The Polar Vortex

Well, Darren and I survived our first "polar vortex!"  If you haven't heard that term, it's what they called the storm of sub-zero temperatures and almost foot of snow that was dumped on us a couple of weekends ago.  Fortunately, the snow came over the weekend (when I was not on call and Darren was not at work), so we were able to snuggle up inside playing Ticket to Ride and watching Redbox movies.

The wind helped push the snow up against the back door

This is what we had to dig my car out of

We took this picture a couple of hours before the snow finally stopped

Darren's car and our bushes (close to the window)

I bought these snow boots during my first winter here and HIGHLY recommend them (they are Keens and they ROCK)

When we finally did step outside, we spent about an hour digging my car out from the snow so I could drive to work on Monday, but other than that couldn't really play in the snow because it was just too cold... You only have to warn me once that -30 degree windchills can cause frostbite in 10 minutes!

As a whole, Missouri is better prepared for winter than Texas... which makes sense.  When the threat of snow/ice comes (and it comes frequently), there is an army of salt trucks that prepares the roads and another army of snow plows that follow the fluffy white stuff around, clearing necessary paths.  Unfortunately, the chemistry of the salt mix has no effect on ice/snow below 0 degrees & the amount of plowing that needed to be done following Sunday's snow fall was overwhelming for the city.  Plenty of neighborhoods were left unplowed and people were stuck at home.  I knew I didn't have a choice and would have to find some way to get to work, so I am very grateful that our streets were plowed.

Usually it's not that cold here.  We hover in the 20's on average, with overnight lows dipping into single digits and daily highs sometimes coming up to 40's or even 50's (on a good day).  That's probably why bald eagles come here to winter, which is pretty cool.  If you take the scenic drive north to Alton, IL (about 30 minutes away) and drive along the well-known Great River Road, you can spot the bald eagles resting on the ice that is the Mississippi River.  Last weekend we went with some friends up to Pere Marquette State Park, which is known for its beautiful views, to attempt to see some of these eagles. While we were up there, we also made an unplanned stop at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam and explored the museum there (you know we're suckers for small museums of any kind).

A view of the lock

The barge

Charity with a long-nosed Gar in the museum

Following all of this wintery fun, we ate at Fast Eddie's.  This place has a huge reputation for cheap, greasy food and a one-of-a-kind experience.  I would say they nailed it right on the head.  First of all, you have to be 21 to go to the restaurant... which seems odd at first but once you get inside you realize, it's like one big bar.  Each customer is required to make at least one drink purchase (it can be soda), probably to offset the extremely cheap prices on their food (1/2 pound hamburgers for 99 cents, etc).  The pavilion has a live band performing (when we went they played Zach Brown Band covers!) and the chairs and tables are what you'd expect at a cheap bar.  There are slot machines and free popcorn all over the place.  Darren and I  got burgers while also sampling the Elwood on a Stick and bratwurst (the menu has literally like 6 things on it). It was great fun to finally eat at a place we'd always heard about but never been to!

Photo credit: Charity Queen