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I wish the very
best joyful holiday for you and yours. Please don't drink and drive.
Aortal
Link: NORAD Tracks Santa
I won't soon forget the sounds.
All through the night I hardly slept. At
first I thought it was electric transformers blowing up ... especially when the power
went off for good about 2:45AM. I came to realize later it was a war zone.
Ice waged a battle with trees all night
long. Crrrackkk ... like a shotgun. Then a moment later, limbs and branches of every
shape and size crashing to the ground. The explosions were the worst. Yes, explosions.
Trees were literally exploding from their core ... unable to support the awesome weight.
Daylight revealed the utter devastation.
One of the things I like most about the Raleigh/Durham area is the wonderfully forested
environs. The natural woods and the planned landscaping here are simply stunning. Last
night and today, ice did more to ruin the beauty than the fiercest hurricane.
What remained standing had an eerie
beauty of its own. The glistening silver and white shrouded hardwoods that stood bowed,
but not broken, belied the carnage that was wreaked upon the pine and pear.
I am extremely fortunate to have power
tonight. Several hundred thousand in this area still do not, and many will not, for a
couple more days. The wreckage is horrible.
My cable Internet connection is down.
Big deal. If that's the worst thing that happens to me, I am very lucky. I've used
dial-up before.
The poor trees have it a lot worse. They
lost this war. They didn't even stand a chance. It is very, very sad. And it isn't over
yet. The ice is still there ... the temp will remain in the twenties tonight ...
many more trees will snap and crash. The beauty will be sorely missed.
I took a lot of pictures today. If you
are truly curious about the aftermath of an ice storm, feel free to
take a look. Most of the photos are in the
130-180K range, so a broadband connection is recommended. Several were taken through
a moving car windshield, but you will get the general idea. Truly a
heart-breaking day.
Well, that sucked.
I just spent an even three hours staring
at the back of the car in front of me. Judging by the stickers, they support our troops
and apparently like Barenaked Ladies. The drive
home from work is ten miles and normally takes 20 minutes.
In case you hadn't heard, the first nasty
winter storm of the season has inched its way northeastward and arrived in the
Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina about 2:00 this afternoon. The business where
I'm working closed their offices at 3:00 and sent everyone home.
The first hour the precipitation was
snow ... I saw every flake in the half mile I progressed. The 2nd hour it changed
to rain and sleet as I moved about another half mile. Things really started hopping
the final hour as I managed the final nine miles. You come to appreciate moving.
My guess is a couple things were going
on.
People around here apparently can't
drive a lick when the road surfaces get a little challenging. That could make for a
looonnnggg winter.
And ... too many cars ... not enough
highway. This area has grown faster than the infrastructure.
I learned today to have concern about
a disaster occuring in this area. If there were a nuclear plant accident or severe
hurricane, evacuation would be a nightmare. Need to keep that in mind should I choose
to stay here.
The weather is supposed to get even
worse overnight with as much as an inch of ice ... not snow ... ice. I think I'll go
to bed tonight with plenty of blankets and candles handy.
Aortal
Link: Advanced Snow
Driving Skills
On Sunday I put a wreath on the door.
Yesterday, I set up a little Christmas
tree, peeking out the living room window for all the golfers to see.
So today it must be time to redecorate
the web site.
Nothing to say really ... just changing
the wrapper.
Oh ... supposed to be an ice storm here
tomorrow. Here's hoping it doesn't get too bad. I've seen photos of ice storms around
this area in previous years. Not a pretty sight.
Aortal
Link: Earth Pilgrim
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