Freezageddon

[ND NYC]

MN Irishman--you guys still have those tunnels up there?

 

[MNIrishman]

MN Irishman--you guys still have those tunnels up there?

There are some tunnels on the UMN campus, but those are rarely used since they connect one building to another directly instead of acting like a sidewalk system. To go further than the building next door, you'd have to navigate through that building and any number of others between you and your destination. There were definitely times that I would have liked the gopher tunnels to be more effective.

At the University, most kids took the bus to campus and then walked directly outside between classes. Many walked as far as a mile and half to get to school when there wasn't convenient bus access. I biked year round. UMN never closes for cold. I know college kids aren't what we're on about, but they're a data point.

Downtown, they have the skyways for businessmen, and those are nice, but they increase walking times, many buildings aren't connected, and I have yet to find a public restroom in one.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Indy schools closed again tomorrow.

 

[Cackalacky]

It was -25 with the wind chill here this morning. School wasn't cancelled for my kids, but many surrounding were. The school my kids attend make you walk to school from 5th grade and up if you are within a 1.5 mile radius from your school.

It's supposed to be a windchill of 4 here in the morning and school are delayed just because of the temp. I also got a call from the school yesterday reminding me to make sure my kid wears appropriate clothes and that buses would be running early and double routes to make sure kids did not stand out in 30 degree weather.

 

[dshans]

... I biked year round.

Downtown, they have the skyways for businessmen, and those are nice, but they increase walking times, many buildings aren't connected, and I have yet to find a public restroom in one.

The number of year round cyclists in Minneapolis increases every year. Added bike paths and bike lanes has helped. I admire the hell out of them.

That doesn't mean that I don't think that they're fucking nuts!!!

Years ago when I worked downtown I was often asked how to get to point B from point A. It made me crazy when, on a beautiful spring day, I would tell them "walk out the door, walk two blocks east and one north." All too often I was then asked how to get there through the skyways. That involved "one block east to the Burger King, three south to the Arby's, one west to the Walgreens and four north to the Pillsbury Tower.

Maybe they were in better health with the additional walking.

It's Minnesota, people! The winter is finally over! Get your asses outdoors!!!

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Okay so if 7 is too cold for safety in Indianapolis, what do you all suggest they do in the parts of Maine, Minnesota, and Alaska where those temperatures are normal averages? Those kids would never be in school.

Kids in Minnesota are used to it and have lots of clothing to accommodate it.

Where I live, the high schools don't bus inside of 3 miles. 20 below wind chills at that radius? Not cool.

Also...who walks to school? The kids who can't afford a car. I know a ton of high school kids who take public transportation or walk in order to get to school.

 

[Irish Insanity]

It's supposed to be a windchill of 4 here in the morning and school are delayed just because of the temp. I also got a call from the school yesterday reminding me to make sure my kid wears appropriate clothes and that buses would be running early and double routes to make sure kids did not stand out in 30 degree weather.

I really don't think it hit the -25 they were claiming, but it was cold. -15 ish. I drive my kids to school so no walking or waiting for a bus. But after I dropped then off I spent 15 mins shoveling my mother in laws driveway. My pants weren't enough to keep my legs warm. They were numb by the time I had finished.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

There are some tunnels on the UMN campus, but those are rarely used since they connect one building to another directly instead of acting like a sidewalk system. To go further than the building next door, you'd have to navigate through that building and any number of others between you and your destination. There were definitely times that I would have liked the gopher tunnels to be more effective.

At the University, most kids took the bus to campus and then walked directly outside between classes. Many walked as far as a mile and half to get to school when there wasn't convenient bus access. I biked year round. UMN never closes for cold. I know college kids aren't what we're on about, but they're a data point.

Downtown, they have the skyways for businessmen, and those are nice, but they increase walking times, many buildings aren't connected, and I have yet to find a public restroom in one.

Really? I thought there were a few restrooms. At minimum, you can drop into Macy's or the Crystal Court and take care of it.

 

[Cackalacky]

I really don't think it hit the -25 they were claiming, but it was cold. -15 ish. I drive my kids to school so no walking or waiting for a bus. But after I dropped then off I spent 15 mins shoveling my mother in laws driveway. My pants weren't enough to keep my legs warm. They were numb by the time I had finished.

