Winter 2016 (Bend, Redmond, La Pine: gas, rated, area)

[Coniferian]

Up to the 20s with a little sunshine this afternoon. Not sure why Redmond schools are closed since the roads have all been plowed.

[BendLocal]

And winter doesn't start until 12-21!

[Thom52]

My faith in Bend is renewed. We finally got our first pass of a snowplow on our street during this series of snow storms. Probably an accumulated depth of close to 2 feet by the time they sent a plow our way.
I actually had time and a bit of sun for wandering around with my iphone camera in the neighborhood.
snow_1050HomeWithSidewalk by Thom I, on Flickr


My bro-in-law is a VT and MA expat and therefore really knows snow removal. He got me connected with the right tools for my small place. These two scoops are game changers for moving snow without killing your back. Blasted easily through the snowplow berm.
snow_1037.-scoopsjpg by Thom I, on Flickr

It was easy to get around Bend now that we didn't high center the 8 inch clearance car on the snow in our neighborhood.

It was a a couple days without seeing sun. That is a shock in Central Oregon. It was nice seeing a bit of sun and blue sky again.
snow_1043blueSky by Thom I, on Flickr

snow_1049SunnyJuniperPark by Thom I, on Flickr

[BendLocal]

Originally Posted by Thom52

It was a a couple days without seeing sun.

Common occurrence during a typical winter.

[BendLocal]

Overnight temps around Bend well into the negatives but not as cold as La Pine coming in around -20!

[Thom52]

Originally Posted by BendLocal

Common occurrence during a typical winter.

Only a couple of days without seeing the sun is a common occurrence? Awesome!

I moved from western WA, where going for weeks on end without seeing the sun in the winter is a common occurrence. Seeing the dim winter orb through a haze of clouds for a few minutes during the Fall and Winter would be an exceptional event.

Now I feel like I am wasting the day if I don't get out every time the sun is out in Bend, but I am discovering I need to pace myself better. It happens too often. LOL!

I do need to get some winter boots for Bend winter though. I tromped through snow a lot in the mountains of Western WA, but I am discovering that was "warm" snow compared to Bend area.

[BendLocal]

I don't think the typical winter is what you are expecting.

Bend Sux: Our Sucky "Inversions"

[Thom52]

Originally Posted by BendLocal

I don't think the typical winter is what you are expecting.

Bend Sux: Our Sucky "Inversions"

Inversions are not unique to Bend. Having lived in the Northwest for over 30 years, I definitely am familiar with inversions. Its just part of life in the Northwest.

But yes, you better expect some tradeoffs where ever you put down roots.

Like trading mud for dust, moving from the wet side to the dry side....

[BendLocal]

Originally Posted by Thom52

Inversions are not unique to Bend.

Sorry that was the wrong link. The point I was trying to make was that it is not rare for the Bend area to go more than a couple of days without seeing the sun.

Bend Sux: It's SAD (Sucky Affective Disorder) Season

The last few winters have been so mild that it is easy to forget the old joke about the 3 seasons of Bend - Winter, July, and August.

[Thom52]

wink wink nod...
Yup, we never see the sun in Bend.


I did come from a place where everyone joked that Summer started the week after 4th of July, and winter came back first week in September.

Later afternoon hike in my local Sawyer park today saw lots of people out enjoying a rare day of winter sunshine.

sw1300668overBridge by Thom I, on Flickr

sw1300656View2 by Thom I, on Flickr

sw1300650SuntopJuniper by Thom I, on Flickr