I have lived in Seattle my entire life. For the majority of that time, it has rained. But, there are times that Seattle is overwhelmingly beautiful. Those two times can be described as “Sunny Summer Day” and “Freak Snow Storm”.
There is really nowhere more visually stunning than Seattle on a summer day. Surrounded by water, she sparkles like a diamond, covered in evergreens, she is greener than anywhere else I have ever been. Well, except Ireland. Ireland is relentlessly green. But that combination– the glistening water, the velvet green landscape, and the brightest blue sky — is something very magical. With long days, no humidity (or bugs), a perfect Seattle summer day is special and you do not miss the opportunity to take advantage of it. Computers are brought outside, dogs enjoy extra long walks, and impromptu happy hours pop up in your driveway. At least this happens in our driveway.
Conversely, Seattle rarely sees snow. While surrounded by two of the most beautiful mountain ranges on earth (if I do say so myself), the Seattle Metro area sits at sea level, and it rarely gets cold enough to snow. But when it happens, the city shuts down, everyone locates their snow pants and gloves and heads outside to enjoy it before the rain steals it away. Actual snow days are few, but the impact of the best neighborhood sledding hill, snow days off school, and a baked potato for dinner all feature prominently in my childhood memories.
Because we are leaving Seattle in the first week of March, the chances of a Sunny Summer Day are pretty slim. I am grateful we banked as many of them as we did last August. It’s been a pretty miserably rainy winter, so I hadn’t given much thought to whether or not I would see snow before we left.
But it snowed this weekend. My God it snowed. It snowed like it hasn’t for more than 52 years. It snowed nonstop for more than 24 hours, and we received a record-breaking foot of snow. And, just like it has every time my entire life, the snow brought everything to a stop. The city was quiet, the dogs had nothing to bark at. The beautiful weighted blanket of snow covering my neighborhood was almost too much. I must have muttered “it’s so beautiful” and “I just cannot believe it” at least 100 times. I threw snow balls for the dogs, I sipped coffee (with Bailey’s, because, Snow Day) while I watched Brewster and Langley chase one another around the back yard. I drank even more coffee while I watched my nephew’s attempt to surf the neighbor’s driveway using his sled (this did not go well). I made Chicken and Dumplings, and we walked the same walk we have every time it has snowed here — to our good friend’s home about a mile away.
The snow lasted 2 days, and began to melt last night. We probably have about 4-6 inches left, and that will be gone by morning. But, it was beautiful while it lasted. It was the most perfect love letter from this city that has been my home my entire life. I am grateful that just 16 days before we drive away, I got the chance to enjoy one last Freak Snow Storm.
I love you too Seattle.
-cqn
#nedventures 