For Ian

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I have left Victoria (pictures for the knitters later, it was very grand) and have made my way to Alaska. Now, Ian…because you are such a very accomplished traveller, such a wonderful traveller that I could never compare, no matter how many places this knitting thing takes me, I have to tell you that it gives me a certain incredible joy to show you something today, your birthday, that you have never seen. I flew over snowy mountains, glaciers, icebergs and all manner of incredible things to get here, and these sorts of things you may have seen.

Alaskamountains1006

This, though, this is what I have to show you for your day, and I know you’re going to love it.

The sock…basking in the midnight sun.

Sockatmidnight1106

Picture taken in natural light, at exactly midnight, in Anchorage, Alaska as it became your birthday. (At least as it became your birthday here…I suppose because of the time change, technically it had been your birthday for four hours in Toronto.) You would love it here dude, and I have to admit that even though it’s your birthday, I love being somewhere you haven’t. (That almost never happens.)

It’s 12:26am right now, and the sun has technically set, but has done such a poor job of it that you could read a book (or photograph all your knitwear) outside. There are a few clouds in the blue sky, and a perpetual pink and yellow sunset hangs over (what I think) is Cooks Inlet. Soon the sunset will become a sunrise, without ever having dipped all the way into night.

Skyforianbday1106

Happy Birthday little brother. I love you.

(PS. I would be a terrible mother if I lived in Alaska. I would have no idea when to bring the kids in from outside.)

172 thoughts on “For Ian”

  1. Whoa – am I first? No way ….
    Stephanie, glad you made it safe to Alaska!! And what gorgeous pictures you’ve taken …..

  3. Awww. That’s a really nice birthday card!
    Take loads of photos missus. It’s going to be awhile before I get to Alaska…

  4. I lived and worked in Anchorage for the summer of 2005. What a strange and interesting thing the midnight sun is. I’ve been lucky enough to also experience it in Scandinavia as well and it’s very different but no less magical. My favorite part about Anchorage? That entire summer I don’t think the temperature was ever more than 78 degrees F or so. Blissfully cool!

  5. we live in Norway, at 62 degree north- almost the same as Anchorage…and yes, I am a bad mother-LOL- getting my four kids into bed at a proper time is just plain IMPOSSIBLE. Yesterday they went swimming in the sea at 10pm…two days ago we walked the sheep of a neighbour to summerpastures in the mountains at midnight…and still daylight…
    Love your blog, by the way! Happy journey!

  6. Yay! You made it here to Alaska! I spent the day in the sun at a soccer tournament, and I am so glad the sun decided to come out for your visit. (It’s been a very cool spring and beginning to the summer!) I have my tickets for your visit tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to meeting you. My sister (we share a blog, and she is in Georgia) has threatened me with bodily harm if I don’t get some pictures and your autograph. LOL!

  8. Welcome to Alaska! The sock looks like it is enjoying the long day. I am down in Juneau so we don’t get quite as much daylight, but it is hard to know when it’s getting late sometimes!
    Love your blog, and enjoy AK!

  9. Things like this really remind me of a beautiful song by the Flaming Lips, Do you realise?
    “Do you realise that you have the most beautiful face?
    Do you realise that we’re floating in space?
    Do you realise that happiness makes you cry?
    Do you realise that everyone you know some day will die?
    And instead of saying all of your good byes…
    Let them know you realise that life goes fast,
    It’s hard to make the good things last,
    You realise the sun doesn’t go down,
    It’s just an illusion caused by the world spinning ’round.”

  10. Those mountains are my most favorite part of flying out west. Always breathtaking. The midnight sun? Amazing! That is the most unique birthday photo one could get.

  11. We are having the opposite down here (Gosh, no surprises there. Clearly that high school Geography wasn’t a waste of time)- it is dark by 6pm and I can get the little kids to bed a whole hour earlier (I’m not teaching them to tell the time till spring!) Yay winter!
    Happy Birthday Ian!

  12. I’m so glad you’ve come to Alaska! I wish I could come and see you but I am down in Gustavus (near Juneau) so I can’t make it this time.
    All the sunshine we are getting can certainly be tricky. The morning light comes right in the window of my bedroom and gets bright enough to wake me up around 3am (at least this week!). I love having the sun peek through my shades in the wee morning. Just another reminder of the lovely world outside.
    I hope you enjoy Alaska!!!

  13. Great pictures Steph!
    Even though I know logically why the whole sun never really setting thing happens, it still kinda awes me that it is true! I have to admit, I would never know when to bring the kids in either…
    Happy Birthday Ian!

  16. Happy birthday Ian!
    I’m envious, Stephanie-Alaska is one of the places I’ve always wanted to see. Think of the knitting that could be accomplished with 24 hours of daylight. Enjoy your visit-can’t wait to see more pictures and hear more of Alaske.

