Snow [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

ny biker

12-05-2009, 10:42 AM

Yeah, we're getting big wet flakes. I cleared about an inch off my car before -- very wet and heavy. I had to go in to work today but I think it will be okay getting home because they're not expecting the roads to be too bad. I might even try to get some xmas shopping in later this evening.

So far the main roads here are just wet. There's a little slush on the residential streets that are always treated last, but nothing severe.

Cataboo

12-05-2009, 11:00 AM

are the shops out of milk & toilet paper? :)

ny biker

12-05-2009, 11:07 AM

are the shops out of milk & toilet paper? :)

Seriously. I need to go to the grocery store so I hope the shelves are not bare.

malkin

12-05-2009, 02:01 PM

We rode to Costco this morning. Hazy and a little sunny when we set out...full on snow by the time we got home. Even got flipped the bird--I guess for taking the lane in order to stay out of the mucky shoulder.

Now that we're home and warm and slurping through the hot wine, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Zen

12-05-2009, 02:54 PM

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSC_0804-1-1.jpg
I knew I wouldn't get that lawn furniture in :o

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSC_0805-1-1.jpg
Wool Wiener dog

NbyNW

12-05-2009, 03:24 PM

We got about 8" yesterday and today. I shouldn't have bothered shoveling it yesterday, because it was the dry powdery type, and the wind just put it right back on the sidewalk and steps.

HillSlugger

12-05-2009, 03:49 PM

I didn't expect anything to stick since we haven't even had a freeze yet, but somehow we accumulated around 3 inches. I guess my 30 mile ride tomorrow will be on the rollers :(

Cataboo

12-05-2009, 04:03 PM

sounds like its supposed to be in the 40s tomorow after dipping into the 20s tonight. It might be a bit wet for a pleasant ride.

HillSlugger

12-05-2009, 04:10 PM

sounds like its supposed to be in the 40s tomorow after dipping into the 20s tonight. It might be a bit wet for a pleasant ride.

I'm afraid the roads will be too wet and messy. Better safe than sorry.

Trekhawk

12-05-2009, 04:13 PM

Atlas

12-05-2009, 04:26 PM

We had our first snow that stuck on Thursday. It snowed, melted, snowed and got cold so the roads were ice. I'm terrified of riding on ice so this winter will be interesting.

Skierchickie

12-05-2009, 07:28 PM

Woo Hoo! We got about a foot in the last day. The ski trails have been rolled, so I finally got out this morning. It snowed HARD. About 10 miles North of here they got 12" overnight last night, from a big lake effect band, in addition to what fell yesterday and today. Hopefully we'll just keep building our base now, and won't lose it until April.

BleeckerSt_Girl

12-06-2009, 07:09 AM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/4162671007_c3c9dd9643_o.jpg

Crankin

12-06-2009, 07:36 AM

We got about 3-4 inches. Curiously, hardly any of it stuck on the roads, etc. I guess it's because it was 68 degrees on Thursday! However, the grassy surfaces and woods look very much like Lisa's picture. Going out for a hike in a bit.

Ritamarie

12-06-2009, 07:37 AM

Well, I am not a big fan of snow. It means tough in/out of our farm lane, small farm chores become big farm chores, and I can't ride my bicycle! However, it's my tradition to take a trail ride on my horse first thing after a snowfall to enjoy the beauty of it, before getting to work! Pics from this mornings ride...

10508

10509

10510

10511

10512

redrhodie

12-06-2009, 08:46 AM

Beautiful pics, everyone!

We got a little last night, but nothing stuck.

deeaimond

12-06-2009, 08:54 AM

We had huge flakes swirling around for a good couple of hours yesterday evening/night!

not in Singapore of course... in White Plains, New York :p

Ritamarie

12-06-2009, 01:32 PM

Beautiful pics, everyone!

We got a little last night, but nothing stuck.

That's the BEST kind of snow, :)

Trekhawk

12-06-2009, 08:04 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/4162671007_c3c9dd9643_o.jpg

Oh my how beautiful!
I will keep that picture in my mind over Xmas while we are melting.

jesvetmed

12-06-2009, 09:00 PM

I'm having snow envy with all those gorgeous pics! We have just cold! And Windy!

ridebikeme

12-07-2009, 03:13 AM

Great pics everyone! We received about 3", and it looks as though more is coming this next week. Zen , your area looks a lot like the area that I live in as well:rolleyes:Went for a mtn bike ride yesterday on some of the trails. It was a great ride, although a bit slippery with the new snow, lots of mud underneath covered in ice. But I was scouting out some trails for winter riding... looks like I found some great ones:D

roadie gal

12-07-2009, 08:45 AM

We've gotten about 18 inches since this time yesterday and it's still coming down, with the hardest snow yet to come.

We had to put on snowshoes to go walk the dogs. I'll try to take some pictures later.

indigoiis

12-07-2009, 09:30 AM

Beautiful pics, everyone!

We got a little last night, but nothing stuck.

It stuck out in West Kingston! I put this on our website cuz I thought it was purdy:

http://www.paradisefarmalpacas.com/sitebuilder/images/673b-758x575.jpg

spokewench

12-07-2009, 09:44 AM

It started early this morning and has been snowing steadily since! I'd say we have about 3-4 inches sticking on the ground so far. We are supposed to be in for a doozy later on today and tonight.

I'm ready; i've got wood by my wood stove ready to go; the fixins for some great turkey chili and cornbread to be eaten with a nice bottle of ale; and a good book to sit in front of the fire.

All I have to do is get home later and shovel my way in; then I'll be set!

They said we were going to get wind with this storm; but so far, it is a gentle, big snowflake kind of snow; really beautiful! I'd take a picture, but my camera is at home.

bmccasland

12-07-2009, 10:24 AM

Waaah! My cross country skis are still dry. We were supposed to get 2 flakes over the weekend, but didn't get any. I really wanted to post a photo of ski tracks in my front yard.

Of course around here, the entire place shuts down if snow even arrives, let alone sticks! :eek::cool::rolleyes:

Thanks for the snow photos - got to admit I miss the stuff. Also have to admit that when I lived in snow country, round about March I was ready for sunny warm weather too. :p

jobob

12-07-2009, 10:46 AM

Here's the current image off the Mt. Diablo Cam (http://www.mtdiablocam.com/):

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k186/jobob22/stuff/LiveCam.jpg

As for the Mt Hamilton HamCams (http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/hamcam/), Ham Cam 1 is currently iced over and Ham Cam 2's image is shrouded in fog. But check them later, the images should be pretty nice.

GLC1968

12-07-2009, 11:29 AM

I'm a super happy camper. We've gotten no snow but it's quite cold here...for here. I'm walking around with a big ole grin on my face and if I wasn't afraid of being locked up, I'd probably break into a skip... I LOVE THIS WEATHER! Highs in the high 20's today - awesome!

The PNW people all think I'm crazy as they bundle up and shiver. My southern husband hasn't stopped whining in two days. Whatever. In my mind, when the thermometer reads -27F, THEN you can complain about cold! :p

And thanks for sharing all the photos, everyone! I miss snow and I love seeing pictures of it. :)

ginny

12-07-2009, 11:38 AM

Here's a picture of my horse and donkey in the snow ... love it... I call them horse-sicles. Love the picts of this morning's trail ride... can't say I'm tough enough to go do that here. I totally hear you about small chores turn into big 'ums. I used to keep my critters at home, and I felt like I was working as hard as I could all winter just to maintain everyone...

SadieKate

12-07-2009, 12:05 PM

The PNW people all think I'm crazy as they bundle up and shiver. My southern husband hasn't stopped whining in two days. Whatever. In my mind, when the thermometer reads -27F, THEN you can complain about cold! :pHey, not all PNW people think you're crazy! Careful of blanket statements! 20's are fine as long as there's enough snow. It's the sub-zeros we're facing that put me off - at least for outdoor activities.

Good news is that it's rocketed up to a balmy 9F.

Ahem, and you aren't facing standing still course marshalling for the cross nationals at 7 am in the morning in this weather . . . . :rolleyes:

crazycanuck

12-07-2009, 12:07 PM

Brrrr...it's getting cold in Canuckland!!!

At the other end of the world...it's going to be 37C, 38C & 39C Sat, Sun, Mon..

I'll take more pics of the beach to warm you all up ;)

shootingstar

12-07-2009, 12:14 PM

Brrrr...it's getting cold in Canuckland!!!

At the other end of the world...it's going to be 37C, 38C & 39C Sat, Sun, Mon..

I'll take more pics of the beach to warm you all up ;)

Well, CC yesterday while cycling, I saw a jogger in short sleeved T-shirt and long shorts. It was like today, below freezing. Honest, just don't know how some people can do it.

No snow below the mountains, though. Just bright and sunny today. Dry on ground. Good for a reasonable cycle just have to be careful of possible black ice in early morning.

Ginny, that is cute pic of horse and donkey among snowfluffies. Zen, a real winter wonderland pic.

GLC1968

12-07-2009, 12:56 PM

Hey, not all PNW people think you're crazy! Careful of blanket statements! 20's are fine as long as there's enough snow. It's the sub-zeros we're facing that put me off - at least for outdoor activities.

Good news is that it's rocketed up to a balmy 9F.

Ahem, and you aren't facing standing still course marshalling for the cross nationals at 7 am in the morning in this weather . . . . :rolleyes:

Good point - I should modify my statement to read "the PNW weather weanies west of the Cascades think I'm crazy"! ;)

spokewench

12-07-2009, 01:15 PM

Well, we have a foot of snow now; and I will be heading home in an hour to shovel. They say we will get most of our snow tonight; wow, we are going to be buried! :D

Kathi

12-07-2009, 03:28 PM

We got a 3-4" in Denver over the weekend but ytd we've had around 50". The central mtns haven't been so lucky, we're skiing on manmade snow. The storm is supposed to hit the mtns tonight thru Wed. up to 20" and bitterly cold, highs around 10 degrees.

Zen

12-07-2009, 04:00 PM

Here's a picture of my horse and donkey in the snow

Your donkey is adorable :) What's her/his name? And where do you keep them now :confused:

Trekhawk

12-07-2009, 09:25 PM

Love the pics everyone!
I will have to keep looking at them over this next weekend as we are in for a hot one. Perhaps it will keep me from melting.:D

roadie gal

12-08-2009, 06:16 AM

Well, CC yesterday while cycling, I saw a jogger in short sleeved T-shirt and long shorts. It was like today, below freezing. Honest, just don't know how some people can do it.

