looks like we are ready.

In the meantime, there’s a stew in the pot, a fire in the stove, and the dogs are ready for another walk.