Happy Winter Solstice!

Sunrise this morning in the lower Skagit Valley: 7:58 am. Sunset this evening: 4:18. Snow on the ground: 16 inches- Yep it snowed again last night. Temperature this morning: 28 degrees. And for the first time in nearly 20 years of living in Western Washington, it truly does feel like the first day of winter. And what a winter it has been so far even though it just officially began today! I can go for a reprieve from the flakes (we've got enough flakes as it is on the west coast!) but I sure do welcome the extra minute (s) of light in the upcoming days. Happy Winter Solstice everyone- and Happy Hanukkah too at 4:18 pm.

(a rare sight indeed-fresh cut ski tracks at Northern State Recreation Area in Sedro-Woolley, WA)