Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Snowy in Seattle: Subies, Sorels, and NOT Snowmageddon

Whenever we get much of any snow here west of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon and Washington, our newscasters and local governments work themselves into a frenzy.

It's Stormwatch 2012! 

With our many steep hills here in Seattle and Portland, and drivers inexperienced with driving in the snow (except us skiers), it really can get hazardous out there on the roads. Schools start late, close early, or don't open at all (to the delight of my niece); buses reroute or drop routes; and generally most of us hunker down at home.

Then we venture outside to play.

Snow days here in the western Pacific Northwest bring out the ebullient kid in most of us.  The famous "Seattle Freeze" thaws a bit as people talk, laugh, and maybe commiserate or cheer with strangers about the weather.  It shakes up our routine, cleans up the neighborhoods in a layer of white.







For me it may as well be another day because I work at home. But I'll sneak out for a walk at lunch in my Sorel boots, then maybe later head down in the all-wheel-drive Subaru to my go-to teahouse and mingle with friends. Tonight I'll throw some logs in the fireplace and be cozy and warm while the snow lightens the dark winter night.

How about you? How do you like to spend snow days, wherever you are? Have you met anybody because of the snow? Chime in below with your comments.

Happy winter!

14 comments:

Candy said...

LOVE y our snow photos! what kind of camera do you use, and how do you manage to take it skiing with you?!

Anne said...

I love watching my dog go outside and use his mouth as a snowplow, he stares at the snow falling from a window inside since it's such an unusual sight around here. Enjoy it now, it will probably be gone by late tomorrow with the temp predicted to be 40.

jill said...

Thanks Candy! I use a Canon S90, although when I go skiing or kayaking I take a less expensive, waterproof Olympic pocket camera, need to check the model. Hope you make it up here sometime.

Anne, I WILL enjoy the winter wonderful today! You, too.

Joe Leeak said...

Great pictures Jill; I especially like the tree warmers!

vwin said...

My son had a 5am to 8am shift as a life guard at our community pool, so I was up and on the road early. Roads weren't bad then, and it was exceptionally pretty driving on Bainbridge Island. AT 8:30 I took our two dogs for a walk with three other dogs. They do love snow! Am grateful for my Northwest home with LOTS of windows, so I can watch the show outside. Bird feeders are very busy!

Lindsey said...

I also got to enjoy a day of working from home and watching all the pretty snow pile up. I did make it out for one snow angel of course. Living across the street from the grocery store also comes in very handy. Love the tree sweaters, great pic!

Lesley said...

Here in Wenatchee, it's business as usual on a snow day. :)
Great photos Jill!

Anonymous said...

Worked at home today. Took a morning break to knock some of the snow off shrubs and the purple sprouting broccoli plants. Mid-afternoon, I had to try out my cross-country skis. Opportunities to ski in Ballard are rare. The snow was just wonderful for skiing on the roads and the grass at the parks. I'm glad I went out for awhile. Had to work into the evening, though. Betty

Anonymous said...

Yeow JillM:
Thought I would Call in from the Wild. Despite the misnomer, I am not abominable and not really a snowman. Some know me as Bigfoot,and yes, my feet are big(have you ever tried to find size 25 EEEE shoes?). That's snow story either.
Fredi the Yeti

Lesley said...

Follow-up question to Jill: what was used to wrap or paint or... the trees in the first photo. It's fun and fabulous and reminds me of a quilt or a sweater.

jill said...

Love those snow angels Linds!

Fredi, that's some big feet! Maybe you should start your own blog to dispel conventional thinking that you're just a myth. :)

Hey Lesley, that's real yarn on those trees. There are numerous trees also in Occidental Park in Pioneer Square with trunk warmers. Although I think these were created as part of a sponsored campaign, it's inspired by the "yarn-bombing" phenomena. Google that and you'll see photos from all over.

Candy said...

Jill, I just bought a Canon Rebel T3 EOS 1100D but it is too much camera for me! I wish I would have gotten the Canon S90. I'm starting a Digital Photography and Photoshop Camera Raw classes at the local community college this week that I hope will help me.

I am so envious of all the snow you've gotten! We are having a dry winter here in Santa Fe.

Mike B. @ slugyard.com said...

Hey, we had Stormwatch 2012 down here in Portland too. Thing is, it didn't snow! Like usual...

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