  18. Happy Birthday, Ian!
    That is something I would love to see! Great Post. Thank you, Steph!

  19. The spring time change always does that to me – Amanda is always getting an extra hour, hour and a half outside because I totally lose track of time. I pay for it the next morning trying to get her out of bed though!

  21. When I was a teenager, I lived three years at Ft. Richardson, which is very close to Anchorage. Your post brings back a lot of lovely memories.

  22. isnt it amazing to fly into anchorage!!!!!! I grew up there…. and in the summer, we do tend to stay up late, and play outside late and take advantage of all that light, because the winters get so darn long… we also had nice thick curtains and just got used to it!!!
    oh, I hope my sister makes it to the signing, she was going to try to go…… look out for Jolene, my sister…… and I wish I could be there and meet you too!!!!
    enjoy anchorage!!! its a fabulous place!!!!!

  23. isnt it amazing to fly into anchorage!!!!!! I grew up there…. and in the summer, we do tend to stay up late, and play outside late and take advantage of all that light, because the winters get so darn long… we also had nice thick curtains and just got used to it!!!
    oh, I hope my sister makes it to the signing, she was going to try to go…… look out for Jolene, my sister…… and I wish I could be there and meet you too!!!!
    enjoy anchorage!!! its a fabulous place!!!!!

  24. wow – remind me to go to Alaska on my birthday sometime – that’s stunning. I’d even wish Ian a happy birthday then too 😉

  26. Alaska taught me to hate zoos. There are so many beautiful animals in one place (on a single day, I saw whales, sea otters, puffins, bald eagles, gigantic starfish, and dolphins), free and in their chosen habitat, that I will never enjoy a zoo again.
    Happy Birthday, Ian!

  28. Alaska is stunning and we were so licky to go there last summer. I managed to buy hand-dyed sock yarn from Sitka, which I still can’t bring myself to actually use yet.
    Happy Birthday Ian from another June 11 Birthday person! (I’m 46 today and still giddy with excitement because it’s my birthday and I got a balloon and everything!)

  29. You with the beautiful birthday cards!! Happy birthday, Ian – I hope you have a great day even though your big sis is so far away.
    Beautiful photos, Stephanie – good luck for the Alaska meet-up, and aren’t you glad that you got to Alaska in the summer?!

  30. Enjoy the light. Good thing you are there now and not six months from now – the poor sock would be basking in the light of a flash light!
    I took a trip to Scotland in July some years ago and remember being stunned that twilight wasn’t over even at 11 pm (it is a lot further north than I thought).
    My kids would be terrorizing me and the neighborhood if it stayed light that much. But bike ridng late at night would be so much safer!
    Can’t wait to see the knitters of Alaska represent!
    p.s. Did you know that Alaska has the only US state capitol that is only accessible by air and boat (no roads go there at all!).

  31. I believe Tom Stoppard would love your sock in the midnight sun as well… Wonderful play.
    The sock is coming along! Enjoy Alaska! I hope to go some day, maybe for the sock cruise?
    Happy Birthday to Ian! 🙂

  32. Happy Birthday Ian! What a unique gift, photos in the midnight sun.
    I would be a bad mother too. Since the sun started setting later and later, my daughter has been staying out later too and she’s only three. I can’t imagine that I will get any better at this early bedtime thing as she gets older either.

  33. What beautiful pictures! This must be the perfect time of year to go to Alaska. Midnight sun must make you feel so good – I don’t know when I’d sleep!
    So do you NEED the socks? Or is it warm enough there to do without?

  34. I have relatives in Alaska I’ve never met. After seeing your photos, I’m thinking maybe I should take a trip there!
    Your blog has also shown me the value of writing birthday letters to family and friends. Even if they do contain a bit of bragging on the side …
    Safe journey, Stephanie.
    ~ Dar

  36. Happy BD to Ian! Great pics Stephanie.
    We were in Alaska two summers ago – an RV trip across the Alcan – lots of knitting time! I havee to agree that if I lived there, I would be a horrible mother too. My son thought it was weird trying to go to sleep while it was still light outside. I think the mosquitos get worse at night. That was the only way I could tell it was nearing bedtime.

  38. Happy birthday Ian, your sister is certainly thinking of you today. The wishes and pictures are just LOVERLY. The sock looks happy up there. Hope you enjoy.

  39. Ha! age 8, my mother took us kids to ireland.
    and while ireland is not far enough north for endless daylight, she told us come in when it gets dark..
    it was the 3rd week of june, and we were on NY time.. (having sleep for hours on the plane, too since back in those day, the plane was a 4 engine propeller!) and we stayed out till past 11.
    we were last kids to go in.. (by about an hour!)
    and it still really wasn’t full dark, but dusky twilight.
    but having spent time in london at christmas, when it doesn’t feel like day till 9 am, and its dark by 5PM, i don’t know it i like the trade off!

