The Coffee House

[sm4him]

You have to consider that most people in your area probably don't have real snow tires. These things do make a difference. I drove one rural road recently before I changed from all-weather to winter, after a snowfall, and even with careful driving, it was difficult to keep a line on curves and stop when you wanted to. Same road, with winter tires, and under similar conditions - huge difference in control and ability to stop. Of course, if people people drive in the passing lane at 20 mph, then they deserve the vitriol they get.

No - we just can't handle the stuff. We really are a southern city and don't get that much snow. Our counties run out of salt before the season is over; our schools decide to open, then decide to close while many of the kids are still in transit; and when we decide to close things (government offices) early due to weather, we close them all at the same time so everyone can play in the same slushbox at the same time.

It could always be worse--you could live in my neck of the woods when it starts to snow! DC drivers are "old pros" at it compared to the majority of Knoxvillians.
And, I'll admit it, I am one of the snow weanies--I don't really like driving anyway, and I HATE to drive in the snow. As soon as it starts sticking to the road, I want to be at home and STAY at home.
But, in my defense, I do just that instead of contributing to the problems with all the rest of the snowdiots on the road (that's idiots in the snow, in case you missed it...).
My brother and my sister don't mind driving in it, so I can always get one of them to pick me up if I really need to do something (OR I can take the bus, if they're running!).

why I set this up years ago (and it is still going). Lot of time (thought) and some money went into this. Doesn't look like much but this is pretty much setup just for snow. It was my main driveway plow rig. 90k miles fifteen years old it comes out when the snow flys. lockers, rv tranny coolers, front suspension beefed up, high output alternator, 10 ply tires, the black on the sides is rhino liner keeps the metal from creasing. After blowing the ujoints and transmission issue i had those feefed up too. Every year it gets dented in along the bottom from going through snow and ice banks and i bang the dents out with a rubber mallet (rhino liner saves that creasing in the metal). View attachment 92695 in the tool box is recovery straps , chain, spare hydraulic hoses, fluid, sockets, pry bars, pretty much anything i think i might need.

Yeah, but the thing is…I do not WANT to live anywhere where it makes sense to HAVE something like that.
Or where the air hurts my face.

I want to live where I get spring, fall and summer. Mostly spring and summer. Maybe two weeks of winter, and ONE snow, 2 inches would be plenty. And I'd prefer to only have it around for two days, max. Then back to 60s or 70s.
I don't want to move as far away as California, so moving in with Gary and his wife (or Jacaranda and his wife) isn't an option. Florida is really my best bet. But they have cockroaches there the size of a small dog.

 

[bribrius]

Nice-looking rig!

It is old now.
i had a couple when i was really into the snow removal thing. It isn't so much nice looking it isn't setup for looks just a boring looking truck. Doesn't even have power windows. I really don't even care how many dents are even in it it has been dented, gone through a couple windshields from tree branches, snapped the gear linkage, blow universals, blown rear end etc. etc. etc. totally about utility. Put the money where it mattered. week after i bought that thing i had it in and stripped right down to the frame with the local rhino liner dealer going to town on it and undercoat. 2k just in rhino and undercoat and that was back THEN. Add up everything else probably 8k in it just in making sure when the snow flies it works. It was for commercial resi plowing and small access roads though. When other people are counting on you to get out you kind of have to think a certain way. It is retired now. Just plows my driveways and some immediate family.

 

[KenC]

Morning, hosers. Feeling almost 100% by now, fortunately, because it's 22 F out, which is supposed to be the high for tomorrow. I know, it's nothing compared to the northern Midwest or much of Canada, and it's not even that unusual for here in January, but we haven't had a week of 20-something highs yet, so we get to gripe. Otherwise, things are pretty slow at work. I think everyone is just back from holidays and not geared up to throw much at me.

 

[Gary A.]

You have to consider that most people in your area probably don't have real snow tires. These things do make a difference. I drove one rural road recently before I changed from all-weather to winter, after a snowfall, and even with careful driving, it was difficult to keep a line on curves and stop when you wanted to. Same road, with winter tires, and under similar conditions - huge difference in control and ability to stop. Of course, if people people drive in the passing lane at 20 mph, then they deserve the vitriol they get.

No - we just can't handle the stuff. We really are a southern city and don't get that much snow. Our counties run out of salt before the season is over; our schools decide to open, then decide to close while many of the kids are still in transit; and when we decide to close things (government offices) early due to weather, we close them all at the same time so everyone can play in the same slushbox at the same time.

It could always be worse--you could live in my neck of the woods when it starts to snow! DC drivers are "old pros" at it compared to the majority of Knoxvillians.
And, I'll admit it, I am one of the snow weanies--I don't really like driving anyway, and I HATE to drive in the snow. As soon as it starts sticking to the road, I want to be at home and STAY at home.
But, in my defense, I do just that instead of contributing to the problems with all the rest of the snowdiots on the road (that's idiots in the snow, in case you missed it...).
My brother and my sister don't mind driving in it, so I can always get one of them to pick me up if I really need to do something (OR I can take the bus, if they're running!).

why I set this up years ago (and it is still going). Lot of time (thought) and some money went into this. Doesn't look like much but this is pretty much setup just for snow. It was my main driveway plow rig. 90k miles fifteen years old it comes out when the snow flys. lockers, rv tranny coolers, front suspension beefed up, high output alternator, 10 ply tires, the black on the sides is rhino liner keeps the metal from creasing. After blowing the ujoints and transmission issue i had those feefed up too. Every year it gets dented in along the bottom from going through snow and ice banks and i bang the dents out with a rubber mallet (rhino liner saves that creasing in the metal). View attachment 92695 in the tool box is recovery straps , chain, spare hydraulic hoses, fluid, sockets, pry bars, pretty much anything i think i might need.

