it's beginning to look a lot like...

we had the first real snow of the season the other night. you know, there's still something so magical about waking up to a couple of inches of pristine snow. the sledding is nice, and snowshoeing is a wonderful wintertime activity, but unless you're an avid skier, the snow really isn't all that much fun: you have to shovel it from your walkway, the temperatures are brutal, and (at least here in Utah) the salt they use on the highway to melt the ice is hell on your car.
here's a picture from outside our house:


but the worst is the driving. it's amazing to me how people seem to FORGET how to drive in the snow every year. they live here. they've been through it before. it's not like we are suddenly a bunch of Louisianians who've never seen snow. how can they forget how to drive.
yesterday, we had over 60 accidents on the roads. it took me one and a half hours to get to work, where it normally takes me less than 45 minutes. it's ridiculous. some people slow down to the point of inanity, while others fly by at speeds so unsafe it's almost funny. and the worst are the morons driving 4X4s. they think they are immune to the laws of friction.
just because your vehicle gives power to all four wheels doesn't mean it won't slide on a patch of ice.

but, the snow really is beautiful. and the ski resorts are open now, so if you're into skiing you might want to make your way out to Utah for some fine powder. apparently, we have "the greatest snow on earth" (don't groan at me, i didn't coin the slogan). so much so, it's even on our license plates.

i have to get the car washed soon. it's streaked with dried salt and mud. the snowbanks along the sides of the road, where the snowplows mounded the snow, are covered in dirt and exhaust. but, it's gorgeous, clear, cold days like today that make you happy to be alive. well, maybe not the cold, but the rest of it is nice.