  41. We were in Alaska this time last year, and it is TRULY amazing to see the daylight at 3 AM. Not to mention all the other wonderful things that are there…I’ll never forget that trip!
    When are you coming back to the (US) South, though? Although you might want to wait till the winter, it’s fixin’ to get stinkin’ hot here…

  42. Whoa! That’s cool. We’re off to Stockholm on the 19th (via Dublin) and I am wondering if we’ll see something similar. I hope so.

  44. Happy Birthday, Ian!
    Holy smokes, those are great photos and I’m with you…..with light outdoors all the time, when DO they haul them in for bedtime….

  45. You write the most beautiful tributes and well wishes to your loved ones – they are lucky to have you.
    And thank you for showing us unique things about the world as you experience it. I didn’t know about the sun in Alaska at midnight – awesome.
    From knitter to blogger to author to travel guide – and still knitting through it all! You’re having quite a trip and I’m loving the ride.

  46. Happy Birthday to the brother!
    I have been in AK to experience the long days, and I have many fond memories of that time.
    My sister will be at the bookshop tonight in Anchorage. She’s the fetching redhead with the crazy friend.

  47. That’s so cool! I always have to rush home after work to make sure I get good sunny blog pictures 🙂 Have fun!

  48. It is simply breathtaking. I keep telling my husband that we MUST take a trip there sometime soon. I can only imagine how beautiful it was there. I hope that you had a lot of fun! 🙂

  49. Enjoy every minute of Alaska. There is no other place like it.
    Last month, I was married on Herbert Glacier in Juneau. During the ceremony, it began to snow. I have never been anywhere that was as beautiful or peaceful as Alaska.
    I can’t wait to go back. I hope you are as touched as we were.

  53. I hope your brother had a wonderful birthday. The sunset is stunning. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Alaska. It’s definitely on my Places to Go list. Have a wonderful time!

  54. I’ve always wondered about that, if it’s never truly dark outside then how do you know when to bring the kids in (or my kids would never want to go to bed because “it’s not dark yet”).
    Happy birthday to your brother. And I hope you enjoy Alaska, I hear it’s a wonderful place.

  55. You call them in when it’s fall.
    Happy birthday, Harlot-brother! Alaska was my late brother’s best favorite place, so I have a special spot in my heart for it, though I have yet to have the pleasure of seeing it first hand.
    Safe travels.

  56. I have seen that amazing view of Alaska from the air, probably the closest I’ll get to Mount McKinley, but I’ve never seen the midnight sun. Amazing.

  58. Lived in Alaska 40 years ago – Anchorage – during that last “horrid” war….the dusk of the day was my favorite – thank you for the beautiful pictures….Central Florida could use a good “harlot” visit.

  59. Wow indeed, my Denny. Too freakin’ cool. I wanna go there.
    Happy Birthday, Ian!

  60. The wonderful long twilights of summer are one best features of living in the north, and Alaska, The Yukon, Nunavut, and The YT are all on my want to get there list. Till I can, I will live vicariously through you.

  61. I had no idea that Anchorage was far enough north to have daylight after midnight. Did it ever get dark? Or mainly just dusk? (I’ve never been there, but my bank is a credit union based there. heheheh)

  63. Happy birthday, Ian!
    That’s the most amazing sock pic yet. Alaska is a terrific place to visit, but be glad you don’t live there: I know some people who live in Anchorage, and while the midnight sun may be awesome, the noon darkness, not so much.

  64. Happy Birthday, Ian!
    So, next time you’re complaining about a lack of natural light, you’ll fly to Alaska in the summer, right?

  65. Happy Birthday Ian, he of the great name (says the wife of another Ian). I’ll bet he even pronounces it correctly – EEE-AN, not EYE-AN, the way that guy from 90210 and DWTS does…
    Alaska looks way cool, and yup, my kid would be outside forever. probably becasue I’d be out there as well…

  67. Happy birthday to brother Ian.
    Lovely picture of the sock in the midnight sun, Stephanie. It stirs my wanderlust and makes me think seriously of moving. Unfortunately, hubby wants to go someplace with no more snow!

  68. Happy b-day to Ian! I was born in Anchorage but we left when I was 1 year old so I have no memory of the place. My mom tells me that she had to cover the windows with blankets to get me to go to sleep at night.

  69. Wow, that is truly amazing, sunset at midnight. I agree with you, I would be a terrible Alaska Mother. My kids would be up all night!!!!

  71. I moved to Tacoma, Washington from Maryland in 1985 via Air Force Basic Training in Texas. I arrived in Tacoma on April 15, and it was cold and raining. Until June 15, I had to wear that ugly blue wooly pully (AF issue pullover) every day because I was cold. Finally, on June 15, the weather forecaster claimed that “tomorrow it will top 70 degrees!” I was so excited, at last I could climb out of that ugly, itchy sweater! Then my Commander called me into his office. “Have you ever been to Alaska, Marti?” I hesitated, said, “No,” to which he replied, “Great, the plane leaves at 0400.” I could *not* sleep in Anchorage, even tho we had blackout curtains in the crew quarters. My body knew it was still light outside.
    And four days later, when we returned to Tacoma, summer was over!

