Dreaming of a White Christmas

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We've been hunkered down riding out the extremely uncharacteristic winter weather for the past week or so, and it finally looks like it's going to let up this weekend. Who would have thought Seattleites would actually be looking forward to a forecast of 40F and rain. One of the news reporters this morning commented that we'd be waving the white flag of surrender to Mother Nature but it would just blend into the background. After a series of snowstorms have hit the area, we're waiting out the longest stretch of snow this area has seen in several decades!

I'm not complaining. I love snow and miss that we don't regularly get a blast of white powder raining down from above every December. Transportation has been a complete mess for the past week though, what with the airport running out of de-icer, the buses and trains canceling service and roads and bridges closed. Luckily I live close enough that I can tromp downtown to give a tour on foot when the bus gets stuck in the intersection! It's been more stressful for Andras, though, having to commute to the Eastside, but when the bridges close down he's get a snow day! If nothing else it has given us justification for the fact that we were probably going to spend the past few days trying to avoid the holiday rush anyhow. While I feel for the retailers in our struggling economy, I rather like the shift in focus that this combination of economic recession/winter snow-in has given us this holiday season -- to remember that the holidays aren't supposed to be about rampant consumerism, but the act of giving thanks, love and company.

It snowed a little over 4" over the weekend which is more snow that I've seen in here in a very long time. Not a lot if you live, say, anywhere else, but this is a coastal town built upon a series of very steep hills. It's not "freeze your face off" cold just yet, but maybe. In fact we got to experience the rare phenomenon that is "thundersnow", two systems converging directly overhead leading to thunder and snowfall punctuated by flashes of lightening. I've seen snow, and lightening, but never thought the two would meet. So odd.

The morning after the first snowfall we hiked up to Kerry Park to try and get some photos of the snow scene before the neighborhood woke up. It seemed like such a dramatic landscape until we woke up a few days later to another 4-5" that fell overnight. Snow covers all the un-slightly blemishes of litter and trash, and emergency shelters are set up to house many of the local homeless. Hate to say it, but it sure feels nice to be able to walk to the store and buy some groceries without being asked about six times whether or not I have spare change or want to buy some silly cheap newspaper. They're warm, I'm less irritated, it's win-win. Sure I'm probably paying for the upkeep of the shelters with city taxes, but it's so much less obtrusive this way.

Speaking of grocery stores, after doing all of our obligatory "major snow storm coming, stock up on essentials" we realized we had plenty of olive oil, whipping cream and pears, but no toilet paper, so we headed out to pick some up and discovered that Quenn Anne Ave, a major road up a 500ft hill that we live at the base of, was closed. Dozens of people were sledding, snowboarding, skiing and otherwise sliding down the hill and having what appeared to be a fantastically fun time. I remember from childhood the last time we had a big major snow-storm and seeing reports and people zooming down this particularly hill and sure enough, news crews were at the base of the hill taking some footage. I had my camera and took some pictures of the merriment as we passed through Counterbalance Park on the way to the storm, and by the time we returned I'd worked up the courage to join in.

Oh it was so much fun! Without a sled, or winter gear, I made do with what was on hand -- namely a discarded piece of vinyl that happened to have nylon straps and been buried under half an inch of freshly fallen snow. Perfect! On my first test-run I had to bail about 3 yards down the hill because another man was completely out of control and nearly plowed me over, but afterward it was smooth sailing! The hike up the hill was so completely worth it and Andras took some pictures to prove my claim that I, too, have slid down Queen Anne. All that was missing was a ski-lift and you would have never been able to tell the difference between our neighborhood and the slopes.

After the second snowfall we headed out to Seattle Center to see the winter wonderland we were sure existed there in its pristine state. We approached just as the sun was rising and making it's way through the clouds, lighting up the snow laden branches and causing the whole area to sparkle. Several large and prominent snowmen guarded the still and silent lawn, blanketed in white. The serenity was only briefly broken by the spinning tires of the car stuck in the parking area trying to U-turn, and being the good Samaritans we are we once again lent a hand and pushed him out of the rut. That makes two cars in two days. I feel stronger already!

Truth be told we've been out and active much more since the snow fell than we have been in quite a while. Must be something about the rarity of it all that makes it all that more special. There have been conflicted reports as to whether it will warm up before get another dusting, so we'll wait and see. In the meantime, Happy Holidays everyone!

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Photos

Happy Holidays from Seattle!
A decorated tree, snowman and the Space Needle greet us during our sunrise walk through Seattle Center.

Sunrise
Light reflecting off the snow-covered trees lining the walkways in Seattle Center

Kerry Park
The Seattle skyline in the background, as seen from Kerry Park.

Snowboarder on Queen Anne Ave
Gliding down the hill after the snowstorm closes the road to traffic.

Robins
Dozens of robins were perched in this tree eating berries from the snow-covered branches. The twittering birdsong was beautiful so early in the morning.

Snowman at CounterBalance Park
Notice the abandoned bus stuck in the snow and ice in the background.

Street Closed
Sledding down Queen Anne Ave.

Downtown Seattle from Kerry Park
A view of the Space Needle through snow-covered artwork a few blocks from our apartment.

Sunrise at Seattle Center
Watching the sun rise behind the Space Needle the morning after the big snow.

Winterscape
Those three trees just beckoned me to take their photo. At Seattle Center.

Twinkly Lights
Lining the walkways of Seattle Center

Seattle Snowman
One of many snowmen we encountered.

There I go!
Nice Action Shot courtesy of Andras. Notice how I'm digging my heels into the ground trying to stop. Ha

Andras Enoying the Snow
During our walk to the grocery store, at the base of Queen Anne Ave

Snow Fun
After a successful ride down the hill on a piece of vinyl I found on the road.

Sledding Down Queen Anne
That's me, furthest sledded on the left, veering towards the telephone pole!

Snow Covered Street
Our snow covered street in Lower Queen Anne, Seattle.

Comments

[Jaime]

Tree
I just love that photo you took of the snowy Christmas tree with space needle in pic! Wish I could use it as my phone wallpaper but it won't let me