Richardson Highway Fall
“Mile 60 Richardson” original acrylic and watercolor painting by Gail Niebrugge, sold.
I become frenzied as I try to gather as much research as I can during fall in Alaska’s interior, the season is short and brilliant lasting about two and a half weeks. I grow even more frantic as it begins to peak, I hope and pray for just one more perfect day. Unfortunately, high winds will often shred leaves from trees prematurely, on the other hand winds bring storms and storms bring snow to mountain tops creating magnificent scenes. After a fresh snowfall the red tundra appears to ooze from from underneath like blood running down ridges until it is stopped by a blanket of glowing yellow and orange trees at the foothills. The Richardson Highway, from Copper Center to Valdez, is spectacular and one of my favorite places for fall research. My nose pressed to the window each morning I ask; is the sky clear? Are the leaves falling? Is it windy? Will the clouds obscure the peaks? Will I have great light? I pray; let it be perfect today, please, let it be perfect.
More tomorrow,
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska wilderness artist
