* Sigh * Snow at Sea Level

[Starfish]

C'mon...snow at sea level in the coastal PNW on March 27?

I love snow, but...I want to ride my bike in the mountains!!

Our first line of foothills are covered in snow again, there is still gravel everywhere on the roads, and the Park wants to ban all cyclists from Hurricane Ridge for road repairs for 2 years.

I am getting a little discouraged trying to figure out sustained climbing training outdoors.

Just a little discouraged. This time last year, we could ride to the top of the Ridge. :(

[SheFly]

I can totally sympathize! After a sunny 60 degree day here yesterday, we have snow in the forecast over the next couple of days... Sigh. I DO NOT want to go back to riding the trainer!

SheFly

[Thorn]

I hear you....I took a late winter vacation this year. Figured that when we came back we'd be able to get out riding outside at least once a week like we have in past years. Nope. After a nice week putting in 200 base miles, I came home to 15" in the driveway and a pile 2.5 feet high blocking the approachway. (Oh, and a rotten case of bronchitis...grrrr)

Used to be that we talked about the freak snowstorm that occurred on 15-Apr-(some year when I was shorter). This year, I think we're going to be surprised if there isn't snow on the ground a 15-Apr. Sigh.....

[bmccasland]

Supposed to hit the upper 70's today down here in the Big Easy :p



Riding away VERY fast...

[GLC1968]

Yeah, we are a little freaked. I got 'flurried on' while walking the dogs this morning.

And if I pull up the weather in Greensboro - upper 70's today and tomorrow!

*GLC is quietly questioning her choice to move to the PNW...;)*

[Grog]

The weather is different every year here, it's kind of interesting. This is my fourth year in the PNW and every year it's a surprise!

This being said, we had a lovely morning in Vancouver today and no snow. The weather is currently turning ugly, but if one is careful with watching the detailed short term forecast and has flexible work hours, one can ride wonders. :)

[cyclinnewbie]

Oh Starfish...I hear you! I'm frustrated with this weather. I went to ride this morning, and it was COLD and snowy and icy. YUCK! And, I want to start planting my garden darnit, and I can't!!!

[teigyr]

I ran 2.5 miles in the wet heavy snow last night. You'd think we'd be over it.

DH and I are going for a walk in a bit. It's raining up north and it was snowing down south for a while until it got sunny (this is a strange state!) so we will see. We're going to dinner so I have every expectation it will be going there and be snowing on our return.

[Zen]

It's Spring, appreciate the fresh greenness and be patient...

[bikerHen]

Green? What green. We're still brown, muddy and cold here! :eek: bikerhen

[Geonz]

I want it to get warm because then people will get all uninhibited. Radical things will happen. But yea, it's 37 here with 20 mph winds and rain. Of course, to the North it's snow. Time to pull some weather goddess favors...

[Starfish]

It's Spring, appreciate the fresh greenness and be patient...

Spoken like someone who has never lived in the PNWG (Pacific Northwest Gray), where we (at least way out on the coast here) frequently have 4th of July's that are cold, gray and rainy. Patience is ROUGH when summer tends to come in late July and spring means gray, gray, gray.

The mild lack of snow in the supposed-spring season is our one consolation, and to have gravel and snow all over right now...well, it is discouraging.

But, I forgive you. ;)

[Geonz]

Time to go down to the garden in the basement with thebright lights where we just stuck a mess of tomatoes and peppers ! How long 'til they start sprouting?? (I haven't done this before... as a kid the grandparents had a garden in back and I'd help start the tomato seeds inside so I'm reviving it... it was a complete impulse brought on by somebody mentioning the Ford admin's Whip Inflation Now gardens. I have SIXTEEN thingies with tomato seeds planted in them. But if spring doens't come to me, I'll have to just MAKE it happen.)

[Starfish]

But if spring doens't come to me, I'll have to just MAKE it happen.)

