I hate winter

[Jess from VA]

Late last night, above freezing, it started to rain, then turned to freezing rain, then to snow.  The sun melted it into ice.  And now it's gonna drop down into the 20s and blow over 20mph all day.

I just got in from getting the ice off the truck, scraping the glass/mirrors and prying the doors open before it turns onto one block of ice.  And knocking what I could off things that may break or fall over from heavy ice and wind.  My gloved hands froze anyway.

I'm not driving unless I have too and the road salt and chemicals will be everywhere.

Teens tonight and the next two days.   

Only the coffee is good.   

[Hook#3287]

Jess, it's not al bad, you got a warm place to sleep and food in a fridge, right?

As I get older, winter doesn't hold the charm it used to have for me, as in skiing and snowmobile use, but I do enjoy the slow down of life and the clean fresh look a snow storm provides.

I still get out quad riding in the snow and on frozen lakes once in a while and although I don't ice fish, some buddies do and I go for the food and party.

[0leman]

I do feel your pain.  BUT this year in Southern OR, we have had a great first part of December and winter up till now.  Temps at night in the upper teens or lower 20's and day time up over 50.   Lots of sun.  Nicest December that I can remember since we moved her 15 years ago.  Yes,  I have been able to go on some rides.

BUT that is due to change starting tomorrow.  So, possibility have had my last ride for the year.

[scooperhsd]

I too don't really care for winter anymore either (I was never really fond of it, but my dislike grows as I get older). Last night in KC was single digits, but fortunately little to none wintery precipitation at my location. Even if you gave me free tickets to goto Arrowhead stadium (to watch the Chiefs play the Chargers), I'd give them back to you and watch the game on the TV.

[Jess from VA]

Jess, it's not all bad, you got a warm place to sleep and food in a fridge, right?

Yes I do Bill.  I pay attention to weather and am all stocked up.  And never go to stores on crowded weekends around here.

I could never understand ice fishing.  I have ice in my fridge and don't need to catch any.  

Growing up on an island in Michigan, guys would go out on the ice and erect their little tents or shanties, then the ice would break up and they'd float out into Lake Erie (completely unaware hunkered down inside) and have to be rescued by the Coast Guard.    

The good news is the full sun is doing a better job than I thought at melting the ice, even in subfreezing high winds.

My little house is pretty tight, but in this weather my furnace is chugging and rolling the gas meter.  

Another funny thing is my neighbor across the street comes out in sweatpants and a Tshirt and clears his wife's car of ice and snow so she can go to work (the wind chill is brutal).  He does that all the time, and never wears a coat.  I think maybe he's an alien.  

 

[old2soon]

     Wuz 5 here this morning Earlier. Ross wuz at -5 and where Doc and Terry live wuz -10!! Here it's up to 16 right now. Sposed to be in the mid 50s come tuesday. The car fired right up this A M and I went to Church.  Jess last I checked it Are WINTER! Cold and Snow and Ice part of the dealy with WINTER!  By 22 Dec we be gainin daylight back! Ever since my time in the tropics-U S Navy and Nam-I no longer handle winter like I used ta did!  RIDE SAFE, P S plenty of food and alcohol on hand fer "emergencies"!

[sandy]

Here in Mesa, AZ, it’s so cold, I have to wear socks under my sandals.

[LadyDraco]

It's  really not that bad..  Today feels  like  a  nice dry cold.
    I walk bare  foot  in the  snow.Nothing more invigorating.

Hell it was 10* when I  started the  tractor  and put hay out.



I agree what my Mum use to say.
You have  food? are ya  warm and  dry , ya have  a roof  over your head.

Everything else  is  the  small stuff...

[POPS 57]

- 25 last night here in northern M.N. But it's a dry cold. This is going to make good hard water for ice fishing.

[Jess from VA]

- 25 last night here in northern M.N. But it's a dry cold. This is going to make good hard water for ice fishing.

Wuz 5 here this morning Earlier. Ross wuz at -5 and where Doc and Terry live wuz -10!! Here it's up to 16 right now.

Growing up on a MI island, I know what real cold is in our northern territory.

But after 35 years in VA, I'm not used to it.

And I'm an old man and given to whining.  

[old2soon]

     With the onset of these LESS than Ideal riding conditions settlin in I fear P M S season IS Here!!  Course curse it Do HAPPEN every year bout this here time!  RIDE SAFE.

[Hook#3287]

I could never understand ice fishing.

Like I stated, I'm in it for the food and party

A theory I came up with years ago is 90% of the guys out on the ice are married.  For the most part I'm sticking to it. (Honey, I'm going ice fishing, you want to go?)

With the right gear on, a sunny day on the ice is pretty cool, both literally and figuratively.

[cookiedough]

yah, really need to get UP and OUT ice fishing now that the cold snap came and most bays are frozen safe 3-5 inches of ice.  get me some exercise...  could have yesterday but 5 degrees out discouraged me..

One thing for sure, my kids are going to get a TON of ice and summer fishing gear once I pass.....

[Jess from VA]

I could never understand ice fishing.

