Our First Snowstorm of the Season

[mabfan]

That's funny. When I left for work this morning, the sidewalks were clear...

As many people, including Nomi, have already reported, we had a major snowstorm in the Boston area this afternoon. So, as usual, it meant a small adventure. Despite the weather prediction, Nomi and I both decided to wear shoes and not boots today, as neither of us really like to wear our boots unless we have to. We figured we'd take our chances this afternoon.

As the morning progressed, though, the predictions for the intensity of the storm got worse. Which would mean a more difficult slog home for both of us.

But thanks to this post from norda, I was reminded of the existence of Yaktrax Walkers, an ice traction device that slips on over one's regular shoes. (We were first informed of their existence by magid last winter, but it was near the end, and we decided we didn't need to get them right away.) Nomi tracked down two sets at an Eastern Mountain Sports store just a ten-minute walk from my office, so during my lunch hour I went out to pick them up. (I also went to Borders and bought some books and a bear.) By the time I returned to the office, the first flakes were beginning to fall.

And when I got back to my desk, I discovered that we were being sent home at 1:30 pm because of the weather. I let Nomi know, but her company hadn't yet made any sort of similar announcement. In the end, though, they did – at just about 1:30 pm. So we arranged to meet. I put on my Yaktrax Walkers, took the Green Line to Coolidge Corner, ran errands at the Post Office and library, and then boarded the Green Line again when Nomi's train pulled into Coolidge Corner. I immediately gave her the Yaktrax, and she put them on after we got off the train.

They did help us walk through the snow, quite a bit.

Since we were home earlier than expected, we went to the Butcherie to pick up some groceries, and we were relieved to discover that although they were closing early as well, they were still open when we got there. We bought what we needed and finally made it home. Nomi took advantage of our early dismissal to make her home-baked challah, which we're bringing to friends tomorrow night as a contribution to shabbat dinner.

Comments

[530nm330hz.livejournal.com]

Oh, those are so cool! Must get....

As soon as the snow hit at 1pm, I decided to bail. Made it home in only 50 minutes (usual time is 30 minutes). I've been reading accounts of various people's commutes and it looks like the commute for people leaving at 2:00 was 4-6 hours for a 30-60 minute typical, so I'm counting myself lucky.

[norda.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! Now I'm even more pleased by the timeliness of the reminder.

It's no fun to have the wrong kind of footwear. And I'm the same way about coats that you are about your boots. Today's the first day I wore my winter coat... I try to get away with layers of sweaters and a down vest as long as I can.

[rivkaesque.livejournal.com]

Wow! Hope your Shabbos isn't negatively affected by the snow. is it as bad as that blizzard we had once during Arisia?

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

It was not as bad as the Arisia blizzard, but it was a heavy and fast snowstorm, something like 1-2 inches per hour.

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Glad you made it home safely.

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

My mom gave me a pair of those a couple years ago, and they're quite handy! The parking lot here at work is often icy after a storm.

[ruralwriter.livejournal.com]

I appreciated your report on the Yaktrax. I'd just bought a set for my father (who fell and broke his back a few years ago - no kidding). While I'd like my father to stay indoors in the winter, I wanted him prepared if he did feel obligated to go outside.

How did you size yours? I'd seen a recommendation that people should maybe buy one size up than they'd expect to wear?

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

The Yaktrax have a sizing chart on them, and we just followed their chart. As for the recommendation, I heard that it's better to buy the smaller size if you're on the border, as they'll grip your shoes better.

[zanzjan.livejournal.com]

You know, I've been looking at those Yaktrax things in catalogs for years now, and always idly wondered if they were any good but never got around to giving them a try.

With serial ice storms and yesterday's big nastiness, everything around here is slippery as hell and I think they've just sort of given up already on trying to actually clear the sidewalks of ice or snow or slush. My center of gravity has shifted dramatically in the past several weeks and my clumsiness level has gone through the roof, and I've been fairly worried about getting around without falling down. After seeing your post this morning I called *my* local EMS and had them put a pair on hold, and just picked them up on my way back from lunch.

Wow, what a difference they make! So thank you, MAB, for helping me not fall on my a** this winter (-:

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Glad to be of service.

[530nm330hz.livejournal.com]

Just ordered a pair each for Heather and me.