Your garden sounds great! I need to get myself some lights.

I kinda have a light for my cat. I have this ancient, hot-burning reading lamp that is focused right on where my cat sleeps during the evening before she goes to her night-bed. It just burns down on her, and she lies there just soaking up the heat with her eyes shut tight. You can practically hear her saying AAAaaaaaaaah!!!!

I think I need some lights.

[Pax]

I want it to get warm because then people will get all uninhibited. Radical things will happen. But yea, it's 37 here with 20 mph winds and rain. Of course, to the North it's snow. Time to pull some weather goddess favors...

I helped unload my moms u-haul in that downpour yesterday evening. :( I don't think I thawed out until I'd been under the electric blanket for an hour.

[cyclinnewbie]

2.5 inches of snow last night. Rain/snow mix all day today. Temp now at 4:30 pm is 38 degrees. I need to go to Mexico or Hawaii.

[imdeanna]

It has been snowing heavy all morning here :(

it slowed to drizzle in the afternoon...but at 4:30...it's starting to snow again...



I love extreme weather.....but I mentally NEED the sun right now like crazy!!!!!

[cyclinnewbie]

I know, me too. I'm actually considering going TANNING just to get some sun-like heat. But I won't. I'll just try to get throught the weekend, because we're supposed to warm up to the 50's by Monday. Hallelujia!!

[sgtiger]

It's snowing!:eek::confused: And well... nothing keeps tiger daughter from wanting to go outside. Now, her mother that is another story.:rolleyes: Brrr...<shiver, shiver>

http://lh4.google.com/sgtiger3/R-2gPSxZYiI/AAAAAAAAAfY/6YCDV7kpcN4/IMG_0345.JPG.jpg?imgmax=512

"Snow tastes de-wish-ious"
http://lh3.google.com/sgtiger3/R-2gQCxZYjI/AAAAAAAAAfg/5_BjeAHyz64/IMG_0346.JPG.jpg?imgmax=512

[bmccasland]

sgtiger - thanks, I needed a happy photo :)

[salsabike]

Sg, what a great picture!

[sgtiger]

sgtiger - thanks, I needed a happy photo :)

I'm glad it helped.


Sg, what a great picture!

Yeah, I really like the one with her tongue sticking out. It reminds me of when she was a baby and she would try to lap the water running out of the tap while I filled the tub for her bath. I never did manage to get a good picture of her when she was doing that.

[emily_in_nc]

Yeah, we are a little freaked. I got 'flurried on' while walking the dogs this morning.

And if I pull up the weather in Greensboro - upper 70's today and tomorrow!

*GLC is quietly questioning her choice to move to the PNW...;)*

GLC, don't worry too much. Yes, it was glorious Wed-Fri here in NC (highs in the 70s to low 80s on Friday!) but only 43 today in Efland for the high with rain and gloom. Same tomorrow! Some weekend.... Oh, and we had flurries one morning very recently too! March is just crazy here....

I hope you'll love the PacNW! Just think how nice it will be in the summer while we're sweltering here in the humidity! :D

Emily

[solobiker]

Today, sunny and warm with temps in the upper 60s, tomorrow cold with rain snow mix. Think spring...

[sgtiger]

My goodness! Little hailstones(reminds me of Dipping Dots)were being dumped on use ~10 min. ago. Now it's turned to snow.:confused:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/sgtiger3/SAkEZ_mh7qI/AAAAAAAAAls/uttxQGMFrVw/IMG_0364.JPG?imgmax=512
Yep, that's all hail and it's coming down fast! I've never seen anything like it here on the West Coast.

[jesvetmed]

STIGER: You're scaring me... I was just about to head out for a run. Please don't send this north! It's looking a bit blustery out there -- I just need an hour!?
Jes

[sgtiger]

Jesvetmed, if it makes you feel better, it's gone now. The snow petered out not long after my last post and it's all melting now. In fact, I see the occasional bits of blue as the clouds roll by.

