Mike Tangas and Port Huron - Sarnia

[wbain5280]

This is what it looked like yesterday, from the Boatnerd site.

http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newpictures04/RivericeAS.jpg

[BenzOnline]

CCCCCCCCCOLD

[Mark V]

But what you don't see in the picture is the side walks littered with all the small brass balls....they can be as slippery as the ice!

[MikeTangas]

It sure doesn't look like that today! Yesterday we had that nice deep blue sky and deceptive sunshine, which belied the balmy 15*F temp. Today we have dark overcast and falling snow. I scheduled to spend a few hours looking at houses with the realtor this afternoon. I haven't decided yet if it is easier to look in the snow or in rain, in the snow you don't get as wet but you sure get colder. Next on my shopping list is a pair of Sorels because my combat boots just ain't cutting it.

[Lebenz]

That's my kinda weather! BTW both REI and Patagonia make the best thermal undies and shirts on the planet.

Edit: I almost forgot. Thorlos are some of the best cold weather socks... http://skiing.about.com/cs/accessories/tp/ski-socks.htm

Mike you need a Patagonia Guide Parka or puffy wear.

[MikeTangas]

I've got a nice puffy down coat, which I've seen fit to wear about three times since getting here. My woolen Pendletons and long sleeve shirts are keeping me comfortable for short excursions outside. So far it is just the feet that are getting cold because once the leather gets damp the cold just wicks right through to the feet, thus the desire for Sorels.

There is supposed to be a Sorel outlet store somewhere around Flint. Anyone know exactly where it is located? My other option is to go about the same distance to Dundee for a visit to the closest Cabela's. I love Cabela's, but I'm afraid of how much money I would end up spending in there, I could easily become a shopaholic in that store. There is a Gander Mountain shop here in town, but their selection of Sorels is limited to two styles, neither of which appeal to me.

[sohj]

Been a long time since I've been looking for something like that in Mich., but when I was a little kid, we used to get our winter boots at the local hardware store. Stop in at a real general/hardware store or a local hunting place and ask where to get them if they don't carry 'em. LaCrosse and Sorrel are sold everywhere around there. And while you're at it, buy an extra set of liners (I'm assuming that you're cold-smart enough to be looking at the boots with the wool-felt pull-out liners so you can dry 'em out each night after sweating into them all day).

Of course, it is possible that Home Depot has taken over there just like everywhere else and there's no general stores left.

[Mark V]

Mike they may have an outlet store in the Birch Run complex at Frankenmuth. I don't remember exactly but I think that isn't far from you. Otherwise, I know of a Kodiak outlet around here that would also have something similar. But sohj is right, sorels are available just about anywhere I don't myself advocate Wal-Mart but I'm sure they'd have them also. Sorels used to be made about 5 minutes from my house, but they closed up a few years ago.

[MikeTangas]

Mark,

I had already checked the local WallyWorld, but they didn't have any Sorels. I'll have to look into that Birch Run Outlet. Someone at work asked if I had gone there yet, but I can't determine if there is a Sorel store there. Looks like Birch Run is a little north of Flint and a little too far to go for no joy.

Here is a shot of the bridge today, taken this afternoon after my house hunting excursion. While the ice floe in the river seems to have cleared nicely, the mouth of the river is pretty blocked. Those are a couple small ice breakers working to clear the mouth.



I watched the breakers for a bit and I knew I could get a little closer to where they were working.



It was neat to watch how the two tag teamed the ice. One would power in as far as it could then back out, while the first was backing out the second would go charging in. Interesting sounds associated with breaking through the ice sheet.

[Palangi]

Brrrrrrr.

Now I remember why I moved away from there!!

[Larry Delor]

I was just up there in October. My dad lives about 15 mins. from there. Matter of fact, right by that bridge, is a nice restaurant with a large warm fireplace.
I think that its about 1/2 an hour to the Lakeside Mall (I think its on M-59/Hall Rd.) There ought to be a store in there that has the apparel you are looking for.

I've been gone from Michigan for almost 16 years now, and I don't miss the winters one bit.

Nice pictures btw.


Here's one from October...

[MikeTangas]

Well I found myself a pair of Sorels locally. Picked up a pair of the Sorel Sudburys with a -40 rating. Find them to be comfortably roomy, but a little too hot unless if I am stomping around in the snow. They have a nice wide sole, which gives my wide feet plenty of room but the width makes it tricky to drive. I have to be careful when transitioning from the brake to the throttle or the inside edge of the sole will catch/grab the brake pedal. It nice to have warm, dry feet after stomping around prospective houses.

This morning at about 5:30 I used the windshield washers @ 80 MPH and had an instant glaze over my windshield after that I noticed the -7 temp on the mirror.

To be honest I didn’t think it was that cold I was out walking the dogs an hour before that and never had a chill, if you add some humidity and raise the temp to 20 I would be freezing my a$$ off.

Last year we had these super cold days and no snow I swear it added 20% more power to the Ferrari.