Tuesday, February 1, 2011

4 days, 6 hours, 10 minutes, 58 seconds

This winter wonderland is getting old. We apparently got over 70 inches of snow in January...the most on record. It’s also been unusually cold. Paul and I have often been walking in negative Fahrenheit temps. Single digit positives have been normal. This morning was a balmy (and, I must admit, rather beautiful) 16°F (-9°C) in more snowfall. We’ve all been looking forward to a change in the weather. Tomorrow we’re going to get it. A vicious ice storm.

But I rise above all this. The groaning roof rafters, the ice dams along the eaves, the magical shrinking driveway, the slippery roads, the terrible footing, the canceled parties, the malfunctioning furnaces. I philosophically snap my fingers at all this. Because assuming an open airport Saturday morning (mere contemptible “snow showers” currently predicted), I’m finally hauling my fat, pasty, frostbitten, chilblained New England self off to New Zealand.

Where it is summer.

4 comments:

Phreerunner said...

You'll have a great time, Mark. It'll be interesting to follow your journey - I expect you know there are lots of internet cafes in NZ, and the hostels all have internet facilities. Our blog actually started as a way of keeping in touch with family and friends on a two month trip to NZ. Good luck!
Meanwhile.... here in Ottawa they have had very little snow this winter, and the ski trails could do with a big 'dump'!

Mark Renhaus said...

Looking forward to your updates and experiencing summer vicariously through you. You picked a good winter for the trip!

Alan Sloman said...

Seventy inches???

All you would see would be my bald spot!

The feeling of sunshine on the back of your neck seems like a fantasy at the mnoment here in England - it's gloomy leaden skies and cold damp winds here.

Just had two filings - so no lunch yet either! Woe is me!

Mark Alvarez said...

Martin, I'll arrange to have a little of our snow transferred up there. Then I can get out of my driveway. Sounds like you're having a great time. My posts, alas, will not be Banfieldesque, but I'll do my best.

Marty, I'll send you a picture of green grass and blue skies. If I can get a flight out of Connecticut.

Alan, a writer here joked the other day that the governor had declared it was unsafe for anyone under 5 feet to go outside. It's curiously comforting to know you're having depressing weather, too. But dental work? It's just too much!