That seems to be the thing to do around here, too: go out in the snow in shorts. I have a friend who likes to snow blow his driveway in a parka, shorts and Ugg boots. I love the guy, but sometimes he's a doofus.

ginny

12-08-2009, 06:34 AM

Zen, his name is Tristan (he came with that name, and I call him my high brow donkey). I board them both south of town in Laramie. They are SO much happier being boarded. I underestimated how important social structure is for equines. Thanks - I think he's cute too (I also think the horse it cute, but the donkey steals the show).

It is absolutely dumping snow here today. I sure hope I can get to Denver on Friday (I'm going to Hi!):D:D:D

Ritamarie

12-08-2009, 06:39 AM

I used to keep my critters at home, and I felt like I was working as hard as I could all winter just to maintain everyone...

Ginny, love your horse and donkey!!!! I keep consoling myself that it may be an early winter, and both my hydrants are already frozen, but at least I don't have do mow!

I LOVE THIS WEATHER! Highs in the high 20's today - awesome!

Ahhh! Liking winter must be like liking hills. My husband once told me that "if you do enough hills, they lose their power over you". Following his advice, I have actually come to like hills. Maybe I need to work on a better mindset about winter!

I love this weather.... I LOVE this weather....I LOVE THIS WEATHER...

SadieKate

12-08-2009, 08:38 AM

Good point - I should modify my statement to read "the PNW weather weanies west of the Cascades think I'm crazy"! ;)Mucho better! We'll call them the PNW WWWs.

At 5:30 pm last night it was -1F and then dropped to -14F all night. Today's forecast is a sultry 7F/-8F.

No snow when it's this cold.:(

RolliePollie

12-08-2009, 08:53 AM

Doesn't look like I'll be riding any time soon. I finally found my car buried under 22" of snow...

Trekhawk

12-09-2009, 02:59 AM

Doesn't look like I'll be riding any time soon. I finally found my car buried under 22" of snow...

Yikes!
I think you will get enough exercise just clearing the snow from your car.:eek:

spokewench

12-09-2009, 01:16 PM

We ended up with 27 inches of snow at the house from the big storm! Started snowing Monday morning and ended early Tuesday morning.

Lots of drifting too so it looks deeper in a lot of places. They City plows did not make it to my street yesterday although the storm was done by yesterday morning. I cleaned house and cooked since my Subaru did not have enough clearance to make it out of the neighborhood. 4-5 foot drifts in the road at the end of my driveway!

They finally plowed this morning Wednesday at 5:00 a.m. so I was able to get out and play some tennis indoors and now I'm at work! It really is beautiful; I'll have to get the skis out this weekend.

Crankin

12-09-2009, 02:22 PM

We had about half a foot as remnants from the storm that demolished the west and midwest. Then, about 11 AM, it turned to rain and is still raining now. There is a lot of ponding on the roads and slush galore. I went out around 12:15 and though everything was plowed, the driving was not fun. By the time I was done with my hair appointment, the roads were much better. Fifty mile an hour winds came through awhile ago and now we are expecting thunderstorms.
I am so glad I didn't have to drive to work today. People don't get it that 4 wheel drive is not 4 wheel stop! But, I do admit to loving that feeling of being able to ram my car through that big pile of snow the plows leave at the entrance to driveways.
Spokewrench, I can't believe they wait a day to plow your street. We have plow Nazis around here!

spokewench

12-10-2009, 07:52 AM

ny biker

12-17-2009, 11:35 AM

Here we go again -- potential "major snow event" for the DC area this weekend. Forecasts are still uncertain but we might get 6-12" on Saturday, which is paralyzing for this area. Naturally this is on the only day I can get a desperately-needed haircut before the holidays. Not to mention all the shopping that must get done this weekend in order to be ready before Christmas. Oh and did I mention my hairstylist is at Tysons, which is the epicenter of traffic hell in northern Virginia on a good day?

Not to mention, I was hoping to get the new heat pump installed next week so I could get it done before the end of the year. Can't do that with a foot of snow on the ground.

I know the general forecast for this winter was colder and with more snow than usual, but I was really hoping all that snow would wait until January at least.

On the other hand, our last snowfall was more than they predicted, so maybe this one will be less. Fingers crossed...

Geonz

12-17-2009, 01:22 PM

Snow in DC is very hard to predict when it's coming up from the Gulf (tho' they're gobs better than when I was growing up there). We've had 100% chance of 6 inches... that was flurries... and the other way around, too.

OUr weather guy in the midwest said a couple weeks ago that el nino was going to give us a mild winter and the east a snowy one. He's lookin' like he's spot on... we got to 39 today and are expecting *maybe* an inch or three from a clipper this weekend. So far torrents better than last year -- we'd had ice storms and snow storms and more ice by now, and *then* things got ugly. I would just as soon *not* break that personal cold record of 11 below...

ny biker

12-17-2009, 01:35 PM

Snow in DC is very hard to predict when it's coming up from the Gulf (tho' they're gobs better than when I was growing up there). We've had 100% chance of 6 inches... that was flurries... and the other way around, too.

Yes right now the forecast is a breakdown of probabilities for different accumulation levels with no real standout for what's likeliest to occur. I remain hopeful for a minor storm. But I will still try to make contingency plans, just in case.

tulip

12-17-2009, 02:49 PM

My side of town is supposed to have a wintery mix, but only 30 miles west of here is supposed to get almost a foot. I have done NO shopping. i might just stick to Heiffer Project, which is great and easy.

Crankin

12-17-2009, 03:33 PM

Our forecast for Sunday is "we don't know."
If the storm that's predicted for DC on Saturday veers just a little bit east, we will get a dusting to a couple of inches. If it goes just a little to the west, it will be a major nor'easter.
I'm glad it's on a Sunday and I really would like to go x country skiing on Wednesday. On the other hand, I would like to be able to do stuff Sunday, too. It's been brutally cold and windy for here, not over 20 degrees F, with incredible wind chill. I've been working out inside for a week, with the exception of a short hike yesterday. We just had no transition between what was a mild fall and January like chill in December.

HillSlugger

12-17-2009, 04:51 PM

Yes right now the forecast is a breakdown of probabilities for different accumulation levels with no real standout for what's likeliest to occur. I remain hopeful for a minor storm. But I will still try to make contingency plans, just in case.

I haven't ridden outside yet this month and was hoping it would happen this weekend, but now I'm very doubtful. All this riding in the basement is starting to wear on my sanity :( :mad:

Zen

12-17-2009, 05:01 PM

Snow?
Did someone say snow?! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Y73sPHKxw)

Ritamarie

12-17-2009, 05:07 PM

Gosh darn it! I am 82 miles behind my husband in mileage for the year (hopefully only 38 miles behind after tomorrow's ride) and just two weeks to catch up and pass him. Considering he's a commuter and geared up with studded snow tires, this is indeed bad news for me! I'll be losing ground steadily! Looks like they are calling for 6-10 here this weekend now and another bigger one later in the week.

I'll get as many miles in as I can tomorrow (brrrr...) before I hit the grocery store for TP and milk like everyone else!

Selkie

12-18-2009, 12:19 AM

Crankin

12-18-2009, 03:04 AM

Looks like we're only going to get 1-3 in the NW burbs of Boston, on Sunday.
Really, it's the perfect time for a storm. I wish it were more.

My son and DIL are flying from San Diego to Philly on the red eye Sat. night. I have a feeling they will end up somewhere else! Thankfully, they will be taking the train up here on the 27th.

Geonz

12-18-2009, 05:09 AM

I remember a bad ice storm in Richmond VA -- and a bit of a surprise, too -- but because it happened between Christmas and New Year's, the impact was much less disastrous. (It would have been during school travel.)
Retailers are probably out there waving that thing eastward as hard as they can...

IFjane

12-18-2009, 07:24 AM

I haven't ridden outside yet this month and was hoping it would happen this weekend, but now I'm very doubtful. All this riding in the basement is starting to wear on my sanity :( :mad:

Ditto!

Between the rain and snow I haven't been outside for a month either. The long range forecast is for very very chilly temps all next week so whatever falls probably is not going to be leaving quickly. :mad:

Stay warm and safe, everyone!

ny biker

12-18-2009, 08:04 AM

I'm praying that the storm moves way east, well off the coast, so we don't get much if anything. We, too, planned to take care of holiday stuff this weekend. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that it turns into a big nothing....

Supposed to start tonight and heavy snow is expected commencing tomorrow at noon.

Around here, 6-12 inches is a big deal, particularly since the local govts are having budget shortfalls and who knows the impact on road clearing services. It'll probably be until Monday before we see a plow or a salt truck in our neighborhood and it's all steep hills...

If it happens, better on a Saturday than a weekday, though.

NY, maybe you can catch the bus to Tysons?

I would rather drive myself than be stuck on a bus. I was able to move my haircut from 3 pm up to 9:45 am. Hopefully it will be less bad in the morning.

My big issue is that 6-12 is a useless forecast. Six inches means you can still get around, 12 inches means the region is paralyzed. So we really won't know what we're in for until we wake up tomorrow.

Meanwhile on Monday night I have to go downtown, which means street parking, which means it will be a mess with all the snow piled up from the plows. I don't want to think about it.

Update: two of the three managers I'm working for are not in the office today, and the third told me that it's okay if I get the haircut this afternoon and then work from home over the weekend. So now I can stay home tomorrow. Yay.

Selkie

12-18-2009, 08:51 AM

Now it's 12-24 inches predicted, according to the noon news.

I'm glad it worked out for your haircut!!

divingbiker

12-18-2009, 08:57 AM

Now it's 12-24 inches predicted, according to the noon news.

Woohoo! I stopped at the store this am to buy all the supplies to make lots of Christmas cookies, so I'll be happy to be stuck at home this weekend. And maybe pull out the cross country skis that haven't seen any action in 22 years! And shovel. I'm from the midwest, and I love to shovel.

This will be Sammy's first big snow, so that will be fun, too. I'm really looking forward to this weekend.:D:D:D

Selkie

12-18-2009, 09:02 AM

Take it back, DB, take it back!

They also are predicting wind and thunder snow. Let's hope no one loses power.

Grits

12-18-2009, 09:24 AM

Schools are closing an hour early here (Raleigh, NC area), and nothing has even fallen from the sky! It does look threatening, though.

tulip

12-18-2009, 09:25 AM

My big issue is that 6-12 is a useless forecast. Six inches means you can still get around, 12 inches means the region is paralyzed.

Six inches will paralyze DC.

Zen

12-18-2009, 10:45 AM

Woohoo! I stopped at the store this am to buy all the supplies to make lots of Christmas cookies, so I'll be happy to be stuck at home this weekend.

Cookies here too, unless I lose power :o
I wish I had some xc skis.

