The Difficulties of Snow

Hard to believe! Hickory, NC was gifted with 7+ inches beginning on Friday morning. It took many by surprise with few snowstorms recorded in the area before Christmas since the "old" days. SUVs tumbled into the ditch with the trusting vehicles following suit. The stores of bread and milk depleted quickly from the grocery shelves. These are the staples of the foothill's residents for a snowy interlude. Snow Cream must be created and consumed for breakfast which is mostly likely followed by eggs and livermush, another local savory staple.


Yes....Christmas IS coming! The roads, trees and mountains were transformed into a winter wonderland. Visions of sugarplums danced in our heads until we endeavored to maneuver our 2-wheel drive up the hill to civilization to finish our job of finding that perfect Christmas gift. Living in the "country" is more challenging, especially without the city snow plows. Instead, we throw on our boots, hats, down jackets and head out to view the new world for ourselves. Everyone enjoys walking their streets to discuss the snow event with their neighbors. Folks were out early shoveling the snow/sleet mixture Saturday with smiles on their frost nipped faces.

Kids of all ages are propped atop plastic sleds at the peak of Powder Point Dr which encompasses the most thrilling of rides down, down, down the icy pavement. The exercise is called Battle Royale. The object is to demolish any sledders in your path as you descend the mountain. Kill or be killed.

Luckily, the snow melts from the roads and life as we once knew it reemerges. The talk of traffic incidents still rings in our ears....stories of alternative routes through previously unnavigated paths are beyond belief. Turns out we all survived, wow, a miracle! My father would say, "The Christmas Miracle". Thanx, Dad. You are truly missed.

Final arrangements are being made for holiday travel. Winter Storm 2009 left NC Saturday moving up the US Coast to ravage DC, NY, MA and ME. The "Blizzard" cancelled 1000s of flights stranding would-be passengers at Dulles, LaGuardia, Logan and beyond. Friends of Lake Hickory Realty were leaving the area to spend Christmas in northern Maine...right thru the middle of it all! yikes!

Another sprinkling of snow in January may enchant us once again. Weather in Hickory, NC is wonderful even when we are complaining about it.