Monday, February 28, 2011

Snowy Vancouver

I live in Vancouver and we generally get lots and lots of rain over the winter. We get very little snow.


This year is very different. I heard it is due to El Nina. While I was away in Kenya in November, a Vancouver friend told me that snow had fallen shortly after I departed on my journey.  I think it was November 17th or thereabouts. That is extremely early snowfall for us in Vancouver.  The snow didn't last but it has snowed several times throughout the winter. Of course this is unusual too.


I was out this past Friday for a walk and we had another fantastic snowfall which I was able to capture as I had my digital camera with me.  You can't really tell from but there was quite a bit of snow on the ground after snowing for several hours.  We are expecting more snow this week.

I heard on the news that the local ski slopes will have great skiing well into April. I don't ski so that doesn't thrill me but I know it makes skiers happy and if the snow remains on the slopes that's fine with me.


I don't mind the snow so much especially if it isn't wet and mushy.  Wet and mushy snow makes a problem for proper footwear to keep your feet dry and warm.  Some people here wear colourful galoshes or rubber boots but I've never liked to wear them  myself and I don't think they can keep your feet warm unless you wear thick socks. 

If there is a lot of snow I do worry about the elderly people and the disabled.  Or anyone who has a harder time getting around even with a mobility aid. Walkers and wheelchairs can get stuck in the snow and make it harder for people to cope.

Another problem is that it should be warmer indoors than it is outside. At my place it is always cold and the electricity costs are very high. I do wear long sleeves plus a sweater, plus socks and wool lined slippers and then I still have to cover up.  Some of the newer homes in Vancouver are not made for cold weather that is for sure.

I stayed out until after dark and took this photo of the snow falling as I sat and looked up. I thought it was very pretty. I don't like cold weather and too much snow and ice for very long but I do think they make pretty pictures *wink.


One more for the road and the photo album, lol




I hope you enjoyed this short tour of my world.

Join in by clicking the bad above and seeing the fabulous photos from around the world. You might even post some of your own world.

58 comments:

Sylvia K said...

A lovely, snowy world it is! Although, I have to admit that I'm tired of the cold this year! It hasn't been all that cold here, but it has been gray and gloomy and that's what I'm tired of. Shouldn't complain though -- so many people all over the world have things so much worse than we do here in Seattle -- so, I'll shut up now and wish you a great week ahead! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Joyful said...

Sylvia, if you are in Seattle then we are probably experiencing similar weather. I'm also tired of the gray and gloom and we expect more snowstorm on Wednesday...perhaps you too? But I think and hope that soon after things will improve. You have yourself a great weekend too!

stardust said...

I remember people had been worried about the lack of snow in Vancouver Winter Olympics before it opened. We don’t have much snow in my place, Nara, Japan, neither. I feel snowfall fantastic, but I’ve learned there are many people who are tired of snow. Despite some negatives, however, there’s something beautiful and tranquil about snowfall. Thank you for sharing the snow scene in Vancouver. It’s a beautiful city.

Joyful said...

Stardust, I do remember that time of the Olympics also. You may or may not know that usually here we get a lot of rain; not a lot of snow, lol. I do agree that snowfall is beautiful as long as you don't have to do too much driving or walking in it :-) Thank you for stopping by my blog and sharing in the beautiful city I call home.

Kilauea Poetry said...

Some of the first ones look like a postcard they are so pretty! I love your captures of the falling snow.. really lovely. To me snow is enchanting but I don't live in it either!! I can imagine the mushy snow would be difficult and as you say, for those with walkers and that. I didn't realize many of the newer homes aren't made for colder weather? Anyway..Spring then Summer huh?!

Joyful said...

KP, yes snow can be enchanting. Even when we live with it. Like the photos I took of the falling snow because it enchanted me. Especially lit up by the neon sign against a dark night. Thank you for your kind words about my pics being as nice as post cards. You've just given me the idea to send some of them to my little sponsored boys in Kenya who are all overdue for a letter from me. Blessings...

Jo said...

Hi Penny;) any snow is more snow than I know anywhere in Africa! Especially now we are in the warmer, drier regions of East Africa. I hope your winter breaks soon and the sun comes out to warm you. Blessings and hugs Jo

Diane said...

I have had enough of winter this year. We also had very early snow this year and although not snowing here it is grey, cold and drizzling, very depressing. I will email you later busy morning again today! Diane

Joyful said...

Hi Jo, I think they have snow on the peaks of Kenyan mountains. May be your son and daughter in love will see some on their hike up Mt. Kenya as it is the 2nd highest mountain in all of Africa. I'm ready for spring myself. Hugs xx

Joyful said...

