After living in what we jokingly refer to the Banana Belt for over thirty years, we were rather looking forward to living in a place with real winters. While the ground has been snow-covered for about a month, with some temporary cover before that, it's not been particularly wintry here. In fact, over the past few weeks, freezing rain has occurred more frequently that anything else, and I don't think anybody finds freezing rain pleasant.
The nickname, Banana Belt, is just a local joke, of course. It's still Canada there in southwestern Ontario, and they still have winters, but in some years, like this one, it's neither terribly cold nor terribly snowy. In fact, just last week, Saint Paul sent me a picture of them cycling in January. That's right, it was 10°C/50°F there; the trails were dry; and, they were able to go on quite a long trek.
It was just one week ago, today, that freezing rain caused us to postpone our trip to the cottage. After looking at the forecast, we decided to put off the trip until today. Guess what? Yup, we've had more freezing rain.
Last night, I was faced with a major scraping job when we left line dancing. Fortunately, we were only minutes from home, and the roads also turned out to be in fair shape. With the temperatures presently above freezing, it's now mutated into plain rain, but you and I know what the roads could be like when the temperatures drop again.
At the moment, we're contemplating simply putting our winter vacation on hold for the time being, for whatever snow lies on the ground up there will also be thin and crusty and not conducive to getting out and tramping about. Perhaps we'll have some proper winter weather in another week or so, and we can rev our plans back up then. If not, we'll shift mental gears and settle in here, and I shall be quite content with my lot in life.
Meanwhile, we thought we'd go out for lunch as a form of compensation for this newest postponement, so Cuppa called the restaurant, only to be warned that they had just opened for the day. It had taken the manager three hours to get in; the cook hadn't yet showed up; the parking lot was covered in treacherous ice; and, it would really be best if we put it off for another day.
It's been raining cold rain here, too. So yucky! I'm not liking the odd weather, and certainly upset that I'm needing my spring clothes more than my winter clothes! I like the ability to bundle up during this part of the year!
ReplyDeletePostponements are one of the little irritations of life - but I do hope you get to finally go. We got back in town last night from the daughter's - don't know why but I was unable to comment on your blog from her computer - weird. ec
ReplyDeleteIt's the same here in Hogtown, AC. Cold. Wet. Windy. Very much like a day in late fall. I concur with Christi's assessment. Yucky! Best to stay indoors with a nice cuppa. And with nice Cuppa.
ReplyDeleteI wish we would have some real winter weather here in Gig Harbor, WA. I am aching for a good snow! I guess I could always make a trip up to Mt. Ranier, but it is just not the same as being able to look out your window and see everything covered in white. Plus, if the roads are bad enough, I might get to stay home from work! :)
ReplyDeleteThis, indeed, has been a very strange weather year. But take heart. Winter has arrived here in Manitoba and, in all likelihood, is headed your way. My husband was so excited this morning. He and his buddy are finally out snowmobiling. We finally have plenty of snow and the temperatures to match.
ReplyDeleteWe had rain icing on all the trees and shrubs and the roads, I stayed home from work yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThen the snow started falling, I got to work ok today.
It's been a strange winter. Last week 50 degrees one day!
Saw a dead skunk yesterday, usually first sign of spring here.
We have had several weeks of unseasonably mild weather in Chicago. My heating bill looks rather attractive for this time of year. That's what I call a good winter since there isn't anything special to do in Chicago during the winter except stay inside and stay warm. Funny how location makes all the difference sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI don't envy your ice, but I'm glad you got out to a nice restaurant. There are always things to do, regardless of the weather - or, because of it.
ReplyDeleteAm I the first to suggest perhaps "global warming" might be a contributing factor to the weirdnesses of our weather patterns? Here in Calgary, AB it's been really mild. Sunday we received some really fluffy snow... I was so excited I shoveled not only my walk, but two neighbour's walks as well! Woo Hoo! And I'm so NOT a snow guy... just appreciated the clean and white.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had some good wintry weather here. All we have had is either rain or sleet. :( I love snow.. most of the time.
ReplyDeleteYup, my first thought was global warming. But I can be an alarmist that way.
ReplyDeleteI don't envy the freezing rain you're experiencing. We have had plain old rain here for 30 out of the past 31 days, and I'm seriously beginning to get a bit stir crazy not being able to go for a walk. I always wonder how people get by, living regularly in an area where the weather is very cold, snowy, and perhaps icy. Well, I can just read up on you and Cuppa and how you deal with the ice on a regular basis. Happy Winter of Ott-six to you both. :-)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, it is definitely NOT 3:30 a.m. where I am right now! lol (like the post above said it is!)
ReplyDeleteHere in Winnipeg the temperatures have been well above normal and I love it! We've got quite a lot of snow and today, it's just gorgeous-about -10 with very little wind. Perfect winter weather in my mind. Hope things cool down a bit for you soon! I am so impressed that you would go north for your winter getaway unlike most people who go south.
ReplyDeleteHang in there. It's bound to get colder!
We've had 'way above average temps too. That would be nice except it translates into freezing rain instead of snow! NOT fun driving.
ReplyDeleteOur temps here have been in the fifites which is really warm for this time of the year. I am hoping it chills some because I do not want the flowers to start blooming earlier then they should and ruin them or the fruit trees.
ReplyDeleteGlobal warming. Here in Merced, CA, (the San Joaquin valley) we have yet to see the temp drop below freezing. It's highly unusual.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have the cold weather you do but most years we can count on a month or so of temperatures chilly enough overnight to form black ice. Not yet this year though. It's peculiar.