Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!!!

[jotogodfrey]

Or even in a state like California where it's hot at Christmas time.

I've been at Squaw Valley for Xmas. There was loads of snow. It was a winter wonderland.

On an interesting side note, we came down out of the Mts for a day to visit Carson City NV, only 1/2 hr away (my Father was a coin collector who wanted tovisit the old CC mint). It was Sunny and hot in the high 70's. We never get a chance to experience phenomenons like that here in S. NE.

I love snow, especially around the holidays. It's just that late Aprilstuff that I can do without. It just extends mud season

~Joe

[twinny4]

So I missed my first shot at a snow experience, yet again, and will have another steamy Christmas!

Greg, with this being yours and Di's first Christmas together, you could spend it in Antarctica and it would still besteamy.

~Karen

[mr haney]

Hey Karen, Speaking of Christmas in California, that's the Huntington Beach Pier in the background. Santa looks a lot like one of the ROL membersdoesn't he.....
One of the great thing's about California, especially the LA area is that you can drive a few hours and be up in mountains, or down in the deserts, and theocean is only a half hours drive. In other words you can pick the kind of day you want. When I was married with young children, in December we would rent acabin up in Big Bear,(the elevation is over 8,000 ft.) and we would spend a week in the snow, having the kind of experience you were describing, then driveback home to 80% and going fishing in shorts and Tee shirt.
Michael

[BluCamaro]

Hey Greg! It's really nice when you're in your nice warm house way out in the country in the middle of nowhere and you got the fire goin' and it's a blizzard and you wonder if it'll blow down the house and then the power goes out and suddenly you're livin' like a pioneer! Down to the creek 500 ft away through 3 ft of snow! Can't beat it!

Andy, I couldn't agree more! We lived on Lake St.Clair for a while outside of Windsor. I clearly remember a New Years Eve, walking out ontothe frozen lake at midnight to see the fireworks in Windsor. The silence was deafening. I LOVE how quiet it gets when there is a thick blanket of snow to helpabsorb the noise.
Brian

Edit: Andy, I realize you were likely being sarcastic but I'm serious. I LOVE it!

[Beach bomb]

I love the snow and all the beautiful scenery it brings. But when you have to work 33 miles away and it takes 3-4 hours to get back home in it, it just blows!I'd love to stay home when it snows but then you get the third degree from your boss on how so and so made it in and they live farther away then you.
If I don't have to drive in it I'm lovin it!
Thanks for all the great pictures everyone!
Tim

[BlueWag66n]

Ya Brian! I was sorta half and half serious. It is a real bummer to have your power go out for days when your on a well, or you like your TV or computer andits -30C. All ya got is your fireplace and a fewcandles and clock radio, so long as you remembered to buy batteries! LOL! The main thing ya gotta have is the fireplace though. #1, numero uno, no ways aroundit. You can make tea! Wouldn't have it any other way!!! Time to get a generator! Andy

[sunburninaz]

We're headed back to Detroit for Christmas this year. Let me tell you how disappointed my three daughters are gonna be if it isn't WHITE. Andrea, youand the Michigan crew better bring it for us! Order up a nice big batch.

Doug

[twinny4]

Doug, wasn't it you who gave your daughters a puppy for Christmas a couple of years ago? I remember the pictures posted andhow happy they were to have a puppy. It had been a total surprise for them. I hope you get snow for Christmas so they're not disappointed.


~Karen

[sunburninaz]

That's quite a memory you have there Karen. I think Christmas 2004 will go down as one of my favorites (a white Christmas in Detroit this year may be aclose second - not to mention the fact that we are surprising my mother-in-law with our trip and it will be the first time in 15 years that my wife'sfamily will be home and together for Christmas).

To refresh your memory:

Here's Darian and Cooper on Christmas morning 2004 (note Darian's tears)

And now (I'm not quite sure what she's trying to do - I just ran across the picture looking for more):



And Cooper then:

And now (we were hoping that he'd stay more blonde but he darkened up quite a bit...):



Don't mean to hijack the thread (but Karen asked!!! ). If I had anysnow pictures I'd post them but after 38 years in the "Valley of the Sun" (Phoenix), those pictures are few and far between!

Doug

[ndakotan]

Ahh, snow. I think I have a love/hate relationship with it. After two 5" snowfalls in four days, and the associated travel headaches, etc., thatI've already been through here in MN, I'm ready for spring. I used to think it was necessary for the Christmas spirit, but now I'm content withthe dark, colder days and lights out in people's yards for bringing that. Nothing like biking home from work in the dark and riding through decoratedneighborhoods, and warming up at home with a good, hot drink. But of course, with those two 5" snowfalls, and more white stuff in the forecast fortomorrow, and Saturday, and Sunday, and maybe next Tues, the biking is temporarily on hold.

As a kid, it was mostly great though, until I started delivering papers in fifth grade and had to walk 3-4 miles in it every day. We went sledding on thewater hill at the edge of town (the other edge three blocks away as we lived on the edge of town ). Rather thanhaving a water tower, the tank was buried in the hill. There was a dirt road leading up the face of the hill that was too steep for any vehicle to climb, so Idon't know why it existed as access to the water stuff was up a much gentler road on the back side of the hill. We sledded down the dirt road, with runnersleds only as there were a couple of curves that required being able to steer. It was on our stomachs, face first flying, and hoping there was no trafficcoming on the gravel road we crossed at the bottom. The worst accident I can remember was a friend hitting a utility pole at the bottom and ending up witha concussion. I think a haybale appeared there shortly after, but shortly disappeared.

Here's a pic of the house last March. It's all hand-shoveled. I'm still too young to get a snow blower. The little hill in the back is absolutely no comparison to the water hill,but my kids and friends had a fun time on it when they were younger. A couple of years ago they got to climb the water hill (in summer) and see why nothingaround here compares. They were impressed with standing on top, and being able to actually lean into the North Dakota breeze. Move that breeze to a crispJanuary day, and that hot cocoa upon returning home was just delicious. Although we were tempted to soak our hands and feet in it...

Jeff