I’m currently adapting to the general hysteria surrounding this several day snow storm. Coming from some of the coldest places in the United States, I’m not used to entire cities basically shutting down over a few inches of snow. Sure, some people are taking it in stride. Some people are out to enjoy it (they are probably from California), but most people act like they cannot even leave their own home. People are for the most part avoiding driving. I actually think this is a very smart plan. Seattle only has about 35 snow plows for the entire city.  So the streets stay slick, the snow melts and then freezes, unthaws and freezes again. It’s actually quite stressful to walk on a bed of ice on all the sidewalks, either that or three inches of mucky brown slush. Work has been cancelled. Businesses all across town are closed. Some of them close prematurely, incase of impending doom. The one think that has me in giggles is the rush on the grocery stores. All stores seem to be out of the most basic food items, bread, vegetables and meat. Everyone stormed the stores early this week to fill their cupboards, It’s almost apocalyptic in nature. A kind man at the Westlake Whole Foods managed to scrounge around and find one frozen loaf of bread for me. I owe him my firstborn. Without those grilled cheese sandwiches later on I would not have lasted the night. Surely I would have froze to death, with my naked rat terrier shivering beside me. On the lighter side, I do believe this epic snowstorm of a few inches of white powder has really brought this somewhat reserved city together. We help the elderly across streets, and find the last frozen bread loaf for a hungry blonde girl who has no idea what to make of it all.

From Left To Write: Dwayne The Rock Johnson, and the Rest of Us

Somehow the gods arranged a beautiful weekend outdoors a week ago. The weather was perfect and sunny and only a few clouds speckled the sky. My company was a solid group of climbers who embraced everything with a carefree attitude. The first day we did some sport pitches. The second day I took them up to Pearly Gates. I try to go there at least once every summer. It’s a trad climbers mecca. A burly hike on gritty, narrow climbers trails gets you nestled along a mountainside filled with granite slabs. Cracks for days! We also found the a brilliant camping spot along Icicle Creek with pristine views, right along a sandy beach. If all this could happen again soon I would be a happy camper. Hee hee.