The sun affects you in ways I cannot describe. At about 10:30, when it is time for bed, you feel like you could conquer the world. Splitting wood, mowing lawn, weed-wacking seem appealing. But, you don't want to upset the neighbors with all of the noise, so you stay inside. At about 1:00 a.m., you still cannot sleep, so you decide to take a stroll through the front yard. You are surprised to see that your neighbor is doing the same. You chat about the lawns and the weather. Small children play outside until at least 11:00p.m. during the week. Non-shift-working adults weed their gardens, go for runs, grocery shop, you-name-it until wee hours of the night. The city of Fairbanks never sleeps.
Summer Solstice is Here!
When March rolls around in Fairbanks, there's still snow on the ground and it is not uncommon to see -40F. But, you have to start using your blackout shades, thick window blankets, or aluminum foil if you want to sleep at night. In May, June, and July, though, it's pretty tough for a rookie to tell the difference between 10:15 a.m. and 10:15 p.m., except that 10:15 p.m. is usually warmer. As the day progresses, the air and ground seem to absorb more and more energy from the sun, making it warmer and warmer and warmer until "Bam" the sun sets after midnight.
