Monday, April 4, 2011
A little video
I accidentally recorded a little bit of video. Thought I would share it. It has sound, too, which is the wind.
Sunrise at 65 mph
You really gotta wanna see that sunrise to get up at 6:15, quickly throw on all your warm stuff, wind gear, face mask and goggles, and head out into 7 degree temps and 65 mph winds. Well, it was worth it. Although a little difficult to hold the camera steady enough or even see what you were aiming for.
This morning's sunrise was slightly more mellow, with only 45 mph winds and 12 degrees. It was also even prettier, with the on-coming front that arrived soon after.
Dinner last night started with happy hour and appetizers hosted by Danny from Stateside. MWOBS has the Observatory side of the building and the state park has the rest with just a slightly ajar door between us. We had loaded nachos, spring rolls with 2 kinds of sauce, and Buffalo wings. And beer, of course. Very fun and a nice break from the usual. We had leftover spaghetti and Ropa Viejo for dinner, finished off with the cake I made yesterday. Devil's Food cake with Buttercreme icing and toasted almonds. It was a hit, of course, and the leftover buttercreme has proven to be especially popular with one member of the weather team.
I managed a second trip out yesterday, through the front entrance which Mike and Rebecca had mostly cleared of snow - at least so we could get out the door. There were 2 young guys at the entrance who had hiked up that morning. They had a plastic kid's sled and were putting on helmets for the ride down the mountain on the cog train tracks. Extremely dangerous - hope they made it okay - some haven't.
While I was out I took advantage of some clear weather to get a few photos of the observation tower and surrounding area.
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| That's me, leaning against the wind at my back. |
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| Sunday Sunrise |
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| Monday Sunrise |
This morning's sunrise was slightly more mellow, with only 45 mph winds and 12 degrees. It was also even prettier, with the on-coming front that arrived soon after.
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| Monday sunrise - just as the sun disappeared into the clouds |
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| View thru the railing on the observation deck |
Dinner last night started with happy hour and appetizers hosted by Danny from Stateside. MWOBS has the Observatory side of the building and the state park has the rest with just a slightly ajar door between us. We had loaded nachos, spring rolls with 2 kinds of sauce, and Buffalo wings. And beer, of course. Very fun and a nice break from the usual. We had leftover spaghetti and Ropa Viejo for dinner, finished off with the cake I made yesterday. Devil's Food cake with Buttercreme icing and toasted almonds. It was a hit, of course, and the leftover buttercreme has proven to be especially popular with one member of the weather team.
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| The cake |
I managed a second trip out yesterday, through the front entrance which Mike and Rebecca had mostly cleared of snow - at least so we could get out the door. There were 2 young guys at the entrance who had hiked up that morning. They had a plastic kid's sled and were putting on helmets for the ride down the mountain on the cog train tracks. Extremely dangerous - hope they made it okay - some haven't.
While I was out I took advantage of some clear weather to get a few photos of the observation tower and surrounding area.
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| Main Entrance |
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| Looking towards the radio towers |
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| The Observation Tower |
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Saturday on the Summit
More snow, wind and bitter cold. Now you would think on a day like this one would have enough sense to stay indoors. But noooooooooo... Steve and I ventured out on the observation deck to fully experience the "World's Worst Weather" - twice.
The first time we went out I dressed in full gear, ready for anything. I asked Mike (Finnegin, weather observer) if we needed to take a radio. He smiled and said no. I understand why now. We didn't get further than about 15 ft. from the door. It was about 13 degrees with gusts of 78.6 mph. I can be so exact because of all the high tech instruments right here, just a few feet away from where I was trying to stand against the wind.
The second time we went out I didn't put on as many layers. No need really, since we were only out there a few minutes. We ventured out a little further and I'm already learning some technique for walking in high wind. Again, we had close to 80 mph winds and I was laughing the whole time. What a rush!
This morning we had potato pancakes for breakfast, which Mike made for us from left over mashed potatoes. They were really good and it was really sweet for Mike to treat us to his cooking.
Marty was in rare form this morning. He loves to play, especially since he can't get outside. One gust of wind and he'd be gone! I played with him with a rope and then gave him a good back scratch which he seemed to thoroughly enjoy.
Tonight is Fajita night. I have already done all my prep work, so it should be a breeze. I also made some Pico de Gallo and will finish up making the Guacamole just before dinner. Steve is making Flaming Crepe Suzettes for desert. Yum.
That's all for now from the home of the World's Worst Weather.
