Day 2-34 -- A World Covered in Ice

What a crazy day!  The storm last evening left about 15-20 cm snow and then it poured rain -- about 15 mm were expected. The top of that snow layer turned into a crust of ice -- at least 5 cm thick. I've seen this phenomenon before, but not as thick as this.  In many areas, this ice layer was so thick it couldn't be broken by kicking and stomping. The icy coating was solid, smooth and slippery. It took about 45 minutes to shovel off the small porch, 5 stairs and less than 10 feet of narrow sidewalk in front of the house. Luckily, while I changed to head into work, two intrepid students walked through the yard -- a commonly used short cut -- and broke the beginning of a trail for me to get out to Main Street.

I've never experienced such a thick coating of ice on every surface.  The ploughs had been through early in the morning to clear the streets and sidewalks. Under the ice layer had been snow and under that was slush.  The slush that remained after the heavy equipment did the job, froze solid by mid-morning due to a flash freeze.  In some areas there are pools of water that gathered during the storm and had no where to flow -- leaving no where else for walkers to go either. Good news -- the new water proof boots work as expected. <smile>  The walk into the campus for the afternoon class was wild. Coming back down the hill this evening showed no changes. The roads are covered and hills very icy. So glad I didn't need to drive to work. There was beauty in the ice crystals on the tree branches -- some of the freezing rain that fell during the freeze -- and in the bright sun this afternoon they sparkled like diamonds.

Interestingly, only one song came to mind earlier today as walking into work.  I found myself muttering and the next thing I did was laugh as I thought of the lyrics to the song selection for today.  The rhythm is wonderful and the dancing great -- just not something that could be attempted outdoors here today <g>. The lyrics say it all for today. Enjoy!

Ice Ice Baby -- Vanilla Ice