Like I stated, I'm in it for the food and party

A theory I came up with years ago is 90% of the guys out on the ice are married.  For the most part I'm sticking to it. (Honey, I'm going ice fishing, you want to go?)

With the right gear on, a sunny day on the ice is pretty cool, both literally and figuratively.

I get the food, party and friends.   

I also get the married (and good to get out of the house, especially in housebound Winter). 

I'm freezing my azz off right now, and trying to think of some reason to go wander around Walmart, but nothing comes to mind.  I'm all stocked up from the last time I did that.   

Eating, smoking tobacco and spending money is no way to fight boredom.   

[LadyDraco]

We bottomed out at -1* over night...
 

[F6Dave]

That can't be right. I constantly hear that the planet is burning up, and we need to stop riding our gas-guzzling Valks to cool it down.

Here out west it wasn't too bad today. I rode to lunch and only had to endure temps in the mid-60s. Didn't even turn the heated grips on.

[Jersey mike]

I hate winter too, it’s never been my favorite time of year.

Just yesterday we had our first snowstorm (7” on top of 2” of slush) of the season and the township definitely dropped the ball on salting and plowing. Usually the twp goes overboard with salt the day before and this time nothing and the plows didnt show up until very late innthe afternoon and only a single pass. Over night everything on the streets froze making a nightmare to get out of the neighborhood.

Yesterday took me 4 hours, the longest it ever has to clear everything and help a few neighbors. I’m getting too old for this stuff. Thankfully my 25 year old Honda 7/24 snowblower still gets the job done.

[LadyDraco]

Yeah NJ and Pa.(northeastern part)
Make  more ice than snow...
I hated PA. weather...

[scooperhsd]

The only thing about winter I like is that it eventually ends....

[Rams]

For those interested, I will be hosting an event 1 January, 2026
The event is titled:  Get a Tan while you can.
Bring your sun screen.
Aftêr this we’ll go for a ride on New Year’s Day.

Both events will happen come rain or shine.

Let me know in this thread who’s coming.

EDITED:  A special invite to Jess!!

Rams.  

[Jess from VA]

Thank you Ron, but 13 hours is (well) beyond my limits.  

[cookiedough]

I hate winter too, it’s never been my favorite time of year.

Just yesterday we had our first snowstorm (7” on top of 2” of slush) of the season and the township definitely dropped the ball on salting and plowing. Usually the twp goes overboard with salt the day before and this time nothing and the plows didnt show up until very late innthe afternoon and only a single pass. Over night everything on the streets froze making a nightmare to get out of the neighborhood.

Yesterday took me 4 hours, the longest it ever has to clear everything and help a few neighbors. I’m getting too old for this stuff. Thankfully my 25 year old Honda 7/24 snowblower still gets the job done.

got u beat,  no joke have a 1974 on 2nd engine though, Sears homelite 5hp I call it OLD BLUE.  It is now officially 51 years old and still going strong.  Last snowstorm did bust off the neutral indicator metal bar tab though nothing lasts forever. Just be a tad bit harder to find neutral since has to be in neutral to shift from ONLY 1 forward gear and 1 reverse gear is all it has.  Has a HUGE wide chute less clogs in heavy snow,  NO safety features and is tall but NOT as wide as the newer ones about 22 inches wide so handles big snowstorms better.  My mother in law got it as her last christmas present from late husband who died in 1975 from a rare blood/bone disease or something like that uncurable and very rare. She took care of that snowblower waxing it by hand every year still have very little rust on it but am sure parts are no longer found if broke.

[Oss]

2 weeks here in cancun.......  Don't hate me, have to use those timeshare weeks or lose them

only 87 degrees yesterday but a cold  wind   call it 84 degrees

can not wait to get back to Ossining where it snowed and turned to ice
like Jess' street.

Still work an hour or so every day but retirement sure is looking better every time we go away

[Jersey mike]

2 weeks here in cancun.......  Don't hate me, have to use those timeshare weeks or lose them

only 87 degrees yesterday but a cold  wind   call it 84 degrees

can not wait to get back to Ossining where it snowed and turned to ice
like Jess' street.

Still work an hour or so every day but retirement sure is looking better every time we go away

Enjoy the fruits of your labor, it’s seems you’ve earned it. 

[scooperhsd]

One thing about retirement - with all you have to do, you'll wonder how you ever managed to do it all while working 

[F6Dave]

Actually I don't mind winter, mainly because I still ski. It's about the only reason I haven't left Colorado -- yet. It helps keep me in shape, and whenever I get on a lift I'm still stunned by the scenery. There's a different perspective when looking at the Rockies from 12,000 feet. This picture is from the top of Aspen Highlands while skiing with my son. We're looking at Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Bells.

[carolinarider09]

One thing about retirement - with all you have to do, you'll wonder how you ever managed to do it all while working 

 

[Jersey mike]

Actually I don't mind winter, mainly because I still ski. It's about the only reason I haven't left Colorado -- yet. It helps keep me in shape, and whenever I get on a lift I'm still stunned by the scenery. There's a different perspective when looking at the Rockies from 12,000 feet. This picture is from the top of Aspen Highlands while skiing with my son. We're looking at Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Bells.

