Ok, so maybe it's because I grew up on the east coast where I learned to drive in the snow by going into an empty parking lot and practicing 360's and how to turn the wheel to counter slides.. or maybe it's because this "HUGE" snow storm is so mild compared to what the rest of the country has been seeing on a consistant basis, that I have to smile when all the schools are cancelled, the news cuts into The today show to go on an on about the "Winter storm". Granted, there are some areas in Portland that do get slick icy snow, like the West Hills, Skyline Drive and the Sylvan area, but this is usually in the morning and it's gone by mid afternoon.
I watched as the gal from channel 8 news ...who must have pulled the short straw stood on at one of the entry ramps talking about slick conditions even though you saw all those cars just zooming normally by behind her. One thing about Portland, when it does snow, they are really not as equipped to deal with it as other Cities across the country. Just a couple of inches can have the City declaring that you either have to have studs or chains on your tires in order to get on the highways. Just a few flurries and it's not uncommon to overhear people freaking out and wanting to go home early from work.
It's a little after 11AM and the snow is already melting since the temp as risen to 37 degrees. I will say that it's like anything, it's easy to scoff at the overexageration of the weather conditions, but there is something about the cold weather patterns here in the Pacific NW that can make a easy layer of ice that is under any snow which I don't really remember too much happening back east. I can only remember sliding on ice during those "ice storms" back on Long Island. Here, I've watched as cars just slide down the hill on a nomal snow day...so who knows.
Anyway, this is what I woke to this morning. This is the view from my back deck. One of the reasons I fell in love with my house was the huge wall of windows that looks out into the trees. I feel like I am in one giant treehouse!
Of course I had to take a picture of this squirrel at the low feeder I put out just for them. I have never seen baby squirrels until I moved here. One day I'll get a picture of them, but they move fast! Gotta take care of the babies ya know! This guy played "statue" until I finished taking the picture and then scrambled off.
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