[Flybye]

Misery loves company.

Snow, rain and wind in the forecast for us this weekend.

How in the world am I supposed to do a century on June 7th - 6 weeks to train - when my LONGEST ride this season has been 18 miles???

I suppose I could do 4 hours on the spin class bike tomorrow - :(:(:(:(:(:(:(

[maillotpois]

Wow - I am so glad this thread got bumped so I could see that great picture of the little Tiger catching snowflakes on her tongue. That is just wonderful!

Excellent!

:)

[salsabike]

This weather is a hoot. Very entertaining.

[salsabike]

It's 7 pm and now it's just flat out SNOWING here in North Seattle. And occasionally thundering. It's so loony!

[sgtiger]

No kidding. We heard a couple of booms a few hours ago, then it started snowing. Lightly at first w/ most of it melting almost as quickly as it was falling. Now it looks like someone opened up a cosmic size bag of flocking(the kind used to stuff teddy bears) and is dumping it on us. Don't the weather gods know it's April? No date night for DH and I this weekend in Portland(where he is:(). Booooo!

[sgtiger]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/sgtiger3/SAlZZfmh7uI/AAAAAAAAAnI/3g-uc9lN8yY/s800/IMG_0368.JPG

[salsabike]

Ha! Great pic. Where is that?

[sgtiger]

Hi, Salsa! It's a picture off our porch of our complex's parking lot. We're in the north side of Bothell, almost Mill Creek. In fact, that's the top of our van in the foreground.

[Trekhawk]

Great pictures!!
I love snow and those pics are about as close to snow as I will get here in Western Australia.:(

[KnottedYet]

We have a ridiculous amount of snow over here in my little valley. Just NUTS! Maybe 4 inches at this point? Can't see any of the grass poking up at all, my primroses have disappeared, the parking lot is a mess. There was just a car spinning like mad trying to get up the little hill in front of my building. They didn't make it.

And it's still dumping down huge fluffy flakes!

[Flybye]

Wow - Merry Christmas!!!! - When do we get to open presents??? :D:cool:

[Trekhawk]

We have a ridiculous amount of snow over here in my little valley. Just NUTS! Maybe 4 inches at this point? Can't see any of the grass poking up at all, my primroses have disappeared, the parking lot is a mess. There was just a car spinning like mad trying to get up the little hill in front of my building. They didn't make it.

And it's still dumping down huge fluffy flakes!

WOW sounds chilly.
Have a yummy hot chocolate for me.:D

[KnottedYet]

Wow - Merry Christmas!!!! - When do we get to open presents??? :D:cool:

Hee hee, I was just telling SKnot we need to put our Christmas tree back up!

Already got tomorrow's breakfast planned: pancakes with melted butter, Ibarra hot chocolate, fried apple slices.

Winter food! :eek:

[boy in a kilt]

The weather was no where near that interesting in Portland today (I now split my time between PDX and SEA until we move down this summer).

I was outside today and felt the cold front coming through. Looked up at the sky and saw clouds. Snow wouldn't have surprised me but all we got was occasional periods of being the flat rock under the horse.

Tomorrow may be different.

[Trekhawk]

Already got tomorrow's breakfast planned: pancakes with melted butter, Ibarra hot chocolate, fried apple slices.

Winter food! :eek:

Yummy!! I think I need you to make me breakfast.:D

[salsabike]

Come on back, Trekhawk! You didn't get to see much of this part of the country, did you?

BIAK and Sg, didn't know you guys are moving to Portland. Nice for you all--I like Portland a lot-- but sad for us. Better have another party or two before you go. Maybe a winter breakfast party....

[KnottedYet]

HEY! No! You can't leave!!!!!! :eek:

[boy in a kilt]

Come on back, Trekhawk! You didn't get to see much of this part of the country, did you?

