Here it comes... (Winter)

[Shawn Gossman]

My local forest for the next few days...

Winter Storm Warning:

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 AM
CST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches.
Winds gusting as high as 45 mph will result in blowing and
drifting snow. Visibility of a quarter mile or less at times.
Wind chills as low as 30 below zero.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central and southeast
Illinois.

* WHEN...From noon today to 6 AM CST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing
snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous
conditions could impact the morning or evening commutes, and
holiday travel. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and
lead to isolated power outages. The dangerously cold wind chills
as low as 30 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin
in as little as 30 minutes.

Windchill Warning:

...WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
NOON CST FRIDAY...

* WHAT...For the Wind Chill Warning, dangerously cold wind chills
expected. Wind chills as low as 30 below zero. For the Winter
Weather Advisory, snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1
to 3 inches, with locally up to 4 inches possible. Flash
freezing of water on area roadways. Winds gusting as high as 40
mph.

* WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana and
western Kentucky.

* WHEN...For the Wind Chill Warning, from 6 PM this evening to
noon CST Friday. For the Winter Weather Advisory, from 2 PM
this afternoon to midnight CST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow
could significantly reduce visibility to a half mile at times.
The hazardous conditions will likely impact the evening commute.
The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in
as little as 10 minutes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Avoid outside activities if possible. When outside, make sure you
wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.

Slow down and use caution while traveling. Be sure to keep a
winter emergency kit in the vehicle.

Winter is coming!

 

[Shawn Gossman]

My work commute one way is 80 miles. It should be fun lol

 

[Dilip]

How do you manage? 160 miles travel daily? I would not like it even with great weather.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

How do you manage? 160 miles travel daily? I would not like it even with great weather.

I work 3 out of five days in office and 2 days virtual from home. If I couldn't do virtual, I'd have to go somewhere else.

But I get paid enough to make it worth it, for now.

I'm day shift. I have my own office. I am a specialist of my trade (data analysis) and no one else can do what I do.

It's funny because I never went virtual once over COVID - it was the high fuel costs that got me there and now I don't see a reason to not do a few days virtual.

 

[Dilip]

Do you have enough no need to drive options? Driving can be very tiring. Especially when the traffic and weather are against us.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Do you have enough no need to drive options? Driving can be very tiring. Especially when the traffic and weather are against us.

I live in a very rural area. It's hard to find good jobs unless you travel.

But living in this rural area means no crime, no druggies, no theft...

Lucky for me, most of my drive is on a freeway/interstate

 

[Dilip]

That is nice. I love quiet places where nature rules.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

That is nice. I love quiet places where nature rules.

And nature definitely rules where I live.

I love nature. I'm an avid outdoorsman.

Within 10 to 20 minutes of me is 20 miles of mountain bike trail, 300,000 acres of National Forest, several state parks with more trails, a 55 mile rail trail, the Ohio River, tons of nature preserves...

It's a natural paradise here.

Woods completely surrounds our house except for the front but the neighbors across the road are farther back. It's super private where we are. We have our own little hiking trail in our woods, too.

No crime. No meth heads. No loud music.

Worst that happens here is farmers will take your mail box out sometimes,

I'll take that over a city any day even if my commute is 160 miles.

 

[Dilip]

True. Cities are too fast and busy.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

True. Cities are too fast and busy.

For me they are.

But I know plenty of people that love them!

Casey Niestat missed New York City so much he moved back to it!

That's probably the busiest city in the world.

 

[Dilip]

It is a matter of taste. But if you live enough in a small place, choosing a big city is harder. You will seriously miss clean water, air and free space.