Monday night, another mom called to ask me if I had heard that the pending field trip to Harrisburg for 
Tuesday was cancelled...because of snow.
"SNOW?" I bellowed. Softening a bit, I recalled an October day 5 years ago, when we received a dusting of snow. My kids were ecstatic and got the sleds out - but after only two runs down the slope the snow was gone. I came back to the present.
"I doubt they'll cancel it," I said. "How much snow could we get?"
6:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 28. I peeked out the window - whoa - what's this? The ground is covered. I had a sick feeling in my stomach; my son was going to be devastated that yet another field trip will be canceled due to weather.
I turned on the TV and watched in surprise as the school closings scrolled by. I snorted when I saw "Wallenpaupack Area School District - CLOSED TODAY."
Marveling at how quick the schools are to close these days, I was ready to wander down memory lane - remember walking 3 miles uphill both ways in blizzards to get to school? - when my reverie was interrupted by a snapping sound - and the TV went off. Then it came back on - but then it went off again, for good. Along with the lights. Hmmmm.
We were not prepared. The kids had no snow boots yet - I thought I had till at least Halloween before I had to think about snow stuff. We had no bottled water, but we did have flashlights, a kerosene heater, and some oil lamps.
By late morning, I bravely ventured out to Wal*Mart with the kids. Soon, the hubby called to say the power was restored, but I bought some bottled water anyway...along with boots and snow pants. We got some popcorn and movies from Blockbuster.
After a supper of hot tomato soup, we decided not to watch a movie - the power flickered again. I lit the oil lamp, and we got out the Sorry! game. We finished out the evening munching on chips and saying "Sooooorrrry!" without really meaning it.
WINTER IN THE POCONOS - Be Prepared in Case of A Power Outage!
- I LOVE my gas range/oven. I can light the burners with a match.
- Have a kerosene heater or some other heating device not dependent upon electricity. Some pellet, coal, and wood burning stoves may rely on blowers to radiate heat - which means they rely on electricity.
- Have a supply of bottled water on hand.
- When a winter storm is predicted, fill your tub with water for flushing toilets.
- Oil lamps, flashlights, and batteries are a no-brainer.
- Oh yeah, buy your kids their snow-pants and boots before Halloween.
Last November, I created a slide show after an overnight snowstorm transformed our area from autumn to winter with a lovely, soft, white blanket of snow. I thought I'd share it again - enjoy!
CLICK HERE - OVERNIGHT "SNOW"-SATION
This was another Wild Card Wednesday post.
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Lake Wallenpaupack Snow Survival Tips © 2008 by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved. Originally published by the author on PikeWaynePABlog.com - "Snow Survival Tips at Lake Wallenpaupack"
Lake Wallenpaupack 
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