Winter's Not a Wonderland

"A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water." — Carl Reiner

Today I walked out to my car to get it fired up to come to work. It was in the just pre-dawn time frame, as has been my schedule this winter, and took a quick moment to consider the weather. It was in the mid-30s, but I couldn't help but feel grateful for the warm morning. What a difference six months makes.

I grew up in California. I lived in California all my life prior to July, when I relocated to Colorado Springs for work. It's been an adjustment in a lot of ways — none more so than changing my definition of winter weather. In California, the mid-30s or upper 20s was a chilling reminder we weren't in summer. Here, it's a blissful break from winter weather.

When we initially came here, I was bracing for a redefined winter. And, in truth, it hasn't been that bad. But as this week began — and we embraced a cold snap that led to nearly constant snow flurries for two days — I came to a new realization. Snow sucks.

I know that seems harsh, but it's true. Sure, I was excited for my first, second, and third snowfall. There is something magical about the idea of snow that's been built up in movies, songs and iconic images. And that's partly true. If I was staying at home by a fire, a cup of hot cocoa in my hand, or if I had temporarily lost my mind and decided to try skiing, I'd be excited about snow. But in terms of every day routine and life, snow is a burden.

Here's a couple things the magical movies don't tell you:

1. Snow isn't pretty, clean, or pure — it's dirty stuff. Sure, it's pure when it falls and creates a little coating on the earth. But pretty soon that coating mixes with the earth — dirt, grim and whatever gets tossed down to prevent slipping — and it becomes something different. And that makes entry carpets gross, shoes damp and gross and the floor mats in your car kind of gross.

2. Snow lingers. When we first came here, the refrain was that the snow — when it comes — melts pretty fast. That's not totally true. Sure, a bulk of it might disappear, but as long as it stays frosty outside the snow lingers in parking lots, on walkways and on the sidewalk. And it just gets messier and dirtier.

3. Wind Chill is real. Walk outside when it's five degrees and feel a gust of wind rush past. You'll be peeling the icicles from your forehead. Or, like my brother-in-law, recovering from the icicle that nailed your coffee while going through a drive through.

Needless to say, when it comes to the realities of a snowy winter, my illusions have disappeared. I'm grateful we're heading for a week of highs in the 50s and 60s and bracing for the reality it won't last — at least until we get to mid-May.