Winter sports and I never got along, but I have to say that’s a great photo.

I can admire the snow covered mountains from a nice warm seat and that’s good enough for me, however I have wanted to try some snowmobiling from time to time, it does look like fun.

[Jersey mike]

One thing about retirement - with all you have to do, you'll wonder how you ever managed to do it all while working 

 

Ain’t that the truth. 

[Jess from VA]

I was never much of a water or snow skier.

But I could do some magnificent wipe-outs.   

The first time I went down a big hill on skis, I thought "how hard can this be?", and just tucked down and went straight down the hill, then through some trees at the bottom (barely managing to miss them), and clear out into a parking lot.

Jess, the reason people go back and forth down the hill is to control the speed, and have a longer run, and have fun.  Not terror. 

Good idea.     

[cookiedough]

what a view in colorado, am jealous not only on the scenery but the fact you can still downhill ski.

Last time I went skiing was age 38, now 55, and tried doing a mini jump on fake snow my skiis stuck hard and did a front entire FACE dive into shaved ice fake snow.  Took my entire skin off my face bleeding all the way down the rest of the hill people looking at me funny.  Was done for the day and have not attempted it since although was fun day prior to the accident.

am sure I can still downhill ski but am reluctant to attempt it again been skiing only about 7xs in my life but only took me 2-3 hours to get the hang of it.  I still cannot do jumps or moguls but not going to try that for sure anymore.

[LadyDraco]

Thank Goodness our snow doesn't turn in to ice....
  It's 37*  this morning   
Should get a good snow melt down.. My plow piles are still around..
I will say they do keep the main and aux roads clear around here.

[Jess from VA]

Tracy, for way downstate VA, you sure get some cold and weather;  I'm curious what your elevation is on your farm?

Finally, 50s for two days, then 60 Friday.  Will be a muddy mess with the melt off.

If the roads aren't still crap, I may even get the bike out Friday. 

[F6Dave]

what a view in colorado, am jealous not only on the scenery but the fact you can still downhill ski.

Last time I went skiing was age 38, now 55, and tried doing a mini jump on fake snow my skiis stuck hard and did a front entire FACE dive into shaved ice fake snow.  Took my entire skin off my face bleeding all the way down the rest of the hill people looking at me funny.  Was done for the day and have not attempted it since although was fun day prior to the accident.

am sure I can still downhill ski but am reluctant to attempt it again been skiing only about 7xs in my life but only took me 2-3 hours to get the hang of it.  I still cannot do jumps or moguls but not going to try that for sure anymore.

In some ways skiing is similar to motorcycling. You can quickly accelerate to scary speeds, then slow to a crawl (or anything in between) with just a few quick turns. Here in the Rockies you can find deserted slopes as wide as a football field and miles long. That lets you go as fast or slow as you want, turn when and where you want, and stop wherever you want, all while surrounded by spectacular scenery. I consider myself blessed to still be doing this after 70.

But I can't compare to Klaus Obermeyer, an engineer who came to the US from Germany in the 40s and founded Obermeyer Sports in Aspen. He just turned 106, and there are videos online of him skiing at 99 years old, and doing it quite well.

[Jess from VA]

I consider myself blessed to still be doing this after 70.

Awesome Dave.   

I do an hour on my treadmill every morning at 2.5 mph.

It's boring (even with with good music), and the view out my picture window isn't mountains.     (72)

[LadyDraco]

Tracy, for way downstate VA, you sure get some cold and weather;  I'm curious what your elevation is on your farm?

Finally, 50s for two days, then 60 Friday.  Will be a muddy mess with the melt off.

If the roads aren't still crap, I may even get the bike out Friday. 

The house set at 3600'
the top of my mountain is around  4000'

[Jess from VA]

Tracy, for way downstate VA, you sure get some cold and weather;  I'm curious what your elevation is on your farm?

Finally, 50s for two days, then 60 Friday.  Will be a muddy mess with the melt off.

If the roads aren't still crap, I may even get the bike out Friday.  

The house set at 3600'
the top of my mountain is around  4000'

I thought that was the case.

I sit around 38 feet.  

[LadyDraco]

50 mph winds  are to show up today later  in the  afternoon.
While maintaining a speed of around 30 mph

[f6john]

YESTERDAY! It got up to 59 degrees which was a welcome relief. It was busy day for me, otherwise is would have pulled the cover off the bike and went for a ride. Best I could accomplish was to roll the truck window down while making my rounds.

[Jess from VA]

With the ice finally gone, should be warm enough today to wash my big 2500 Promaster van.

At 8'6" it won't fit in any car wash, and I prefer to do it myself anyway.

I'll have to crawl under the kitchen cabinet sink to turn the hose bib back on (then off).

Now if I can manage to not fall off my 12" step ladder life will be good.  The roof gets really crummy and I can never see it without the ladder. 

Some winters I can mostly leave my 3 hose bibs open, but not this winter.