Early Pussy Willows

Observation: Hiking up a trail into Potter Valley I noticed the first pussy willows of the year, on a sunny, south facing slope. The temperature was in the 50s and nowhere on the south slopes of Anchorage will you find any snow. It would seem that spring has arrived, and early. The only snow to be found on the south-side of the mountains is in the gullys and drainage. Even on the higher peaks with northern exposure, there is very little snow. With little snow and warm afternoon temperatures, Anchorage is a bit dusty. More people are taking out their bicycles and I heard the golf course is open in Palmer! Weird. Usually at this time of year we are enjoying the best skiing and snow machining. It feels like May rather then March. We are missing out on our favorite time of the winter. As an adaptation, people are active with non snow and ice related activities.