Ever since I got here last week, it's been unusually cold, clear, and sunny in Portland. Except for the first day, which was overcast and foggy, I've gotten to see wonderful views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens, and also started getting accustomed to driving up and down and around mountains.
(Make sure to click on the pictures for close-up views.)
For the past couple of days, they've been predicting a front to come through, with a lot of wind and freezing rain, and perhaps some snow. People here tell me this is not common weather for Portland.
While I was out driving around this afternoon, big white, fluffy flakes mixed with frozen rain started to fall. I stopped at Starbucks to pick up a Peppermint Mocha and then got off the roads.
We had a good, steady snowfall for a couple of hours. Now the streets, trees, cars, and rooftops are covered with snow.
Since my initial bout of culture shock is passing, I am starting to appreciate what a fascinating place Portland is. I've been feeling drawn to this area for a couple of years, and it was thus a logical place for me to relocate to after the hurricane.
Because I'd never been here (that's right, I moved here sight unseen), I had no real idea what I was getting into. I've already been having quite a few deja vu-type experiences, although I'm not sure what meaning to put on that. I am looking forward to seeing how my relationship with this area develops as I continue to settle in and settle down.
The final installment of my all-time favorite comic strip, "Calvin and Hobbes", showed the characters sledding down a hill, the world sparkling with new-fallen snow. Calvin's final line to his tiger pal was, "It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy. Let's go exploring!"
looks and sounds nice where you are :)
what exactly drew you to that area...do you know?
Posted by: marlaine | Monday, December 19, 2005 at 07:22 PM