Snow Days

As I embarked on my journey from the midwest back to Seattle, I had growing concerns about the weather in Seattle and whether or not I should get home.
I have class on Tuesdays and can only miss two classes total. I will miss two in January for work responsibilities and that is all for this semester.
As I got on the plane in Detroit, I worried that I would get stuck for days in chicago because of weather in Seattle. That was not the case. I got to Seattle with no problems. And when I landed there was sun.
I was able to get to class and home with no drama.
I did however make the choice to grab some groceries "just in case".
I woke up on Wednesday morning to 4 inches of snow on the ground! Seattle does not work in the snow. There are hills and there's only one snowplow. (okay that's an exaggeration, but they don't have many...). Wenesday was a snowday!
Then Thursday was a snowday, too. We had a massive ice storm.
Both evenings I took a walk in the snow, just to check it out and to get a little fresh air.
As I walked around the neighborhood, I relished the fact that no one else had walked around. My footprints were the only ones. My snowman was the only one in the park.
It was so peaceful.
I had forgotten how magical walking in the freshly fallen snow can be.
As annoying as being trapped could have been, I enjoyed the loveliness of the quiet.

Snow Days and Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving one and all! This year I am celebrating with the Dude and his dudette. They arrived in town on the coldest day of the year and were here to experience a BIG snowfall for the area (roads closed, buses careening down hills, the works). They officially need to come with a Weather Warning sticker (seriously)! Since we are Michiganders and we know snow, we had adventures regardless of the temperatures.

On Sunday, we headed to the markets all bundled up and braving the cold Pacific breezes. We dined on spicy thai to warm ourselves from the inside out (it didn't work) and watched the locals freak out! (so funny). We cozied in and started to make plans for the following day--- we WERE headed to Vancouver! We COULD make it! Well, Mother Nature had other plans..the roads that were snow covered got icy (ugh) and ice and hills don't mix. By the afternoon though, things appeared to be clearing up (and like I mentioned above-- we're Michiganders, snow doesn't scare us!). So, we packed up and began our out-of-town adevntrue. It took us FOREVER! There were snow covered roads, people sliding all over, and a little white-knuckle driving for me. (The Dude sat in the back and read(!).) About 2 hours into a drive that shoulod normally take 2.5 hours, we were a little over half way and decided to make a pit stop for some luluLemon. (The dudette and I are officially obsessed and decked out!). After 4.5 hours, we FINALLY made it to Vancouver safe and sound. We started a bar crawl but froze and decided to spend a little more time at the hotel. We toured Vancouver on a tour bus (way too cold to be walking around outside!). We saw the sights and the weather played nice (it was sunny!). It was a great time and the day was filled with interesting bus drivers (read: characters).

Being Schulte's, we took the scenic route home. (we have a long history of taking the pretty route home. As a kid this generally feels like the LONG way. Now that we're grown-up, we appreciate the natural beauty. Maybe that makes us old, but we like it!). As we approached the Seattle area, traffic got thick and people were freaking out due to the "terrible" weather. The book store was closing 3 hours early due to weather and road conditions. Um, it WAS the artic, but with a little salt the roads would be fine (the Michigan in me is definately making a comeback.) We opted for a pizza dinner and braved the roads home (they really weren't that bad). When we returned, the house was frozen, but we survived it and cozied in for a bad movie and some laughs (three gronw-ups on a couch fighting over balnkets and footstools).

Yesterday, it was COLD again, but we decided we needed to continue our exploration and adventures. We did an Underground Tour...it was like touring a dirty old Michigan basement with some good history mixed in. The story was cool (I am a sucker and bought the book to learn more.) But cool story or not, it was GA-ROSS down there. I am intrigued by the Red light district history tour, but am not convinced I can do the underground thing again. The tour guide says it is the safest place to be in a Seattle earthquake, the Dude and I DO NOT agree. (Eeeks!).

And that brings us to today--Thanksgiving Day. Cozy and Warm inside, we are cooking for three and thinking of (and talking/texting) those loved ones who are far away today (probably warmer and drier than we are....). Have a great day remembering all the things you are thankful for. I know I will.