1. Actual weather conditions. Not the pansy steady 80-degree stuff you can always count on in places like San Diego, CA. We have real weather: rain, snow, sleet--and a wind that'll blow right through you. It's the kind of weather that makes one appreciate an occasional vacation to places like San Diego, CA.
2. Driven snow. I used to think of it only as the snow flyin' in those white-out, white-knuckle driving situations, but the product is that beautifully drifting snow that seems too perfect to have been formed at random.
3. Extra refrigerator space. Yeah, I like storing my 2-liter soda bottles, a crockpot full of soup--or whatever else is too big or bulky to fit in my fridge--just right outside my kitchen door on my deck.
4. Cold clear water. Every summer I secretly lament the fact I don't have a water and ice machine handily provided in my refrigerator. Every winter I enjoy glasses full of ice cold water right from the tap and I am perfectly content with what I have.
5. The sense of power and pride I feel when I do the math and realize that while shoveling my walks and my driveway I have single-handedly moved literally tons of snow. You go girl!
6. White mountains. Face it. The Wasatch Front mountain range is spectacular. But those majestic mountains are even more awe-inspiring when they are dusted with white and set against a clear blue sky or the tempestuous black and grey clouds of a winter storm.
7. Slippin' and slidin'. Yeah, I'll admit it. As long as none of my impressionable kids are in the car and there are no all-seeing and all-questioning officers of the law nearby, I love to take a corner just a tad too fast and catch a little skid. But don't worry, I also keep an eye out for pedestrians and the friendly neighborhood mailbox.
8. Simple things: Stephens Gourmet Hot Cocoa, black leather gloves, wool socks, performance fleece, hot showers, down comforters, vinyl windows, a crackling fire and the proximity of other warm bodies--just to name a few.
9. The exhilaration of perfect powder. Although its been far too long since I have hit the slopes myself (this will date me, but I used to schedule my classes for M, W, and F only so I could take advantage of those $10 lift tickets at Park West, Solitude and Alta), I can still appreciate that we are blessed with the greatest snow on earth. I love seeing my kids get a rush from a great day of snowboarding. And someday I just might get brave enough (and rich enough) to tackle my favorite--the moguls--and play in the powder again.
10. Contrast. I am always amused by the fact that in the fall when it cools down to 65 we get goosebumps and go grab a jacket, but in the spring when it warms up to about 45 we do somersaults in our shirt sleeves. I'm sure that little quirk is completely lost on those poor people from San Diego.
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I spent my teenage years in Heber, on the flip side of those beautiful Wasatch mountians. Although I am really happy with the weather here in Northern CA, I miss winter. Reading your post captured all of the reasons why. Sometimes, when it gets down to 60...we will pretend it is winter and drink hot chocolate and snuggle under blankets on the couch....but it isn't the same.
We make up for it by doing what the rest of California does, we drive to the snow, or visit grandma. We buy winter coats for the kids every year just to use to visit Heber and to ski once or twice. :-)
For all its impurities, I'll take utah water over Lubbock, TX water anyday. Most people who aren't native to Lubbock buy filtered water. Those who are native, seem to all have brownish teeth by the time they are middle-aged.
I also miss the mountains, not only for the beauty, but for orientation/sense of direction.
I pretty much agree with the rest of your reasons for liking winter in Utah (even if I haven't been skiing...I've still had my thrills in the snow).
I love winter in utah as well, but winters in rexburg are much more winter-like than utah. We don't really have a lot of snow and ice and it really isn't that cold here. After living in rexburg i have gained a different perspective of utah winters.
After walking to classes in -3 degree farenheight weather not including windchill while sliding on ice an inch thick on the sidewalk, i find that utah weather is quite nice. almost like going to san diego.
When it was in the 20's i shouted hurray and put on a t-shirt and shorts. My parents came to pick me up to take all my stuff home they were very surprised to see me in a t-shirt while they were bundled up in ski coats, but it was practically a record high at 28 degrees.