7rider

12-18-2009, 11:07 AM

Woohoo! I stopped at the store this am to buy all the supplies to make lots of Christmas cookies, so I'll be happy to be stuck at home this weekend. And maybe pull out the cross country skis that haven't seen any action in 22 years! And shovel. I'm from the midwest, and I love to shovel.

This will be Sammy's first big snow, so that will be fun, too. I'm really looking forward to this weekend.:D:D:D

Tell ya what, DB.....
You cross country ski up Sligo Creek, and I'll cross country ski down Sligo Creek and you can give me some cookies at the halfway point!!!
:D:D:D
Mmmmmm...cookies....

Zen

12-18-2009, 11:45 AM

I am no Tarantino-
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/th_Snowstatemovie.jpg (http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/?action=view&current=Snowstatemovie.flv)

I don't know why I find this hilarious but I do.
The music gives it a certain je ne sais quois

ny biker

12-18-2009, 01:10 PM

Six inches will paralyze DC.

I can still get to work with 6 inches, I've done it before. Arlington is pretty good with snow removal. They're definitely better than DC.

Crankin

12-19-2009, 04:29 AM

Our forecast is now up to 8-12 inches...

Yipee!!!

redrhodie

12-19-2009, 04:55 AM

12"+ for me! yay! I love snow. Time to break out the rollers.

Becky

12-19-2009, 05:30 AM

12"-20" forecasted here. I've been up for 2 hours and already have cabin fever!

Crankin', if your son and daughter in law haven't already changed their flight plans, they might want to do so.... :eek:

tulip

12-19-2009, 06:01 AM

The snow was up to my mid-calf this morning when I took Shiloh out for a walk. I heard on the radio that the airport got 9", and that's just four miles from my house. It's still snowing hard. It's very pretty, and Shiloh was in heaven on his walk.

Crankin

12-19-2009, 06:12 AM

Tried calling my son last night and he didn't return the call, which is most unusual. But, then I saw DIL posted last night on FB, that they were leaving tonight. It's out of my hands... someone who has survived 2 tours in Iraq can handle a flight delay! Besides, they are going to her family, not me. They might arrive in Philly a couple of days late, I suppose, but they will be getting here on time next Sunday, because the train rarely stops running.

Tri Girl

12-19-2009, 06:35 AM

I'm sorry you're getting pounded by all the snow! I *am* glad that it's you and not me, tho. ;)
Please post more pictures! I love looking at the snow- just not being in it! :)

Bike Chick

12-19-2009, 08:18 AM

It's out of my hands... someone who has survived 2 tours in Iraq can handle a flight delay!

Good way of looking at it, Mom. I have to tell myself the same thing from time to time.

divingbiker

12-19-2009, 08:26 AM

I'm sorry you're getting pounded by all the snow! I *am* glad that it's you and not me, tho. ;)
Please post more pictures! I love looking at the snow- just not being in it! :)

It's really coming down now. I've shoveled twice and you can't even tell! Because you asked, here are a couple of pictures.

Here's Sammy and Ruby quite a few inches ago.

10563

And the house

10564

Ritamarie

12-19-2009, 08:30 AM

I guess this is the 1-2 inches we were supposed to get by morning....and it's supposed to snow until when???

I think I'm going to have to take up snow biking this winter.

10565

Selkie

12-19-2009, 08:34 AM

This is before the seriously heavy stuff started...... A bit blurry but you get the idea. Reagan Nat'l is now closed (it's about five miles from me). I

Ritamarie

12-19-2009, 08:39 AM

LOL, funny how all of our animals get in the snow pictures. :D

Zen

12-19-2009, 08:57 AM

If I can figure out the timer I'll take a photo for you.
I could take a photo of the van:rolleyes:

divingbiker

12-19-2009, 09:11 AM

Ritamarie, that picture of your horse is beautiful!

ny biker

12-19-2009, 09:12 AM

I took these about 12:30 pm today.

http://picasaweb.google.com/bowmandj626/Blizzard#

My balcony has another balcony above it that normally shields most of it from precipitation. Today it is covered with snow all the way to the door.

Bike Chick

12-19-2009, 09:27 AM

Ritamarie, that picture of your horse is beautiful!

I agree. Looks like a postcard.

Ritamarie

12-19-2009, 09:35 AM

Ritamarie, that picture of your horse is beautiful!

I agree. Looks like a postcard.

Oh, thanks! I am regretting a missed photo opportunity though. When I first walked up into the pasture, concerned that Tat wasn't coming down for breakfast, he was all the way up at the end and started trotting down when he saw me. Snow was billowing up behind him. It was quite a sight, almost surreal. By the time I got the camera out and on, he'd slowed to a walk and that's the picture I got. Maybe he'll give me a re-enactment this afternoon, and this time I'll be ready!

owlice

12-19-2009, 11:04 AM

I've got yeast bread (an oatmeal/whole wheat/honey bread) rising, and will make pumpkin bread today, too.

Anything to avoid cleaning the house! :D

Pics are here (http://s861.photobucket.com/albums/ab178/owlice1/Snowstorm%20December%2019%202009/?albumview=slideshow).

Zen

12-19-2009, 11:13 AM

You should post the patio table shots on channel 5 or channel 7's web. Maybe you'll get on the tee vee.

Tri Girl

12-19-2009, 12:25 PM

HOLY MOLY- you guys are getting drenched in snow! All your pictures are soooo beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing them- and post more if you want. I got shivers just looking at your pictures. Stay warm and safe everyone! :)

owlice

12-19-2009, 12:30 PM

I wish I had a video of my little cat in the snow! He decided that he had to leap from the narrow clear lane along the back of the house (because of the roof overhang) into the snow, which is nearly twice as deep as he is tall. It was hilarious watching him trying to navigate. He sank into the snow and couldn't *quite* push off to leap to another spot because the snow beneath him would give way, and he couldn't *quite* push through the snow to try to walk. He was very confused! He finally decided he should get back to the narrow snow-free zone against the house.

HillSlugger

12-19-2009, 12:34 PM

I don't really know how much we've gotten here, but it's a lot.

The view out of my back door
10567

The snow on the shed roof
10568

I think the cars look like funny bugs with their wipers in the air
10569

owlice

12-19-2009, 01:02 PM

Okay, Zen, I sent the patio table pictures (noon, 2:20, 4:30) to Channel 4.

Of course, I'm now watching Channel 7... :)

Oh, pumpkin bread is done!

divingbiker

12-19-2009, 01:13 PM

Here's an action shot of Sammy helping me shovel.

10570

and my patio table at 5pm--14 inches.

10571

7rider

12-19-2009, 01:13 PM

Okay...I'll play.
Here's our patio set, covered in snow!!
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/IMG_0942.jpg

And my truck, buried (optimistic with the kayak holders still on the roof!):
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/IMG_0940.jpg

I haven't taken a ruler to the table, but that's about 20", I'd say.

Cross country skiing this a.m. was fair. I stuck to the neighborhood streets, and the asphalt tends to hold a lot of heat, so there wasn't much glide. But it's a sure-fire conversation starter with neighbors I rarely see, much less talk to. Lots of folks out with their kids, sledding, and lots of snow shovelling going on.... Not much biking, however. :(

HillSlugger

12-19-2009, 01:18 PM

owlice

12-19-2009, 01:23 PM

I got some things out of the shed last night in anticipation of the storm, but didn't think to grab the yardstick, darn it!!!

Ritamarie

12-19-2009, 01:29 PM

What's wrong with this picture?

10572

I ain't no winter wuss!

10573

Bewildered by this stuff and the icicles hanging off of my face....

10574

Lest you all think I'm a mean Mommy... he does have a stall to go into, and a waterproof blanket!

And it is STILL snowing.

7rider

12-19-2009, 01:36 PM

What's wrong with this picture?

10572

And it is STILL snowing.

Well....
That's not a terribly useful place for your snow plow on a day like today! :D

divingbiker

12-19-2009, 01:53 PM

OK, I'm ticked. Channel 4 apparently thought the snow was so interesting that they pre-empted the Kona Ironman Triathlon show so they could talk about snow. That's ridiculous.

skinimini

12-19-2009, 02:13 PM

Was in DC yesterday for business, supposed to return home today. I was so lucky to snag the last Delta seat back to Atl last night! The snow is so beautiful, but not at an airport! Good luck to you all in the NE. Be safe!

7rider

12-19-2009, 04:26 PM

Okay, it's a little blurry, but it gets the point across.
DH and I went and put the tape measure to the pile of snow on our picnic table tonight. Snow has tapered to flurries.
I think this is about it....a lot for Maryland.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/IMG_0955.jpg

Zen

12-19-2009, 04:54 PM

Pfft! You young'uns and your 21st century snowstorms. I lived through the blizzard of '78. Now that was a storm. Let me tell you all about it - my story starts in nineteen dickety eight -we had to say 'dickety' because the Kaiser had stolen our word 'seventy'.

Anyway, even though the streets weren't plowed for over a week and there was no electricity and all the stores were closed, we still had to go to school everyday to make sure it was closed. Finally, Richard Nixon put on a magical sweater and got the streets cleaned and we could all buy milk again.

ny biker

12-19-2009, 05:09 PM

You forgot the part about how you had to walk barefoot and uphill in the snow. :D

My father was just telling me about a storm in 1947, shortly after they moved to Long Island to the house where he still lives. They got about 3 feet of snow. My grandfather was stranded at work because the LIRR wasn't running, and the snow was up to my father's knees when he walked down the street.

I don't think I've seen a storm with more than 2 feet or so.

Zen

12-19-2009, 05:21 PM

I can just measure Rox to see how much we got

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSC_0820-1.jpg
There are more photos here (http://picasaweb.google.com/zencentury/BlizzardOfOughtNine#)

kmehrzad

12-19-2009, 05:30 PM

From No. VA - we have a little over 20 inches out our way. Here are a few pics ...

jobob

12-19-2009, 05:35 PM

Wow! Thanks for the pics.

Pfft! You young'uns and your 21st century snowstorms. I lived through the blizzard of '78. Now that was a storm.

I remember that storm! It was my freshman year at BU, and Boston was essentially shut down for a few days. My dorm was on Commonwealth Ave and it was so weird seeing one of the busiest streets in Boston completely deserted.

7rider

12-19-2009, 05:48 PM

I remember that storm! It was my freshman year at BU, and Boston was essentially shut down for a few days. My dorm was on Commonwealth Ave and it was so weird seeing one of the busiest streets in Boston completely deserted.

I was in 6th grade and in CT. I remember it, too. Lots of sledding and snowman building and epic snowball fights.

