Snowpocalypse 2010
By Danielle Carrier
Dedicated to Uncle Dick Carrier
The city sounds were usually noticed 24/7. “Vroom, vroom, beep, beep.” I was conditioned to hearing them daily. On this day, the city was quiet. The sky was dark as if the nation’s capital was in the center of a hurricane. I was looking forward to a break in my unpleasant routine and I welcomed the chance for snow to bring me some peace.
“I’m on my way over!” I exclaimed to Heather and hung up the phone. I squeezed into my friend’s black snow pants and double checked to make sure I had layers so that I would be warm enough outside. The news was painting a grim picture for travel in Washington, DC for the 5-6 of February. I knew I had time to enjoy the snow, my friends, and my favorite places. “I’m all set for this adventure!” I thought to myself. I scurried with anticipation out of my apartment to begin the winter journey to 1324 W Street NW- Heather’s house.
As I stepped outside, my boot descended into a 1 foot pile of snow on the Cathedral Mansion steps.
“Oh my God,” I thought to myself. This winter wonderland was one of the most amazing natural phenomena I’ve ever seen in my life. Cars were snowed over in their parking spots and the landscape was quiet.
As I turned onto Connecticut Avenue, I noticed that the street had turned into a flat ski trail! I kept thinking to myself, “I love when there are hardly any people around. It’s just you, nature, and your thoughts.” You’re always surrounded by people in a city. Many times in my childhood, I found that the most peaceful times were when I would walk after a snowstorm. With that thought, I excitedly called my dad.
“Ring. Ring.”
“Hello!” my dad answered.
“Dad- you’re not going to believe HOW much snow is here!”
“Really…”
“Yes- I can’t believe it- it’s one of the coolest things I’ve seen in my life! There are no cars on Connecticut Avenue. Just a few people walking in the street. EVERYTHING is covered.”
By this time I had walked to the Woodley Park/Adam’s Morgan metro station, holding my umbrella to shelter me from the thick falling snow. I gave my dad the play-by-play of my walk because I knew how much he would have enjoyed this storm had he been in DC.
“Oh my God! The snow is piled up almost to the top of the spotlight- you should see this!” I shouted into the phone in astonishment.
“Wow- that’s cool, Dan. You’ll have to take pictures and send them to us!” My dad said goodbye to spend time with his dying brother and his sibilings in Florida. I set out to continue my snowy trek to Heather’s.
I looked at the sky. It was as if 1:00 PM was night. The snow poured down in fluffy white blankets as I walked. I had wished it would snow like this for days.
I loved living in Washington, DC. I loved the people and the places. If I could just spend quality time with the people at the places, without the outside pressures of schedules and getting work done, I would have truly enjoyed every moment like the days in my childhood. This winter day, I felt like a child again. How lucky were we, in Washington, DC, to live through this one-in-a-lifetime blizzard. I imagined people inside of their homes, keeping warm with blankets, watching movies and drinking hot chocolate. These were the times they, and I, would always remember. A time when life came to a standstill. A time when friends could truly enjoy each others' company and play outside like kids. This snowstorm brought peace to me in the form of snow covered streets in a city with people that I will always love.
