Snow Slog

We got hit with the first significant snowfall today in about 1000 days here on the Wet Coast. As usual it's the kind of snow that's barely snow. It's mostly water and it seems to  melt as soon as it lands. Except for asphalt, that is. Once it lands on asphalt it compresses with the first tire imprint causing steadily increasing degrees of mayhem with the passing of every subsequent vehicle.

And of course, timing is everything. The snow reportedly started around 4-5 a.m., ensuring it was sticking to the roads for the start of rush hour. Fortunately I was able to delay my commute since I had a site visit downtown. But even so I was an hour later than planned due to the sudden increase in bus riders and delays of buses due to icy streets, cars with all-season tires and general gridlock.

The bus I was waiting for was much delayed, as reported by a friendly fellow Transit user who had a handy app on his smart phone indicating where requested buses are at any specific point in time. The bus in question was still at 29th Street Station, the start of its route but quite far away from my bus stop. Upon processing this information I decided to walk to Fraser Street instead to await the 08 bus. Perfectly timed, it arrived as I approached Fraser. However, it was packed with standees right to the front door. Also however, I know from experience that these buses often travel in packs by the time they get to the middle of their route through my 'hood. Thus I sensed another "8" was immediately following this full one. Once proven correct in my assumption I hopped on a mostly empty 10-wheeled, articulated transit tube smiling to myself that I might even have time to grab a coffee somewhere on route prior to my appointment.

I should have known better. No sooner was I seated than the bus came to an abrupt halt not even a block away. Through the front window I could see a jack-knifed bus up ahead.

A jack-knifed bus on East King Edward Street, though not the same one as
described earlier.

Here's how approximately two inches of snow transforms my Fraser Street
neighbourhood.

And here's the view from the roof of the building I was reviewing this morning.
Not nearly as much snow downtown.

A large scale bauble is on display off Georgia Street.

As I blog, outside this slushy mess is freezing. I can almost hear it; smug in its anticipation of snarling traffic anew tomorrow morning. Nothing better than an armada of ill-equipped SOVs (no, not SOBs; Single Occupancy Vehicles) released upon concrete curb-bounded ice sheets. Somewhat like a large scale luge track minus the speed. It'll be a slow crawl tomorrow. (sigh)

At least now I know it's not only Vancouver that suffers such winter driving indignities. For a laugh just Google the traffic "slide" show involving 2 buses, a police car and snow plough in Montreal this morning. It almost sounds like the lead-in to a joke; "Hey, didja hear the one about the two transit buses, a police car and a snow plough?"

I think I might even have laughed if I didn't have to drive to the office tomorrow morning.

Nonetheless, Tannah enjoyed it. As long as it was constrained to short bursts
followed by a nap next to the furnace register.