  72. My family visited Homer, Alaska when I was 12. It was during the Summer, so it stayed light through the night, too. Really hard to bend your brain around daylight type sun happening after dinner, isn’t it? And such a beautiful place. I love Alaska.

  73. My family visited Homer, Alaska when I was 12. It was during the Summer, so it stayed light through the night, too. Really hard to bend your brain around daylight type sun happening after dinner, isn’t it? And such a beautiful place.
    Happy birthday, Ian!

  74. Alaska is so magical. We were there last summer (we had only been home a few days before we saw you in Eugene) and can hardly wait to go back. I’m so glad you get to go there. See if you can find some beautiful yarn from Rabbit Ridge designs…beautiful stuff.
    Happy Birthday to Ian!!!

  76. Enjoy the light Stephanie!
    I don’t feel guilty for not bringing the kids in, they need their sunlight vitamins, and summer is so short anyway. I’m sure that Anchorage has the same quality of unpolluted air and light that we have in Yellowknife, and that also is a bonus.
    Of course we do have to survive long cold and dark winters, with frustrated kids inside at minus 40, and the accompanying cabin fever, SAD, tiredness and all the other winter afflictions. Can’t even knit or sew some days! So yes, we enjoy the summer, bugs and all.
    Janet MF up in YK

  78. I love your excitement about Alaska and the midnight sun. A few years ago, we visited Norway and went ALL the WAY to the top of Norway to Nordkapp, which is the same latitude as Point Barrow, Alaska on the very top of Alaska. There wasn’t even twilight!! Kids were in the streets on their bikes at midnight and no mothers were at the windows calling them in. Everyone was out and about. Everyone was sleep deprived, basking in the glory of sunlight after enduring month after month of darkness. Overall, everyone must get the same amount of sleep per year as we do, just none in summer and lots in winter. I envy your Alaska visit. Buy some qivuit while you’re there!!

  79. I’ve often dreamed of living in Alaska or way up in Nunavut or Finland or someplace where the sun doesn’t set. I’m finding that your spouse has to be on board with that idea to make it happen. Dang.

  80. A very happy birthday to Ian! Great photos, just about the best traveling sock photo I have seen! Land of the midnight sun…very cool, but I know my biorhythm would be seriously screwed up by living (perhaps even just visiting) there.

  82. Happy Birthday Ian, you have excellent birthday company because a certain Calvin Hovatter was born this very same day 15 years ago! I was there, on the pushing end and remember every bit of it. We’ll have cake with birght blue candles, funny gifts and his favorite meal. When Cal blows out the candles I’ll not only wish him a spectacular coming year, but send a little of that good birthday karma your way as well. BTW, your sister rocks-I saw her in Pittsburgh and have to think you must (by association) rock too!
    Happy June 11th!

  83. I’m so excited you made it to Alaska! I unfortunately won’t be at Title Wave to see you, but am thinking many happy thoughts knowing you are there today. It is a FABULOUS store and i would have come to see you if the budget had allowed. I hope someone from Kodiak is there to meet you and represent us!

  84. Beautiful pictures.
    Stephanie, it took me until today to realize that my parents and you are travelling in the same parts of the NW US, Alaska, and Western Canada. They don’t knit, at least my dad hasn’t since grade school when he knit for the WWII soldiers. And my mother has had a crocheted doily in progress since the 70s. Have you noticed two elderly groupies? Do they have a secret life of which I’m totally unaware? Or is this just a coincidence?
    I’ll be watching your blog between my fingers for a photo of my dad holding the sock from now on… If you hand it to him, he’ll try to knit on it, just so you know.

  86. Wow. That’s a crazy whirlwind I just got caught up on! The view up there is truly something else. And to be somewhere with sunlight at midnight – cool!!

  88. I just checked the Title Wave website, and lo and behold…tickets are sold out. Too bad, i was going to try and talk my sister into going as non-knitter proxy.

  89. We lived at Eielson AFB, outside Fairbanks, for 3 years in the mid-1980s. LOVED it. Most everyone we knew on base had aluminum foil taped in the bedroom windows because it never got dark enough to sleep otherwise, even with blackout shades. We also made sure we had a lock that was difficult to open at the very top of the door so that the then-4 year old couldn’t let himself out in the middle of the night. We also heard that Alaskan kids who went “outside” (the lower 48 to the rest of us) to visit their grandparents in the summer couldn’t comprehend the concepts of “hot” and “dark” at the **same time**.
    I would like to go back someday. Even though we’ve settled in our home area, Alaska still feels like home.

