Snow - The Downside

[LivingProof]

A family tradition each fall is a Penn State football game with our son and his wife, who are both Alums. Attending a Big 10 game with 110,000 football fanatics is a great experience. The PSU tailgate tradition is as good as it gets. Acres and acres of parked cars, friendly people, great food, games etc. Normally, just a wonderful fall afternoon in a pretty central Pa. valley. Last year the game was at night, on national TV and the entire crowd wore white - the PSU White Out tradition. Two years ago, it was 90 on the same weekend.

In a little while we begin this years trip to the game with Minnesota. 3 to 6 inches of snow already fallen in State College, the forecast is for more snow/rain tomorrow. High of 35 all weekend. This is the earliest snow on record. One good aspect of being a skier is we've got all the right clothes.

I've got a hunch the local bars will have record crowds tomorrow during the game.

Have a great weekend everybody! We'll do just fine and then off to the Finger Lakes for a brief vacation.

[Philpug]

You are a better man than me....Personally I cannot deal with crowds over 100K.

On that said...

Joe Pa......
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glesee!

[jim-ratliff]

Have a great weekend everybody! We'll do just fine and then off to the Finger Lakes for a brief vacation.

LP:  Where ya' going in the Finger Lakes area?  Lynn and I were up there last weekend and really enjoyed exploring -- first time I had ever known where the finger lakes are.  Seneca (and Cayuga) are so deep (650 feet) they don't freeze in the winter time?  Amazing.  We did a couple of short 20 mile bike rides and really enjoyed the views (even though it was cool).  You should be hitting the leaves just about perfect for color.  Have a great time.  Rumor was that the glass Pumpkin display at Corning was awesome.

Taughannock Falls at 215' was as good as Todd advertised.  Let me know what else I should remember for my next trip.  Will do Watkins Glen park next time, ran out of time this. 

[gregmerz]

Go Gophers...

[Gary]

Jim and Lynn....you were up in our neck of the woods....well a wee bit away...must let us know next time.

We were in Florida last week Thurs-Tues boiling are arses off...95 plus humidity.....played 51/2 rounds of golf....eek...freak n' hot.

Mike....where are YOU going in the Finger Lakes?

Colors will be at peak in a week or two....weather looking warmer here next week....in the 60's and sunny.

Hoping for an early touch down at HOliday Valley this year...a few days before Thanksgiving would be very nice! 

Best,
G

[jim-ratliff]

Gary:

How long a drive is Holiday Valley for you??

I can identify with the climate difference.? The weekend before the Finger Lakes I was in the Pensacola area.? My daughter-in-law is back from Kabul and I attended her assumption of command ceremony of the 1st Special Operations Comptroller Squadron.

Hot and humid even though they live on the bay, and especially hot when compared to the chilly temperatures up here before and after.

As you will soon find out (grandpa) grandkids ARE grand, but they can really wear you out in just a few days.

Jim

[LivingProof]

About 15 miles from PSU, the highway crosses a 2000' ridge and then drops into Happy Valley. Prior to the ridge, just rain. After the ridge, it looked like Summit County Co. (in 6 inches of new snow). Some great views of PSU's ski area, that big, big Tussey Mt. Broken trees and limbs all over the place as leafs had not fallen off. Our motel had partial power all weekend, just some lighting and hot water. For the first time, PSU had to close the tailgating areas as people would be slipping all over. Tailgating got done in parking lots of Target, Home Depot etc. We did ours in the parking lot of our inn.

Greg, In Minnesota, I'm sure you know how to handle winter much better than Pa, but, we play football better. The game was played in light rain. There were more empty seats than I've ever seen, which is a disappointment on Homecoming Weekend.

Our Finger Lakes experience was just a dream as we returned early to support my 90 year old in-laws. We did the Pa. "Grand Canyon" yesterday and intended to see Corning Glass today and Ithica tomorow. Maybe a little later this year.

G, you'll know when I'm in your area. Corning to Rochester == 3hrs?

OK, I got my first snow for this year. Bring on the real thing! It bumms me out to read about all these opening areas and I can't be there.

[gregmerz]

Go Gophers...

Yea, not so much...

[Gary]

Holiday Valley from Rochester is 2 hours...

Philidelphia City Hall to my house in Rocheter, 5hours 39 minutes as per Map Quest.....

Correctomondo Jim on the wearing out part....I crawl on the floor chasing my granddaughter around and 6 hours later with holes in my pants....I'm worn out!

Like skiing the trees with Ron....zuasting! 

G

[nevils]

Is there a substantive construction difference between the 2 skis ? In 2009 the reference length was 168 cm. and in 2010 it is 176 cm. Otherwise the dimensions are the same for both years. The 2010 version is described as  ...."relaxing high performance - no vices - broad performance envelope".... and is appealing as a step up from my older 176 cm Elan M666's. Is the 2010 82XTi closer to the 2009 82Ti which received extremely good reviews from many, especially lighter skiers? I am Elan fan.
Thank you,
Nevils 

[gregmerz]

Philpug if you please...