cold
A few years ago I spent a lot of money on a pair of neoprene waders. And even though I only have cause to wear them a few times a year, there are times when they are worth their weight in gold. Seriously. Especially last week. A few days in Pike County Pennsylvania doing stream work in water that was 1.4 degrees C. That is 34 degrees F. Really, reallllllly cold. But I stayed warm for the most part. Except for when we have to measure cobbles and boulders submerged in the stream to determine how fast that stream gets going during peak flows (the size of the material moved tells us that). I don't have elbow length neoprene gloves. Plunging your bare arm in water that is barely above freezing is like one million little knives stabbing your flesh and then you stop feeling anything. I feel cold just looking at these pictures again. But it was a pleasant experience overall. A stream in wintertime, especially with waterfalls and ice coating the bedrock walls is a calming thing. And a cleansing thing in a way. Cyndy, this is Saw Creek in Lehman Township, near Winona Falls. Is that near you?
Speaking of ice, we've had two ice storms in the last few days. No snow, but tons of ice and wind. There are lots of limbs and sticks to pick up and I think I lost about half of a very large butterfly bush. I really don't like ice and I have a feeling that we will be seeing a lot of it this winter season.
One week and counting and I still have a few gifts to buy but nothing terrible. This month went crazy fast, not helped I guess by being out of town for awhile. I'm looking forward to having off for a few days. Hopefully there won't be any ice.
posted by meresy_g at Monday, December 17, 2007
5 Comments:
(Word to the wise: never get a hole in your neoprene waders. My fly-fishing husband did, while fishing in Minnesota in March. brr.)
Glad you're back amongst us and are thawed out! Even if it's cold, you still have a cool job.
Glad to hear you have warm gear, Meredith. That sounds like one cold job. Even those photos look cold.
You sound like you are in much better shape Christmas wise, than your last post. Good. This time of the year shouldn't be stressful.
Merry Christmas to you, your husband, the dogs, and the chickens! You don't have any cats, do you?
Beautiful description and photos of a beautiful place! I like how you notice that it is a calming and cleansing experience~ I agree and often have that same feeling.
If you get some time (after the holiday ofcourse) please email me privately (my email addy is on the sidebar of my blog)--re I'd love to hear more about your findings and measurements of Saw Creek...
Merry Christmas!
ps...sorry about your butterfly bush...hope it makes it!
Those are definitely beautiful pictures. Sounds like Santa ought to bring you neoprene gloves for Christmas, just in case. :)
You know me--the frustrated shoulda-been-a-scientist--so I have to ask: What use is measuring boulders in the creek bed?
Measuring boulders in the creek bed tells you what the peak flows are like. If the water gets to a velocity that it can move small to medium boulders (rocks two feet across) that factors in to the design for stream restoration. You have to install features that can withstand flows of that intensity.
Post a Comment
<< Home