Regarding #7: Did you know Julie hadn't ever done donuts in the church parkinglot until just the other day?
she giggled.
It's all relative, I guess. Californians can have "pretend" winter at 60 (I bet your kids love it, Bek!). Utahns celebrate the imminent arrival of summer at 45, and those icicles in Rexburg call 28 a scorcher (glad you're home for a bit Becks)!
One year we took the kids to San Diego the day after Christmas. We were so excited to swim in the ocean. The natives thought we were nuts, fearing it was much too cold. But having grown up thinking nothing of the frigid coastal waters in northern Oregon, I just laughed. And we had the best time!
Lyle--what impurities? We have it pretty good here in Provo anyway. I should know--the city water manager lives right across the street from me.
And, speaking of giggling over first-time adventures in Utah snow (I'm crushed you didn't call me and Lorien to join in your fun, Julie), I got a little giggle wondering about Lyle's "thrills in the snow." But don't worry, I won't ask for details!
Compulsive-
I love Provo water. Don't get me wrong. I was just differentiating between spring water (I'm not talking about the bottled water) and city water.
Who said anything about giggling in the snow? I enjoyed all the other typical snow fun, other than skiing, such as: tubing, sleding, bizzing, snow ball fights, doughnuts in church parking lots, etc.
Even though Lorien and I were neighbors, we really weren't part of the same play group cause she was a girl and I was a boy and that just would have been tacky.
I think that only those who live in a place that has all four seasons can truly appreciate wearing shorts the moment the snow melts yet you can still see your breath.
Cumpulsive-
Sorry, I misunderstood the last part of your comment about giggling. My bad.
Julie- do a doughnut for me.
The #1 reason for loving winter in any climate is nostalgia. If it is what's familiar to us from our childhood then we seem to love it. I'm not sure if I'll ever love Utah winters still being a Californian at heart. So here's to riding your shiny new bike on Christmas day, wearing a t-shirt in January, and ditching school in February during a warm spell to hit Huntington Beach. Oh yea, that's happiness.
Good point Cyn...it is what feels familiar to you. I have to say though that when I walked my daughter home from school today in the 70 degree weather, I was pretty ok about not having the winter. I also saw a really cute coat on clearance in Target and didn't buy it because, seriously, when am I going to wear a coat? ;-)
I'm sure there is comfort in familiarity, but I am a Utah transplant, so that's not what does it for me. I still remember how excited I was over my first Utah snow. Now, 25 years later, I am still that excited over snow.
Yet, while most people grab an umbrella and many complain about a rainy day, I embrace it (I grew up in Oregon, so rain is what's familiar to me). In recent years of drought I've even been known to dance in it. So, maybe that is it. I'm not overly fond of the hot, dry Utah summers, but maybe I take comfort in the grey skies of winter--whatever form of moisture they bring--because they are familiar. Thanks Cyn and Bek--that's the cheapest therapy I've ever had!
p.s. I know that sometimes tone is completely lost out in the blogosphere, so in case I left anyone wondering, I am completely serious (not sarcastic) about being grateful for being led to a change of thinking all in one simple little blog. That's kind of cool!
Okay, I have to say it. Provo water IS spring water. That's why it comes in a big pipe that comes out of the mountains (no, it's not coming from Deer Creek). They add a little chlorine just for safety sake, but that's it. And I read our water quality report every year and our water is always tip top. Some places, bottled water is a must because of flavor alone (Florida!), but around here I love our water.
And I, too, love that I don't need fridge water during the winter! The best water I've ever tasted, though, is the 54 degree-year-round spring water at my childhood cabin in Big Springs, Idaho. Mmm, mmm good. And it made your hair crazy soft when you washed in it. Talk about nostalgia!
Oh, Julie was driving my truck doing those donuts. (she said Phil would kill her if she did donuts in her van, plus front wheel drive just isn't the same) So fun to teach donuts to a friend!
