Chicago Blizzard 2011

Some have called it snopocalypse, others, snarmageddon.  It may not have been the snowy end of the world, but it was, in my opinion definitely a  s n u r r i n c a n e !  No catchy phrases needed though...Blizzard pretty much says it all. As my friend from CA said, "I heard you were having a blizzard, and I don't think they meant the kind from Dairy Queen!" 


Crazy. I don't know how else to describe it. We live just off of Lakeshore Drive and the winds coming off Lake Michigan were so incredibly intense. It started snowing about 3:00 Tuesday afternoon and became progressively worse throughout the day and into the night. We took Brizz out before dinner, and the wind had already started whipping up. Justin put on his ski goggles, and I thought he was crazy....until we saw another guy with the same eye gear and a girl wearing swimming goggles! 

brizzie's friend, bear, ready for the blizzard

About 9 p.m. thundersnow started, lightning reflecting off the snow turning everything bright blue. Howling wind continued non-stop all night swirling snow around like a tornado. I talked to one girl who lives on the 56th floor of a building close to ours. The chains to her window shades were moving with the sway of her building. She could hear the elevators shifting. It was all very surreal. I was having flashbacks to 1989 and Hurricane Hugo in Charlotte, remembering being hunkered down in the hallway under a mattress and hearing trees falling around our house. 


Luckily there was no hunkering for us and no trees falling in the blizzard. However, thousands of people in the Chicago area lost power; thankfully we did not. We are fortunate to live very close to downtown, so the plows were cleaning off streets around us before we woke up. People in the other neighborhoods who live on side streets weren't so lucky and their cars were still snowed in three days later. The city has suspended parking meter fees all week because cars were stuck in the piles of snow. There was really no parking anyway with huge piles of snow pushed together from the street and the sidewalk. Most roads were narrowed on both sides by plowed snow. The dump trucks are out now hauling it all away.

The images from the hundreds of cars stuck on Lakeshore Drive are incredible. I can't imagine being hopelessly stuck in my car all night right on Lake Michigan taking the brunt of that intense wind and blinding snow. It took a couple days to get all those cars dug out and then towed off Lakeshore. Justin came home at noon to avoid an accident or overnight stay in his car.....smart move.


We took Brizzie out about 9:00 the morning after and got to see the deep pristine drifts before they were shoveled, jumped in and yellowed. It was beautiful and amazing to see so much snow! Brizz had no fear and went romping right through the deepest drifts. While we were out, the last band of snow came through like icing on the cake. I was able to get a few pictures of the end of the blizzard, but it was nothing like the night before. 

Check out more pics here:

https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=330582&id=584913342&l=759f83176f

That afternoon the snow finally stopped and we took a walk on the lake to survey the damage. People and their dogs were out everywhere enjoying the magic of mother nature. Chicago schools were closed for two days and the kids were loving it! 

ice broken up by the storm 

can't tell the difference between land and water

plowing lakeshore drive

snow day in chicago 

let the shoveling begin!

don't eat the purple snow either....it's salt

Now, if this storm had hit Charlotte, the city would have been paralyzed for at least a week and a half, if not two weeks. Not Chicago though. I kept wondering when Chicago was going to get a big snow. With all the storms in the Northeast this winter, I was feeling a little left out. I imagined there would be a foot of snow on the ground all winter. Well, now we might have two feet around until spring. It takes a while for snow to melt around here, and with negative degree temps (without the windchill), I don't think anything will be melting anytime soon. So, I'll bundle up in all my layers and snow boots and go about business as usual, because that what Chicagoans do....think I can call myself a Chicagoan now that I've experienced a Chicago blizzard! And guess what...it's snowing again.

this guy has the right idea!

Poor Bears

One of the biggest games in Bears history definitely didn't live up to the hype for Chicagoans, but it sure was interesting. I was really feeling like I should fork out the cash for the "cheap" seats from Craig's List, just to have the experience of going to the game. Wisely, we decided against that and watched from the comfort of our sofa. 

Before the game, we bundled up, including Brizzie in her boots, and ventured out into the cold for a walk along the lakefront. Four to five inches of new snow had fallen, so it was quite a trek, coupled with the wind off the lake. We walked down the lakefront, through Grant Park and over to Michigan Ave. Bears fans were everywhere making their way to Soldier Field, sporting jerseys over their huge coats and carrying extra blankets. 

frozen, snow covered marina

justin & the brizz

think I could walk on that?....

bears fans walking up the lakefront

That was quite a walk for the Brizz, but she loves playing in the snow, so she was a happy puppy! Her furry chin was caked in snow and people were taking pictures of her in her boots...such a cutie! Dogs in boots are a frequent site at the dog park, but I guess not so much on Michigan Ave!

I had heard about the Lions outside the Art Institute wearing Bears gear, so I had to check it out. Think I may have to get Brizz her own Bears gear for next season!

he must be wearing Peppers' helmet

now, that scarf might keep me warm!

