Ice bar and Winter Wonderland

On Saturday we has a lazy morning before heading into town. We went to Winter Wonderland first. It wasn't as packed as last year but still really busy. We got some food and went to the rotating bar for a drink (we enjoyed it last year so why not?).

At the carousel bar.

Drinks!

Carousel bar.

Snuggly warm

It was pretty cold. Kerry at least was super warm in her new coat.
There was only so much time we could spend at Winter Wonderland, if you are not interested in drinking very large amounts or going on rides. And Kerry wanted to look for some ear muffs (we didn't find any). Oxford street was insane so we found a pub on a side road.

Sexy Santa.

Recent Street.

This year we planned better and got tickets for the ice bar. We got there early so had a drink in the war bar first before getting caped up.

Ice tentacles.

The glasses are hollowed out ice cubes. It didn't feel that cold; we only really needed the gloves because of the ice glasses. For our first drink Kerry and I opted for the Moet while Craig went with cocktail. (I switched to a cocktail for the second drink.) You are only in there for 40 mins but it was fun. Especially when the rowdy group of middle aged women quieten down and left. 

Selfie!!!!

Gorilla. 

Sisters

With the brother-in-law

Making our drinks.

Just to show that curiosity runs in the family, Kerry and Craig decided to experiment with the structural integrity of the glass once we were done. They did not hold up well under the "Hulk smash!" technique. You can't take them anywhere! :)

Destroyed!

Kisses.

Tube.

Way down.

After the ice bar we ended up at the cinema. Craig and I wanted to see the Justice League film but Kerry is not a fab. We enjoyed it. Kerry was asleep within 10 mins. But she said it was a good nap!

After we headed back to mine for a take-away.

They had to leave early this morning due to the heavy snow up their way. We haven't had much down here (quite disappointing!) but it sounds like travels has been insanely affected down here anyway. 

It was a great weekend and I am finally starting to feel a little more christmassy. :)

Frozen Cascades

Over the weekend Cait and I decided to go to the Cascades, hoping the waterfall had frozen. Thankfully Sunday was a nice day and perfect for a walk/hike. 

I should point out I still had a nasty cold at this point so it may have not been the most sensible idea to go for a 4 mile hike in the snow. But you only live once! And it was probably going to be my last chance. And I was glad I did. It was really pretty.

The weather warmed up a bit on Sunday so the snow/ice was starting to melt but it was still really pretty and the snow was still deep! There are two trails up to the waterfall, the lower (difficult) trail and (easier) upper trail. We decided it was crazy to try the harder one as it is tricky enough and slippery enough when you can see the trail. (That was where I managed to badly strain my ankle the last time I was here.)

creek.

Bridge to the lower trail.

As you can see the trail was more of an indentation in the snow. We were glad other people had been out before us.

Cait on the trail

Just before the half way point, someone had made the creepiest snowman I have ever seen!

Creepy!

For all of the trail, I was far behind Cait. She is way fitter than me and I was sick too! But it was really peaceful out there so neither of us minded.

Hiking into the distance.

I was completely exhausted (and questioning my sanity) by the time we got near the falls. But it was worth it.

First frozen falls.

Lots of icicles.

Part of the cascades

Frozen Cascades

Cait at the Cascades

We sat and had a little picnic (my first in the snow) but got chilling quickly. So after some photos, headed back. Which started with a climb up snow and ice covered stairs. (I will admit to muttering "This is not a good idea!" many times.)

Climbing the stairs.

Some bits were quite steep and it was only when I looked back at the photos I realized how close we were to a snow covered shear drop. I have no idea where the edge of the trail is!

Dicing with death!

I didn't take many photos on the way down. As it warmed up, the path got very slushy and super slippery! We ended up going off the path (away from the shear drop side of course) and hiking it though the snow. It was an adventure. You never know if you were going in up to your ankle or knee! :-)
And I managed not to end up on my butt. Though it was a close call a number of times and I did do some impressive gymnastic moves to stay on my feet (at least I thought so!).
The melting of the snow was most apparent on the snowman on the way down. Not sure if he looks more or less creepy. He had a voodoo shrunken head thing going on.

Still creepy.

We were both very happy to be back at the parking lot. However Cait's car is a Prius. Not known for its ability in snow and ice. And we got stuck trying to get out! :-( However 2 very sweet college kids helped us and pushed the car back onto the track. I have no idea how long it would have taken us otherwise to dig it out. We were super lucky! Then Cait had to reverse the car all the way back to the road (including the wrong way down a one way road) but seriously it was the only way. 

I am very glad I went. Even though it has been 2 days since and my legs still ache! 

Crazy weather week.

The weather this week in Blacksburg has been fun. We had snow days Monday and Tuesday thanks to a snow storm, which I happily spent working at home on the sofa with my duvet. Good days! And as I have had a horrible cold all week, a few days in were good. (They didn't get rid of the cold but at least I was curled up with lots of hot drinks.)

Wednesday I went into work and Cait and I decided to go for our usual walk at lunch despite the snow. It was actually quite fun and not as cold as I expected. (I think I am getting used to those temperatures.)

A Robeson Hall snowman

Some people don't think it is cold at all.

Campus is very pretty

It stopped snowing by the time I got home and I even saw some blue sky. (I was very excited!)

Home

Some people just didn't move their cars

The snow was no where near as much as in Boston, but still it was enough for me. So pretty but a pain. 

Thursday, things really got interesting. The temperature plummeted. (Thursday night it was even colder, going down to -4F which is -20C and that is without wind chill.) All the temperatures below are in Fahrenheit. And the wind is the killer! -20F is -29C. The very air hurts. These temperatures I am not happy with. They are ridiculous! 

Insanity!

Friday night I went out for dinner and drinks with a few people from work. This doesn't happen often so we obviously wait until the coldest time of the year to do it! Anyway, it meant I had to walk home. Blacksburg is great at clearing the roads. The sidewalks are a different story. Some they clear. Some they just dump all the snow from the road on to them., especially when you are trying to cross a road. Most are awkward to get over, and require treks through knee high snow and ice. (I am so out of shape - that was seriously hard work!) Some however ... well there was just no way I was going  over that! In the photo below, I am standing up straight next to the snow. Behind me is the snow on the sidewalk. Needless to say I walk the long way around this one!

Not impressed.

Thankfully half way back, I managed to get the bus. They are only once an hour so it was a small miracle. I barely made it and ended up jumping on through the back door, which they really don't like you doing, but I begged and was shivering so the lovely bus driver let me stay on. It was 9F (-13C) and it just too cold! I have crossed "polar explorer' of my list of future job options.
And my little birds are back on my balcony. How they are surviving is a mystery. I am keeping food and unfrozen water out for them. Poor little things.

Little visitors.

It is once again snowing and doesn't seem to want to stop. Though it is forecast for freezing rain later. Oh the joy! So another weekend in with my duvet again I think. Can't say that's a bad thing! :-)