You may or may not be aware, but Portland is presently enduring an epic snowstorm. It all started on December 14th as we ventured to Bend for an interview. And it hasn't ceased since. It has caused headache after headache after headache. First, a backdrop. We do get snow in Portland, as seen here. And here (on Christmas, no less). And here. it's usually just not that big of a deal. The snow comes in, kind of cripples the city a bit, and melts off that same day or the next. Everything returns to normal, but you do get some hilarity before that time comes.
Why, you might ask? Well, there's this. Portland doesn't have that many plows. And doesn't use salt (we are a Green city, after all). And we have a boatload of hills. Great for pics, bad for snow. And when you mix snow/ice and hills without any salt or plows with people who don't know how to drive in snow/ice...well, that's a recipe for the following:
Portland Ice Storm -- January 16, 2007
Portland Arctic Blast 2008 -- December, 2008
But, remember, we described this storm as epic. That's because this didn't follow the typical Portland snowstorm track...instead of snowing just a little, it snowed a lot. Instead of melting immediately, it got colder. And then we got an ice storm to drop half an inch of ice on the snow (see right). And then it got colder again. Before snowing again. And getting cold again. And now, here we are 12 days later... Well, anyway, it hasn't been too kind to us, either. It made our venture to Bend quite stressful, as we thanked our lucky stars that we now have a 4-wheel drive car in our Toyota Highlander. Tina's parents have been in town, and we had to bail them out of their hotel because it was becoming unsafe for them to go back and forth. And so we've pretty much been trapped in the house given the unsafe road conditions (even if you trusted the roads, you wouldn't trust the other drivers), all save for Bruce (who has had to go to work...on the top of Marquam Hill). In order for Bruce to do this, chains had to be applied to the tires of the Highlander. Oh what fun...
So, with all of this odd weather, we've really gotten to experience Portland/Oregon ineptitude. Three days ago they had to close down I-5 to plow. At rush hour. Local roads have ice ruts everywhere from the mild thawing and then refreezing. Since no salt is used, mountainous molehills of ice surround all manhole covers from their melting/refreeze that prevents the rare plow from being able to plow.
All in all, we've stayed safe. We're all pretty stir crazy and eager for the upcoming warm spell. Never again will we complain of the winter rain here -- at least you can travel in that. It has made for a White Christmas -- once again it snowed on Christmas day here.
And since this is an epic snow/ice storm here in Portland, of course we have some photos. Who do you think we are? But, keep in mind all these images were taken before the most recent bout of 4-6 inches of snow followed by another layer of ice...
Winter Landscapes off Fanno Creek Trail
Tina -- even benched when the game has been canceled...1/2'' Ice Layer
Snow Berries, Anyone?
Nile's first foray with (but not in) snow
1) Still a great jumper in the snow; 2) Father & Son
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2 comments:
I hope those people had good insurance. I mean, after you hit the first five cars/objects, you would think you would just leave the car wherever it is, give up and walk home.
In the first video, the person kept hitting the accelerator instead of the brake. And Jeet, it's not like you're dealing with people who have any clue what's going on here.
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