Dynamics

January 8, 2008 at 5:18 AM

The weather in Pennsylvania seemed to want to make its Alaskan visitors feel right at home. One morning last week, for instance, I recall waking up to 40 mph winds and a thermometer that read three degrees above zero. Honestly, I'd been hoping for something a bit warmer than this on my vacation.

Sunday evening, we hit the road once again, Oklahoma-bound. I-70 sprawled through the night, broken only by pit stops for gas and caffeine. If we timed it just right, we could make it 300 miles between stops. So 300 miles from Jersey Shore, PA, I hopped out of the car for the first time to be greeted with shockingly balmy air. By the time we reached Oklahoma, it was over 70 degrees, the strong southern wind blowing like a hair dryer. I burst through the door of my parents' home and quickly switched out of my turtleneck into a t-shirt, shorts and running shoes, afraid to waste a single moment of this precious spring-like day, fully aware that it wasn't going to last.

Just 24 hours ago, I wrapped my scarf tightly and grabbed my gloves as I went out the door. But tonight, lightning boils high in the hot cauldron sky, spawning tornados and thunderstorms to the south and east. Tomorrow night, it will be twenty degrees again.

She plays it all with such dynamic contrast that it puts me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what will unfold next.

From Tom Holzman
Posted on January 8, 2008 at 2:25 PM

Have a safe trip home. I admire your ability to go 300 miles between pit stops. I wish my bladder were still that young. Hope you are reenergized for getting back to work.

From Karin Lin
Posted on January 8, 2008 at 11:57 PM

That's a really nice post, Emily. I love the personification of Nature and the use of violinist terms.

From Tim C
Posted on January 9, 2008 at 1:41 AM

Emily, you just missed the good weather here in PA. It was 66 and sunny today but I guess the storms are headed our way.

That's very odd though, this time of year. If you were looking for a warm winter trip though...you need to think further south. Much further.

Have a safe trip back.

From Emily Grossman
Posted on January 9, 2008 at 3:04 AM

You know, we were all ready to book a flight to Hawaii last fall, but an airline monopoly jacked the ticket prices way up, and housing there was so darn expensive. So we were just going to stay put for the winter instead.

Then Thanksgiving rolled around, and since George and I have no family in AK, we ate our dinner over at our friends' place. It was windy and nasty that day, and when we came home the power went out for a couple of hours. So we sat in the dark thinking about the prospect of spending Christmas the same way. All alone. In the dark. As soon as the power came back on, I called my mom, who shared with me her own stories of her not-so-great Thanksgiving. It was at that point that the two of us decided to find a way for George and I to spend the holidays with our families.

We're so glad we got to see all the people we love again. It definitely beats sitting at home in the dark. Heck, it might even beat a sandy beach in the sun.

Maybe next year we'll make it to Hawaii.

From Tom Holzman
Posted on January 9, 2008 at 4:21 PM

You will definitely get to Hawaii one of these years. In the meantime, spending the holidays with family is great (if you get along with them).

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Dynamics

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