Worldwide Weather. Something to confuse us, bless us, even sometimes destroy us. "Polar Vortex".
Can we say that phrase slowly without grimacing? Not me.
We've endured at least a couple weeks (it seems, anyway) of freezing and below ZERO temperatures, ice, fog, freezing rain, and of course, ice.
NOT great weather for pedaling around town, regardless of how many layers applied to the body.
Snowbanks on each side of the streets, plowed or otherwise, leave no room for pedaling safely on the shoulder. So we mostly stayed home and tried to keep warm.
Unlike Texas and Oklahoma and a few other areas, including nearby Springfield, we NEVER lost electricity, natural gas, or water. Not much water, anyway. The small copper tubing feeding the refrigerator ice maker froze up for a couple days, so I thawed it out with low voltage high current electricity connected to each end. No leaks and the ice cleared in about a minute or two.
The outside "frost free" faucet was another story. Been here almost 3 years and never worried about exterior faucets or the normal need for disconnecting attached hoses etc. during winter months. Ours turned out to have REALLY busted from freezing. Thankfully it only leaked when turned on, since the freeze - break was outside the actual valve seat. That involved a couple trips to the hardware store and some unwelcome trips crawling under the house. All fixed OK, just in time for....
SUDDEN warm weather!! What a shock. SEVENTY degrees and sunshine the next day after a below - zero night.
So, of course, I finally was able to drag out the pedal-trike and go for a ride.
Of course our driveway was a messy mush due to the many freeze / thaw cycles it's been through with freezing rain and melting snow. So I had to drag the trike backwards through the slush to get to the street where the mostly clear pavement provided traction. (Of course I DID try pedaling the trike through the snow; no apparent traction). Rode the trike clear across town for some glorious exercise, WITHOUT a coat. I confess I was wearing a brand new flannel shirt Jacque just made for me, and it actually got a bit cool during the ride, especially when the wind was in my face, but still. After all the miserable subzero weather that seemed like it was going to never end. A couple of warmer nights followed, but still cool. Wednesday and today, Thursday, I also used the trike for a couple short trips.
But we're all familiar with Weather. No telling for sure WHAT it's going to do from hour to hour.
