To be fair, we had a "Winter" in New Home, during which the temperature could plunge in the the low 20's F and ice could be a real concern, but in general it never seemed to run as long and we could just as likely have temperatures in the mid-70's and 80's F.
Here in New Home 2.0, we hover easily in the mid-40's during the day (with an occasional excursion in above 50 F) with nights and mornings quite regularly in the 30's or mid 20's.
This has definitely impacted my morning walks.
Last year, everything seemed exceptionally cold from sometime in November to early March. Going out was an experience (it felt) in Arctic survival. Polar explorers had nothing on me as "braved" the weather to get my steps in.
This year, things are different.
Part of the difference comes heeding the advice of those that lived here longer, which runs something like "The weather will not change." Get the gear and go do things." So my morning stroll gear is much more oriented specifically towards colder weather, a cobbled together hodge-podge of items I already owned, items I have purchased, and "free gear" from my employer.
The other part, it seems, is I am simply getting used to the place.
More than once over the last two weeks the following conversation has taken place in our apartment:
The Ravishing Mrs. TB (TRMTB): "How was the weather?"
Me: "Not too cold."
TRMTB: (Looks at phone): "It it was 34 F outside."
Me: "Hmm. It really did not feel that bad."
This conversation seems to be happening more and more.
The reverse has happened as well: during our visit back to New Home for Christmas with our usual mid-70's F weather (and attendant humidity), I thought to myself "This is actually kind of uncomfortable" more than once.
I am not quite sure what it fully means when cold is not as cold and warm is a little too warm, but perhaps it at least means that this place is becoming more like home.
Mid 40s sounds delightful right now. It has been a couple days since I've even seen the 30s for highs.
ReplyDeleteHaving moved once upon a time into the frozen tundra of the north and back again a decade later, I remember that it takes about one full year to fully adapt. Like you said, it doesn't feel as cold as you remember and when you go south for visits, it feels more uncomfortable now. It doesn't mean you enjoy those temperatures but your body has adapted to make them less uncomfortable.
"It was 34 F outside" and "Hmm. It really did not feel that bad"....(giggle)...heh...heh....(snort) Ah TB, here the forecast for the next ten days (yes how reliable the further out?) the highest high is 17F, with what....four mornings in the minus territory. Artic air invasion out of the Northwest. Perhaps the word for New Home 2.0 is acclimation.........:) OBTW a headlamp is nice for darkness walks, a little difficult to manipulate a handheld flashlight wearing mittens.
ReplyDeleteI can attest to acclimation. I think it helps to spend time outside. Humans are actually quite adaptable if they let themselves be.
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