  90. Happy Birthday Ian!! Alaska is so beautiful!! Did you go out hunting Qiuvut while you were there? I have an important question for you. I got all of your books for my birthday and while reading Yarn Harlot I read your story about the sheep shawl. Can you tell me where I can buy the pattern? I’m desperate!!
    Kelsey

  91. Happy Birthday Ian!! Alaska is so beautiful!! Did you go out hunting Qiuvut while you were there? I have an important question for you. I got all of your books for my birthday and while reading Yarn Harlot I read your story about the sheep shawl. Can you tell me where I can buy the pattern? I’m desperate!!
    Kelsey

  93. I loved seeing full on midnight sun. I live in northern BC and we have darkness for about 2 hours but it is still light on the horizon. I think that it’s neat that the sun doesn’t rise and set in the east and west but in the northeast and northwest.

  94. I loved seeing full on midnight sun. I live in northern BC and we have darkness for about 2 hours but it is still light on the horizon. I think that it’s neat that the sun doesn’t rise and set in the east and west but in the northeast and northwest.

  95. Yippee! I told you that arriving at night was the best way to go in Alaska! Thanks for a good talk in Victoria and enjoy my favourite State – Alaska. Remember to stop in at the Bear Tooth.

  96. The midnight sun thing is very high on my lists of things to experience in this lifetime. I definitely couldn’t handle the darkness at the other end of the calendar though.
    Happy Birthday Ian!

  97. I’m so excited you are here ! My friend Jodi drove to Anchorage just to see you. You know that was 250 miles of driving. One way. If you came to Fairbanks next time it would be half that distance of driving for us. Fairbanks gets even more sun light this time of year. Enjoy our beautiful part of the world.

  99. I and my sock are envious of you and your sock. I have always wanted to experience the midnight sun. The closest I’ve gotten is enjoying the lovely cocktail of the same name.
    Happy Birthday Ian!

  100. Happy Birthday, to Ian! I have also been pretty far north. Not quite inside the Arctic Circle, but I think Baker Lake, in the NW Territories, counts as midnight sun territory. Hard to believe just a few days ago you were gawking at palm trees, huh?

  101. Hey Stephanie. Thanks so much for visiting Victoria. As always, your talk was superb. Love the way you handled the situation when one attendee left mid-talk. Very classy. Hope the rest of your tour goes well. Alaska looks awesome. It’s one place I’ve been longing to go since arriving on the West Coast from Toronto last year. I’m sure I’ll get there sometime. Safe travels! K

  102. Once you have been to Alaska I think the mosquitoes leave a magnet in your body urging you to return to the North. We left Anchorage 20 years ago and I still cannot break the habit of sleeping with my forearm over my eyes to block the light.My spinning/knitting buddy and I are taking the Alaska State Ferry from Bellingham to Alaska in September. I don’t like to wish my life away but I sure wish Sept. would get here!!Enjoy, glad you had some clear weather for pictures.

  103. Re your PS (about not knowing when to bring the children in) … something to bless and double bless is a digital watch. Otherwise you don’t know whether it is 3 am or 3 pm.
    Janey

  105. Yeah – it looks like you were on the right side of the plane – the views are unbeatable! I’ve lived up here since 1993 & still am in awe everytime we fly back home to Anchorage!
    Nope – we mothers have a terrible time. Blackout shades are a great investment & help getting kids to sleep.
    Happy Birthday to Ian, I have a 5 year old Iain – Scottish spelling, I think.
    Can’t wait to see you this evening. Glad the weather is cooperating here. Bear Tooth is good (movie pub), but perhaps Sarah (comment above) meant to visit the Moose’s Tooth? Both are fabulous!

  106. Welcome to Anchorage Stephanie! We are so happy you are here and many of us are very anxious to see you this evening. I can’t help but think our suddenly beautiful weather is due to your arrival. Enjoy your day, but do rest up for this evening (Title Wave is within walking distance of a wonderful brewpub establishment located, gasp, across the street from an equally wonderful yarn store). Cheers

  107. I’m jealous! I’ve always wanted to see the midnight sun. I’ve heard it makes you manic and you can work (read: knit) 22 hours a day with very little sleep. My friend Cindy will be running a marathon there in a week or so.
    Happy Birthday Ian. Little brothers are the best.

  108. A woman after my own heart. My husband had been EVERYWHERE when we married. Several years ago when I was visiting my sister in northernmost Washington state, we hopped across the border into Abbotsford BC to get a coffee (at McDonald’s of all places) just so I could say I’d been somewhere he hadn’t.
    Side comment: Told the Canadian customs officer what we were doing and he had a laugh and told me to come back when I could stay longer. Related same story to U.S. customs officer on the way back; he was not amused and didn’t believe us. Grilled us for quite some time before letting us back in. Sorry to say this is a typical experience.