That's good. There are lots of houses here that still don't have central heat or insulation in their walls for that matter. Also most modern houses here have a heat pump which basically does not work in temps below 30 degrees. Tonight is gonna suck bad for all of us.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Some day I will move somewhere warm. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

 

[MNIrishman]

The number of year round cyclists in Minneapolis increases every year. Added bike paths and bike lanes has helped. I admire the hell out of them.

That doesn't mean that I don't think that they're fucking nuts!!!

Years ago when I worked downtown I was often asked how to get to point B from point A. It made me crazy when, on a beautiful spring day, I would tell them "walk out the door, walk two blocks east and one north." All too often I was then asked how to get there through the skyways. That involved "one block east to the Burger King, three south to the Arby's, one west to the Walgreens and four north to the Pillsbury Tower.

Maybe they were in better health with the additional walking.

It's Minnesota, people! The winter is finally over! Get your asses outdoors!!!

Biking in winter along a well-maintained bike trail is like the best way to get around. People expect it to be cold but it's quite warm. Just need a light waterproof shell over a fleece and it's good to go down to about -20. Of course, definitely need a facemask and hat (balaclava), but I've never felt warmer than when I commuted by bike. Beats the HELL out of sitting in a freezing car until it warms up, and saves time by obviating the need for a gym. Since I moved to Michigan, I've really missed those bike trails, or even having a government that attempts to maintain any semblance of a first world road system. This state and everything in it blows.

Jayhawk---you may be right about those places, I just haven't gone by them in my time downtown. I usually avoided the skyways, so my experience with them is limited to a few times that included a desperate bathroom search.

 

[alaskandomer]

That's good. There are lots of houses here that still don't have central heat or insulation in their walls for that matter. Also most modern houses here have a heat pump which basically does not work in temps below 30 degrees. Tonight is gonna suck bad for all of us.

Just a couple of tips. If your heat pump doesn't kick on, run your dryer, and your oven (With the door open). It won't heat your whole house, but it helps. Also, an electric space heater is great addition. Space heaters really eat electricity, so use them sparingly, but it beats frozen feet. Stay warm.

 

[woolybug25]

Some day I will move somewhere warm. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

Eff that. I love winter. The cross country skiing, downhill skiing, the ice fishing, the snowball fights, swinging flies for steelhead as snow falls all around you, and even the simple things like sitting by the fire with my ol' lady. Change is good. It keeps the soul fresh and slows down this busy life we live.

One day I would like to get a place down south to vacation and get the occasional shag nasty out. But I wouldn't want to live in constant warm weather. I need the change of seasons and the feeling that every day holds something new. See the changing of nature that allows me to catch trout one day, tap a maple another and find a morel on a brisk rainy morning. Those memories can't happen when the landscape never changes.

Plus, the soul inherently needs work in my opinion. Whether that be splitting wood, shoveling the driveway or simply solving the logistical problems of weather. They are all important cogs that keep me focused. I'm sure for some people the ease of always being sunny and warm is comforting. For me, it's a prison of boredom.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Eff that. I love winter. The cross country skiing, downhill skiing, the ice fishing, the snowball fights, swinging flies for steelhead as snow falls all around you, and even the simple things like sitting by the fire with my ol' lady. Change is good. It keeps the soul fresh and slows down this busy life we live.



One day I would like to get a place down south to vacation and get the occasional shag nasty out. But I wouldn't want to live in constant warm weather. I need the change of seasons and the feeling that every day holds something new. See the changing of nature that allows me to catch trout one day, tap a maple another and find a morel on a brisk rainy morning. Those memories can't happen when the landscape never changes.



Plus, the soul inherently needs work in my opinion. Whether that be splitting wood, shoveling the driveway or simply solving the logistical problems of weather. They are all important cogs that keep me focused. I'm sure for some people the ease of always being sunny and warm is comforting. For me, it's a prison of boredom.

I'll take a quote from one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies, The Karate Kid:

Lucille LaRusso: Fighting doesn't solve anything.

Daniel LaRusso: Neither do palm trees, mom.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Eff that. I love winter. The cross country skiing, downhill skiing, the ice fishing, the snowball fights, swinging flies for steelhead as snow falls all around you, and even the simple things like sitting by the fire with my ol' lady. Change is good. It keeps the soul fresh and slows down this busy life we live.