BIAK and Sg, didn't know you guys are moving to Portland. Nice for you all--I like Portland a lot-- but sad for us. Better have another party or two before you go. Maybe a winter breakfast party....

I got the job about two weeks ago after nearly three months of unemployment. Of the 100+ resumes I submitted, I got one response in Bellevue and five in the Portland area. If that's not a sign, I don't know what was.

Seattle was cool, but since we both grew up in the Portland area, the support system (read: child care) is much more well developed. Between SG's parents and brother, plus my oldest son, date nights may become a regular thing again.

Plus, I'll be supporting clients in the Puget Sound area so I'll be up there from time to time.

[sgtiger]

Great pictures!!
I love snow and those pics are about as close to snow as I will get here in Western Australia.:(

You can have all of mine. I like to visit it once in a while in the MOUNTAINS and I have to say it's kind of neat for a week or two in the winter, but it's mid April and I'm ready for spring. Yes, spring is wet in the PNW but there's usually at least a peek of sun once in a while. In fact, last Saturday was very nice. We spent most of the day outside in the sun.


Wow - Merry Christmas!!!! - When do we get to open presents??? :D:cool:

Well, okay, if there's present I guess I could live it for a short while longer. Hmm....I hope there's wool in mine. When does Santa get here?


The weather was no where near that interesting in Portland today (I now split my time between PDX and SEA until we move down this summer).

I was outside today and felt the cold front coming through. Looked up at the sky and saw clouds. Snow wouldn't have surprised me but all we got was occasional periods of being the flat rock under the horse.

Tomorrow may be different.

Hi, Love! Sorry things didn't work out. Now you know why I didn't want to try to drive in that.

[salsabike]

You'll be missed, you guys! But come to think of it, if X and Kit can come up from Portland for TE parties, you could too if you were in the mood. And there's a lot to be said for having that support system.

And one of these days we're going to come down and go to that tandem shop in Portland, not to mention the Museum of Contemporary Craft.

It's still vaguely snowing. Half rain, half snow. Goofy.

[boy in a kilt]

I don't fault you for not wanting to make the drive. It would have required benadryl to keep the kids from killing each other. Or a nice bit of scotch for you so you didn't really care about all the commotion and nonsense from the back seats, the other drivers...

[boy in a kilt]

It's still vaguely snowing. Half rain, half snow. Goofy.

And I'm watching Bear Grylls walking around Africa, complaining about the heat, the taste of scorpions and drinking water squeezed out of elephant poo. Seems a little out of place somehow.

[sgtiger]

Ah shucks, we'll miss all of you too. We'll definitely come up for TE shindigs and rides. I didn't get to do my STP and I'm determined to do this ride at least once in my life. It's not happening for me this year, but I'm hoping maybe next year. Who wants to let me camp out in their living room or front lawn when I finally get around to it?

ETA: BIAK, ummm.... I can barely operate a vehicle in the ice/snow as it is, I'm not sure scotch would be a good idea.:eek: I would, however, need liberal applications of it afterwards.;)

Eww... You just had to remind me of the elephant poo episode, didn't you?

[KnottedYet]

Me!!!!!
:D

[boy in a kilt]

Eww... You just had to remind me of the elephant poo episode, didn't you?

Somehow it sounded so much interesting than saying I'm reading articles on inverting polymers. It's what I'm really doing but it makes me sound nerdy.

[sgtiger]

Thanks, Knot! I won't hold you to it at this point, though. Who knows? By the time I get my arse into shape enough to do it, you and your honey may have relocated to finally be together.;)

BIAK, I'm sure it is organic:rolleyes:, but that's okay. I think I'll just avoid putting myself in situations where I have to do that as a survival tactic. But hey, that leaves more for you.:p

Actually, the inverting polymers thing sounds like it might be interesting. But I've been known to go for the nerdy ones.:D

[boy in a kilt]

Actually, the inverting polymers thing sounds like it might be interesting. But I've been known to go for the nerdy ones.:D

Q.E.D.

