« A Christmas Story | Main | wooden santa »
December 09, 2005
snow day?
Milwaukee school kids don’t never get no stinkin’ snow days and neither do their teachers. Yea I know I done wrote a double negative. I meant too. I am on strike! I refuse to write good grammar today and I refuse to spill good too. So don’t be sending me no comments ‘bout it chill pee. We done had us over five inches of snow in the last week. If I was in the desert, I’d be havin’ at least one day home with the Playstation havin’ a good time with my homey’s but noooooooo here in Milwaukee we need a foot of new snow between the hours of midnight and 5 am just for the school superintendent to even think about givin’ us all overworked teachers, uh I mean school kids a day off.
I snapped the photo above on my way to work at my high school in downtown Milwaukee. The Milwaukee River runs right through the heart of Milwaukee and empties into Lake Michigan. At this time of the year when the first good cold snap sprints across the Midwest and collides with our big pond, the air is much colder than the water in the river or lake. The steam you see is not evaporation from the river but condensation from the cold air above the water. It can be so dense that a hazard sometimes occurs at this crossing of the river in to downtown.
This bridge like most bridges over the river in Mill Town, are draw bridges. They go up for river traffic so they are made as light as possible. The road surface is metal grating that one can see through down to the water below. If you look closely, you will see the condensation coming up through the grating in the bridge.
Last spring when the river was swollen and very swift after a very heavy rain, two young school kids, 6 and 8 years old, fell in while playing near the water. The kids never had a chance. They found their bodies wedged below this bridge. Sometimes I remember them as I cross this bridge and it makes me very sad.
You can click on the photo for a larger view.
Posted by roadapples at December 9, 2005 08:59 AM
I don't miss the snow in the midwest. I remember having to walk on pure ice to get to high school. I lived right on the edge on the bus pick-up line. You had to live 2.5 miles away to use the schools service. I lived like 2.4. The winter sucked. Especially because Belleville, IL doesn't believe that half of the streets should have sidewalks. So it was walk in the ditch or chance getting hit by a car by walking on the side of the road
Posted by: Crystal at December 9, 2005 06:11 PM
Great shot of the condensing air. Now about taking that while you were driving....I have to say that your spelling would be the least of my concerns. How about you let me know when you are on the road and in which direction you are traveling :) :) :) Although I have to admit...way to have that camera handy.
Posted by: Sally at December 9, 2005 07:59 PM
J - no comment on your grammar. Like the explanation for the low lying cloud.
I would like to point out that everybody going over the bridge is driving on the wrong side of the road , that's bad grammar on their part.
If they go to Japan they'll be in trouble.
Have yet to find the vintage of the Blue Beetle. Haven't forgotten.
Posted by: Tjilpi at December 10, 2005 03:27 AM
Crystal,
You must get snow in Denver but I guess it is not the same. You get the ride the 15 now with all the crazies.
Sally,
I parked the car and walked to a vantage point before the bridge to take this snap. I did get a few inquisitive looks but I am used to such things. After a while, you become less self conscious about photographing in unusual places. I am anxious to see your site.
T,
Remember we are on the other side of the world so we do things backwards here. How did that happen? The proper side to drive for each country, I mean. Maybe a tjilpi like you could find out and let us all know.
Posted by: road apples at December 10, 2005 09:22 AM