One day I would like to get a place down south to vacation and get the occasional shag nasty out. But I wouldn't want to live in constant warm weather. I need the change of seasons and the feeling that every day holds something new. See the changing of nature that allows me to catch trout one day, tap a maple another and find a morel on a brisk rainy morning. Those memories can't happen when the landscape never changes.

Plus, the soul inherently needs work in my opinion. Whether that be splitting wood, shoveling the driveway or simply solving the logistical problems of weather. They are all important cogs that keep me focused. I'm sure for some people the ease of always being sunny and warm is comforting. For me, it's a prison of boredom.

I wish I was wired that way. i really do.

I actually like shoveling the driveway most of the time. But that is it as far as outside in the winter. I don't ski, snowboard, sled, snowmobile, or ice fish. We have lake property and used to ice fish all the time when I was younger. Me, my brothers, dad, and grandfather. At about 10 I was walking or skating across the lake and saw what I thought was a large pile of snow. I decided it would be cool to get a bit of speed and jump on it. Well, that wasn't a pile of snow. It was a fucking hole some asshole didn't mark after moving his shanty. Miraculously I stuck my arms out and caught myself right at the arm pits. Water was probably 20 ft deep. My dad walked over, pulled me out, drove me home, made me change, and drove my cold scared ass back out to fish. From then on, no ice fishing for me. Lol. Also about 10 years ago I was in a fairly bad motorcycle accident. My own doing. It destroyed my arm. It's not friendly to use in the cold months. I don't really hate the cold as much as I am not a person that is active when it is.

 

[MNIrishman]

Eff that. I love winter. The cross country skiing, downhill skiing, the ice fishing, the snowball fights, swinging flies for steelhead as snow falls all around you, and even the simple things like sitting by the fire with my ol' lady. Change is good. It keeps the soul fresh and slows down this busy life we live.

One day I would like to get a place down south to vacation and get the occasional shag nasty out. But I wouldn't want to live in constant warm weather. I need the change of seasons and the feeling that every day holds something new. See the changing of nature that allows me to catch trout one day, tap a maple another and find a morel on a brisk rainy morning. Those memories can't happen when the landscape never changes.

Plus, the soul inherently needs work in my opinion. Whether that be splitting wood, shoveling the driveway or simply solving the logistical problems of weather. They are all important cogs that keep me focused. I'm sure for some people the ease of always being sunny and warm is comforting. For me, it's a prison of boredom.

I agree with you 100%. I love winter when I can get outside and hate it when I can't. There's nothing like snowshoeing on the North Shore of Minnesota or hiking in the hills of Ohio when the snow is falling.

 

[ND NYC]

only thing i really don't like about Winter is, during these real cold spells all the people declaring with certainty "What global warming!?"

 

[ND NYC]

I agree with you 100%. I love winter when I can get outside and hate it when I can't. There's nothing like snowshoeing on the North Shore of Minnesota or hiking in the hills of Ohio when the snow is falling.

i was invited by one of my vendors to head out your way (Minnesota right?) about 10 years ago to go on a weeklong snowmobile expedition in late february.
at first i was like are you kidding me? Minnesota in February??
but he was one of my favorite vendors and the dates worked plus it was a "freebie" for me, so i said why the hell not.

it was FANTASTIC!

they had miles and miles of groomed snowmobile trails, and places to stay all along the entire route. and all were stocked with booze/food/hunting and fishing gear.
there were 7 of us (all from out east) plus our guide who was very knowledgeable and a really great guy. he worked his ass off getting us everywhere and cooking/cleaning for us, making sure the snowmobiles were running and if there was problems he had them bring out a new one. we ended up tipping the guy like 3K between all of us. guy knew his shit and worked his ass off. one of these days i need to get back there.

it was 7 of the coldest days i ever lived-but we were prepared (thanks to the guide) and loved every minute of it.

 

[tussin]

I'm of the opinion that southern summers are much worse that northern winters.

I lived in Charlotte (not even that south) a few years ago and almost lost my mind during the July heat spell.

 

[MNIrishman]

only thing i really don't like about Winter is, during these real cold spells all the people declaring with certainty "What global warming!?"

