Waking up Sunday morning to our first "skiff of snow"(accurate meteorological measurement), my mind immediately switched over into its winter mode of operation. It's not survival skill status, but the cold definitely carries with it it's own code of conduct here in Castle Country. It's "Modus Operandi" for the months of October through April for our three seasons of winter. So even though this snowfall had only a four hour lifespan(typical), I figured I'd compile a list of the "Top 10 Ways of The Winter" here in Carbon County:
1: The snow plows only come out to help pack down the already un-plowable sheet of ice created by every early bird out getting the worm (morning coffee or paper). Once there, those ice tracks will stay until March so you might as well get used to them. That shit is salt proof!
2: Letting your car or truck run for 15 minutes Un-supervised in your driveway without a second thought to the threat of theft is not only standard, it's necessary. Nobody wants to be behind the person who decided to just "tough it out" and is now blowing a blinding cloud of white smoke out of their frozen tailpipe while they drive through the face sized hole they scraped in the windshield frost using a spare CD case.
3: The day you have prepared for the storm and shopped ahead of time to "stay-in", is inevitably the day the sun is going to shine and you will in turn spend it filled with the false hope that Spring has sprung early for once. Have no doubts, it will storm tomorrow when you have depleted your survival supply of Salsa and chips and will then have to brave the elements anyway to restock your shelves.
4: You've witnessed a woman wearing a winter grade hoody and coat on top only to look down and see the dreaded winter feet(sans the care and polish standard in summer months)sporting flip flops. What internal temperature control do you have that calls for twice the clothing on top as on bottom? Bring on the common cold!
5: Your morning and evening commutes have turned into a life size pinball machine with a defense strategy. Not only have you learned to read the signs of a not-so-skillful driver in your midst, you've learned to duck and dodge that driver like your life (and your headlights) depend on it. The words "turn into it" are bred into into your bones and take over instinctively whenever your steering wheel and the direction of your cars travel seem to be having a disagreement. It's like the Ice Capades:Carbon County Style.
6: You have used (or have witnessed ) a sheet of mine belting or a car hood as a sled. One old rope and a few brave souls looking for a joy ride can turn a boring winter day into an afternoon full of possibilities. "Can we make that jump with all of our passengers in tow." Only one way to find out!
7: You have a neighbor that loves the sound of his snowblower so much, that he runs it for the entire duration of any "storm". Wouldn't want to let it build up enough to have to run it once or twice, no, that snow isn't settling on his driveway and your not sleeping past 5 A.M. Not on his watch!
8: You've never had a "snow day" at school. That's sissy stuff us Utahns don't understand. As long as that bus can muster through the snow banks(and it always does), you're going! Deal with it.
9: For the next 5+ months of permafrost you have more room for the leftovers of family dinners due to your porch now doubling as a cooler. Pro: spotting whose house to "stop in for a visit" at based on the crate of cold Coors sitting next to the front door. Con: having someone help themselves to said crate of suds without the offer to share. Risky perk!
10: Having the knowledge that if you do find yourself frustrated with the current conditions, just wait five minutes. Carbon County weather is nothing if not fickle! Might as well keep the ball gloves next to the snow gloves just in case...anything's possible in Utah.
No comments:
Post a Comment