Things I've Learned Living in Colorado

So, we've been in Colorado for about a year and four months now. I've learned a thing or two about living in this beautiful state and adapting to the weather and idiosyncrasies of the area. Here is a little about what I've learned.

Always close your car door with your elbow. For some reason,Colorado is prone to some nasty static electricity. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have been zapped turning on a light switch or closing my car door. When the static electricity is high, I've learned to do these things with my forearm or elbow. It hurts less when you get zapped on your elbow rather than your fingertips.

When it snows or rains and it's cold, always leave your windshield wipers up when you leave your car for any extended period of time. Putting them up so they stick out might make your car look funny, but you'll be glad you did when your wipers are not frozen to your windshield. There are times you definitely need the wipers to see out of your window. Frozen wipers do no good to anyone.

If the streets are icy, fill up your gas tank. I learned about this one on the radio. If the streets are icy here, you tend to slide all over the place when you drive. The tip is that if you fill up your gas tank, your car will weigh more and will be more likely to stick to your intended route rather than sliding into a curb. Also, an added benefit is that a full gas tank is less likely to allow gas to freeze in your engine components. I didn't know gasoline could freeze, but there you go.

If the streets are icy, and you slide, pump your breaks. During my first winter here, when I applied my breaks and kept going...sliding through an intersection, my natural inclination was to jam the breaks and keep jamming. My Dad gave us the tip that when this happens, pump your breaks rather than apply them strongly. Not sure why, but it works. One good thing is that people in Colorado tend to wait at green lights before going because they know someone might be sliding through the intersection and it's better to wait for a minute and be safe. In California, people start honking the second the other light turns yellow in anticipation of the impending green light. God forbid they have to wait more than 2 second to get going. In Colorado, people are a little more patient.

Kitty Litter and Bleach are your friends. If you get stuck in some ice, these items could be a life saver. Always have some in your trunk. Place some kitty litter on the ice around your tires for traction, and spray your tires with the bleach. The bleach works by deteriorating the very surface of the tire which softens it and in turn gets better traction on slick or icy surfaces (this is meant for short distances, like getting up an icy hill...for instance).

Always Bring a Jacket with You Wherever you go in Colorado (and for however short a time). If there is one thing we've learned in Colorado, is that the weather can turn quickly and often does. In the summer, it could be hot and clear...and invariably an afternoon thunderstorm will roll in and bam...it's cold and wet. Or it's clear and moderately warm in the winter and then bam....it's a freakin' blizzard, out of no where. Always be prepared, as the boy scouts say.

Always have a tissue or a handkerchief available when you go outside in the cold. I don't know what physiological occurrence causes this, but the minute you go outside in cold temperatures (32 and under) your nose will invariably start running. I wish I knew what causes this. But, it's a fact. So, always have a tissue because the last thing you want is boogery ice-cycles hanging from each nostril. No one wants that. Yuck.

All in all, we love it here. It's an adventure. Christmas really seems like Christmas with snow and cold temperatures. I was so sick of 90 degree Christmas' in California. My boys love nature and playing outside....and this state is perfect for that. Even in the cold, they enjoy going out and playing with the snow and ice. It's beautiful here. We just wish more family and friends from California would get wise and move out here and join us. Also, we secretly wish that an In and Out Burger and a Vince's Spaghetti would move out here, too. But, that's another blog.