Yes, doing donuts in Lorien's truck was a blast! Thanks, Lo, for teaching me what my parents never would and my brothers didn't have time to. I tried to do a donut later in my van, but it just didn't work with the all-wheel drive and the anti-skid feature. Sometimes the new-fangled cars lose something in the technology.
One more thing: I thought I and my siblings were the only native Utahns that had never been skiing. Thanks, Lyle, for showing me that we're not alone.
I have never skiied either and have no desire to even try it. I'm too accident prone. Once my husband and I decided to rent all the equipment and go the next day. The day we were supposed to go I woke up with a fever and the flu. I took it as an omen never to try to ski. Although I am not a native Utahan so maybe that doesn't make me too retarded.
Please do not get me wrong. I love Provo water and I think it's some of the best city water around. I was splitting hairs earlier. I also love being able to have ice cold water out of tap in the winter time.
As such, I have been forced to purchase special filtered water at $.25/gal. And then we store a gallon at a time in the fridge to get our substitute for what all of you still in Utah have.
I just ask that all y'all save some water for me for when I should return.
And I thought I was the only one in Provo who actually reads the water report. Way to go Lo.
About skiing. If you ever change your mind Cyn don't just go once. I found learning to ski just like learning to play raquetball. The first time pretty much sucks. But if you go twice it's easy to get your groove and it can be a lot of fun. And for those of us who are accident prone (I tore my ACL in a dutch-oven cookoff--it really doesn't get any worse than that) the best thing about skiing is that the first thing they teach you is how to fall. I actually prefer hobbies where expectations are low right from the start.
I also read the Provo School District report.
Me too, but then I've been known to read the backs of shampoo bottles as well. I think I might have a problem with compulsive reading as well as compulsive writing. But at least I am well informed.
Sorry to post this here: I can't seem to email you any other way. I NEED your sour cream lemon pie recipe! Need, not want, need!
Cynthia
paulandcyn@msn.com
Ok, I've sat back and read for months now...and finally decided to comment.
I have to say I love Utah for many things but one of the main reasons is the change of seasons.
I've lived here for 5 years but still marvel when the leaves change colors and the first snow comes. Where I grew up (in ugly Central California) there were two season: Hot and Fog. The hot lasted from March to November and then the fog came in. I had never seen a true "Autumn" until moving here. And I have to say every year I love it more and more!
Also the snow thing...I will never get used to waking up and having everything be white. Rain is loud, snow is so damn quiet!
And don't even get me started on having the mountains so close by!
Thanks for dropping by Lesleigh. I feel the same way about the silence of the snow. I love those days when, unexpectedly, you wake up to this hush and beautiful glow inherent in a fresh blanket of snow.
And what I really wanted to mention about the mountains is just their simple but magnificent presence. I was out of the country for over a year and because the entire experience was foreign I just sort of mixed up everything I missed into one big blur of empty ache.
When I came home the thing I noticed most of all those things I loved being restored to me was the awesome presence of the mountians. They seemed so close I felt I could reach out and touch them. The only thing I now regret about having moved from the east part of Provo (no fears western friends--I only lived east as a student and as a basement dwelling renter) to the west is that the mountains seem just a tad smaller this side of town.
I do have to say that I miss the mountians. I have a few Robert Duncan paintings in my home. He isn't really my style, but he paints cows and children and farm scenes from my hometown--Midway and Heber. I have one snow scene and one summer scene. I makes the mountians a little bit closer....
Hmmmmm.
Hey, I'd like you Sour Cream Pie recicipe too. That sounds great.
Now you're making me homesick for the mountains.
Not the snow though...I've yet to miss that. I don't mind the fact that I have not had to commute in the snow once this year. Rain? Heck yeah, snow? Not for this little productive member of society.
But...give it some time, and I know I'll start to miss the snow.
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