TALLADEGA SCENIC HIGHWAY ON MT. CHEAHA ~ ALABAMA ~ photo taken by Dianna Stover
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Sunday, March 1, 2009

WHITE STUFF IN ALABAMA?!?!

For the last week and a half, I've been struggling with a serious cold and cough, but no more! I'm alive and I can breathe again! Because I was so miserable (mostly all in the head!) I missed a pretty weekend for riding last week, as I slept through most of it, trying to get better. Well, you can imagine my excitement as I looked forward to this weekend so I could finally enjoy some much needed time on the road with my Glide. But wait... what's this? Is Mother Nature toying with me?

I must have made her mad and didn't realize it, as it seems she has a vendetta against me. Why you say? Well, lets see. I wake up Saturday morning to the screeching alarm of the weather radio going off, which sits right next to my head on the nightstand. WTF?!?! While the weather alert guy is telling me that my county is under... "a severe thunderstorm warning, capable of producing large hail and several tornadoes...", I hear the sirens outside going off too. GREAT! I stumble to the window to see for myself. Bummer. Looks pretty dismal. Oh well, storms pass, right? I'll just get my coffee and check the radar and we'll figure out when this storm will be out of here. The day is not lost. Yet.

By mid afternoon, we still have not left the house and we've had the pleasure of enjoying several more siren serenades as the weather radio continued to tell us of all the activity. So much for a Saturday ride. Not being one to dwell on the negative overly much, I just enjoyed a lazy day, playing on the puter, watching movies and catching a nap. Pretty lame I know, but I was able to get some paper shuffling done at my computer desk, a chore long neglected.

Later that evening, we kept hearing the warnings of a cold front coming in and the possibility of snow. Pfffft. Right, I've heard that before. This is Alabama and we hardly ever see snow. I wished and wished for it at Christmas, and it never came, so I wasn't too worried about it now. I went to bed looking forward to a new day tomorrow and the anticipation of a nice ride. Zzzzzzz.

Sunday morning I got up and started the coffee maker before I went over to look out the window. When I did, my eyes popped open in surprise! SNOW! Holy sh*t, it really snowed! I ran to the other window at the front of the house to make sure it was snowing out front too (I know, don't ask!). I guess I wasn't believing what I was seeing! My instant reaction was, "Yes! We had snow!" I ran into the bedroom to try and rouse Harley up so he could enjoy the snow too. After all, this is a rare treat for us living here in the South. For just a little while, I was lost in the euphoria of seeing the snow, that I forgot all about how this will interrupt yet another fine opportunity to ride the motorcycles and get in some much needed road therapy.
The realization of that did sink in after a while though, and I was pondering what the roads would be like. If you think riding around cages on a nice clear day is stressful enough, imagine yourself surrounded by a bunch of no-clue freaked out southern drivers in the snow. Yikes! Your talking about a challenge in the extreme! I feel like I've earned the right to find humor in this, because growing up in Iowa allowed me the realization that people drive in the snow all the time. No big deal. Here, on the other hand, things are different. We shut down.

So here I sit, on Sunday morning, bringing you this live report on Lady R's second "no riding weekend"! I guess I should be upset about it, but when I look out the window and see how pretty it is right now... it's hard to stay mad. After living in Alabama for as long as I have, I really do miss experiencing snow from time to time. With that in mind, I think I'll just sit back and relax, and take comfort in knowing my Glide waits patiently in the garage, for our next opportunity to rekindle our "roadmance". After all, it's not everyday we get white stuff in Alabama!

Lady R

13 comments:

B.B. said...

Well, I'm glad you're feeling better. Kudos for the positive attitude. Enjoy the snow while it lasts and then get out on the Glide and make up for it!

"Joker" said...

Yes, I'm also glad to hear you're head's clearing up.

During my time down in AL in the winter of 83-84 it snowed like that once, just enough to put an inch or so on the roads. Just like you said, it all but shut everything completely down. Like you, having come from a place where snow makes fruitful and multiplies all winter, I was lmao!

