Snow Day
I’m so kid-like when it comes to snow. I absolutely despise wintertime, but I love the snow! 30 degrees and snow is dreamy… 10 degrees with grass showing is hell on earth.
I woke to the clammer of excited kids saying “look out the window!” They were out by 7:30, even before I could cook up the usual weekend pancakes… I had to pull out the “God gave you a brain for a reason” lecture after I realized that one of them put on snow boots without socks. And she wondered why her feet were so cold?
By 10:30 they’d already taken two warm baths, and by the end of the day, everyone had three. Who knows how many loads of laundry that’s going to add up to!
I spent most of the day digging stupid people out of our street. I tried to leave also, but it was pretty obvious that my effort was futile. Some of the neighbors and I helped the first one around 10:00- he had to get to work at Northwoods Mall - “the mall never closes” he said. We eventually had to break the bad news to him that we give up and he needed to also.
There were many after that, highlighted by a neighbor girl who wanted to come home from ISU (and was told to stay put). We pushed the low-slung car down the street and into the only clear place we could find- my shoveled driveway.
Sidenotes-
No doubt about it, Peoria was overwhelmed and not capable of dealing with this. The only places that I saw open around Main/University were Save-A-Lot, Jimmy John’s, BlockBuster and CampusTown Liquors. Save-a-Lot surely had a record sales day. Three check-out lanes open, all with lines.
Speaking of Main Street, I saw the future of Renaissance Park firsthand- a multitude of pedestrians and only two lanes of traffic.
What a wonderful day it was to spend with the family and all of the neighbors that came out of the woodwork. Isn’t it odd that it takes a debilitating snow storm to get the neighbors to talk to each other? It really needs to snow more often.
December 2nd, 2006 at 12:06 pm
Actually, I was pretty impressed with the city’s efforts. After hearing it took five days in 1999 to get the alleys plowed, I was thrilled when my alley was plowed last night — within 24 hours of the snowfall. I was only snowbound for one day, and today I was able to get into work… in my car! Not bad. Of course, I’ve heard that folks out in Edgewild are still snowbound this morning, so maybe not everyone has had the same good fortune. If I lived out there, I would probably be singing a different tune.
December 2nd, 2006 at 2:27 pm
I’m really surprised to hear your alley got cleared- good for you!
I heard West Peoria only has one plow and the roof caved in on it. I’m not sure if I believe it, but that’s what I was told.
Does Bradley normally clear out city streets? They cleared all of Maplewood; on their side of course. I know they own all the property, but I still got a chuckle out of it.
I was talking with my sister who lives on the other end of the block from me. They’re not having the ‘bonding’ experience that we are up here. She’s trying to shovel out her driveway, while three neighbors with snowblowers have finished their work and went back inside. She said none of the neighbors talk to each-other, and this time was no exception. That’s sad.
December 2nd, 2006 at 3:01 pm
Having left Peoria in 1988, this is my first view of Main & University since then. Looks terribly naked and bland without the Varsity and nearby shops. This was my last “old neighborhood” before leaving town. Sigh.
December 2nd, 2006 at 5:02 pm
My next-door neighbor has a Bobcat. Talk about luck! The guy cleared our whole street and created some beauty piles of snow. We’ve made forts, fought complete strangers with snowballs and, like you, we’ve gotten to know some of the folks around us. I’ve heard my wife say it twice, now: “Snow sure brings people together.”
I’m with you. Bring on the snow.
December 2nd, 2006 at 5:23 pm
By the way, were you standing in the middle of the street when you took that picture on Main? Nice shot.
December 3rd, 2006 at 8:24 am
Traffic was light and moving about 15 miles/hr, so I wasn’t too worried. I figure the worst that can happen is someone asks why is there a weird guy standing in the middle of main street with a camera? But it wouldn’t be the first time by a long-shot.
December 3rd, 2006 at 3:36 pm
JW, Avanti’s in on the left, out of view. CampusTown shopping center is across University on the right.
December 13th, 2006 at 2:01 am
I can remember cruising main in a 73 Nova SS years and years ago. I heard shortly after I left for the Navy the local law stopped all that. I fondly remember many nights with friends at the Steak and Shake. Whatever happened to the old fashioned cruise in. I grew up in Manito and spent my weekends in Pekin and Peoria being a teenager. I sure do miss the snow. My family calls and sends pictures whenever it falls. They all still live in the general area. Not much snow in Florida, which is where I retired from the Navy. Now I am back overseas as a contractor and still love to see the snow, because there ain’t much in the desert either. Keep posting the pictures of the beautiful snow and I will maybe post a couple pics of our beautiful desert sunrises..