We got back just in time for the opening events and heard the jets fly over as we watched them on TV. It was just like being there, but a tad warmer! I have to say, I loved the Chicago version of the national anthem, where all the fans sing along at the top of their lungs. I tried to imagine that same scene at a Panthers game, and just couldn't do it. I think the "wine and cheese" crowd in Charlotte needs to take a few lessons from Bears fans.

However, I did feel like I was watching the cardiac cats as the game went on. I can't believe the 3rd string quarterback ended up playing in the NFC championship game...and almost pulling the Bears through! Of course all week, everyone in Chicago has been talking about Jay Cutler and the seriousness of his injury....or non-injury. Then of course, there's his general attitude and disinterest from the sideline. I have no idea what his deal is, but from what I can tell on the local news, the city seems pretty split. I'm thinking though, that most people were just disappointed in the game in general. Have to hand it to ex-Panther and Tarheel, Julius Peppers, for putting a huge hit on Aaron Rodgers...he looked pretty shaken up.  I hate to see anyone get hurt though, and Peppers can do some damage for sure! I think, if it wasn't for that, the game could have been much worse. Riding the elevator in our building last Sunday night, a guy got out and didn't say the customary, "good night" or "see ya", but instead, "Poor Bears," shaking his head. That was a really tough way to end the season, but I think there are high hopes for the Bears next year.

I'll be pulling for the Packers in the Super Bowl....you'll never hear me rooting for Pittsburgh.  Guess I'm a Bears fan now....unless they're playing the Panthers. :)

First Chicago Snow

I feel like most of what I talk about these days is weather, and I'm a little embarrassed to be making a big deal out of "a little snow", but to me it is a big deal! 

When I bundle up to take Brizz dog out every night about 10:30, I think back a few months to when I could just open my back door and watch her play from the comfort of my sofa in my cozy PJ's. Now I tuck my pajama pants into my snow boots, wrap my scarf around my neck as tight as I can, put on my puffer, hat and gloves and venture out into the slushy, snowy night. This is a 3 times per day occurrence, and I've given up on my hair ever looking not flattened and static free. At least I don't have to take her out at 6:00 a.m.....that's the husband's shift! I have learned though, that no matter how "warm" it make look outside, to always put on all layers of clothing for optimal warmth. Whenever I decide to skip an article of clothing, I regret it. And, if anyone is in the market for serious snow boots, these are the ticket:

merrell saratov snow boots

I'm telling you, they do the trick! Waterproof, insulated, anti-microbial, ultra light, good cushion, good traction, and they're leather! I wear these puppies every day!

I ordered some booties for the Brizz, but they haven't come in yet. Almost every dog I see has on booties and/or a sweater. Some of them have hoodies...so cute! I don't think Brizz is in need of extra layers though. She's doing awesome in the snow...she loves it! I think she'd much rather live in this climate than the hot, humid south. Chomping on ice cubes is one of her favorite past times, so she's living the dream right now! I can't keep her nose out of the snow long enough to actually take her for a walk. Tonight I let her run around in the park off leash with a bunch of other dogs. They were so cute playing together in the snow!

The first Chicago snow we experienced was last weekend. It was so strange for the local news stations to not be reporting 24/7 on "winter storm 2010". They described the snow as a light dusting, which ended up being about 3 inches. There was no panic or mad rush to the grocery stores for bread and milk. All the businesses and schools actually stayed open! I tested out my new awesome snow boots, and we took a stroll along the riverwalk to get our first taste of Chicago covered in snow!

decorations outside our building

I was even more amazed this weekend when they were forecasting a blizzard and stuck to normal TV programming! Justin and I woke up this morning to the blizzard. The huge snowflakes were swirling on the air currents in all directions, even straight up. We have been going to church at 4th Presbyterian on Michigan Ave., which was our plan this Sunday until we saw the snow tornado. After some discussion, we decided that if we set the standard of staying in when the white stuff is around, we're going to end up being hermits all winter. In the South it's fun to stay warm and safe inside and watch the pretty snow, but here life must go on....and it does. We drove to church instead of hiking to the bus stop like usual. The main streets were clear and we had no problems. There were people out everywhere getting almost blown over from the crazy wind gusts. I was in awe and amazement of the fierceness of the storm and the people. I guess Chicagoans just know how to deal with it and so they do. We passed one man wearing ski goggles....I so wish I could have gotten a picture!

view of 4th Church in the blizzard

After church we went up to the roof of our building to check out the blizzard views of Lake Michigan. It's quite a different scene from just a month ago!  Lake Michigan has the feeling of the ocean because it is so big. Seeing the lake covered with fog and snow is a little surreal but beautiful!

where's the lake??

I'm sure it won't take long for the winter weather to get a little old, and I'll most likely being singing a different tune pretty soon (high of 15 Monday...yikes!).  But, for now I'm enjoying being a Chicago snow bunny!