[salsabike]

Nerds are the BEST.

I think Knot and Trek will be here. Or so I hope.

We'll be doing STP again in a year or two, I think.

BIAK, what's the new job? Same general work as the last?

[boy in a kilt]

Not really the same as last time. I don't work in construction any more and I'm trying to steer clear of storm water.

Now I'm a technical project manager for a small waste water treatment solution company. Our clients generally call us in to deal with water quality issues related to industrial processes or food processing. We also set up sludge dewatering systems for small municipalities and wineries.

I do anything "technical." Polymer testing, system design, coordinate system installation, re-engineer equipment and I am also the IT and safety departments.

But I can't complain. The company dynamic is great, I have a gob of technical problems stacked up waiting for me to solve them, and the money is pretty good.

The only thing I miss about construction is construction sites smell much better than some of the places I get to visit and the worst thing I've ever dealt with in storm water is goose poop.

[salsabike]

Interesting stuff, sounds like.

By the way, when I was in West Palm Beach the week of the last TE party here, we saw this place: http://www.pbcgov.com/waterutilities/wakodahatchee/

It's a constructed wetland that is part of wastewater treatment in Palm Beach County. It was SPECTACULAR. Green herons, great and little blue herons, ibis, egrets, woodstorks, purple gallinules. It's just teeming with birds. An amazing place. This is from their website--

Traditional methods for disposal of treated wastewater have included deep injection wells or ocean outfalls. More recent emphasis has been placed on highly treating and reclaiming wastewater. The Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department is a pioneer in the fields of wastewater treatment and reclaimed water distribution for irrigation purposes. The Wakodahatchee Wetlands are yet another example of the Department's innovative and forward-thinking management philosophies.

The Wakodahatchee Wetlands have attracted an abundant variety of wildlife including turtles, frogs, alligators and birds. More than 140 different species of birds have been spotted at the site. These species thrive in the various wetland zones found at Wakodahatchee Wetlands. The zones were designed for a mixture of habitat types:

* Open pond water areas to attract waterfowl and diving birds
* Emergent marsh areas for rails, moorhens, and sparrows
* Shallow shelves for herons and egrets
* Islands with shrubs and snags to serve as roosting, nesting, and basking sites
* Forested wetland areas for long-term habitat development

[crazycanuck]

:eek: snow... I guess the idea of only taking shorts & short sleeved shirts on our trip to Canada just kinda went down the tube...:(

snowmen!

[boy in a kilt]

Wetlands are a great use of water that hasn't been purified to drinking quality. Apart from the aesthetic value, it reduces the amount of process water that has to be discharged to the municipal system. Less water for the municipal system to deal with and lower cost for the companies because sanitary permits aren't cheap.

Distributing the non-potable water for uses like fire fighting, irrigation and industrial processes that don't require a high degree of purity could seriously reduce the strain on water supplies. The capital costs would be high but it would be a great investment in the long run.

if sean.rant=complete
sean.soapbox=off
end
(nerd humor.)

[jesvetmed]

SGTiger and BIAK: I'm sorry you'll be moving. Only met you guys the one time, but you seemed great. Glad to hear you'll be up for trips up for TE stuff... maybe I'll get to see you again. Sounds like a good move for the family all around. Congrats.

As for the weather, I heard the forecast for tomorrow including "Ice Pellets"... :eek:has anyone every been in "Ice Pellets" before? I planned to practice my oly tri ride tomorrow since our original tulip ride was cancelled. Scary sounding stuff... and it will be mixed with thunder storms. Hmmm... day to swim, maybe!?

[salsabike]

if sean.rant=complete
sean.soapbox=off
end
(nerd humor.)


Is that C++?

And then there's this video which provides aspect ratios for cats:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHXBL6bzAR4

Not all the snow has melted, and it's 35 degrees. Chris just left to do a RAMROD training ride, which is good, since he goes back to Florida for a couple of weeks on Monday. Hard to train for a climbing ride in Florida.