Ritamarie

12-19-2009, 06:31 PM

How about the 1996 storm? We had about 4 feet here. We didn't realize it was a big storm until it was too late. We didn't move any of our cars down to the end of our lane ahead of time and so we were really snowed in. It was way too much for the little plow on the front of our tractor and it was a week before we could get someone to plow us out. My husband went to the grocery store on the John Deere, and rode his dirt bike with studded tires to work for a week until we could get the vehicles out. :D

Possegal

12-19-2009, 06:43 PM

Ritamarie

12-19-2009, 06:43 PM

Did anyone else eat too much today, in honor of the snowstorm? :o

Possegal

12-19-2009, 06:47 PM

I had to go look it up, but the 78 storm brought 27 inches of snow to Pittsburgh. Yay blizzard of 1978!! :)

Zen

12-19-2009, 06:57 PM

I made cookies today.
Ate one for every dozen baked.
I still have more to do tomorrow but I have digging to do, too.
Rationalization works for me!

ny biker

12-19-2009, 07:10 PM

AH, the 1996 one, shut down the federal gov't for a week. Well, technically for Monday and Tuesday, then opened Wednesday but no one could get into my office, then shut it back down on Thursday and Friday. That was a very good blizzard! :)

I was in NYC for that one. Buses and taxis abandoned on the street, and the shelves at Blockbuster were pretty much empty. I wasn't really paying attention to the forecast for that one until my boss called me at home the day before and told me not to bother attempting to come into work.

owlice

12-19-2009, 07:19 PM

10 million tons fell in DC today, according to the Channel 4 weather guy yakking now.

HillSlugger

12-19-2009, 07:34 PM

10 million tons fell in DC today, according to the Channel 4 weather guy yakking now.

My son will be going to the Giants Redskins game on Monday. They said they will need 1200 people to clean the snow out of the stands.

owlice

12-19-2009, 08:03 PM

MDHill, I think I heard that 700 people are spending the night there (nearby?) so they are there in the morning to clear snow, and I guess the other 500 will be arriving when possible!