I haven't really decided where I stand on global warming (I haven't read the research papers yet), except that claiming there's no climate change because it's snowing is like claiming there's no hunger in the world because you just had a big dinner.

 

[IrishInFl]

It's 41 for the high here in Tallahassee tomorrow. It's 10 for the high with 80% chance of snow back home in Minnesota, so I'll take this.

 

[IrishInFl]

I'm of the opinion that southern summers are much worse that northern winters.

I lived in Charlotte (not even that south) a few years ago and almost lost my mind during the July heat spell.

It's a real toss-up for me. The summers in Florida are very hot, as the winters in Northern Minnesota are very cold. The difference is that I can always put on more clothes if I'm cold, I can only take off so much clothing. If it came to a choice, I'd choose the extreme winter over extreme summer.

 

[MNIrishman]

It's 41 for the high here in Tallahassee tomorrow. It's 10 for the high with 80% chance of snow back home in Minnesota, so I'll take this.

I'm curious, how do you feel about your move when you can swim through the atmosphere and your eyeballs are sweating? Do you miss Minnesota then? Or does that not really bother you because you remember how cold it can be in Duluth and personally believe the trade is worth it on average?

 

[woolybug25]

It's a real toss-up for me. The summers in Florida are very hot, as the winters in Northern Minnesota are very cold. The difference is that I can always put on more clothes if I'm cold, I can only take off so much clothing. If it came to a choice, I'd choose the extreme winter over extreme summer.

So it's in a vacuum like that for you? A simple "what's worse" scenario? I guess I never think that way. You have to have the sour to get the sweet, ya dig?

Sometimes you have that snowed in day where your bones ache, but without it, you never see that first blanket white snow and fresh tracks.

Just like that steaming hot day when you swear you left a layer of skin on the seat of your 150 degree truck seat. Only to dive head first into an ice cold river and crack a cold one.

Nothing in life is in a vacuum, in my opinion. I prefer having winters because I get new adventures. For better AND for worse.

 

[IrishInFl]

I'm curious, how do you feel about your move when you can swim through the atmosphere and your eyeballs are sweating? Do you miss Minnesota then? Or does that not really bother you because you remember how cold it can be in Duluth and personally believe the trade is worth it on average?

If I had to choose extremes, I choose Duluth. On average, Tallahassee.

 

[NDBoiler]

It's a real toss-up for me. The summers in Florida are very hot, as the winters in Northern Minnesota are very cold. The difference is that I can always put on more clothes if I'm cold, I can only take off so much clothing. If it came to a choice, I'd choose the extreme winter over extreme summer.

I'd take the heat any day over cold. I've been in Florida summers and northern Indiana winters and it's not even close for me. Can't wait to retire in 25-30 years, I won't be mad if I never see snow again at that point.

 

[IrishInFl]

So it's in a vacuum like that for you? A simple "what's worse" scenario? I guess I never think that way. You have to have the sour to get the sweet, ya dig?

Sometimes you have that snowed in day where your bones ache, but without it, you never see that first blanket white snow and fresh tracks.

Just like that steaming hot day when you swear you left a layer of skin on the seat of your 150 degree truck seat. Only to dive head first into an ice cold river and crack a cold one.

Nothing in life is in a vacuum, in my opinion. I prefer having winters because I get new adventures. For better AND for worse.

I agree with this especially. I lived on property adjacent to the North Shore State Trail. Hop on my sled, go to Grand Marais for some Sven & Ole's Pizza.

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[IrishSteelhead]

I miss Arizona for its diversity. Can't tell you how many times in the winter I left Phoenix to hunt in Flagstaff (2 hours north), and the temperature went from 60 and sunny to 8 with a foot of snow. Very nice contrast.

 

[MNIrishman]

I agree with this especially. I lived on property adjacent to the North Shore State Trail. Hop on my sled, go to Grand Marais for some Sven & Ole's Pizza.

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My man! If all of Minnesota were like the north shore, it'd be the greatest state in the Union. Unfortunately on average it's one of the five flattest states, but still..the north shore baby.

 

[IrishInFl]

My man! If all of Minnesota were like the north shore, it'd be the greatest state in the Union. Unfortunately on average it's one of the five flattest states, but still..the north shore baby.

The Arrowhead of Minnesota is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, and I've lived there the majority of my life.