Back home, there is nearly four inches of snow on the ground. That’s just over ten centimeters for all you metrics out there. In fact, I’m included in that group now. I’m hardly used to it yet. It’s really strange around here when it comes to snow though. Here on the west end, the climate is vastly different than it is just miles, or kilometers, inland. Now this is easily explained once you understand how close the ocean is in relation to downtown. That huge body of water out there maintains this comfortable, warm cloud of air around the area just around the inlet. Either go up in elevation slightly or head inland, even New Westminster, and there is the unusual amounts of snow that is more common to the area in January or February. It’s pretty when it snows around here, but that just makes the ground wet and doesn’t stick around very long.
The neatest thing did happen to me today on my nearly daily run. Albeit not the smartest thing, it still struck me. Cutting back through Stanley Park, this plump, grey squirrel popped out of nowhere and started bounding towards me. Like most small rodents, I thought it would trail off and move away from me. I had a horrible side ache and was walking at this point, but the squirrel angled towards me instead of away from me. I stopped, couched down, and stuck my hand out. Stupid move, I know, but this was too crazy. I knew it just wanted some food, and its nose touched the index finger on my right hand while checking me out for a snack. That was it. I turned and walked away, and it just turned to the pile of leaves near the walkway and forged for something to eat. I broke back into my stride and went home.
Last year there were squirels in Stanley Park that tested positive for rabbies, watch out.