Zen, your pics are great! The one with the red barn is really beautiful, and the pic of the little dog with his ears flying is excellent! (The one of the dog standing is cool, too!)

~~~

Can you find the bike rack on this car?

http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab178/owlice1/Snowstorm%20December%2019%202009/bikerack.jpg

Me, either! :eek:

crazycanuck

12-19-2009, 09:54 PM

I read on the beeb about the wintry conditions up yonder way & hope everyone's keeping warm.

I do have one odd request. Don't post the pic here (you can send it to my email address though :D) but can someone make a lewd snowman? I know it's juvenille but i'd like a giggle.

Snow angels are cool too.

I love the pics :)

Trekhawk

12-19-2009, 11:22 PM

I know you are all probably sick of snow now but I just love seeing all your snaps. The temp here was heading up towards 100 degrees F today but with the aircon on and your pics in my mind I felt a little cooler.

Stay warm and safe girls and have a hot chocolate for me.:)

Bike Chick

12-20-2009, 02:13 AM

Can you find the bike rack on this car?

Bike rack? I can't find the car!!!

Ritamarie

12-20-2009, 03:46 AM

Can you find the bike rack on this car?

Found it!!

10577

Is this like "Where's Waldo?"

Crankin

12-20-2009, 04:21 AM

Heard from my son last night. Left Anaheim on schedule, the airline telling them "no delays." Of course, being a semi-native New Englander, he was skeptical. Their connection was in Phoenix, where they promptly were told that that couldn't get to Philly until Monday. Funny, how the tough Marine calls Mom and Dad in these situations! Anyway, since he's stranded in the "desert of his birth," as he puts it, he called my DH's sister and will be visiting his aunt and uncle, and grandmother, along with his wife's cousin.
We have about 8-10 inches, but it seems to be tapering down. South of here, it's a mess, with a lot of power outages. Just about a half hour NW of here, there's no snow at all.

redrhodie

12-20-2009, 04:54 AM

Blizzard here! It's so windy my French doors blew open in the middle of the night.

ridenread

12-20-2009, 05:23 AM

It is definitely a blizzard here. We have probably 15-18 inches although it is really hard to tell because of the wind and all of the drifting. We have drifts of 2-2 1/2 feet right outside the back door. Fortunatley I don't have to be anywhere today!

Crankin

12-20-2009, 05:28 AM

Here's the view out my front door and off the deck, looking down the hill.

bmccasland

12-20-2009, 05:34 AM

Crankin - pretty! :)

Um - we had frost this morning....

Y'all stay safe in blizzard country. Is this where you switch from bikes to snowshoes and x-country skis? :p

Tri Girl

12-20-2009, 05:40 AM

Beth, I thought the same thing when I went out just a little bit ago- we have frost. I'm SO glad it's not feet of snow. I just LOVE all the pictures!!!! Snow is gorgeous when looking at it on the internet.

7rider

12-20-2009, 06:42 AM

HillSlugger

12-20-2009, 06:58 AM

Just got in from shovelling the driveway and digging out the truck (with a push broom). My beautiful Seven ID8, which lives in the laundry room between rides, has been reduced to a titanium and carbon hat and mitten dryer! :eek::(

That is so WRONG!

I stuck a ruler into the snow in the backyard and was surprised that it only was 12 inches. I wonder if it has already started to compact? I'll take some more pictures in a bit when I go out to dig out the cars.

owlice

12-20-2009, 07:12 AM

Found it!!

10577

Is this like "Where's Waldo?"

Ding ding ding ding! We have a winner!

I've added pictures to the photo album (http://s861.photobucket.com/albums/ab178/owlice1/Snowstorm%20December%2019%202009/?albumview=slideshow).

Beautiful clear deep blue sky today. I suppose this means I should go shovel.

After I finish my coffee and pumpkin bread, I mean. :D

ny biker

12-20-2009, 07:35 AM

I'm going to wait a few more hours before I head out to clear off the car.

They still haven't come to plow the parking lot in my courtyard or shovel our sidewalks. It makes sense to wait until they do the lot so I can shovel through the giant ridge of snow they'll leave in front of my car. Besides, my car is parked in the sun so I'd just as soon let it warm up as much as possible before I start to work.

owlice

12-20-2009, 07:44 AM

I'm kind of wishing I had snow tires for the bike.... I'm kind of wishing to know what my closest trail looks like in the snow.

This might be because I now have long underwear, fleece tops, full-fingered gloves, and wool socks. :D

shootingstar

12-20-2009, 07:56 AM

Unless things change a whole lot here in Vancouver, anyone coming for the Olympics from Snowy northeast U.S./Atlantic Canada might be quite surprised to see....no snow. At least not at the foot of the mountains. Whistler most likely is different, just haven't checked things there right now. Unless one is an avid skier or snowboarder, it's like another world..at least to me. There are other local mountain areas closer (and cheaper) to where we live, to do stuff.

Don't despair...you really don't want to wander around in deep cold/snow for hrs. while walking to and from the main Olympic buildings around here with tons of people. A big dump of snow will cause even more congestion downtown..with 100,000 extra people visiting daily.:)

papaver

12-20-2009, 08:04 AM

This will be my first white Christmas EVER! :D

Zen

12-20-2009, 08:09 AM

Not looking forward to this shoveling but here I go...

pfunk12

12-20-2009, 08:11 AM

I was really looking forward to shoveling snow this morning. I know...weird. But it's great exercise and it brings back wonderful memories of growing up in northeastern Pennsylvania. However, my nice neighbor insisted that he shovel the huge mound that was behind my car. I kept telling him that he didn't have to but he kept insisting that he doesn't have anything to do all day and he was inside all day yesterday, so gosh darn it, he's going to shovel me out! I did take all the snow off my car (all by myself!) and that was a workout.
None of my neighbors own a shovel so they are all borrowing mine. Hmmm...I could make some money if I really wanted to...:p

Crankin

12-20-2009, 08:17 AM

It's still snowing...
I thought it would be stopping around 11. The sky is kind of brightening up, though. Did some yoga and studied my Spanish, but I am itching to go out. I do want to wait until the snow stops falling, though.
Owlice, why don't you try hiking, skiing, or snow shoeing the trail? You might find it looks different than when you are riding!

Possegal

12-20-2009, 08:22 AM

None of my neighbors own a shovel so they are all borrowing mine. Hmmm...I could make some money if I really wanted to...:p

When I lived in Mississippi for school, people were all very fascinated by the scraper to clean off the windshields. I thought it so funny that no one there had one. Even if you use it once a winter, it is worth the 5.95! I was very popular with my scraper!

ETA Yeah yeah yeah - scraper not scrapper. :)

pfunk12

12-20-2009, 08:25 AM

Some of my neighbors were using a dustpan and brush! I should have taken a photo of that!:D

When I lived in Mississippi for school, people were all very fascinated by the scrapper to clean off the windshields. I thought it so funny that no one there had one. Even if you use it once a winter, it is worth the 5.95! I was very popular with my scrapper!

Zen

12-20-2009, 09:22 AM

I was very popular with my scrapper!

I let it go once but I can't let that slide twice. But it does make for an amusing mental image ;)

I still have a scraper that my parents got when we lived in Alaska. It has the name of some gas station on it.

HillSlugger

12-20-2009, 09:39 AM

Ritamarie

12-20-2009, 09:59 AM

Ugh... 5 hours of shoveling, but I'm done! DH cleared the lane with our backhoe since as previous photo shows our plow wasn't ready for this storm. DH and I both breathed a sigh of relief when the backhoe started. It's not a fan of winter either! I am going to be SO sore tomorrow. I promise, these are my last snow pics!

Love the castle effect on the fence!

10581

Hydrants are frozen. Should have had the heat tape on before now. Carrying water to the barn is oh so fun.

10582

Zen

12-20-2009, 10:06 AM

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSC_0863.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSC_0871.jpg

This is as far as I got, i did have to shovel that last little bit where the plows piled the snow.

Possegal

12-20-2009, 10:48 AM

During the 96 blizzard - when I finally ventured out to my car (with no shovel as I'd lived in Mississippi for years and then was in an apartment) to see what I could do to get it out, some idiot was shoveling out his car, and piling all the snow he was moving, right in the back of my car. I was livid. I lost it on him. He was such a total arse. Now I was even more doomed without a shovel (and of course there were none to be bought in all the DC area) and stranded in my car parking spot now with about 6 feet of snow. Well the beauty of my tiny little subaru, when the idiot got his car out, I was able to maneuver my little car back and forth and back and forth and back and forth - until I was out of the spot - then I promptly moved it into the spot he had cleared. That being snow behavior that is very much unacceptable under most circumstances - I learned very good snow etiquette growing up in Pittsburgh. But this moron was not deserving of my good behavior. :)

Selkie

12-20-2009, 10:49 AM

Zen

12-20-2009, 10:54 AM

Thinking glass half full: tomorrow is the solstice---the days start getting longer again! :D:D:D:D

Ninety days until April!

owlice

12-20-2009, 12:24 PM

Ritamarie, post all the pics you want! I've enjoyed seeing them.

Owlice, why don't you try hiking, skiing, or snow shoeing the trail? You might find it looks different than when you are riding!

Crankin, I don't have skis or snowshoes, nor boots as high as the snow is deep. Some of the snow will be gone in a couple of days, though, so perhaps I can try a walk on the trail then.

Zen, you're an inspiration. I shoveled the front walk (http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab178/owlice1/Snowstorm%20December%2019%202009/clearedsidewalk.jpg) and driveway (http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab178/owlice1/Snowstorm%20December%2019%202009/cleareddriveway.jpg), cleared my car (http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab178/owlice1/Snowstorm%20December%2019%202009/clearedcar.jpg), and even made a path to my kitchen door so it opens now, yee-haw!

(My whole neighborhood is hilly, so my house is above the roofline of my across-the-street neighbors' house. This means my driveway is a short but steep hill... and I've gotta wonder at the wisdom of parking a car directly opposite my driveway in snowy/icy conditions, especially since there have been times when I've walked outside to find that my car has slid down the hill into the street!)

jobob

12-20-2009, 12:59 PM

We were able to have pizza delivered, though! :)

I laughed out loud at that. Good to see priorities are being maintained. :cool:

Zen

12-20-2009, 01:04 PM

I shoveled the front walk (http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab178/owlice1/Snowstorm%20December%2019%202009/clearedsidewalk.jpg) and driveway (http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab178/owlice1/Snowstorm%20December%2019%202009/cleareddriveway.jpg), cleared my car (http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab178/owlice1/Snowstorm%20December%2019%202009/clearedcar.jpg), and even made a path to my kitchen door so it opens now, yee-haw!

An inspiration, or a nagging little voice in your head ;)?

7rider

12-20-2009, 01:14 PM

Our new neighbors came knocking on our door, looking to borrow our snow blower. We don't own a snow blower. All of our shovelling is done by hand...and we both hate to have a messy driveway:
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/Dec09_Snowstorm/IMG_0958.jpg
Our neighbors were amazed...and overwhelmed at the amount of shovelling they had before them.

As usual, however, our street still hasn't been plowed. DH (ahem!) will have a hard job clearing out the berm that is made when (if) a plow does ever show up.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/Dec09_Snowstorm/IMG_0959.jpg

owlice

12-20-2009, 01:20 PM

An inspiration, or a nagging little voice in your head ;)?

What's the difference?? :D

7rider, you hate a messy driveway? I have one that could still use some neatening up, if you're looking for things to do!

kmehrzad

12-20-2009, 01:52 PM

Teddy has his own stash of snowballs.

Clearing our driveway for tomorrow's commute.

Possegal

12-20-2009, 02:07 PM

And I miss the first snow day of this winter. Federal gov't shuts down for Monday, but me, I'm not there to enjoy it.

Cataboo

12-20-2009, 02:16 PM

This is as far as I got, i did have to shovel that last little bit where the plows piled the snow.

Ugh.

I did that a bit with my subaru today.

Then I kept seeing little green/yellow spots in the snow.

Since I haven't been peeing in the snow, I think it's leaking some antifreeze from somewhere. Maybe I knocked the radiator hose loose. I keep looking under there and not seeing anything though.

pfunk12

12-20-2009, 02:49 PM

Wow, 7...impressive!!! Looks like you and Tom had a great workout today!!

Zen

12-20-2009, 03:07 PM

Then I kept seeing little green/yellow spots in the snow.

Since I haven't been peeing in the snow, I think it's leaking some antifreeze from somewhere.

Uh-oh. I saw one little yellow spot but just assumed it was from an animal.

Zen

12-20-2009, 03:08 PM

Teddy has his own stash of snowballs.

:D
My Ranger was like that too.

Crankin

12-20-2009, 03:42 PM

