I am literally snowed in today.

[cali]

Both my fron and back doors are blocked by 4ft plus snow drifts. I can't open either door. It's been snowing for days now and the wind came up last night. My house is in a little hollow and it collects snow. Now I have to get my neighbor's kid to come over and dig out my front door. In all my years here this has happened only twice before and never in December.

[marylanddem]

1. What state are you in?

[cali]

4. The state of "oh fuck". Actually, I'm in Vermont's Northeast Kindom

one of those very snowy spots. I'm used to lots of snow, but this is pretty hard to deal with.

[Renew Deal]

9. Have you ever drawn your own maple syrup?

I'd love to do that someday. The cold is good for maple right?

[cali]

13. Many times. I've got close friends who have a fairly large operation

When my son was a baby and all my friends had small kids too, we used to sling up little hammocks for them in the sugar house and have impromptu pot lucks while the evaporator hummed away, producing masses of sweet steam. It was a lot of fun.

[Jennicut]

46. Vermont maple syrup is my favorite thing at my father in law's house

He is from NH but a friend of his in Vermont does his own and brings it to him. I love it!

[classof56]

26. I just got the annual holiday letter from a long-time friend who now lives in the NE Kingdom

Mentioned she's considering moving to someplace warmer and drier Can't say as I blame her!

Stay warm and safe!

[Ian David]

2. Welcome to Snowmagedon 2008. n/t

[BlooInBloo]

3. We're snowed in too! About a foot on the ground in Seattle! WOOT!!!

I love this shit!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

6. Which is the equivalent of 20' in any other city.

Snowpocalypse!!!!

[BlooInBloo]

11. Hey! Don't knock my snowily-challenged city-mates!

Though they really DO fucking suck balls as far as snow-behavior is concerned.

I think maybe I'll go over to Queene Anne hill and watch the hilarity at some point today.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

20. I live here, too.

I earned my meteoroligical doctorate with this formula:

S*20
Seattle



I'm only half kidding. Half the city shuts down when a mist presents itself (although I tend to believe it's more a matter that we'd rather just not work- any excuse in a "storm.")

[dixiegrrrrl]

60. The city also shuts down on the first sunny day in spring.

First time the temps hit 68, no clouds, sun, usually about May, and everyone calls in
sunny.
At least they used to.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

69. Still do.

Why it's a great city. :)

[progressive_realist]

38. People who mock our snow behavior overlook two key factors:

1) It only snows like this once every 5-10 years, so we don't have a huge snow-related infrastructure. The City of Seattle only has 27 snowplows. Few people keep their garages stocked with rock salt or sand. Most households don't even own a snow shovel. Why would the government or households spend a bunch of money on such an infrequent problem?

2) We're a city of hills. Which made yesterday fun. People were snowboarding down the city streets here, and there was an impressive ski jump built down at Volunteer Park. But for driving, it's not so good. Midwesterners just don't get that.

[BlooInBloo]

39. Seattlites might be the worst rain drivers I've ever seen in my life as well....

What's the excuse for that?

And really as far as the snow goes, the real problem seems to be that Seattlites really thing that 4wd = magic.

And I've lived here for upwards of 30 years. I love the town, and I love the people. But facts are facts. When the weather turns, they go apeshit stupid on the roads.

I was one of those streetboarders, too, btw. :P

[progressive_realist]

48. Very true about the 4WD

I remember in the last big storm, about half the vehicles I saw stuck on the side of the road were SUVs. 4WD doesn't help if none of your wheels can get traction.

And if you want to see bad rain drivers, try Southern California. You begin hearing the emergency vehicle sirens about thirty seconds after the rain starts.

[BlooInBloo]

54. Pfft. Like it ever rains in SoCal.

:P

[lumberjack_jeff]

59. Exactly. 4wd doesn't help you stop. n/t

[jbnow]

65. The first hour of rainstorm there can create slippery roads because

oil that spilled during the dry months gets all wet and spreads across the roads... after that I can't explain it

[uppityperson]

43. Grew up in midwest, moved to pacific nw and the hills here get me still.

Yes, I am used to dealing with snow and ice. But the hills here are something. As a transplanted midwesterner, I do get it.

Add to the mixture that many here rarely drive in even snow, and have little practice in doing so. Only about 1/2 buses are running due to hill/snow/ice combo. Did you see that charter bus that slid and crashed the barrier and almost fell onto the interstate?

Amtrack has canceled runs here now also, and they are used to dealing with going through the mts and snow too.

Sure is gorgeous out.