[mimitabby]

ah, CC, shorts and short sleeved shirts in May?
no.
Never.
this weather is unusual, but you'll freeze your butt in NORMAL May weather with those. You want jeans, light sweaters (ibex) and some teeshirts in the hopes that you might get some warmer days.

and last night, all we got was some rain-looking stuff last night. I REALLY feel left out. (but i don't want to drive out there to see it)

[boy in a kilt]

It's not really C++, just some generic nonsense formatted to look like an object oriented language like C++.

When I was studying java, one of my friends and i used to send each other text messages written like that. For example:

while glass.beer!=empty
sean.state=happy
else
bartender(beer)
end

[KnottedYet]

Salsa, that is a great cat video!!!!!

Makes my snuggle-in-bed-waiting-for-snow-to-melt morning ever so fabulous!!

[sgtiger]

Salsa, I laughed so hard, I cried. The little ones have come out of their rooms to watch their wacked out mother.

DS looks at DD "Why is she laughing? Maybe there's somthing funny on her computer?"
DD <shrug>

But seriously, I think I need to go apprehend the jerk who took a cheese grater to my throat while I slept. Wah! Cold, juicy honeydew for breakfast felt good though.

[mimitabby]

hm. youtube isn't working for me. I guess i'll walk away from the computer now

[salsabike]

SG, no BIAK AND a new cold--that's just rude. Hope you had tea.

It's doing it again, folks. Ice pellets. Snow. Sleet. All at once. Hope my spouse is doing okay. His ride may be mostly out of the Convergence Zone so maybe he's not getting this stuff. I am warm and sweaty inside after spending some quality time with the Uphill Grind.

[KnottedYet]

Went to the bank, it was snowing.
Left the bank, it was sunny.

The snow at my apartment is melting like crazy.

[Popoki_Nui]

11:00 am just west of Victoria. Missed my place (and other areas seemingly at random) completely, dumped heavily on others. Bottom pic is just one kilometer from my greem and snowless home.

[sgtiger]

Salsa, was Mr. Salsa able to avoid most of the yuckier stuff?

Popokui_Nui, those pictures are very nice. It just doesn't seem like it's April though.

We've been getting a combination of hail/rain/freezing rain off and on all day. Now we're getting some very scary sounding thunder! Normally I don't mind thunder or lighting(Very pretty!), but the way the weather has been lately....:rolleyes:

Couple of minutes later:

ETA:Oh my! The clouds are suddenly thinning and I see some blue sky!

[salsabike]

Isn't it just NUTS?

They did a shorter ride than planned, about 35 miles and 2100 feet of climbing. He says he got precipitated on, in one form or another, probably a third of the time. Apparently having ice pellets blasting you while you're going downhill is really unpleasant. But he's home and warm and happy he went.

Yup. Sun. Blue sky. Thunder. More ice pellets. Goofy.

[KnottedYet]

SKnot is sick, or I'd leave him home alone and go for a ride on my Surly in this wild stuff.

My bike is calling out to me... and I need to do a Costco run... and the weather is nuts.... put it all together and it's the siren-song of the Surly!

[Flybye]

I feel really naughty, BUT.....................


WE DIDN'T GET THE RAIN, WIND, OR SNOW THAT WAS FORECAST!!!!!

I WENT ON A 40 MILE BIKE RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was sunny and beautiful.

Now, so that you feel better and I don't feel so naughty, I wrecked :(:(

I am okay - just some beautiful road rash and a huge case of ego - embarrasment - the wreck had a witness - a friend! Bad enough that my friend had to witness me in spandex, but then to see me fall............. :o:o:o:o:o:oX1,000.

Thanks, everyone, for keeping the bad weather in your backyard. I will take my turn with it tomorrow so you can have some fun!!