Went for a quick snow shoe after DH finished snow blowing. The snow was really fluffy, although the trails had been used already by both snow shoers and x country skiers. We stayed to the side, so as not to ruin the ski tracks. I must say, that the snow shoes felt a bit heavy on the legs that have already had quite a workout on the trainer this week. We saw a grandfather and a mom plus small boy skiing on the main part of the trail, after we left our neighborhood trail.
We climbed the ridge back to our street; it's, no kidding, about a 20% grade at some spots. I wished I had my poles with me, but, it feels good when you are done. The picture is from near the spot where this climb ends and the trail intersects with my street (a 300 foot hill), not far from my house.

IFjane

12-20-2009, 04:10 PM

I am a little late getting on here, mainly because we didn't have satellite yesterday and I wasn't about to keep going out and cleaning the thing off! Total of 26 inches on my deck - the only semi-level spot in my whole 4 1/2 acres. I am a mile back on a dirt road and though the roads got plowed by a neighbor, they were (are) only one tractor blade-width wide. That same neighbor came down and plowed our driveways this morning but that doesn't mean anything. DH has to work tomorrow but I do not. We will see if he can get out. Attached are a few pics from the wilds of VA.

In the pics attached, that birdbath is 3 ft. tall. Note the big Christmas balls beind it - they all have snow hats! In the second, somewhere, is my Element, looking really tall! And the last is DH as he tries to clear off the deck - dropping snow 12 ft. onto the shrubs below. :eek:

ny biker

12-20-2009, 04:20 PM

What a mess. DH and I walked to the 7-11 to get newspapers (ours weren't delivered today). Futile trip, they were sold out. We were able to have pizza delivered, though! :)

Our road is impassible--it's a steep hill and has yet to see a plow. It's too deep for anything but a vehicle with a high undercarriage. Our subarus are too low to the ground... When (if) the plow comes though, we'll have to dig out the cars again (we don't have a driveway). Some neighborhood roads were plowed but they are now icy because they weren't salted. Main roads are wet, probably will be black ice tonight if they aren't treated.

Cars parked along the roads that were plowed are really socked in with snow. I'd say more than two feet high banks of it, maybe higher. They will turn into ice walls overnight.

It's cold but very sunny. Some of it is melting. Now they are predicting a "wintry mix" for Thursday. Thank goodness we Federal employees get a half-day holiday Xmas eve and should be home before it starts....

Thinking glass half full: tomorrow is the solstice---the days start getting longer again! :D:D:D:D

Hmmm. The hills in our 'hood always get plowed pretty quickly when it snows. Maybe because we have a little firehouse here and several Metrobus routes run through the neighborhood, too.

I spent several hours shoveling. First cleared around the car, then cleared off the car, then cleared around the car again since I could only shovel so much off the roof before I had to start pushing it onto the ground.

I also cleared around several neighbors' vehicles a bit. Sort of a Christmas mitzvah. And a chance to work off all the rum cake I've been eating while I've been sitting on my butt in my pj's all weekend.

And now I can barely move my arms.

Selkie

12-20-2009, 11:20 PM

Hmmm. The hills in our 'hood always get plowed pretty quickly when it snows. Maybe because we have a little firehouse here and several Metrobus routes run through the neighborhood, too.

I spent several hours shoveling. First cleared around the car, then cleared off the car, then cleared around the car again since I could only shovel so much off the roof before I had to start pushing it onto the ground.

I also cleared around several neighbors' vehicles a bit. Sort of a Christmas mitzvah. And a chance to work off all the rum cake I've been eating while I've been sitting on my butt in my pj's all weekend.

And now I can barely move my arms.

You're lucky to live near a firehouse and on a bus line. Lee Hwy was clear yesterday, as was Glebe Rd. (down to the pavement). Sunday saw no plows come through our street/neighborhood, but hopefully, today. Kids took advantage and were sledding down the road.

By the way, you can sign up for "Arlington Alert"---the county will send you email updates on snow clearing efforts, garbage/recycling collection schedule, closures, etc.

Thank goodness OPM gave us a snow day today. With luck, people will stay off the roads so they can continue to clear them.

Have to admit that I'm getting cabin fever. The pool has been closed since Saturday, and I miss my morning swim!

divingbiker

12-21-2009, 03:57 AM

Still hopeful for another day of kayaking, 7? Got your wetsuits ready?;)

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/Dec09_Snowstorm/IMG_0958.jpg

7rider

12-21-2009, 04:02 AM

Still hopeful for another day of kayaking, 7? Got your wetsuits ready?;)

I wish!!
Too tired from all that shovelling (and too lazy) to take the kayak racks off still. ;)
But, they'll come off today or tomorrow. Got a long road trip planned, and they suck up too much gas mileage to leave them on.
A plow came by early this a.m. - finally. DH is out now with a spade, tackling the berm. Me...I'm enjoying a cup of coffee! :p

Selkie

12-21-2009, 05:10 AM

I spoke too soon. DH told me that the plow came by last night. It isn't cleared to the pavement but it's passable. Sweetie was out bright and early to dig out the cars again!

I cannot wait for life to get back to normal.

The dogs dig the snow so much that they constantly beg us to go outside to romp!!!!! The old "I have to pee, lemme out" fake out. They've trampled it down pretty good in the backyard, which is good since Margot the PorkChop hasn't reached her full height yet!

These snaps are from when it was coming down Saturday pm. DH had already shoveled once at this point.

katluvr

12-21-2009, 05:30 AM

Ok, I don't really "like" snow because it is cold. And the hassle of it all (if one has to "drive" to work) But I am enjoying all the stories and espeically the pictures. So keep the pictures coming for this warm weather Florida gal!

DebW

12-21-2009, 05:46 AM

I tried skiing to work today. The bike path was still in good shape like yesterday afternoon, and yesterday's wax was still working. Skied about 0.5 mile to the Lexington line and found the next section of bike path plowed. Walked some of that or skied slowly on 0.25" snow. Then a long 0.5 mile walk on a busy road. Not sure if that was really worth it. I'm waiting for studded bike tires so I can ride to work on the nicer winter days.

Crankin

12-21-2009, 05:57 AM

Deb, I think I read last year that Lexington and Arlington plow the path. Good for cyclists, but not for skiing!
Today, when I was driving to work, I saw a couple of people getting out of their cars to ski at Great Brook Farm. I am definitely going to ski there on Wednesday (my day off), but I am thinking of going there on the way home tomorrow. I get out at 2 on Tuesdays and my class is over for the semester, but I would have to change my clothes at work and then it takes about 20 minutes to drive there. Realistically, I don't know if it's worth it, since there won't be much daylight left. I might just go home , quickly change, and try skiing maybe on another trail, where I don't have to pay.
Looking at everyone's pictures, I guess we are lucky with our plowing. Everything is pretty much down to the black top right away. I thought about trying to ski down my street, but it was already plowed one time.

Ritamarie

12-21-2009, 06:00 AM

Deb, Well that's pretty cool! My husband did commute to work today on his bike with studded snow tires. He made it in but said the commute was a lot longer than normal! He has a few trafficy roads and he'll come home in the dark, so I'll be glad when he gets home. I was out this morning (in my 4Runner!) and no way I'm going for a bike ride. It's the trainer for me today.

One last pic ;), this one in honor of my DH who took our 17 year old daughter for her first drive in the snow yesterday while the roads were still snow covered. She has a big 'ole Oldsmobile named "Lusitania". (Lusi is the same age as my daughter. Drives like a boat!) Pic is of them leaving down our lane. DH said she did really well but I still drove them to school today anyway!

10591

Tri Girl

12-21-2009, 06:11 AM

skiing to work- awesome! :D

Lusitania- hee hee. That doesn't look like near the tank that I drove (a 1982 Chevy Caprice). Now THAT was a boat. :)
I never thought of having to teach your kids to drive on the snow- never occurred to me. I grew up in AZ (no snow EVER) and got my first snow lesson when I was 20- and ended up in a ditch. :rolleyes:

Possegal

12-21-2009, 06:12 AM

I grew up in PA and all 6 of us had to get more lessons from Dad during the first winter after you got your license. I'm a winter bday, so not a problem for me. But the summer/fall bday siblings, had to go back out with the license and take more lessons from dad. Made us all pretty good snow drivers though.

Tri Girl

12-21-2009, 06:16 AM

one set of lessons with Dad was enough- I don't know if I could have handled two rounds. ;)

owlice

12-21-2009, 06:25 AM

The ONLY reason I shoveled out my car and the driveway yesterday was because I thought I'd be going to work today! Had I known my place of employment would be CLOSED today, I would have waited until today to shovel since it will be going up to a balmy 37°F!!

Sitting with my back against a heating pad,

Owl

HillSlugger

12-21-2009, 06:31 AM

Ritamarie

12-21-2009, 06:32 AM

(a 1982 Chevy Caprice). Now THAT was a boat. :)

LOL, yes that WOULD be a boat. My daughter's car is an '92 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight. It's a good car for a new driver! Big enough to offer some protection but new enough to have airbags. It does roll down the road like a boat though. Gas mileage is a killer, but it keeps her close to home. :D

Ritamarie

12-21-2009, 06:35 AM

I would have waited until today to shovel since it will be going up to a balmy 37°F!!
Owl

Oh, no. You did the right thing. At 37 degrees, you get that snow-sticking-to-the-shovel thing. When I started yesterday at 8:00 AM it was fairly easy to shovel. By 1:00 it was sticking to the shovel. I am really sore today too!

Okay, gotta get some work done today!!!

Really, I'm signing off.....

owlice

12-21-2009, 06:51 AM

At 37 degrees, you get that snow-sticking-to-the-shovel thing. [snip] By 1:00 it was sticking to the shovel.

That's what Pam (or spray olive oil) is for -- to keep snow from sticking to the shovel!!

MDHillSlug, I was thinking an extra day of melting and evaporation would beat the extra day of freezing, perhaps? Most snowfalls, I don't bother to shovel; I just wait for it to melt! My house faces south, so my driveway and front sidewalk get full sun.

This snowfall... was a little much, and I really did think I'd have to be at work today, sooo.....

Crankin

12-21-2009, 08:06 AM

Ack, I got my license 6 months after I moved to Florida.
I learned to drive in the snow when I was 37. Not a good thing :).
Never had an accident, but it did require getting an AWD car and some nice anxiety attacks. Two of the three houses I've lived in here were (are) on big hills.

Zen

12-21-2009, 08:55 AM

My daughter's car is an '92 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight.

Does she know this song (http://www.google.com/search?q=rocket+88&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&client=firefox-a&rlz=1R1GGGL_enUS344US344)?

Possegal

12-21-2009, 01:32 PM

one set of lessons with Dad was enough- I don't know if I could have handled two rounds. ;)

I totally get that- though we all think that our father was a driving instructor in another life. He was born to teach driving! In his regular days, he was quick tempered and impatient. In the car, teaching us, he was the calmest person in the world. He was quite the enigma, my dear old dad. :)

Cataboo

12-21-2009, 01:37 PM

Just cause I finally got the pics from snowshoeing off my camera:

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs058.snc3/14564_225298361864_624946864_3198377_6341680_n.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs058.snc3/14564_225298201864_624946864_3198375_2916009_n.jpg

I walked across after he plowed the way:
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs078.snc3/14564_225298851864_624946864_3198387_6505175_n.jpg

Cataboo

12-21-2009, 01:42 PM

I totally get that- though we all think that our father was a driving instructor in another life. He was born to teach driving! In his regular days, he was quick tempered and impatient. In the car, teaching us, he was the calmest person in the world. He was quite the enigma, my dear old dad. :)

lol.

Driving lessons with my father was him parking halfway up a gravel hill in a big orange 1977 stick shift no power steering station wagon & my 2 little brothers in the back seat. And telling me to get in and drive... and my little brothers screeching "she's gonna kill us" and falling all over the place everytime the car lurched.

I think it took me about an hour to get up that hill. It took a while to realize that my legs were too short to actually push the clutch all the way in with the seat all the way forward. From then on, I had to wear platform shoes for driving lessons.

Poor man had to replace the clutch in that behemouth shortly thereafter. And forced me to help him.

He left it to the drivers ed instructors to teach me how to drive an automatic.

I remember carpooling with him in rush hour traffic a couple of times the first year I was driving - he used to sit and count how many cars passed me vs. how many I passed and give me my grade at the end of the ride.

HillSlugger

12-21-2009, 01:42 PM

Just cause I finally got the pics from snowshoeing off my camera

Pretty! Where was that?

Cataboo

12-21-2009, 01:45 PM

Pretty! Where was that?