[progressive_realist]

52. That charter bus incident happened about four blocks from me.

My neighborhood (Capitol Hill) is pretty much shut down from the snow. I haven't seen a single car go by my window yet this morning.

I have to make a trip by bus to Ballard later today. That should be an adventure. Scenic, but long and slow.

[halobeam]

66. Got a PIC? Love the snow!!!!!

:P

[uppityperson]

68. See if this works

Where did the coyote go?


Even the chicken wire is coated.

[BlooInBloo]

15. I stole your word - thanks!

[patrice]

5. It's 3 degrees here. We're having January weather in December. nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. I can remember Novemebers and Decembers like this when I was a kid, then they

were warmer for many many years.

One good thing about the snow is it has banked the trailer for us. :) Floor isn't too cold at all, considering.

[jpak]

17. 15 inches of snow = roof insulation

It's finally toasty in here...

:hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

21. 15 inches of snow for us means: Get the rake! LOL I know a neighbor whose niece didn't

rake her trailer's roof and the darned thing collapsed under the weight of the snow.

[MarianJack]

32. Hello, Fellow Mainer!

Here in Augusta my wife and son have today off.

[GreenPartyVoter]

33. We do too, although I suppose we coulda gotten by with just a delay. The real trouble I guess was

digging out all the school buses. LOL

[patrice]

50. Somthing like the last 10, plus or minus, Winters here were noticeably warmer

than the Winters of my younger years.

[Renew Deal]

7. You're in VT right?

I'm on LI. The snow isn't bad, but it is COLD today. :scared:

[elleng]

72. Where on LI?

Any snow at all? I'm from RVC (living in MD now.)

[Danieljay]

8. Portland Oregon is literally shut down the last couple days. We are buried here

We never see this much snow. My patio table has about 14 inches or more. Unbelievable.

The airport is closed, highways shut down, and chains are required for all non 4 wheel drive vehicles.

Its crazy.

[Renew Deal]

10. Some crazy ass I know was trying to convince me that global warming didn't exist because of the cold

I didn't even argue. I just laughed.

[GentryDixon]

23. Was it Matt Drudge?

[classof56]

24. Most snow in 40 years, I'm hearing on KPOJ. Wow!

Lived in Salem many years, now over in Central Oregon, where we not only have snow but are in a deep freeze. Skiers love it, me, not so much. Glad I'm retired and don't have to trudge to work in this stuff. Sure is pretty, though! Hope you don't have any trees or wires down in your parts. I recall a few of those ice storms in the Portland area through the years. Not fun at all!

Stay safe!

[Danieljay]

37. Thanks. We are safe and warm. We've had to cancel all our patients for today and tomorrow

As well as last Monday.

Looks like we'll just shut the clinic down til next Monday and enjoy the holidays.

[classof56]

75. Daniel, I am glad you are staying home, safe and warm.

And I wish you the happiest of holidays, over there in Portland Town. I checked your profile, including your photo, and what a good-looking guy you are! Do not be frightened--I am old enough to be your mother, but I have long maintained a "feast for the eyes never hurt anyone"!

Blessings to you and yours from over here in sunny, snowy, cold and beautiful Central Oregon!

;-)

[patrice]

51. How cold is it? Go play!!! nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. Yeah, I'm on the coast of Maine & Hubby had to really work to get the front door open. The drifts

had piled up overnight.

Kids had a great time, though. The snow is almost waist deep in some drifts and the bigger snowbanks are up to YoungerGreenKid's head. :D

[bdamomma]

16. well one good thing it will a White Christmas for alot of people!!

[NJCher]

18. snowed in, too

If I can just get off the private road, I can go anywhere. But my place is at the end of a road that's not plowed by the city. So now I have to leave DU for awhile and go spread some sand around. I need to try to make it out of here today.

Good luck getting out, Cali!



Cher

[NJCher]

55. 2 hours of shoveling and sanding later...

I still am not going anywhere. I was met at the end of the road by the mailman, who was stuck on the ice and had to have someone come in to tow him.

I was advised not to go out as the streets are icy.

I'm no fool: I'm staying in.

Thank heavens I'm stocked up on kitty food and comfort food! Even chocolate.




Cher

[NOW tense]

19. All work and no play makes cali a dull person.

All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person. All work and no play makes cali a dull person.

[kstewart33]

22. Crazy, crazy weather.

A week or two ago, it snowed in Louisiana. As long as I lived in the South (about 25 years), it never snowed in Louisiana.

[Fumesucker]

27. I was in southern LA in 1983 or 1984 and the canals all froze up..

The nutria were skittering along on top of the ice..