Yeah, but the thing is…I do not WANT to live anywhere where it makes sense to HAVE something like that.
Or where the air hurts my face.

I want to live where I get spring, fall and summer. Mostly spring and summer. Maybe two weeks of winter, and ONE snow, 2 inches would be plenty. And I'd prefer to only have it around for two days, max. Then back to 60s or 70s.
I don't want to move as far away as California, so moving in with Gary and his wife (or Jacaranda and his wife) isn't an option. Florida is really my best bet. But they have cockroaches there the size of a small dog.

That's not entirely true. Moving in with JacaRanda is always an option.

 

[snerd]

Norther moving through this morning. 25 degrees, but the wind is gusting to 40mph. I'm driving up to OKC in it to see my orthopedic surgeon today for my shoulder. Heading to fire up the coffee maker right now!

 

[bribrius]

heat wave. we just hit 12 degrees. says we are going down to minus 13 tonight. suppose it doesn't really matter though not like i am going anywhere tonight. i cant picture myself doing night time ocean pics at minus 13 (probably -40 with wind chill) i really don't have that type of dedication.

 

[snerd]

Damn! -13 is a tad chilly! Keep the fires stoked!

 

[Gary A.]

Actually Sharon, you'll would love California. Firstly, cool nights, 20 and sometimes as much as 30 degree difference between day and night. In winter, snow is an hour away. Today will be in the 70's and if I want snow ... an hour away. No tropical sized insects. In California is the tallest peak in the CONUS, Mt. Whitney. From Mt. Whitney you can you look down to the lowest spot in North America, Death Valley. The most beautiful spot in the world is (arguably of course) Yosemite, the most scenic highway in the world is California's Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). The oldest trees in the world live in California, Bristlecone Pines and the tallest/largest trees, Sequoias are here. (There is an entire valley overflowing with Sequoias, in the early morning shrouded by fog, a walk amongst these giants, hundreds of feet tall, brings a whole new meaning to life and self awareness.) The largest creature ever to roam our Earth swims off California coasts, (Blue Whale) and largest bird in North America soars in our skies (California Condor). There are glaciers in our mountains and sand dunes in our deserts and possible the best weather in the world. Usually, the only place you can park is on a freeway, good luck finding affordable housing and our taxes are close to the highest in our union.

 

[Gary A.]

Buenos Dias Coffee Hosers. 52F right now at 7:00 a.m. ... supposed to hit 79F today. Kona coffee this morning.

 

[sm4him]

Actually Sharon, you'll would love California. Firstly, cool nights, 20 and sometimes as much as 30 degree difference between day and night. In winter, snow is an hour away. Today will be in the 70's and if I want snow ... an hour away. No tropical sized insects. In California is the tallest peak in the CONUS, Mt. Whitney. From Mt. Whitney you can you look down to the lowest spot in North America, Death Valley. The most beautiful spot in the world is (arguably of course) Yosemite, the most scenic highway in the world is California's Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). The oldest trees in the world live in California, Bristlecone Pines and the tallest/largest trees, Sequoias are here. (There is an entire valley overflowing with Sequoias, in the early morning shrouded by fog, a walk amongst these giants, hundreds of feet tall, brings a whole new meaning to life and self awareness.) The largest creature ever to roam our Earth swims off California coasts, (Blue Whale) and largest bird in North America soars in our skies (California Condor). There are glaciers in our mountains and sand dunes in our deserts and possible the best weather in the world. Usually, the only place you can park is on a freeway, good luck finding affordable housing and our taxes are close to the highest in our union.

Oh, I *would* love California (other than that whole cost of living thing, and the taxes, and the traffic, I mean). I've visited Santa Cruz and San Diego before, quite a few years ago. The reason California is "out" for me is because it is just too far away from family. We are a very close family, and while we don't all live in the same city anymore, we do all live within a day's drive. One brother and s-i-l in DC are the furthest away.
As long as my mom is living and my two sons are reasonably close to here, I won't entertain the notion of moving. But who knows? One of these years, the boys could easily be in more remote parts of the country (my oldest is seriously considering Oregon after he graduates next year) and at that point, I really might just up and retire to somewhere warmer.

 

[bribrius]

probably stay in maine for me and be planted here. i have already lived around the country. Maine is like a hole. you always come back.

 

[limr34 3]

I would move to Maine.

 

[Gary A.]

I had a friend from Maine who used to spend a few winters with me. We were driving up the coast around Santa Cruz and he said, "... you know we have cliffs and pine trees in Maine ... but not cliffs a 100 feet high with trees a hundred feet tall on top."

 

[minicoop1985]

Mornin, hosers. Our HIGH today is -3. Uuuuugh. It's soooo damned cold... I'm moving in with you, Gary.

 

[tirediron]

Mornin, hosers. Our HIGH today is -3. Uuuuugh. It's soooo damned cold... I'm moving in with you, Gary.

Uhh... Dude... ANYTHING with a "-" in front of it is NOT a high!