Current State of Things

Simon Sexton · Jan 29, 2019

Down in the 30s this morning, but it's warmed up to about 47 now. Still too cold for me...I thrive in the hundred degree summer season! Fishing sucks down here in the winter season, because it rains so much that all the saltwater turns practically fresh, and all the creeks and rivers flood and it washes all the catfish out into places that are almost impossible to get to. Not to mention, rains also bring cold fronts, so it usually gets too cold for fishing after showers anyway. Can't wait till spring...

DayDreamer41 · Jan 29, 2019

cb32863 said:
Nice to see a thread on the fact that it is colder than a well diggers.... and longing for the days of summer to come has degraded in to what ever the hell this is now..... SMH. No wonder people are bailing. I regret starting it.....

My goodness.......... its not only cold outside

LakeShark · Jan 30, 2019

Ok someone has to say it. It's not that bad out there! It's -25 feels like -53 in southern mn and I still started the car outside without even a coat! It's cold yes but common it's been a mild winter. People talk about this like it's the end of the world. I'm going in to work today because I can't find a good excuse not to. Farmers are feeding animals in the cold and I work indoors so what do I have to complain about. The key is good vehicle maintenance and proper attire if your going to be outside for extended times.

When I first moved to the state I serviced wind towers and yes we worked many times in -30 temps climbing 300 feet into the air to fix a tower that was broken so there was no heat! Dress properly and enjoy the day it's not that bad!

Boomer54 · Jan 30, 2019

Iowa is closed as well. Not sailing today!

DayDreamer41 · Jan 30, 2019

The cold weather here today and even colder tomorrow (-15*F) sure makes me hope that the company I paid to winterize the boat completely displaced the water in the engine, HW tank and freshwater distribution systems. I sure would hate to have that fight come spring and how liable are the boat mechanic companies?, I know he does many of the boats in the yard, which could add up to a very large number quickly.
@LakeShark I always wondered who was up on that tower, man you couldn't pay me enough to do that work in those conditions.

DougM · Jan 30, 2019

Scott T-Bird said:
It's January! I'm sick of the rain! I want snow!

I’m to the point in my life where I’ll take the rain as long as it doesn’t freeze. At least I don’t have to shovel it!

Will Gilmore · Jan 30, 2019

LakeShark said:
The key is good vehicle maintenance and proper attire if your going to be outside for extended times.

I think anything less than all-wheel drive will lead to more problems than necessary. Except for my libertarian ideals, I'd suggest, in the North, rear-wheel drive should be banned.
Oh, and good winter tires are a must.

-Will (Dragonfly)

jssailem · Jan 30, 2019

Will Gilmore said:
rear-wheel drive should be banned.

That spoil the fun of summer time doing donuts in the parking lot to impress the girls and fund the local tire repair shops.

Maybe you guys need to help the economy and have 2 cars... One for summer and one for winter.

Will Gilmore · Jan 30, 2019

Have you ever actually met a girl who was impressed by a car doing donuts? If so, were you impressed by that girl?

-Will (Dragonfly)

LakeShark · Jan 30, 2019

DayDreamer41 said:
I always wondered who was up on that tower, man you couldn't pay me enough to do that work in those conditions.

It was cold yes but you just kept the truck running if it was a short repair and climbed slow. Key is when climbing in -30 wear a full face mask and dont breath heavy / sweat. Sweat will freeze to you at the top and breathing heavy will burn your lungs and could cause you to cough up blood at the top. You just need to use common sense and climb slow. First order of business is get a space heater running to warm your hands then get to work on the repair. At that temp it may take hours to get oils up to an operating temp. I did not love it every day but looking back on it I would do it again. Pay was good, coworkers cared about one another and everyone worked as a team. Wind techs regardless of the company they work for are a good group of guys. Oh and average wind speed on the top of the tower in MN was 20mph year round (double ground speed). I did not even bother to think about wind chill at that point!

Will Gilmore said:
Oh, and good winter tires are a must.

Rear wheel is fun! You can even do donuts easier! I must say I never saw a need for snow tires. Yes there nice but in really if you drive smart you should not be speeding or tailgating on slick roads anyway so the shorter stopping distance is not needed. The plows do a great job in MN and in the cities they put down so much salt you can hear the undercarriage rust (I hate driving in the cities for this reason) Many times I have been passed by someone while driving on snow covered roads only to come around the next corner and see them in the ditch. Always a humbling experience to pass a guy in a pick up only to have him pull out a strap and get you back out of the ditch. Funny they don't seem to pass again after that.

My point is that its Minnesota and its cold so how is that news? We get a week or two like this every year but this year you would swear that everyone was going to die! Its just not that bad. Schools are closed, some business are closed but banks, restaurants, and most normal people are still going to work to make a living. If you work out doors you take extra precautions, if you work indoors you turn the heat up a degree or two. Life goes on and spring will be here in just over a month. Now back to dreaming about all the things I want to do with the boat this spring! I have races to win after all!

jssailem · Jan 30, 2019

Will Gilmore said:
Have you ever actually met a girl who was impressed by a car doing donuts?

This girl looks interesting, if I was single and 10 years younger... Nice Smile.

DayDreamer41 · Jan 30, 2019

@jssailem I call fake news, Miata's don't have enough power to do donuts, but you are right nice smile or was that smiles

Simon Sexton · Jan 30, 2019

DayDreamer41 said:
don't have enough power

Doesn't take much when the whole car doesn't even weigh 3k pounds. Also it's probably tuned, small turbo or something.

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani · Jan 30, 2019

rgranger said:
blinding....

I have winter neighbors from Ontario-They are usually in short sleeves, and often wearing shorts here. Then come spring, the temps get over 70, and the wife says "it's so hot!!"

Simon Sexton · Jan 30, 2019

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani said:
over 70

That's fall/early winter for us...anything below 80.

Knot Stressin' · Jan 30, 2019

LakeShark said:
Ok someone has to say it. It's not that bad out there! It's -25 feels like -53 in southern mn and I still started the car outside without even a coat! It's cold yes but common it's been a mild winter. People talk about this like it's the end of the world. I'm going in to work today because I can't find a good excuse not to. Farmers are feeding animals in the cold and I work indoors so what do I have to complain about. The key is good vehicle maintenance and proper attire if your going to be outside for extended times.

When I first moved to the state I serviced wind towers and yes we worked many times in -30 temps climbing 300 feet into the air to fix a tower that was broken so there was no heat! Dress properly and enjoy the day it's not that bad!

I hear what your saying, and I agree. Granted, its freakin cold out there. ( SW corner of Michigans lower peninsula for me)
Pull up your big boy pants, get out there and get sh%t done! Life is rolling forward.
For 20 yrs I did commercial roof construction. I know whats its like to clear snow just to get a job done in extreme weather.
Trouble today, EVERYONE is so pampered and spoiled rotten.....that no one seems to be willing to roll their sleeves up and do the hard work anymore. They would rather be a whopper flopper and cry that they need $15+ per hour and benefits.