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Published: March 12th 2006
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SNOW
We woke to snow, a big, totally unexpected snow. Last night when we went to bed the temperature was above freezing and all the snow had melted. For the first time since we arrived on January 20th the ground was completely bare.
"Well, the snow is gone for this year" That was the thought both of us had. In fact, that was what everyone was thinking, at least everyone we talked to yesterday.
When I, Bill, woke this morning Nancy said, "Look out the window. You will be surprised." So I looked out the window and what did I see? Snow!!! Lots of SNOW and more was coming down. I suppose that in Montana's understanding of the word I cannot call it a blizzard, but it was not the soft, gentle snow I have seen so often here the past two winters.
As the morning passed the intensity of the snow has increased. My guess is that we are getting something like five inches an hour and there are no signs of the snow letting up.
For some here, like Nancy and I, the snow is beautiful. Others are totally disgusted, especially the young man from Israel whose grandmother was to fly to Prague today. That
Did I Say It Is Snowing?
Taken from one of the upper windows in our building. just is not going to happen. Also several of the Christopher Newport Univeristy students who are on spring break had reservations to fly to Italy today. That is not going to happen either. There is no way the airport will open with snow falling this fast. Actually I am not sure the city busses or trams are running. I know I have no desire to tempt fate by climbing on a bus, if they are running, and heading up the steep, curving hill out of the Sarka Valley. Going up would be bad enough, coming back down would be even more tense. The road is a two lane road with several sharp turns.
We probably will not be able to take a walk up the Sarka Valley this afternoon as the snow is deeper than our hiking boots. I bet the trail will be full of cross country skiers today. This looks like a perfect snow for getting the skis out and having fun.
I wasn't sure during the night when I woke up and saw the snow that it would still be here in the morning since it was +4 here yesterday. But I checked the
temperature when I awoke the second time and it was -4. That was a 'horse of a different color". Also, I noticed there was a totally bare spot outside where the two buildings are close together and a big heap of snow just beyond that. A snow drift!! Really it was a surprise for me. I haven't seen this sort of wind driven snow here. Most of the time we see little flakes gently drifting down on a gentle breeze taking minutes to get from sky to ground. None of that piddling around today! The snow is driven hard on the way down by the wind which is still pretty strong.
We are a small community today since most of the staff and students and people who live around and go to church here on campus have gone to Kutna Hora a very lovely old town here in the Czech Republic. We didn't go with them since we were there last year and weren't particularly interested in the idea of a weekend retreat. Don't know exactly why we felt that way usually we love to go on church retreats. But I am rather glad we are here instead of
far away with dangerous roads to travel on the way back. We think they will have to spend another full day there since it would be too hard to drive on this sort of bad weather day.
Well, it may be our fault. We love the snow so much and hadn't had our full share of it this winter. From home we hear it was over 70 degrees F yesterday. It seems when NA is warm, Europe is cold and vice versa.
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Freda Redekop
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Oh the snow is so delightful
When you are in a cozy spot with a view to the beautiful sight of swirling, falling snow, it's a heavenly feeling. I remember the big snow in March soon after we arrived in H'burg and taking photos of trees, bird feeders and one lone bird that barely made it to the feeder in the storm. I'm glad you have a memorable snow during your stay in Prague. Just hope it is melted by the time we get there. Freda