Well how are you enjoying winter so far?
We are halfway through January and I am going crazy trying to figure how to dress. Today I’m dressing for a rainstorm.
The forecast is for ice pellets by evening. So far there is no mention of snow of any account and that’s pretty bad news for our ski industry.
I’m not a fan of winter but this is ridiculous. Is it winter or is it spring? It can’t be both in the middle of January. It’s so bad today that even the dog won’t go out.
My mother used to say, “The weather is not fit for man nor beast so let your father go.” At least that’s how I remember it!
I know we often have a January thaw to help break up the ongoing snow days but this isn’t quite what I had in mind for a midwinter break.
Today it’s pouring rain. There’s absolutely no snow left on the lawns or on the golf course out the back of our home.
Up on the ski hills where crowds on the weekend should be gathering, there is hardly a soul in the area. I’m sure those tourists who booked for the weekend are warmly tucked up in their rooms trying to keep dry as they look longingly out at the ski hills.
Our visitors certainly aren’t skiing unless it’s water skiing. The joys of living in tourist country! So much relies on the whim of Mother Nature and she isn’t cooperating this year.
I know I get disgruntled with the tourist invasions each week but it is our financial blood supply and the inconvenience we face is but part of the price we pay to live here on a permanent basis. Most of our visitors are great people, well-behaved, and here to enjoy what we are privileged to experience on a daily basis.
Meanwhile, our visitors will have to tough it out and pray for the rain to stop and the snow to fall. If the temperature dropped then the snowmaking machinery could go into full fabrication to make some of our runs operational.
As I look out the window, I see cars with their ski racks heading the wrong direction as they flee the terrible weather we are experiencing. Passing the local movie theatre, the parking lot is jammed for the Saturday matinee. Skiing may be out but movie theatres and Georgian Bowl thrive on bad weather. I noticed too that the local restaurants are overflowing as well.
It’s amazing how people adapt to bad weather. Can’t ski? Let’s eat! Let’s go bowling! What’s on at the movie theatre?
Meanwhile, I’m going out to celebrate a birthday with family. However, we are heading a little south of the ski area so we can be sure of a table. Sometimes knowing the local area has its bonuses.
Anticipating the eventual return of winter, Kent Walton can be reached at [email protected].
