What's more current than the weather?

[BigV]

It's been pretty snowy. Please, all my friends in Colorado, Pennsyltucky, Maine, etc. I know this is not a lot of snow, relative to the measurements recorded in some places. I know. We're snow lightweights here.

However. Our suffering is no less. We're unaccustomed to much snow here at sea level. And those parts that aren't at sea level usually aren't on any level at all. Lots of hills here. If you're place isn't on a hill, the place you want to get to is beyond several hills. Treacherous. I traveled a little to go get SonofV yesterday, here are some pictures of my journey.

My trusty steed, parked in relative shelter.


I've never ridden the ferry in a snowstorm. It was cold and miserable and unphotogenic.


Local firemen keeping their driveway clear.


Cruddy slushy streets heading north along the water.

[glatt]

Yuck. Even an inch or two can be bad if your city has no snow removal equipment.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by glatt

Yuck. Even an inch or two can be bad if your city has no snow removal equipment.

2008 was a complete disaster. Wrong plan, wrong things done, wrong routes plowed, etc. I heard a very loud and clear refutation of that stupid plan of 2008 on the radio several times and one of the announcements said "all thirty pieces of snow removal equipment (vehicles) were continuously active throughout the city", with the drivers all working in shifts. It was a much better plan, though a much lesser storm. Thirty rigs for all of Seattle. I think that's a good number. We don't get the snow much, but usually every year. I wouldn't want a vast fleet of expensive equipment idle 360 days a year.

[glatt]

Seriously? Only 30 for a city the size of Seattle? How many miles of roads does Seattle have? Do the math.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by glatt

Seriously? Only 30 for a city the size of Seattle? How many miles of roads does Seattle have? Do the math.

the answer is apparently 3,943 lane miles, which is less than I was expecting. That's only 130 miles for each truck. That's not so bad.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by BigV

I wouldn't want a vast fleet of expensive equipment idle 360 days a year.

Most places put plows and sanders on dump trucks, and plows on garbage trucks. Throw in some front end loaders and that's the snow emergency equipment, nothing sits idle all year.

[BigV]

Olympic Sculpture Park featuring typewriter eraser of the gods and a very hardcore bicyclist.


My street. Not plowed. Seattle's VASTLY improved snow plan over the disaster of 2008 meant that side streets went unplowed. Fine.


My snug little house under a blanket of snow. I think my stairs are in there somewhere...


Side streets not plowed, arterials plowed. Here's one. Still LOTS of snow on the ground and too cold (thank goodness) to melt into slush.

[infinite monkey]

4 degrees this morning.

For you people playing along at home in other countries, thats -15 C. Minus.

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[BigV]

They're skiiing on my street. I saw dozens of people skiing in the city. It was kinda cool.


Those hills? See what I mean?


Freeways open, this is I-5. I traveled between 30 and 45 mph the whole trip and that was *plenty* fast enough, thanks.


Just a pretty shot of the neighborhood.


We got home safely. Another snow day today, one they'll regret in June. It's supposed to warm up and rain today. That means lots of mess and local flooding.

[HungLikeJesus]

From the picture of your house, it's apparent that you don't get much snow. Otherwise you wouldn't have those bushes growing right up against the steps and sidewalk.

How are you going to shovel that?

[infinite monkey]

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

From the picture of your house, it's apparent that you don't get much snow. Otherwise you wouldn't have those bushes growing right up against the steps and sidewalk.

How are you going to shovel that?

He called your wife to come over and shovel it.

(running joke, peeps, don't freak.)

[BigV]

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

From the picture of your house, it's apparent that you don't get much snow. Otherwise you wouldn't have those bushes growing right up against the steps and sidewalk.

How are you going to shovel that?

Yes, Mr Colorado, I know it's not a lot of snow compared to what you get in your area. For us, it's a significant snowfall. In addition to the icestorm following, it was a problem. I just heard on the radio they're closing a major transit tunnel through downtown to clear icicles. Really. That's a new one. Also, the Governor has declared a state of emergency. One of the features of that act means that she can use her emergency powers to temporarily waive the work hours rules for truck drivers transporting dairy products. This means they can drive when available rather than having to stand down for the mandatory rest periods helping to keep the perishable milk from .. perishing?

As to your last question, the answer is downhill.

[Pico and ME]

I hear you about the hills. I feared snow/ice storms during the time I lived in Cincinnati, and I had a little front wheel drive at the time.

[HungLikeJesus]

Tell my wife I said hello

[BigV]

Yes, dear.