The Flakes Just Keep On Coming

We've had many chances to enjoy our new x-c ski equipment.

Sometimes we ski in the rear of the Romeo house as Kathy is here.

And we've been to Stony Creek Metropark on their groomed ski trails.  We will stay on the easy ones for a while until we get better and more comfortable.

We restrict our skiing to temperatures above about 20 degrees, perhaps lower if sunny.  Our snowfall total for January is near a record.  And for the season we have had over 62 inches--last season the total was about 69 inches--according to one neighbor who measures each snowfall before he clears his driveway.

Hoping to get out this weekend... 

BRRRR...

Below zero the last three nights, but warmer weather over the weekend.

We went to Evart for a funeral Friday in the new Envoy and were pleased the temperature was uniform and constant while the outside temps began at 8 below and increased to 10 above.  The Envoy has manual climate control whereas Kathy's car and the old Expedition each are  automatic so learning the settings will take some time.

Am also trying out a new winter coat I got a few weeks ago at Columbia outlet; it's working very well in this weather.  The coat has a waterproof and breathable shell and fleece  liner, a new design for me.  I like the flexibility of removing the liner and using the shell by itself over other layers while x-c skiing and snow removing or inserting it for bitter cold and less active outdoor work.

Hope to get out this weekend for a couple skis if the temps and winds permit.

Is Fall Over in the Mitten?

It it's getting close to wintertime.  Snow fell yesterday morning and this morning, and both days the snow stayed with us.

And the weather reports now include "lake effect snow" (especially the south shores of the Great Lakes.

Now that we've had our first snow we might as well have snow until the spring thaw.

This IS A Great Country

You can ignore mandatory evacuation orders.
You can get yourself trapped in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.
You can call 911 for someone to rescue you.
Someone will rescue you and place themselves at risk.

And to those who chose to stay and called to be rescued, if you do not do something for your rescuers, shame on you.

And The Rains Just Kept Coming

Over the last couple days we have had constant rain, very hard many times. Must have had between 4 and 8 inches total over that time. Widespread flooding is expected and from what we see in our pond--spring levels of water--we are not surprised.

It has let up this morning and we are hoping for Seattle-type rain for the day rather than the deluges we have been getting. At least we are under a dome this afternoon for the Lions game versus Green Bay. A Lions win will not surprise me, but I am picking GB. Don't tell Kathy.

Slip Slidin' Away

The trip from Romeo to Detroit Metro Airport was the longest we'd ever made.  It took us twice as long as usual.  Got up at about 4:15 am on Sunday to check outside--forecast was for freezing rain.  Nothing yet.  Then a half hour later I decided to back the SUV to the garage door.  Skated down the driveway to the SUV, ice covering everything.  It doesn't have to be thick to be dangerous.  We left about an hour or so earlier than we planned.  Got onto Van Dyke and traveled between 20 mph and 30 mph down through freezing rain to Warren-Sterling Heights border.  There we found roads had been salted so we could increase our speed to about 45 mph.  Onto the freeway system.  But wait!  "I-94 is closed near the airport and will not reopen soon.  Downed power line."  So a slight detour.  Closer to the airport temperatures rose, salt was more effective, so I could relax some.  Finally made it.  About two and a half hour drive.

Passenger crowds were heavy, heavier than I expected for a Sunday morning.  But then, some families may have had the week off for mid-winter break and others were just starting theirs.  After that, things were uneventful.  Arrived to sunny, 50 degree weather in Seattle.

Return To The Great White North

and about a foot of snow. Far less than that at the airport but about that when we got to our driveway. Fortunately for us Leo, our neighbor across the road, had finished clearing his driveway and had partially cleared ours when we drove up. "Park in our drive until you finish yours." Thanks Leo.

We were about an hour late leaving Nashville on New Year's Day because (we found out through Brenda) other flights were late getting to Detroit earlier so our plane was held to accommodate some of those passengers. Our shuttle driver to pick up our car told us the previous midnight snow was fantastic--flakes the size of silver dollars, family and neighbors out in the middle of the night tossing snowballs at one another. (Might some libations have caused an exaggerated sense of size?) Quickly cleaned off the wet snow on the windshield and rear window and headed home stopping for a bite to eat. We thought the reports we heard in Nashville of 14 inches of snow in some areas were exaggerated. Not so. The farther north we traveled, the deeper the snow.

We talked about how beautiful the white blanket was and how much we look forward to snow. We must be crazy Northerners.

Weathering the storms

Quite a storm last night. Winds blew rain and hail horizontal--warnings of 70 mph winds were on target. I left a couple door walls open and the winds blew in so strong that rain sprayed onto the top of the kitchen counter getting salt and pepper shakers sitting there wet up to their tops. Leaves are stuck to the door wall windows up to the top and on the siding. Only one large branch came down. Now for a little cleanup.

The Chicago Bulls stormed into the Palace making it interesting against the Pistons by winning two straight after the Pistons won the first three. I was wrong about the Pistons sweeping if they won the third game--so much for my picks.

Pistons did something similar to this last year against Cleveland Cavaliers--got off to great start and then had to struggle to win the series. That seemed to take something out of them and they lost to Miami in the conference championship--perhaps they were just not as good as Miami last year.

We shall see what happens Thursday as they return to Chicago for game six.

On the other hand the Red Wings blasted the Ducks 5-0 Tuesday in a surprising offensive show. They now have home ice back in their favor.

And the Tigers showed they can play with anyone as they beat up on the Boston Red Sox Tuesday. After giving up a first inning run, Justin Verlander shut the Sox down until the eighth inning while Ordonez supplied all the runs they would need with a 3-run homer in the third. Still atop the Central Division.

Geocached

today and found two more by the Percy Priest Lake Dam. Great day with temps in high 40s to mid-50s, sunny, but at times a stiff breeze. Still one cache we cannot locate. Spent the better part of an hour searching. Understand it went missing just before our last search in December and had been replaced, but again no luck. Maybe next time.

Kathy with cache at Percy Priest Lake Dam

Seemed strange to us to hear Nashville weathercasters warning listeners that we are in for about four days "like the dead of winter". But when compared to their averages for January, our next few days will be much like them--lows near 30, highs near 50. Sunday night is to be near mid-20s. Checked Romeo and they are about 15 degrees colder and snow showers--Tigers game cancelled due to cold. I now realize why many people move to Tennessee.

And still winter

Three consecutive nights below zero lows, highs in low teens. Cold enough to bring in the proverbial brass monkey.

But still getting in daily walk. Three shirts and a down jacket, two sweatpants, thermal socks and waterproof insulated boots, gloves inside fur-lined leather mittens, balaclava with ski hat on top of my head. Took so much energy to get dressed for my ourdoor walk that I had to cut my walking time in half :)

It will be getting warmed over next few days. Perhaps I will be able to get out skiing again soon.

Finally winter

has come to Michigan. One of the reasons we enjoy Michigan is the four distinct seasons.

The first couple months of winter were atypical--10 degrees above normal, precipitation as rain if any, overcast making days dreary. In the last week our weather has returned to normal for late January--temperatures from single digits to mid-20s, snow at times that has finally accumulated to 6 or so inches on the ground, sunny and clear days mixed with occasional overcast.

Winter and snow means cross country skiing--our first of the season. With near-perfect conditions of sun and mid-20s temperatures, the snow crunched beneath the skis providing ample traction going uphill and adequate compression for downhill slides. Skiing requires using muscles in addition to ones normally used so later in the day a dull soreness set in reminding us to take it easy in our initial skiing periods.

The next week will continue with cold, sunny weather. Will get out for additional skiing sessions, hopefully on some trails so we can have views of different surroundings.