Storm Watch 2008

ARCTIC BLAST

One of the many weather stories Portlanders tell is that of the annual (sometimes biannual) snowstorm. They say that when the snow falls the city shuts down. This is quite the understatement. After a couple of hours of the fluffy stuff falling from the sky, the authorities were on DEFCON 1 and local news stations moved to 24 hour coverage. With one inch of snow on the roads, they started requiring chains on the freeways. CHAINS.

Don't get me wrong, the weather is really bad. It was in the 20s with wind chill in the single digits and as the day progressed the roads became quite icy. I certainly wasn't planning on driving anywhere! But come on. I'm literally watching a press conference with the mayor right now telling people to check on your neighbors and talking about crew fatigue (road clearing crews I guess). He might be surprised to find out that similar weather conditions are quite common in a wide swath of the country for about 6 months a year in a phenomenon known as WINTER. Like my hometown of Montana for example, which had a high temperature yesterday of -10 degrees. And my 82 year old grandma was out going about her business like it ain't no thing. The schools in Portland are closed today. In my 18 year educational upbringing in Montana they closed the schools EXACTLY ONCE, in 1989, when it was -40 degrees with a windchill of -80 degrees.

(Wow, I actually just found a website to verify that outrageous claim! Check out #4 on this page of "Top 10 Montana Weather Events in the 20th Century" Also note the blurb about the train explosion which occurred about 6 blocks from my house and shut down power to most of the town) http://www.weathermatrix.net/education/century/mt.txt

Anyway, I'll stop with the ranting and teasing now. Let me move onto my next point which is IT IS BEEEEE-YOUUUTIFUL! I have a bunch of pictures at the end of this little photo essay.

My best friend Inga was in town from Phoenix and we had a very fun time walking all around the city, doing some Christmas shopping, eating, drinking, and just catching up. We hung out with my other best buddy Deana who lives here- we've all been super close since 5th grade so it's awesome to spend time together. Inga really got to experience a range of weather while she was here- sun, rain, and snow!

Friday:

We picked her up at the airport in the morning and it was pouring rain. But later that afternoon the sun came out so we grabbed our coats and headed out.

Inga (left) and Deana (right) on the North Park Blocks

Me and Deana stridin' it out

Posing at a random Christmas tree

Blue sky down by the river

It started raining hard again, so we took the streetcar home

Saturday:

Deana had to work so Inga, me, and Zach bundled up and hit the streets

This was another rainy day. We're in Jameson Park here.

Deana came over and we had a little party that night

Which of course lead to karaoke/interpretive dancing

Sunday:

When the snow started falling yesterday morning we threw on our swimsuits and went up to the hot tub which is on the very exposed and freezing cold roof.

After that, we dried off and headed out for a hot breakfast

My hair demonstrates the blustery wind

This was right after Zach threw a snowball at my head (on "accident"... riiiight)

Same place the umbrella picture was taken the day before

A snowy scene at the South Park Blocks downtown

Oh, one last story. So Saturday when Inga, Zach, and I were out shopping we encountered a spontaneous outbreak of the Electric Slide at Whole Foods. Let me set the scene: we are at Whole Foods, and a line of people are suddenly doing the electric slide.

Yes, I joined in. Yes, Zach took a cell phone video.

(if that doesn't work, try this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHN7IKcIZmU)