[Fumesucker]

25. If your doors opened inwards rather than outwards, this would not be such a problem..

You'd get some snow come in the house but you could still get out..

My sympathies, BTW.

[cali]

29. LOL! I never even thought of that.

[Fumesucker]

30. Eh, I' spent a long time in construction and that's the way I think, I'm a problem solver. n/t

[NOW tense]

31. Dutch doors would work too.

[Fumesucker]

34. Frankly if I lived in New England I'd have a "heatlock"..

Two sets of doors, inner and outer with a small space in between, I think it's sometime called a "mud room" too.

Only open one set of doors when the other is closed when the weather is severe.

Our problems down here in fundietopia are just the opposite most of the time, getting rid of excess heat.

[NOW tense]

36. I build houses in the mountains

all doors open in without the exterior screen door. That is easy enough when you don't have to worry about mosquitoes.

[uppityperson]

45. Doors opening out are best in windy areas though.

Wind shoves them shut tighter, cutting airflow around the door. Good to have one on leeward side opening in though. Had cousins get snowed in in eastern Montana when I was a kid, had to exit via second story window. I was envious.

[Fumesucker]

57. That's why I mentioned having a "heatlock" in a later post.. n/t

[man4allcats]

28. I got snowed in earlier this month ...

well, as "snowed in" as it ever gets in Houston. :7

[whistler162]

40. How many days where you trapped.;)

[man4allcats]

58. Haha! I was lucky to get the picture.

I thought at least it would last through the night, but it must have warmed a bit later in the evening. It was gone within a few hours - well before daylight. B-)

[opihimoimoi]

35. ON MY WAY with shovels and Spam Musubi, hot coffee, and donuts.

How exciting....

[malaise]

41. Stay safe

and warm. :grouphug: We're expecting rain.

[CLG_News]

42. OMG, I am such a jealous polar bear! I love the snow!!

Can I ask you where you live?
-- :) Envious polar bear

[cali]

44. In the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont

and yay, the neighbor's kid just dug me out.

[shadowknows69]

47. Ouch, sorry to hear it cali

We got socked pretty hard here in Northern NY but not like that. Well the plateau usually does but they're calling for another foot tonight possibly.

[madokie]

49. I'm hoping you're snowed out by now

We started off with a clear sky and 3 degrees, colder'rn a well diggers ass as my mom might have said

I'm taking advantage of this cold ass day to make a big pot of stew.

[LanternWaste]

53. I'll trade you...

I'll trade you...

One week of your snowed-in weather for one of my north Texas Augusts. :evilgrin:


I imagine one of the reasons I still maintain that snowy weather is the "perfect" weather is simply because I get so little of it myself... I guess it's one of those grass-is-always-greener scenarios. :P

[cali]

56. ack no. I'm not a hot weather person at all.

I don't mind winter. If nothing else it's beautiful.

[ColbertWatcher]

61. Any pics? n/t

[cali]

62. I'm going to take some tomorrow

but I don't have a digital camera. Still slogging around with my old SLR.

[ColbertWatcher]

63. Aww, will you be posting the, any time soon? n/t

[Mike 03]

64. Aw Cali, Hugs, and I will be in the same situation most likely within 24

hours.

This happens every year here in the AZ mountains, but usually in February, not December.

It's cold, windy, gloomy, and my dog is sad because we can't walk every day anymore.

And it reminds me of THE SHINING. I start to lose it after three or four days of being snowed in.

Peace, friend.

[LWolf]

67. I'm not snowed in,

but I have to go to the barn for water, can't shower, can't flush, and the temps haven't risen into the 20s for almost a week.

It was -8 last night.

I have one room warm enough to allow muscles to relax and stop trembling with cold, and it's not this one.

I'm heading out to the barn to feed the critters before it gets any darker, and then I'm going to haul in a bunch more firewood, and then I'm going to spend the evening in front of the fire, under quilts, hoping that this storm will finally move on.

I hope you are warmer than I am.

[cali]

70. I hope you're much warmer today!

Cold isn't my problem here, fortunately. I have a very tight little house and a good wood stove. Also gas back up. Hope things improve for you swiftly, and that you have a run of 40+ degree days.

[LWolf]

73. Thanks.

It was 0 degrees at 7:30, and is now up to 5. I notice, though, that the skies are clear. We'll get some direct sunlight, and I'm hoping that helps.

[Mudoria]

71. What is this snow you speak of????

I haven't seen 2 inches of snow in a long time now.

[Vinca]

74. It was -3 at our house in New Hampshire this morning,

but we're one of the lucky ones. There are still several thousand without power from the ice storm more than a week ago. Onward to spring!