  109. Hey Stephanie
    Welcome to Alaska! Somebody a little further up mentioned the Bear Tooth Theatre Pub (it’s kind of around the corner from Title Wave) – if you do make it there, don’t forget to head across the street to Far North Yarn Company.
    The weird late daylight thing goes both ways, you know. I was raised in Alaska, so I’m accustomed to light nights. I get a little freaked out when it’s dark at night and I can’t see what’s going on!

  111. Alaska—one of the few places I’ll brave my plane-o-phobia to go to. It looks so cool!!!!! I hope you had a smashing time. Was the whole “light at night” thing weird? I think I’d need a sleep mask or something. I could knit one.

  112. Happy Birthday, Ian.
    I’d be one who’d have problems forgetting to go to bed with no night. I’m a night owl already and in that hormonally challenged sleep stage. Here in Seattle I sometimes go to bed when I notice the sun coming up. If it never goes down, it never comes up.
    Early Happy Birthday to you, Steph. On Thursday I’ll be flying down to California, where I’ll think it’s later in the evening than it is because the sun goes down enough earlier.

  114. Wow. And it drives me crazy when daylight savings time starts (that being a relatively NEW fashion here in Indiana) and suddenly the sun is still shining after 9 p.m. when, on a school night, I want to be sleeping. I would probably go crazy living in Alaska! (Or I would just take advantage of the excellent knitting photography conditions and consider it a decent tradeoff. 🙂
    The perpetual sunset is awfully pretty, though!

  115. Okay… that’s pretty damned cool… (you bring them in when they start beating the crap out of each other… good kids usually only get that snotty when they’re A. tired, B. hungry, C. sick, or D. teething…)

  116. The sock looks beautiful in the midnight sun. It is on my to do list to see the midnight sun (oh…and knit a sock). How very cool to see the colors of sunset and sunrise so close together; sort of two halves of the whole right there! And on home for your birthday…hmm…I imagine surprises await!

  117. Oooooooo – gorgeous photos. Alaska is my dream vacation. I keep saying next year but, since I found out about the Alaska sock cruise, I may actually make it next year (if I can find my birth certificate & get a passport). I suspect most of us would be discombobulated by the midnight sun & not know when to call our children in to go to bed or go to bed ourselves.

  118. Happy Birthday, Ian!!!
    My Mom lived in Whitehorse for five years and I swear it’s the most beautiful place in the world. Some people retire to Florida, not me, I’m going to the Yukon.

  119. Happy b-day, Ian.
    I remember visiting Alaska and having to put on my sunglasses at 10:15 p.m. Very strange. But the flowers are lovely this time of year, aren’t they?

  120. So looking forward to meeting you tonight! Welcome to Alaska! One thing that always confuses us is when we travel to the tropics and have the same sense of wonder over the nights being warm and dark at the same time!

  121. when you are experiencing all these wonderful people, places and sights, do you ever wish you had your girls with you to share it? have you ever taken them out of school to get some “road” learning?

  123. I know exactly how you feel on that mother thing…Here in So Cal it can get dark pretty late, you know, say about 8:30 pm in Summer. And I have to admit, I don’t have the heart to tell my kids it’s time for bed when the sun hasn’t even gone down yet. Sigh. Maybe it’s because I remember my mother calling me in for bed one summer evening, and I, armed with the pure truth of a 5 year old, told her clearly that it couldn’t possibly be bedtime…the sun was still up! I remember this so clearly, even now that (gasp) decades have passed. Maybe that’s why my kids are never in bed until 9…Heavens above help me if I had to call them in with a noon day sun!
    That said…I’ve always thought Alaska would be a pretty cool place to live. Now that I’m knitting avidly, and sweaters and hats are starting to build up in a family that has to go “visit” the snow, even in winter (2 of my babies haven’t even SEEN snow yet) I’m thinking it might be time to move to a, um, cooler clime. Se la vie.

  124. The glacier picture is stupendous. Yes, the midnight sun is amazing. We visited friends in Fairbanks a couple of years ago in the middle of July. We arrived at about 11 p.m. and could find the car they left for us in the lot without needing any street lights. My teenagers started playing a round golf on the post golf course (our friend is a surgeon for the US Army) at about 9 p.m. They got back to the house about about 1:30 a.m. having seen a buck and a beaver on the way. Hard to go to bed early.

  128. I love the midnight sun basking sock. And, late as it is, I want to say thanks for your wonderful talk in Petaluma — I had a GREAT time, and it was worth every mile of the drive up from San Diego 🙂 Have fun in Alaska!

  130. Oh, I am jealous of your trip to Alaska! I have always wanted to go there. Hope you are having fun! 🙂

  131. I guess ‘when the streetlights come on’ wouldn’t work up there. My brother lived in Whitehorse for a few years but I never got the chance to visit him there. Have fun in the land of the midnight sun.
    Jen

  134. LOL! That’s really cute. But that’s what timers are for. I set my computer to play a loud obnoxious song every morning to wake me up. XD But happy birthday Mrs. Harlot’s little brother!