Diane, I do remember hearing about all the mayhem the snow caused in Europe earlier in the season. I'm sure you are very ready for spring ;-)

eileeninmd said...

I might be tired of the snow and cold this year. And I am really ready for spring, but the snow is pretty. Lovely photos.

EG CameraGirl said...

It definitely helps to be prepared for cold weather. I expect it here in Ontario so I dress for it. :) And I really don't mind snow.

Gloomy skies can get me down though. And I'm not fond of extreme heat, which I'm sure people will be complaining about soon. As my husband says, weather is a safe topic to complain about. :))

Carver said...

I enjoyed the tour of the beautiful city. I have the same problem with it being cold inside and I find here as it warms up outside it's almost worse. I cut the heat back thinking the day temperature will warm my house but it doesn't really work so on warm days (cold nights) I'm in sweaters inside and strip down to go outside.

Penelope Notes said...

Yes … the weather many were hoping for during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver has arrived a little late. This last snowfall didn’t last long but it was slippery enough to cause some mishaps on the roads. It is, indeed, pretty when it snows but hopefully this will be our last blast of winter so we can move into spring!

LV said...

I definitely enjoyed taking this little trip with you. Vancouver is such a lovely part of Canada.

NatureFootstep said...

If you usually don´t get that much snow I can understand why you love it. Your photos are great. :)

Johnny Nutcase said...

I really like Vancouver but every time I've been there it's been so nice and sunny. But I lived on the north corner of CA and it's about the same weather. LOTS of rain, Winter is blah! I heard they got snow up there last week too, crazy!

Joyful said...

Eileen, I'm with you ;-) Thanks for the lovely comment.

Joyful said...

EG Wow, you are so right. When you live in Canada you must be prepared for winter. Even in Vancouver people are now much better prepared for winter than when I first arrived years ago. It's because we get more snow now than when I first arrived so people invest in items of clothing and footwear that they know they will need more than once a year. Skies here also tend to be much grayer than most other places in Canada. After awhile, you just want the sun ;-)

Joyful said...

Carver, I'm sorry you're cold too. I guess that means you and I live in places that are not properly insultated. So much for home inspections/building codes :-( Hope you get some warm weather soon and thanks for your visit.

Joyful said...

aka Penelope, thank you for your visit. this region is expected to get another blast of winter tomorrow so I'm sure we haven't seen the last of the white stuff - yet. soon, hopefully soon ;-)

Joyful said...

LV, thank you for your kind words. I truly love this city. It is very beautiful in general and I am privileged to get to live here.

Joyful said...

NatureFootstep, a little snow doesn't hurt ;-)

Joyful said...

Johnny Nutcase, wow, you surprised me with your comment. Usually people come to visit and say, all it did is rain, lol. You've been fortunate to see this lovely city in it's best state. Please come again ;-)

Gizelle said...

we've been calling the weather "verruckt" - crazy because it is the opposite of what it should be and makes kids sick :(

like today it is sunny but the wind blows hard so we get 3° yet it feels like -5°...sending you warm greetings (we caught some sunshine) :D

Joyful said...

Gizelle, It seems the weather is crazy the world over. Even though I hope for the snow to finish and sunshine to come, I'm still so grateful that it hasn't been much worse like in Australia and NZ. We do like to complain here in Canada about our weather. Like EG Wow said above, the weather is a safe topic to complain about...also, a safe topic to discuss in elevators with strangers ;-)

Thank you for your warm greetings. I hope you catch more sunshine this week.

Anonymous said...

I think there was snow in San Francisco this year, too. Also unusual.

Great photos of night time snow. Those look challenging to take!

PS stay warm!

LifeRamblings said...

we live in a tropical country, so we only have the dry and wet seasons. i wish we have some little snow here to enjoy. thanks for sharing your world.

Barb said...

My friend, Paulie, has been telling me about the snow in Vancouver. Your snow shots are lovely - I especially like the night ones. I live in major snow country (CO), so I'm accustomed to the cold. Keep warm!

alicesg said...

Your part of the world is so beautiful. Love the photo of the falling snow.

Joyful said...

Wren, I did hear that San Francisco was going to get snow a few days ago. That is unreal also ;-) It is much warmer here today but I think the clouds are gathering now for the last big snowstorm tomorrow.

Joyful said...

Life Ramblings, I think it's great to have different seasons to look forward to. Just wish some of them weren't quite as long, lol. Thank you for your visit.

Joyful said...

Barb, so you've already heard about our unusual weather. As long as I can keep warm I'm happy but that is a challenge so I hope for sustained warm weather soon. I hear CO is beautiful. I haven't had the pleasure of a visit yet.