The first time we went out I dressed in full gear, ready for anything. I asked Mike (Finnegin, weather observer) if we needed to take a radio. He smiled and said no. I understand why now. We didn't get further than about 15 ft. from the door. It was about 13 degrees with gusts of 78.6 mph. I can be so exact because of all the high tech instruments right here, just a few feet away from where I was trying to stand against the wind.
The second time we went out I didn't put on as many layers. No need really, since we were only out there a few minutes. We ventured out a little further and I'm already learning some technique for walking in high wind. Again, we had close to 80 mph winds and I was laughing the whole time. What a rush!
This morning we had potato pancakes for breakfast, which Mike made for us from left over mashed potatoes. They were really good and it was really sweet for Mike to treat us to his cooking.
Marty was in rare form this morning. He loves to play, especially since he can't get outside. One gust of wind and he'd be gone! I played with him with a rope and then gave him a good back scratch which he seemed to thoroughly enjoy.
Tonight is Fajita night. I have already done all my prep work, so it should be a breeze. I also made some Pico de Gallo and will finish up making the Guacamole just before dinner. Steve is making Flaming Crepe Suzettes for desert. Yum.
That's all for now from the home of the World's Worst Weather.
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| Mike making breakfast |
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| Steve enjoying Mike's cooking |
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| Did I mention I made Spinach Cheese Swirls Last night? |
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| Me and my new bud, Marty |
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| Playtime |
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| Too much fun! |
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| Steve |
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| Surfing the wind - I got the technique! |
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| Well, I ain't got it... |
Friday, April 1, 2011
More PIcs from Thursday
Not used to working from a PC - uploading photos has proved quite challenging. So here are some more.
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| Rime Ice from fog and wind. |
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| View from the rocky knoll - more rime ice |
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| State Parks Snowcat - just another day on the job |
From the Summit - MWOBS
Today is my second full day at the Mount Washington Weather Observatory. Wednesday was a very pretty day. I got to ride in the front seat of the Snowcat for the ride up to the summit, which took us about 1 1/2 hours to go the 8 miles. We did a little snow clearing with the attached plough on the way up, while I sat in heated comfort inside the cab. It was quite fun.
I took a walk down the auto road with Mike (Weather Observer) and Rebecca (Intern) to catch the sunset. It was absolutely still and almost eerily quite. We did catch a nice sunset.
Steve, my fellow volunteer, made a beef roast with a gravy, peas, and I made mashed potatoes. Steve made Grasshopper Crepes for dessert... made with creme de menthe, not grasshoppers. Couldn't find enough grasshoppers up here this time of year...
Yesterday, Thurs., was another nice day, still cold of course. I made a coffe cake for breakfast, which was devoured throughout the day. In the afternoon I took another walk down the road and out to a rocky, snowy knoll for a nice view of the valley. Don't worry Dad, I had a radio with me for safety. It was 17 degrees with a light wind. Exhilarating.
When I got back the 6 hikers we were expecting for the night had arrived and included me in their photo opportunity. Nice bunch of guys. For dinner I had made a huge pot of spaghetti sauce in the morning, along with a smaller veggie version, a big salad and double batch of brownies. Steve made 2 loaves of Italian bread from scratch and turned them into loaves of garlic bread. Another excellent dinner enjoyed by all.
We were up at 5:20 AM MWOBS time (that's 6:20 daylight savings time) and made a big breakfast for the hikers. I made the pancakes, Steve the sausage and scrambled eggs - and 3 pots of coffee. The hikers headed down around 7 AM amid snow flurries and 30 mph winds. Brrrrrrrrrrrr.
It has been snowing off and on all day today with 19 mph winds and 45 degrees. Not much of an outdoors kind of day - supposed to get much windier and heavy snow. I will stick my nose at the door, though. We are entertaining ourselves with cooking. Steve is baking 5 loaves of bread - 2 of which are Cinnamon Raisin ( the smell is driving me crazy) and one is a pecan swirl. I am making a puff pastry spinach cheese pinwheel appetizer for tonight as well as a blueberry/strawberry cobbler. Steve is making Ropa Vieja over a rice pilaf for the main course - kind of a Spanish dish.
Enough for now. I will now try to upload some photos from the last 2 days.
I took a walk down the auto road with Mike (Weather Observer) and Rebecca (Intern) to catch the sunset. It was absolutely still and almost eerily quite. We did catch a nice sunset.