  135. Oh my Lord just thought of what all that sunlight must do to vegatables in a garden up there !!! Watch out for the LARGE garden produce Stephanie, cucumbers MIGHT be the size of watermelons hahaha

  136. So, have you gone insane yet like the guy in the Norwegian (Swedish?) movie Insomnia?
    Happy birthday, Ian!

  138. Happy Birthday Ian!
    Alaska is the one place I’d do a cruise to…imagine my glee when I discovered there is one – for knitters!

  139. That sunset/sunrise shot made me homesick, even though I only lived in Anchorage for one year! That feeling of being at the very top of the world, tipping and sliding with the seasons…
    And you’re right, nobody sleeps all summer long, pretty much.

  140. Happy Birthday, Ian! So, when are you heading to Alaska? 😉 The sock is looking very smug there, Steph. It’s going to be lording it over all your other socks!
    Funny, I never thought much about our late sunsets during summer. When my cyber-sis came up to visit from LA, she was stunned that by June, sunset wasn’t until after 9 p.m. (PDT) here in Portland. I was kinda bestonkered that she was surprised. 😉 You just don’t always think of the difference almost 1,000 miles northwards makes… And you went over twice that! (Or so. Google maps doesn’t give air miles, just driving miles. But the directions are funny. “Turn left at Alaska Hwy…”)

  141. Glad you’ve gotten to see Alaska. Hubby and I were married in Denali National Park 10 years ago this August. Alaska is awesome.

  142. The downside to living in a place where the sun never sets in summer — winters are very dark. The sun never fully rises in winter.

  143. Hi could you please tell me where I may buy a kit of that lovely baby sweater you fell in love with? and that you knittet so fast!!!! thanks Andi

  144. Wish I could be there! As it is, I am about 250 miles south of you on Kodiak Island, AK. REALLY wanted to make it to Anchorage for yer signing… but, I am fishing, and gardening, and gathering for the winter (and watching out for brown bears at the same time!). Sigh. I knit in your honor today, away from the sounds of cars and powerlines, whilst minding a gillnet for sockeyes today in one of the most beautiful places in the world. May your time in AK have a bit of the same kind of bliss… (and how could it not?).

  146. Hello from Two Rivers, Alaska… a good bit further north, near Fairbanks. I’m so sad I couldn’t make it to Anchorage. A long drive.
    Your photos are lovely. By coincidence, I took a couple of midnight photos this morning… one has a rainbow! I wanted to share them with you: They’re in my Flickr album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/summerlion/
    Hope the endless sun gives you a boost.

  147. It’s Cook Inlet. Not Cooks.
    Check out the Captain Cook Hotel downtown. Great views for tourists and those wishing to leave the world with a splash.

  148. HI Harlot…I can’t email from work but I can leave a comment here..So,I just wanted to tell you..I just learned to spin on Sunday-drop spindle only this week..and I am spinning today,in honor of your Spinning Tuesdays..gotta to keep the peas whirling…

  149. Uh.. Yarn Harlot. It’s been over 24 hours since your last post. I only mention it because my entire life at the moment consists of mothering a 5 year old and a 2 year old (who alternate between trying to kill each other and conspiring against me) and your blog. Please post soon!!! I’m desperate!!!

  151. Stephanie, I loved your pictures and descriptions today. Alaska’s one of my favourite places to be, and it’s hard not to yearn for it on a hot day in Toronto.

  152. I’m so glad you came to Alaska! It was great to get to meet you and thanks for the funny stories, the photos, and book signing! I hope you enjoyed your brief visit to the land of the midnight sun! Glad the weather cooperated for you too.

  153. I have a lot of family in Norway, and I love the summer there with the midnight sun! No one is really in a rush to get anywhere, because there’s not the threat of it getting dark. You can sit and talk with your family and friends for many hours, and still go to the beach.

  154. Ah. So my seething green envy vibes were strong enough to turn your socks green, I see.
    Thank you so much for the lovely weather porn.
    I needed it. It’s in the 90s here already and it’s only June.
    Kismet, too. DH and I rented “Mystery, Alaska” over the weekend. It was 96 on Sunday and as steamy as the Devil’s sauna, and I grabbed the movie just to look at someplace cold. Delightful film, BTW.
    And now this lovely B-day card for Ian.
    Also? I love the glacial lake in the picture
    Knitivity (www.knitivity.com) has both sock yarn and laceweight called “Glacier Lake.” I have some and it’s gorgeous.
    Have fun, and thanks always for the vicarious travel.

  155. Qiviut! Kiiiiiiv-eeeeeeeee-uuuuuuuuuhhhhht!
    Enjoy your trip, Alaska is on my places-to-go list.
    Did I mention that you should pick up some qiviut to spin while you’re up there?
    Because you should.