It was actually in Burtonsville just off Briggs Cheney Road... There's some woods and a nature center back there with a lot of mountain biking/walking trails.

Ritamarie

12-21-2009, 01:58 PM

Does she know this song (http://www.google.com/search?q=rocket+88&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&client=firefox-a&rlz=1R1GGGL_enUS344US344)?

Too funny!! I don't think I want her to know that song!

Ritamarie

12-21-2009, 02:00 PM

Just cause I finally got the pics from snowshoeing off my camera:

Wow, gorgeous. So artistic!

owlice

12-21-2009, 02:24 PM

Catriona, gorgeous pictures! And I had no idea you were so close to me; I'm just down the road!

:: pondering the area to figure out where the woods and nature center are ::

jaydee

12-21-2009, 02:40 PM

I just love all your photos. And I am surprised that the dogs love the snow so much - I would have thought they would rather not venture out.

It is shaping up to a warm Christmas here with air conditioning going full bore and hot sleepless nights.

So thanks for all you wonderful pics. I would so love to try snow shoeing - it sounds such fun.:)

tulip

12-21-2009, 02:57 PM

Shiloh ADORES the snow! I have some great photos on my iphone, but I can't seem to get them off. I'll keep working on it.

7rider

12-21-2009, 03:40 PM

It was actually in Burtonsville just off Briggs Cheney Road... There's some woods and a nature center back there with a lot of mountain biking/walking trails.

Fairland??
DivingBiker and I keep saying we're going to go mtb'ing there...but we have yet to go.

Bike Chick

12-21-2009, 03:54 PM

Beautiful photos, Catriona! How peaceful and serene! Ahhhhhhh:)

Tri Girl

12-21-2009, 04:19 PM

Catriona- those are breathtakingly gorgeous pictures!!! Thanks for posting them! :)

Cataboo

12-21-2009, 04:22 PM

Catriona, gorgeous pictures! And I had no idea you were so close to me; I'm just down the road!

:: pondering the area to figure out where the woods and nature center are ::

Thanks - that's actually near the BF's house. We were arguing whose house to get snowed in at, he won 'cause they were supposed to get more snow over there.

*grump*

But I'm over there fairly often and do end up mountain biking or road biking around there.

Even though I HATE road biking on Brigg's Chaney. New Hampshire or Georgia don't bother me for some reason.

Cataboo

12-21-2009, 04:31 PM

Thanks for all the compliments on the pictures.

More photos here, if anyone's interested:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=132642&id=624946864&l=375a2c561b
(but... they all have snow and about 3/4 have a stream in it)

Fairland??
DivingBiker and I keep saying we're going to go mtb'ing there...but we have yet to go.

Okay, I consulted R - we were between Briggs Chaney & Fairland, but he thinks maybe most people would call that fairland.

The nature center is Maydale:
http://mncppcparks.org/park_of_the_day/feb/parkday_feb7.shtm

Basically, the area around here;
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=nature+center+fairacres+road+silver+spring,+maryland&fb=1&gl=us&hq=nature+center&hnear=fairacres+road+silver+spring,+maryland&view=map&cid=11878994887359469275&ved=0CBcQpQY&ei=2BwwS5KYHZK6ywSXz8y1DA&ll=39.097428,-76.963434&spn=0.021349,0.055747&z=15

All of the green is park and I think there's more woods around them that connects the parks/trails together - lots of trails, lots of sections where kids have been making ramps/obstacles. And granted, I suck at mountain biking - but harder than schaeffer, I'd say.. and by lots of trails, they take me a long time, which may not mean they take everyone else a long time :) Looking at the map, it really doesn't seem like there's much woods around there, but there's enough to get lost in and feel out of touch with civilization for a while.

R said if you want to mountain bike over there, you should do it fast before the inner county connector takes it away.

Tomorrow I'm gonna go ski up at ski liberty in the morning, and then probably grab the snowshoes and head up Gambrill mountain or Cacoctin mountain park to walk around if anyone has a snow day.

Zen

12-21-2009, 04:35 PM

I'll go to Gambrill or Catoctin but I have nothing but my feet to get me around.
Message me on FB

owlice

12-21-2009, 04:41 PM

I rode on Briggs Chaney decades ago, when I was on a bike ride with a friend of mine from high school -- we were in college by then -- and it's a good thing he was a stronger rider than I, because if I'd caught up with him, I'd probably still be serving time for his murder. It was an extremely dangerous road to be on, one-lane bridge and all, in addition to it being a bit on the challenging side for me, AND it was a blasting hot day. It didn't help that we started the ride at his house, which means I had ridden over there from my house.

So we finally get to what he thought our turnaround point should be... the parking lot overlooking the old country club's swimming pool, which we couldn't enter, of course. He lived because my hands didn't have the strength to wring his neck. Plus, I had no idea where we were nor how to get back to familiar territory.

Of course we had no water with us; my road bike, a hand-me-down from my older brother, didn't even have a cage. Boy, did that pool look inviting! Boy, was I wishing for more strength in my hands!

Looking back on this, I can't believe I did such a ride. (I can say that about every ride I took with him, though that particular one really does strike me as unbelievable, and not just because we both lived through it.) I was an occasional rider only. Even with the improvements since then on Briggs Chaney, there are only parts of the road I'd consider riding on now (those parts bordering my community).

Wow. Memory dump. Sorry!

(The bike was the Panasonic "Bu!!sh!t" bike I finally gave away through Freecycle three or four years ago. I've since seen the bike parked at the Greenbelt Metro; it's quite distinctive!)

Cataboo

12-21-2009, 04:49 PM

Looking back on this, I can't believe I did such a ride. (I can say that about every ride I took with him, though that particular one really does strike me as unbelievable, and not just because we both lived through it.) I was an occasional rider only. Even with the improvements since then on Briggs Chaney, there are only parts of the road I'd consider riding on now (those parts bordering my community).

ha. I should ask you if perhaps you were riding with R. I can describe a lot of my rides with im like that. Did you go to Sandy Springs Friends for high school, by any chance?

If I ride out from his house, I end up starting off the ride on a long slow uphill on Briggs Chaney that I absolutely hate, while sucking down exhaust fumes. So basically from a bit before Peach Orchard all the way up to New Hampshire. Of course, I wouldn't ride the other way on Briggs Chaney to do the stretch from 29 to whatever that road it ends on at all.

owlice

12-21-2009, 05:02 PM

Ah! Maydale. Catriona, yes, it's easy to get lost in those woods. That's farther west on Briggs Chaney than the ride that could have landed me in the big doll house.

Someday-soon-ex-husband and I took a nice long walk in those woods one day a couple of years ago and ended up not only completely lost, but eventually out on a street that was completely unfamiliar to us. We had to ask the driver of a passing car where we were and which direction we should walk to get back to Maydale. I took pictures of milkweed beetles that day; pretty cool-looking bugs.

Maydale has very nice nature programs for children. I remember mucking around in the creek while a bunch of kids, one of them mine, were pulling up stones and catching all sorts of things to show the naturalist running the program.

And no, I didn't go to Sandy Springs Friends! I went to a public high school in PG County. And that stretch from 29 to where Briggs Chaney deadends (into Old Gunpowder) is exactly the stretch of road that inspired my murderous thoughts!

ny biker

12-21-2009, 05:55 PM

Holy cow, I drove into DC tonight. I was shocked at how many streets were unplowed. What the hell have they been doing for three days? And this was in Foggy Bottom/West End, which is a business district.

Luckily my little Prius was up to the task.

p.s. I'm loving all these photos.

7rider

12-21-2009, 06:30 PM

R said if you want to mountain bike over there, you should do it fast before the inner county connector takes it away.

Tomorrow I'm gonna go ski up at ski liberty in the morning, and then probably grab the snowshoes and head up Gambrill mountain or Cacoctin mountain park to walk around if anyone has a snow day.

The ICC will go south (http://www.iccproject.com/PDFs/contract-c-index-map-sept09.pdf) [PDF] of Fairland Park.

DH didn't want to go to Whitetail today. He was not looking foward to crowds he was sure would be there. :mad: Looking at the web cams (http://www.skiwhitetail.com/camera.htm)....it didn't look too bad. This weekend, we'll be at Stratton VT - if it doesn't rain. :mad::mad:

Cataboo

12-21-2009, 06:52 PM

The ICC will go south (http://www.iccproject.com/PDFs/contract-c-index-map-sept09.pdf) [PDF] of Fairland Park.

DH didn't want to go to Whitetail today. He was not looking foward to crowds he was sure would be there. :mad: Looking at the web cams (http://www.skiwhitetail.com/camera.htm)....it didn't look too bad. This weekend, we'll be at Stratton VT - if it doesn't rain. :mad::mad:

*shrug* I guess he considers whatever trails run through where the ICC part of fairlands.

I tried to convince my brother we wanted to go to whitetail & not liberty tomorrow, but he'd heard from someone who'd been to liberty today and white tail sunday, that not all of whitetail was open and liberty was all open, etc.

I figure after being out in Colorado last week, both are going to be boring, so I'll ski for a while and then go do something else.

Have fun in Stratton!

Zen

12-21-2009, 07:10 PM

I figure after being out in Colorado last week, both are going to be boring, so I'll ski for a while and then go do something else.

Miss Jet Set is too big for the small town now.

I'll just go tubing with one of my more down to earth friends ;)

Cataboo

12-21-2009, 08:00 PM

Miss Jet Set is too big for the small town now.

I'll just go tubing with one of my more down to earth friends ;)

Colorado skiing's kinda dinky compared to Canada... But I coped.

Zen

12-21-2009, 08:08 PM

Pfft! You haven't skied until you've skied on the moon!

7rider

12-22-2009, 02:55 AM

I tried to convince my brother we wanted to go to whitetail & not liberty tomorrow, but he'd heard from someone who'd been to liberty today and white tail sunday, that not all of whitetail was open and liberty was all open, etc.

Yeah, but "all open" at Liberty is still like, what? 3 useable trails on the back?

Cataboo

12-22-2009, 04:16 AM

Yeah, but "all open" at Liberty is still like, what? 3 useable trails on the back?

Precisely why I am going to get bored. Of course, whitetail only really doubles that to 6 trails.

Cataboo

12-22-2009, 05:21 AM

Miss Jet Set is too big for the small town now.

I'll just go tubing with one of my more down to earth friends ;)

Mere acknowledgement of the geographical limitations of one of my hobbies. If I was into scuba diving, I couldn't do any of it around here either.

But - since we do a river tubing day every summer, why not a TE winter tubing night & see how many people we can get to come out. Maybe everyone else is more down to earth than me.

kmehrzad

12-22-2009, 08:57 AM

Why not a TE winter tubing night & see how many people we can get to come out. Maybe everyone else is more down to earth than me.

I'm in for the winter tubing night. Would probably bring a friend with me, too.

HillSlugger

12-22-2009, 09:06 AM

I'm in for the winter tubing night. Would probably bring a friend with me, too.

When and where?

divingbiker

12-22-2009, 10:46 AM

But - since we do a river tubing day every summer, why not a TE winter tubing night & see how many people we can get to come out. Maybe everyone else is more down to earth than me.

I'll do it, as long as I don't have to drive.:)

Possegal

12-22-2009, 12:02 PM

When I was growing up, my family owned a moving company. We had an abundance of 18-wheeler tire inner tubes. Winter was a blast in my family! :)

PamNY

12-23-2009, 01:25 PM

I love everyone's photos. Since I don't have a car, snow in NYC is a largely painless event. I spent a blissful day in my two favorite parks (Central and Riverside). Children were sledding, adults were laughing and the hawks were soaring. The bike path is cleared enough that I got in 14 miles (daylight riding only, since there is some ice).

crazycanuck

12-23-2009, 08:15 PM

Umm I might need some cool weather visions in my head on Mon & Tues next week...I just saw the forecast & it's going to be 40C....

I think i'll be biking early early both days....

Tuckervill

12-23-2009, 08:37 PM

They just said 100% chance of snow for Arkansas tomorrow! But, I bet we get 1-2 inches and it's gone before we get up for presents on Friday.

Karen

Zen

12-24-2009, 06:31 AM

I wouldn't bet on that.

owlice

12-24-2009, 06:51 AM

The kid, who goes to school in the Berkshires, got home last night. He was pretty surprised when he looked out back at the patio table; there's still a good foot or so of snow on it. Even getting out of the car and to a door was tricky, as, because I am a lazy @ss was exhausted from so much shoveling, I didn't clear the entire driveway; he could get to the kitchen door, and I could get to the front door, but we couldn't both use the same door without one of us having to walk through snow.

Oh, and get this... he has TWO warm coats at school, one of them a down jacket. AND snow boots. I had told him to make sure to wear a warm coat and his boots home. (He has to walk a couple of miles to catch the bus home, and wait outside at the stop until the bus gets there. Only one a day, so he needs to be there a bit early.) He showed up in a hoodie :eek: and sneakers. A hoodie. He was wearing a short-sleeved tee shirt under it.