Joyful said...

aliceg, thank you for your kind comments. I do so much appreciate your visit and hope you'll come again soon ;-)

Al said...

Beautiful snowy Vancouver photos. It's a beautiful city and must be amazing with its winter coat. I hope to be in Vancouver for a couple of days this summer.

Joyful said...

Hi Al, thank you for the compliment. I really hope you enjoy our summer. It usually turns out to be quite hot :-)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Penny, It's great to hear from you. It's been awhile. I would think that being in Canada --even Vancouver--would mean a snowy and rough winter every year.... SO--I was surprised to hear that you all don't get much snow. Interesting!!

We here in Tennessee don't usually get much snow either, and what we get usually comes in Feb. This Winter we got quite a bit the end of Dec. and first couple of weeks in January. Since then, we haven't had much... SO--I guess it's been a strange winter for alot of us.

Enjoy your snow. I love your photos.
Hugs,
Betsy

Carol@simple_catholic said...

Great pictures!

Joyful said...

Hi Betsy, yes, it was awhile since I was at your blog and I guess awhile since you've been to mine ;-) I'm fortunate to live in Vancouver since I don't like such a long winter having grown up in the far north where the winter lasts about 8 months, lol.

If you've seen weird weather in Tennessee, it really is a phenomenon all over the place. I'm just so glad we are safe here and in Tennessee too! Blessings and hugs and thanks for the compliment. xx

PippaD said...

We had more snow than normal this year too! It was great fun lol

Joyful said...

Pippa, so nice of you to drop by. I'm glad you enjoyed the snow, especially if you have children ;-)

Colleen said...

Gorgeous photos! We too have TONS of snow here still and though it is pretty, I have to admit I am longing for spring and sunshine!

Have a beautiful day!

Charlene N. K. said...

Beautiful blog and photos! I enjoyed this tour in your part of the world.
I do love the snow and the cold, which I still enjoy. Yes, I've just been here in Sweden for over a year and this this my second winter. Thanks for visiting my site and dropping some inspiring lines.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

We lived in Eugene OR area until we started full-timing -- I have heard a lot from kids and friends about the unusual winter this year (snow is as rare there as it is in Vancouver). (So now we feel like real snowbirds, just like the people from the cold part of 'up North'.)

Joyful said...

Colleen, thank you for the kind words ;-) You and I and a whole lot of other people are waiting for spring. Have a great week.

Joyful said...

Charlene, thank you so much for your visit and your kind words. I hope you continue to enjoy the snow and the cold weather for many years to come.

Joyful said...

Sallie, how nice you are a snowbird. There are so many of you snowbirds. Where do you spend most of your time?

Joyful said...

Sallie, how nice you are a snowbird. There are so many of you snowbirds. Where do you spend most of your time?

Joyful said...

Hi Al, thank you for the compliment. I really hope you enjoy our summer. It usually turns out to be quite hot :-)

Joyful said...

Life Ramblings, I think it's great to have different seasons to look forward to. Just wish some of them weren't quite as long, lol. Thank you for your visit.

Joyful said...

Your part of the world is so beautiful. Love the photo of the falling snow.

Joyful said...

Great pictures!

Joyful said...

aka Penelope, thank you for your visit. this region is expected to get another blast of winter tomorrow so I'm sure we haven't seen the last of the white stuff - yet. soon, hopefully soon ;-)

Joyful said...

I definitely enjoyed taking this little trip with you. Vancouver is such a lovely part of Canada.

Joyful said...

I enjoyed the tour of the beautiful city. I have the same problem with it being cold inside and I find here as it warms up outside it's almost worse. I cut the heat back thinking the day temperature will warm my house but it doesn't really work so on warm days (cold nights) I'm in sweaters inside and strip down to go outside.

Joyful said...

I have had enough of winter this year. We also had very early snow this year and although not snowing here it is grey, cold and drizzling, very depressing. I will email you later busy morning again today! Diane

Joyful said...

KP, yes snow can be enchanting. Even when we live with it. Like the photos I took of the falling snow because it enchanted me. Especially lit up by the neon sign against a dark night. Thank you for your kind words about my pics being as nice as post cards. You've just given me the idea to send some of them to my little sponsored boys in Kenya who are all overdue for a letter from me. Blessings...

Joyful said...

Sylvia, if you are in Seattle then we are probably experiencing similar weather. I'm also tired of the gray and gloom and we expect more snowstorm on Wednesday...perhaps you too? But I think and hope that soon after things will improve. You have yourself a great weekend too!

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