Freezing

Darrell,

I believe it went all the way down to about 85 yesterday afternoon! I just looked at the thermometer this morning (December 20), and it’s a freezing 79! You probably won’t like the weather here, but good luck with the move.

Over here on STT in wentdown to 76!!

"but my thinner southern blood doesn't do so well when subjected to the cold for prolonged periods. "

Shouldn't that be "thinner NORTHERN blood"? You're at least 1000 miles north of us!! Haha!

I hate to say it but up here it never got above 9 all day. It sure makes this move a whole lot easier to handle though. Can't wait to get out of the cold.

Yes, I'm freezing, too (in Atlanta - 16°). I can't wait to get down there. The foot wells of my SeaDoo were frozen solid last night (and still this morning). It was a bitter cold night on the boat. I didn't sign up for this kind of cold when I relocated from Ohio to Atlanta! With next move, however, I'll be leaving the winter clothes behind!

It's a heatwave in the desert Southwest. Currently 31. Thinking of getting a tan today. Although at my age, icicles form in the darnedest places. Please send heat.

Thank you

Wow Ohioguy, and I thought I was going to have to leave my coats behind!

Marty, you make a good point. I've oft said that perspective is a funny thing...

WI Mom, I don't doubt it. Whre it that cold here, we'd just have to do without a fence. I'd like to think that I'd have the good sense not to spend 10 hours outside in 9 deg, but then again...

That cold in Atlanta too? That's pretty rare (lived most of my life in Atlanta area/GA).

21 in Cincinnati this morning. I just started contemplating moving to STX about 6 weeks ago, and the cold snap of the last few days (it was mid 60's last week vs. the teens last night) has helped make up my mind. Forgot how much I hate cold weather.

For those of you on STX- how feasible is it for me to get around the island by bicycle? A 4-5 mile ride is nothing for me, but I am curious about how often it rains, etc. Also, how often is it really necessary to go across island if I live near and work in Christenstead? (SP?)

Btw MGOBLUE, I'll be bringing down the U of M football helmet I got when I was a junior in Ann Arbor. I'll save the story for how I got that for another time, but I figure it'll make great decor.

Yes, it's pretty rare for Atlanta, as you well know since you lived here. You also, no doubt, know Lake Lanier, then, where I live on my boat. We had over 20mph sustained winds all day yesterday and last night, in addition to the cold temps. Boat living in those conditions is not fun (dock water is cut off), but I'll manage. Can't wait to get to the islands!!!!

Cool - who's got the prettiest helmets in football - Michigan, of course. I've got enough stuff to start my own M Den, but I've been unloading some of it on my friend, Michigan (yes, his name is Michigan - from Onsted - and he's the one who got me hooked on UM football) - mostly the winter items like coats, gloves, large sweatshirts - winter stuff that is way too big for me that I won at raffles on Game Days. I won't be needing it down there. Can't wait to hear your helmet story.

Ang

Parm wrote:

> For those of you on STX- how feasible is it for me to get
> around the island by bicycle? A 4-5 mile ride is nothing for
> me, but I am curious about how often it rains, etc. Also, how
> often is it really necessary to go across island if I live near
> and work in Christenstead? (SP?)

If you live near, and work in, Christiansted, you can get around by bicycle, but you have to be very careful. I live 3 miles from work and I ride a bicycle often. Traffic into C'sted can be fairly heavy by island standards in the mornings between 7:30 and 9:00 and the evenings between 4:30 and 6:00. There are lots of SUV's on the island, and we currently have no bike paths so you have to brave it with the traffic. Most people are accustomed to bikers because of the annual Triathlon, and we have many bicycle riders. You just have to play it safe, watch out for the folks in the cars, and wear a helmet.

Well hello from sunny Michigan.

It's below zero - not including the wind chill factor.

today, dec. 20, in philly, it's brutally cold. the forecast says the wind chill will be at zero.

can't wait till i'm on island in may!!!

20 mph winds, sustained + cold + boat living = ? My guess would be a miserable time.

Blue and gold is ok, but its no red & black. 😉

Here in Kentucky don't exactly know what temp was today but DAMN COLD!!!! Things die in the cold. I HATE IT!!!!!!!!!