It was 9°F here this morning. Will be an interesting semester break!

Crankin

12-24-2009, 07:01 AM

That made me laugh, Owlice. I saw a teen waiting for the bus on Tuesday morning; he was wearing shorts and a hoodie and it was 7 degrees out. His legs were so red, I am sure he had frostbite.
I went for my first x country ski of the season yesterday. It was a perfect temperature, around 24 degrees. However, the conditions were not that good. It wasn't icy, but even though the trails are tracked and groomed, there were tons of leaves, pine cones, and little twigs around. It's amazing how quickly a pine cone will stop you. As usual, I was extremely cautious my first time out. We were about 200 yards away from the touring center finishing up, when my right ski slipped on a little incline to the side and down I went. Other than that, it felt good. I wish we had more consistent snow so I could get more practice time. We do go up north a couple of times a season, but the season is just so short that just when I feel I'm getting good, it's time to get back on the bike.

owlice

12-24-2009, 07:08 AM

That made me laugh, Owlice. I saw a teen waiting for the bus on Tuesday morning; he was wearing shorts and a hoodie and it was 7 degrees out. His legs were so red, I am sure he had frostbite.

I'd ask whether this sight was in the Berkshires, but then remembered that my kid doesn't wear shorts (ever), and now I'm thankful he doesn't, because he just might do something like that^!!

No injury, I hope, from your fall! And obviously, you need more vacation time so you can ski up north more!

Selkie

12-24-2009, 07:10 AM

Ice for you tomorrow, Zen? I hope not. We might get a period of it early but it's supposed to turn to rain. Flooding is a probability. Downspouts are cleared of snow. Will miss our annual Christmas cookie-burning walk at Arlington cemetery...outdoor plans for tomorrow are not a good idea.

Yesterday after work, I shoveled the remaining ice bergs/slush mountains from the road in front of our house. That stuff was heavy as concrete. There was a short wall of them between the bit of pavement down the center of the road and the cleared spots DH made for our cars. Climbing the car over the ledge in the morning could be dicey because of overnight freezing and neighbors' cars parked along both sides of the road.

I have a mind to go out and do a little more of it, that's how anxious I am to see the last of this stuff.

We will send any future snow up to you Crankin, ok? ;)

Owlice, looks like he's SOL. Don't buy him a new coat, boots, or warm outerwear. Next time, he'll remember to bring stuff home w/him.

owlice

12-24-2009, 07:43 AM

We will send any future snow up to you Crankin, ok? ;)

Owlice, looks like he's SOL. Don't buy him a new coat, boots, or warm outerwear. Next time, he'll remember to bring stuff home w/him.

Oooo, yes, let's send future snow to Crankin!! I like that idea!!

And you can bet that I'm not buying the kid new stuff -- the down jacket and snow boots are brand new!! I haven't even seen the down coat yet, as I ordered it from Lands End (or LL Bean... one of them!) and had it shipped straight to his college address!

Oh, and he didn't wear/bring his gloves home, either...

I do have a couple of things for him for Christmas that count as outerwear: a balaclava and a neck gaiter. And we're going to do a long-sleeve shirt order while he's home, since the kid keeps growing out of what he has. (He's 6'4"; isn't that tall enough?!?! Sheesh!!!)

I wanted to take him snow tubing while he's home! Looks like that's not going to happen now, dang it!

(I'm so glad he's home; it's lovely to have him here, clad for cold or not!!!)

Tri Girl

12-24-2009, 08:42 AM

We finally got hit. Started as freezing rain/sleet so we have a nice layer of ice underneath the snow. It's not much, but it's not even halfway over us yet. Not nearly as much as you Atlantic coasters, but it's a lot for us Okies. :)

Ritamarie

12-24-2009, 09:02 AM

He showed up in a hoodie :eek: and sneakers. A hoodie. He was wearing a short-sleeved tee shirt under it.

LOL, Owlice... here's my 15 year old shoveling snow. He was out for an hour like that. It was like 15 degrees! He goes to school every day with a t-shirt and hoodie, jeans and sneakers. He's usually late for the bus and running down our 1/4 mile lane to catch it, so he doesn't usually wait too long. But really (!) the other day it was 4 degrees and he went to school in a hoodie! If he misses the bus I (usually) make him walk to school (just a little over a mile through the woods). He's done that a few times in the single digits lately in a hoodie and sneakers. No gloves, no hat.

10604

Tri Girl

12-25-2009, 01:32 PM

Eek! We wound up having the worst blizzard on record yesterday in Oklahoma City. We got 14" (which although it's not much for you northerners, it's a TREMENDOUS amount of snow for us). Our previous record of 8.5" was shattered. The city shuts down with 3-4", so 14" about did us in. The airport, and all the highways and many major roads were shut down- and there are abandoned cars/buses/trucks littering the streets. My DH is a mailman, so he had to deliver mail in it all day, but made it home safely. they had to send out the National Guard out to rescue people stuck on the highways.
Here are the same two pictures that I posted earlier with the final snowfall total.
We've only had 3 white Christmases in the last 100 years, but we got one this year. I think it's highly over-rated. Snow is just problematic unless your city can handle clearing it off effectively (which ours cannot). :) It's pretty, but I'm already ready for it to go away.

kenyonchris

12-25-2009, 02:22 PM

We got it in North TExas yesterday as well. Not as much as OK, but it was the first white Christmas since the 20s for here. It was COLD.
A lot of it has melted but still some patches, and of course I work tonight. UGH. I will probably spend a lot of time doing traffic control on accidents. And it is like 25 degrees.
I am dressed up like Nanuk.

Tri Girl

12-25-2009, 02:53 PM

Ooooo, stay warm Chris!! I just saw on the news it was your first white Christmas since '26. Crazy!!!! :)

Cataboo

12-25-2009, 03:35 PM

I'm jealous! I want more snow. Rain is melting ours away.

I went to my Mom's for Christmas & she had made herself a snowman:

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs153.snc3/18045_231265441864_624946864_3226524_1106177_n.jpg

We had some thick fog & rain earlier today:

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs133.snc3/18045_231265881864_624946864_3226535_494248_n.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs133.snc3/18045_231265911864_624946864_3226536_4154921_n.jpg

From snowshoing Christmas eve:

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs133.snc3/18045_230316786864_624946864_3219664_2074409_n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs133.snc3/18045_230317241864_624946864_3219679_6935451_n.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs153.snc3/18045_230316146864_624946864_3219643_16825_n.jpg

divingbiker

12-25-2009, 04:35 PM

Be careful what you wish for. I'm housebound at my sister's, out in the country in Nebraska, and we're in the middle of a blizzard. Roads are totally blocked by drifts of snow, 40 mph winds, temp is 10 or so with wind chills well below zero. There's not been a storm like this in many years.

Our storm last week in the DC area was a piece of cake compared to this. I'm not even sure I'll be able to fly home on Sunday.

And the whole family is cooped up together; another day or two and it might get ugly.;)

Zen

12-25-2009, 05:03 PM

I went to my Mom's for Christmas & she had made herself a snowman:

Poor guy looks like a Peep in a microwave

Be careful what you wish for. I'm housebound at my sister's, out in the country in Nebraska, and we're in the middle of a blizzard.
Little House on the Prairie ;)
And little Laura without her xc skis:(
Be sure to tie a rope around you if you have to go out to the barn

divingbiker

12-25-2009, 05:08 PM

Little House on the Prairie ;)
And little Laura without her xc skis:(
Be sure to tie a rope around you if you have to go out to the barn

LOL, Zen. I keep saying the same thing to the folks here. You can tell we're about the same age, with the same TV references.

Cataboo

12-25-2009, 05:47 PM

LOL, Zen. I keep saying the same thing to the folks here. You can tell we're about the same age, with the same TV references.

I read the books :)

If I was trapped with my sister, definitely things would get ugly and there would probably be blood.

But I'm home by myself, I have milk, toilet paper, and snowshoes. I want snow.

owlice

12-25-2009, 06:55 PM

Ritamarie, what is WITH these kids?!?! No internal thermostats? Running hot? What? What?

Poor guy looks like a Peep in a microwave

lol, Zen! Now we know what you've been doing with Peeps!!

All those in places with dangerous weather, please stay safe and warm.

kmehrzad

12-26-2009, 08:10 AM

I read the books :)

I want snow.

I'm looking forward to the white stuff melting away. Can't wait for dry ground again. Want to feel the road/ground on the rubber of my bicycle tires.

7rider

12-26-2009, 08:51 AM

Be careful what you wish for. I'm housebound at my sister's, out in the country in Nebraska, and we're in the middle of a blizzard. Roads are totally blocked by drifts of snow, 40 mph winds, temp is 10 or so with wind chills well below zero. There's not been a storm like this in many years..

Now I know why you haven't returned my phone call from Christmas Eve.

We're stuck at my sister's place in Connecticut. Not for horrible weather. Well, for the lack of decent ski weather. We didn't head to Vermont, as planned, b/c they're calling for warming temps, sleet, and rain. Not exactly ideal ski conditions. Blech.

Ritamarie

12-26-2009, 09:43 AM

Can't wait for dry ground again. Want to feel the road/ground on the rubber of my bicycle tires.

Me too!!! It's been raining here steadily since mid-day yesterday. Starting to see the ground in places. It's supposed to stop raining by 6:00 tonight and be clear and dry and 40 degrees by noon tomorrow. I'm thinking it might just be suitable for a loooonnng road ride. :D

HillSlugger

12-26-2009, 09:52 AM

I'm looking forward to the white stuff melting away. Can't wait for dry ground again. Want to feel the road/ground on the rubber of my bicycle tires.

Me too! I'm hoping to ride outside tomorrow.

Zen

12-26-2009, 09:56 AM

I'm looking forward to the white stuff melting away. Can't wait for dry ground again.

Yes,riding would be nice but...I JUST BOUGHT XC SKIS!

Crankin

12-26-2009, 09:57 AM

Had some sleety rain this AM, but now it's just rain. It's going to be 40 degrees tomorrow! The rain might stop in time for me to get a little outdoor ride in, after I pick up my son at the train station.
It's going to be freezing cold the rest of the week.

Deborajen

12-26-2009, 10:02 AM

Tuckervill

12-26-2009, 08:10 PM

I was thinking about you, Tri Girl! I was howling about the first ever BLIZZARD Warning I'd ever seen. It was for the one county over in Oklahoma, but we are 3 miles from there. I was really hoping for a spill over. But, of course, it slid right by us, as usual. There has to be something geographical about the Ozarks that causes this phenomenon. We got 2", and the wind died down before the snow started, so no blizzard.

But a white Christmas is nice. And we had a good excuse not to go anywhere. :)

Kare

Trekhawk

12-27-2009, 03:38 PM

Take care all of you!
We keep seeing shots of all your snow on the news at night. The delays at the airports look like hell.

It is hard to imagine all that snow when we are in the middle of some super hot weather. We are expecting a high today of 40 degrees C (about 104 degrees F). Not a lot of riding going on here today either.

Trekhawk

12-27-2009, 03:40 PM

I'm jealous! I want more snow. Rain is melting ours away.

I went to my Mom's for Christmas & she had made herself a snowman:

Catriona - Great snaps! What a beautiful place.:)

papaver

01-01-2010, 03:55 AM

It started snowing today...

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/kabouter.jpg

HillSlugger

01-01-2010, 09:42 AM

It started snowing today...

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/kabouter.jpg

Love your gnome! Happy New Year!

Aggie_Ama

01-01-2010, 05:22 PM

We have had snow twice in Texas. None stuck but many of us natives are expecting a big storm. A few years ago we got iced in for 3 days, it paralyzing to us. I don't know how you all do it!

ny biker

01-01-2010, 05:26 PM

We have had snow twice in Texas. None stuck but many of us natives are expecting a big storm. A few years ago we got iced in for 3 days, it paralyzing to us. I don't know how you all do it!

I think ice paralyzes most places. It's definitely worse than snow. Causes more power outages too.

Tuckervill

01-03-2010, 10:00 PM

We got two inches last night, but it did not wreak too much havoc. Schools are closed tomorrow, though, because the temperature is not going to get above freezing, which means icy roads, even though most of the snow is cleared. Expecting another couple of inches on Wednesday.

Karen

Catrin

01-04-2010, 01:10 AM

We haven't had much snow, yet, but the temps have been much below normal and it doesn't look like we will be much above 20 for at least another week. They say we will get snow Thursday/Friday.

Crankin

01-04-2010, 02:21 AM

We have had about ten inches since Friday night. It actually snowed on and off for 2 days. It's really nice, although it was very windy, even though it's not that cold (for winter). I went x country skiing yesterday at a local trail, not a touring center. The conditions were perfect, which is pretty rare for ungroomed trails. Fresh powder, no ice.
It's supposed to be calm all week, until Friday, when of course, I have to go into the city for a weekend class.