Go East, Old Storm

NYC - 2003

I know--more about the weather!

I was relieved that our last snow storm was a modest one, even as double systems were heading with a vengeance towards the East Coast to dump some snow there.

I don't wish anyone harm; however, all the weather drama seems to be about what happens in New York City, Boston, etc. What happens here in the Midwest tends to be less important to the national media outlets--and that can become rather annoying. But we know how to handle the weather better. We are tougher and we own more trucks.

 As I wished the storm away and east, I didn't know a little boy would be asphyxiated because his father's car's exhaust pipe would be stuck in a snow bank. That was a tragic side-note to the storm, as are the heart attacks of old men trying to shovel their walks--not really the fault of the storm.

But sometimes I take a perverse delight in watching the cities in which the "elites" and eggheads are concentrated--those who think they are so much more sophisticated and have all the answers to the world's problem, even global climate change--experience a little difficulty.

The Times - 2003

I was in New York for the February snowstorm of 2003. We headed out of New York City to Princeton, New Jersey just as the worst of the snowstorm hit. I was staying on the campus of Princeton University, in the facilities of Princeton Seminary. The campus and the entire city of Princeton shut down completely. And of course, all airports were closed, for at least two days.

It was obvious to me that the city of Princeton was not prepared for that much snow. I was unhappy and frustrated. We went shopping once the storm ended and found a bar that was open, but I would rather have just taken a flight home.

I remember a few good things about that time of waiting for the weather and the roads to clear. (The backup of flights at the Newark airport was the larger issue.)

First, the snow on the Princeton University campus was absolutely beautiful, especially after the storm, when the sun came out.

Also, since a board meeting, as I recall, had been cancelled, and since no one was able to fly in or out of the closed airports, the campus cafeteria had steak and other fancy food left over, which they served at regular dinner prices.

And, I had a chance to explore the entire campus of this historic university. I took many photos, although the photos I used in this post were actually taken by a friend.

Me, standing in front of Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel, 2003

I found these photos on a cd from 2003 and had not viewed them since then. I was so happy with my new black leather Tommy gym shoes (still have them), purchased just before this trip. I thought they looked good with my black winter coat, but they were not really adequate for that much snow.