Native- Thx for the info on biking. I'm fairly used to dealing with traffic,so that should be cool. What if I'm bartending, though, and riding home late at night? Any crime to worry about? I spent a summer on Mackinac island in MI and we'd routinely ride home late after partaking of a few adult beverages. Adventurous at times,but the most we worried about was winding up in a ditch on our heads after taking a curve too fast.......

"Things die in the cold!" rofl.

And Ang, the helmet story really isn't that great, but given the time I have 'till I get to the island I'm sure I can spice it up a bit. The interesting parts were not really in how it was received, but the shenanigans that took place after. Never underestimate the power of playing drinking games while drinking tequila when unusual props (i.e. football helmets) are available. Ahh, to be 21 again.....

Parm wrote:

> Native- Thx for the info on biking. I'm fairly used to dealing
> with traffic,so that should be cool. What if I'm bartending,
> though, and riding home late at night? Any crime to worry
> about? I spent a summer on Mackinac island in MI and we'd
> routinely ride home late after partaking of a few adult
> beverages. Adventurous at times,but the most we worried about
> was winding up in a ditch on our heads after taking a curve too
> fast.......

Parm, I would not ride a bicycle at night on St. Croix...some streets are not that well lit, and there are the occasional selfish drivers who don't care about anything but where they want to go.
There is a somewhat alarming crime situation, and everyone speaks about it freely here so I don't think it is out of place to mention it here. There is a large population of aimless young men on this island, and that breeds problems. Guns are also readily available. They seem to be mostly using the guns to off each other. There seem to be more home invasions going on lately. I live here and I love it, but I would hesitate to call St. Croix a safe place. I see most of the current problems as being caused by the destruction of the old West Indian way of life, where any adult could discipline any child. This is a free country, but freedom comes with a high price. The British Virgin Islands is much safer, with basically the same demographics. Their laws are diferent. All of the Caribbean is rapidly being spoiled by the importing of negative values such as hip-hop and rap culture, gang culture, drug culture, etc. which the young men seem to adopt with abandon.
Sorry about the rant. We have found that neighborhood watches, common sense, a reliable vehicle, a circle of friends who are positive, and a comfortable, secure home in a good neighborhood make things a lot easier.

Parm:

I grew up in Cincinnati and the hills on STX are every bit as steep or steeper than Mt. Adams.

The roads are narrow, if there are shoulders they are mostly un ridable.

After the rainy season brush and weeds hang over the edge of the road until they get around to cutting it back.

If you ride a bike here you are going to get rained on. While it doesn't rain every day, many days there are showers someplace on the island. They don't last long, but you will get wet. The showers leave puddles which hide the pot holes and wash dirt and sand down onto the main roads from unpaved side roads and driveways.

I enjoy riding a bike during the day, but I would never ride a bike at night in the VI. The roads are very dark and have many blind curves. Sight lines are made worse by the steering wheel of American cars being on the wrong side of the car for driving in the VI.

Jim

"Things die in the cold."

Like bugs! thank goodness. I've been covered up in spiders the last few months and i'm hoping for an asskicking cold spell to thin out the herd a little bit.

Speaking of bugs, they're one of only two disadvantages I can think of regarding moving to the tropics. The other is that the grass grows year round.

-35 below windchill advisory in in minneapolis....hope to get to stt this week....missed my flight last saturday.

Just because the grass grows allyear, doesn't mean you need to cut it! Haha! I think I've only seen about 5 lawnmowers being used here in 7 years. We don't have many "lawns". A weedwacker is all that's necessary.

Please don't email me and call me a weirdo for what I am about to write, because I know that I am unusual. But, I cannot even think of being in warm weather at this time of the year. The colder the better at Christmas time, but I realize it is not for everybody. I am one of those unusual people that like the cold weather , but yet I will be ready for the warm weather when it rolls around. For now, there is nothing like sitting by the fireplace at night. So nice and cozy! If I ever moved to STT, I would have to come back here at Christmas time.

We were in STT the first week of December. As beautiful and warm as it was, there is nothing like snow and cold weather to make it feel like Christmas. Christmas in this area (Boston) is a season, not a day. I guess it's all what you are used to!

Merry Christmas!

hey, that's okay...if this is what makes you happy...we're all happy for you. 🙂

Yes, we are happy for you...and happy not to BE you! Haha! To each his own, right?

Yes, to each his own. I did find out while I was there that island living would not be for me, but my husband would love it. I did offer to buy him a one-way ticket there for Christmas, but....

Thanks for not making too much fun of me.