It really is beautiful. The notion of a winter wonderland was absurd to me while living in Southern California, but the beauty of Washington, drapped in snow, is quite inspiring. Too bad I don't know how to drive on icy roads, and rear wheel drive doesn't exactly help.
Having spent a year of my life in the mountains--Big Bear when I was three--I never harbored your prejudice against the wintry delights of crisp white snow. But I do share your appraisal of its beauty. There is a stretch of SR 900 that passes between Squawk and Cougar Mountains, where the road winds and twists and passes beneath a tunnel of trees, and the sun rarely shines. On my drive to work this morning it was simply the most exquisite and beautiful arrangement of snow and forest that I have ever seen. It was still there in the dark drive back tonight, the area having never passed 26 degrees. (Indeed, there are still patches of snow in downtown Seattle!)
But far and away the most beautiful sight of this entire storm and its aftermath was on Thursday, when I sat in bed and looked out the window for a long time as strong wisps of wind blew snow from the trees, all beneath a vivid blue sky and the bright sun. Also worth mention: That night I went horse riding and saw
the comet.
