Florida is in a frenzy. All across the state, including right here in Orlando, there are predictions of snow. You’d think these little snowflakes were really the white horses of Armageddon the way people are panicking. Because it’s just a minor novelty that won’t require shoveling nor salting, I’m actually quite excited. It’s been incredibly cold all week and hubby wasn’t comfortable taking Viv by bike in this weather, so I’ve been driving all week (not that I wasn’t secretly a little relieved). We aren’t prepared for this kind of weather gear-wise, so it’s not really been pleasant for my husband to ride in freezing temps all week. You can imagine his dismay, then, when I kept begging for a bike ride today–the coldest day of the week.
The high for today was a balmy 37 degrees and there were predictions of snow–something that’s never happened in Orlando in my lifetime and only a handful of times in the entire state. Plus, I’ve been reading about the wintry adventures of the ladies at Let’s Go Ride a Bike! and Lovely Bicycle! and pining to try out some winter wear of my own. Dressing for the cold is so much more fun, as opposed to summer in Florida where the main focus is what will show sweat stains the least. Pleasant, I know. The kids and I were excited, so I finally convinced Jesse to get out for a ride to the grocery store. By the way I dressed, you’d think I was going on an arctic expedition instead of a domestic errand (granted, a rather fabulous arctic expedition). I won’t even dare admit to how I dressed the kids.
What does it take to get a Florida native to play in snow? Pair of long tights, pair of capri leggings, pair of knee-high socks, undershirt, turtleneck sweater, jean skirt, wool jacket, gloves, scarf, and calf-high boots.
Sadly, all the prep was in vain and we didn’t find any snow. We did get a few thrilling seconds of hail, but that was it. Getting all those clothes on probably took longer than the whole trip to the grocery store, but I had fun and was happy to get out and play in the cold. When the oppressive Florida heat rears its ugly head, at least I’ll know I truly enjoyed the cool weather while it lasted.
The Snow Hunter: Bested again by the Florida sun
i’m with you, Angie. the past few days remind me how winter used to be around here when i was little. before El Nino it used to get cold here. i remember seeing snow on Christmas when i was 6 years old, so that would have been around ‘88. also, up until i was 4 years old, my mom, dad and i lived in a drafty wood frame house with no central heating. maybe that’s why i’m so well acclimated to our humid, Florida cold. anyway, people should quit being such babies, get out and ride. it won’t be long before we’re complaining about the heat again.
You look faaaabulous!
I complained so bitterly about the heat this summer that I will not make a peep about the cold! I’m enjoying wearing winter clothes.
Yeah, it was Christmas 88 or 89 we had those rolling brown-outs and some snow flurries.
Seriously, this happened in the late eighties? How is it that I have no recollection of this??
When we lived in Boston, I was amazed how everyone went outside on the first day of spring. You’d think no one had a job; everywhere I went, people were enjoying the weather outside. It really stuck with me and now I try to make a conscious effort to enjoy the rare cool weather in Florida. That’s yet another cool thing about biking–you can go into the summer knowing you made the most of the better weather and didn’t waste it away with your indoor heating.
I was wondering what you were doing with the kids during these times….xoxoxo