Steve, my fellow volunteer, made a beef roast with a gravy, peas, and I made mashed potatoes. Steve made Grasshopper Crepes for dessert... made with creme de menthe, not grasshoppers. Couldn't find enough grasshoppers up here this time of year...
Yesterday, Thurs., was another nice day, still cold of course. I made a coffe cake for breakfast, which was devoured throughout the day. In the afternoon I took another walk down the road and out to a rocky, snowy knoll for a nice view of the valley. Don't worry Dad, I had a radio with me for safety. It was 17 degrees with a light wind. Exhilarating.
When I got back the 6 hikers we were expecting for the night had arrived and included me in their photo opportunity. Nice bunch of guys. For dinner I had made a huge pot of spaghetti sauce in the morning, along with a smaller veggie version, a big salad and double batch of brownies. Steve made 2 loaves of Italian bread from scratch and turned them into loaves of garlic bread. Another excellent dinner enjoyed by all.
We were up at 5:20 AM MWOBS time (that's 6:20 daylight savings time) and made a big breakfast for the hikers. I made the pancakes, Steve the sausage and scrambled eggs - and 3 pots of coffee. The hikers headed down around 7 AM amid snow flurries and 30 mph winds. Brrrrrrrrrrrr.
It has been snowing off and on all day today with 19 mph winds and 45 degrees. Not much of an outdoors kind of day - supposed to get much windier and heavy snow. I will stick my nose at the door, though. We are entertaining ourselves with cooking. Steve is baking 5 loaves of bread - 2 of which are Cinnamon Raisin ( the smell is driving me crazy) and one is a pecan swirl. I am making a puff pastry spinach cheese pinwheel appetizer for tonight as well as a blueberry/strawberry cobbler. Steve is making Ropa Vieja over a rice pilaf for the main course - kind of a Spanish dish.
Enough for now. I will now try to upload some photos from the last 2 days.
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| Our gear piled up at base |
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| Waiting for the Snowcat |
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| Almost Ready |
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| Santa hopped out of his Snowcat to say hello |
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Front seat view below tree line  |
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Puppy sitting
Day five of puppy sitting: Nuttin' cuter than a puppy – unless it's a kitten, and, yes, I am slightly prejudiced.
Last Sunday my brother delivered his four 5 week old pups, their momma, and all the puppy paraphernalia – a big box of food, heavy duty puppy wipes, 2 booboo bunnies (one is their momma's toy), playpen, four 8 ft. sections of closet shelving (for the backyard puppy pen), a stack of towels and 4 giant rolls of Bounty "the quicker picker upper."
After a day of adjusting to the new surroundings, we have settled into a routine. The remarkable thing in all this is the incredible patience exhibited by Sierra and Rocky, my cats. The playpen is working out great for daytime naps, the backyard pen gives everyone a chance for exercise, fresh air and an opportunity to learn about doing "business" in the grass – puppy business that is. I've set up a puppy corral in my office for bedtime – perfect for momma to jump in and out of for those nighttime feedings.
That's all for now... gotta go clean up some "you know what." Stay tuned.
Last Sunday my brother delivered his four 5 week old pups, their momma, and all the puppy paraphernalia – a big box of food, heavy duty puppy wipes, 2 booboo bunnies (one is their momma's toy), playpen, four 8 ft. sections of closet shelving (for the backyard puppy pen), a stack of towels and 4 giant rolls of Bounty "the quicker picker upper."
After a day of adjusting to the new surroundings, we have settled into a routine. The remarkable thing in all this is the incredible patience exhibited by Sierra and Rocky, my cats. The playpen is working out great for daytime naps, the backyard pen gives everyone a chance for exercise, fresh air and an opportunity to learn about doing "business" in the grass – puppy business that is. I've set up a puppy corral in my office for bedtime – perfect for momma to jump in and out of for those nighttime feedings.
That's all for now... gotta go clean up some "you know what." Stay tuned.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Amazing 90 year old!
My Dad just turned 90. He's in great shape, excellent health and enjoying life. Just got married last December. I'm so glad I have his genes! We had a wonderful birthday celebration for him at Sunset Sam's at the Gaylord Palms Resort, on the big sailboat in the Keywest Lagoon. My sis created the cake (a big bottle of Dad's favorite German Schnapps – I helped), the galleon centerpiece, favors, and even brought the appropriate nautical tablecloth and navy blue napkins. We gave him a remote control motorized sailboat and tugboat (it even shoots water) to play with on the pond behind his house – for his second childhood. Fun!
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