  156. OOOOOhhhhhhhh…..you’ve got to pick up some Quviut. One of my customers picked-up up an ounce for me to spin at the Anchorage farmers market. It is so beautiful….wish I could be there. I saw you in Petaluma (I had the baby sock) with some friends and had such a good time. You were wonderful! Nothing to get nervous about……LOL
    Enjoy your trip and Happy Birthday to Ian.

  157. So so so jealous.
    Did you notice the pic of that sunset looks like Blue Moon’s “Fire on the Mountain?”
    I heard you can buy Qiviut, but can’t take it out of the state without making something out of it first. You’ll have to tell me. I’ll never get to go…..

  158. Visiting Alaska was one of the most awesome experiences I have had. I have lived with the midnight sun, but those were summer vacations on my grandparents farm in northern Norway. There is something almost magical when you combine ice, sea and sun. I’m glad that you were able to experience this, and be able to share it with your brother. It brought back many happy memories!

  159. Don’t forget to visit Oomingmak — the Native Alaskan knitters’ cooperative. You can buy some qiviut and see a musk ox. It was one of the highlights of my trip to Anchorage.

  160. I grew up in Juneau, and as far as I’m concerned the summers in Alaska *almost* make up for the other 360 days/year. But not quite enough to get me to move back! I’m glad you liked the Land of the Midnight Sun. And don’t feel bad about the mothering thing – my mom used to call us in at 10pm and rush us off to bed for the same reason!

  162. Oh how I miss Alaska! Our first summer there we spent nearly the whole month of July living in a big yellow canvas tent waiting for our house to be ready. Yellow canvas does not block out much light. We ate dinner very late and went to sleep even later, but we made up for it in the winter. When it is dark around 4, everyone is ready to go to sleep around 8. Then you are well rested when one of your friends calls around 1am to tell you to go outside because the Northern Lights are out. (See, there are perks to winter in AK too!)Happy Birthday Ian.

  163. Hi from Tasmania! I have just finished reading your book (Yarn Harlot) and just loved it. Then I discovered your “blog” site – it’s like getting a letter from a friend every day! Ilove knitting too, though I think I’m just a knitter. not a Knitter. At the moment I’m knitting some little baby ‘coveralls’ – like long singlets – for Aids babies in Africa. Apparently they don’t have anything to wrap these little ones in except newspaper! So, I heard about the project through my Embroidery Gulld and decided to do some – I’m now on my 5th one and hope they will keep at least a few babies comfortable. After seeing the pictures of the beautiful little ‘tulip’ sweaters it made me realise how lucky we are to have access to such lovely materials and designs for our own little ones. I’m also a little bit addicted (is that like being a little bit pregnant?) to sock knitting and I know for certain that you can NEVER have too much sock wool and no-one should be without at least one pair of hand-knitted socks! (or maybe two!)
    I’m looking forward to reading more from you in the future – thanks for the laughs and the inspiration, Barbie, Hobart, Tasmania (thats the little island holding up mainland Australia!!)

  164. Hi Stephanie! This is Katie of Katie and Julie who stalked you from Philly and Atlanta to Petaluma. We have a brother who’s birthday is the same day as your brother’s! Happy Birthday Ian! You were great Steph, though Julie and I were commenting that your talk would be so nice to hear in a pub over a pint or glass of vino…any thought to that? The picture being posted was such a bonus, thanks!! Also if you came to Philly or Atlanta we wouldn’t have to stalk you so far away from home!

  165. I can not believe you are in Anchorage and now I am in the lower 48. Alaska is wonderful and I hope you had a great trip!

  166. There are strange things done in the midnight sun
    By a woman and her sock,
    The arctic trails have their secret tales,
    That the muggles dare to mock.
    The northern lights have seen queer sights,
    But the queerest they ever did see,
    Was that night in the sun at quarter to one,
    A sock sitting on a tree.

  168. 1. Barbie, you are definitely a “Knitter,” with a capital “K,” even though you don’t know it yet.
    2. Heather, I am nominating you for Poet Laureate. Good one!
    3. Harlot, we fear you have succombed to the magic of the midnight sun, and are sitting, pasty-faced and blinking, amidst a pile of completed projects with nary a ball of unused wool in sight.

  169. 1. Barbie, you are definitely a “Knitter,” with a capital “K,” even though you don’t know it yet.
    2. Heather, I am nominating you for Poet Laureate. Good one!
    3. Harlot, we fear you have succombed to the magic of the midnight sun, and are sitting, pasty-faced and blinking, amidst a pile of completed projects with nary a ball of unused wool in sight.

  170. happy birthday ian!
    t’is a great card, stephanie, and i’m happy to share ian’s birthday. 🙂

  171. Seeing the pics of Alaska gave me a “homesick” feeling. If you wouldn’t know when to bring the kids in during the summer months, then you wouldn’t let them out at all during the long winter when we had only a few hours of daylight a day. 🙂

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