I'm glad you're enjoying it since for you it is rare. I, however, have had enough! We're getting ready right now for a walloping of 12-18 inches coming in late tonight. Gotta go...need gas for the snow blower!

Allen Madding said...

Snowing steadily here in the ATL as well. Pretty sure these folks don't know how to drive in it :)

-Peace

Eve said...

Well hello Lady R.
First I hope you don't shun me because of the bike I ride. I found your blog through others and am excited to find someone in North Alabama (is that where you are?) because I'm heading your way. My husband (who is there now waiting for the sale of our house) is a Harley rider and all my friends are as well. I'm just that odd bird on a crotch rocket. Someday I'll get my hog, but old habits die hard. Looks like we share love of country, military, and freedom.
PS I'm sorry you got snow in Alabama...you can blame us, since we are moving to north Alabama and have bad luck, it seems to have followed us down. Forgive me and I hope we can connect. :-)

Ann said...

Glad you're finally feeling better!

We did yard work all day today and it was near 90 out! That snow sure does look pretty! :)

fasthair said...

Ms. Lady R: :-p ...but glad to hear you feel on top of the world again.

fasthair

Willy D said...

Damn Global Warming! You need to call your Governor and complain, they’re not doing enough to stop all that warm white stuff!
Running from the back of the house too the front looking for the JD were we? LOL

IHG said...

Glad you are feeling better!

You received the best gift of all...snow that melts in a day or two and is probably the only stuff you will get all year!!! I do feel bad for you actually...you move south to avoid the stuff. At least that is one reason why I hope to move south someday.

Lady R (Di) said...

B.B... Thank you. I hate being sick! Our snow didn't last long, but it stayed pretty cold. We're supposed to get into the 70's again by Wednesday. Crazy weather!

Joker... We enjoyed it while it lasted. We didn't need a snow blower though! It won't be long and Spring will be here and you'll be able to put yours up for a while. I'm sure your going to enjoy some sun in AZ! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Allen... I have a problem with crazy folks in the rain, much less snow! YIKES!

Eve... I never shun any rider. Welcome to my blog. I'm not exactly in north Alabama though. Montgomery is pretty centrally located. We're about two hours ride to the north state line. I hope your move goes well and welcome to the sunny south (where it usually doesn't snow!) LOL!

Ann... Well, that sounds like fun! Snow was pretty while it lasted, which wasn't long. Stayed pretty cold all day though and windy as hell. Looking forward to hearing about your visitor!

fasthair... Thanks friend! Me too! :)

Willy D... Oh you caught that part, heh? I can't help it, I get a little excited sometimes and lose all reasoning skills!

Lady R (Di) said...

Stephanie.... Thank you, much better! I loved it! It reminded me so much of snow days as a kid when we would actually dance around while the snow was falling! It didn't stay long, but I got some pretty nice pics before it disappeared. The puppies weren't sure of it and the cats definitely hated it! Yep, if you move to the south, this will be a rare treat, for sure!

Darlin' said...

Well, it's freakin' cold here in sunny Florida, and won't be warm again until Thursday, we didn't see any of the white stuff which would have been a nice treat since we have to deal with the cold too it blew a gale all day 25-35 which makes it that much worse. But I'm ready for some warmer weather maybe get a nice ride in next weekend.

Dean "D-Day" said...

Glad that someone is able to see the beauty in the white stuff. By this time of year, a lot of us northern riders don't care if we ever see it again.

And yes, kudos on the positive attitude. Mine starts getting pretty cranky by this time of year.

Lady R (Di) said...

Darlin... I'm ready for some consistent good weather, not all this warm and cold crap. I think this is why we are all sick! LOL! I've not been riding for about three weeks now. Ugh! If if warms up enough by Wednesday, I think I'll ride to work. It may be only 1o minutes but it's a nice 10 minutes. See ya soon!

Dean... I know! Believe me when I say, I only have the nice memories of snow. I tend to forget all the negative aspects, but that's human nature. Don't be cranky, it's only 17 days till Spring! Woo Hoo! ;)