Anyone want to add a couple of inches…anywhere?

Boston does. They’ve had over eight feet of snow this year and need two more to set a record. Many say, “Go for it!”

Long Beach NY has received a fraction of that and I’m done with it. It’s not just the snow it’s the cold. Sound like, “It’s not the heat it’s the humidity.” Yes, I think I’ve become a crotchety old curmudgeon this winter.

We’ve done the snowbird thing in the past but in recent years we’ve stayed North.  It wasn’t quite Hurricane Sandy but Long Beach, NY got a winter whack this year. Lots of snow and plenty of low digit temps.  At times it was beautiful and at times it SUCKED.

Yesterday I wanted to get over to the Long Beach Recreation Center for a nice swim in that oasis I’ve come to love. But as I neared our terrace window I hesitated to leave the comfort of the corner of Basil and Vine.

But I ventured out to see how bad it really was.

Not too bad. Certainly not Boston Bad. Just treacherously slippery. We’ve had a lot of ice this year.

During the winter I took some photos of our icy beach to share with you.

I decided to add to them on my drive to the Rec. 

I checked out our iconic boardwalk blanketed in white.

Here are some people of Long Beach. Steamy summer heat or freezing winter cold…doing what they gotta do.

And ya know, even if it’s their job, in tough weather I like to yell out a, “Thank you!” Or even just give a thumbs up through my windshield.

It was way down in the wee digits when I took this shot.

I often bike to the Rec Center, but I must say, “When winter comes to  see us Lee Winters takes his Prius.”

Not these tough trekkers.

Once inside I see all the staff showed up, from the front desk to the cleaning crew to the lifeguards:

Winter aint so bad after all…when I get to the pool that is.

As I walked to my car I looked longingly at the spot where my bike would soon stand.

As I get near home I pass The FLORIDIAN. yeah, right!

 I’m eager to see these critters building lifeguard mounds of sand:

Yup, maybe next year we’ll travel south. But, ya know, there’s a warmth that’s with me no matter what state I’m in. Because it’s not so much where I am…as who I’m with.

Bailey rushes toward spring, can it be that far off?

Be well,

Leebythesea