Thursday, March 15, 2012

A Winter Like No Other

Warning:  this has nothing to do with sports.

Tomorrow morning I head out to Florida from some golf, great camaraderie and warm temps.  Several of my regular readers will be joining me.  No big news here.

The amazing part is that, unlike every other time I've gone to Florida over the past 35+ years, I will neither be wearing nor packing long pants or jacket.

A week or so ago, I spent a decent amount of time strategizing over what to wear down to Florida. In my early Florida years, I would have a pair of shorts easily accessible in my carry-on bag so I could quickly get into Sunshine State mode when I got off the plane with a quick bathroom stop.  As my finances grew beyond pure subsistence level, I bought pants that can change into shorts with the slip of a couple zippers.  A week ago, I figured I'd go with the convertible pants and be proud that I had the foresight to have such versatile gear. 

I'll be leaving a little before 6am.  The expected temperature then is 58 degrees.  For my regular Saturday tee time at Gleneagles, my rule is that if the first number is a 5 or better, I'm wearin' shorts.  No need for the convertibles.  Yeah, but what about the return trip?  I'll be returning at about 7pm on March 20.  The expected Chicago temps are in the mid 70s.

The convertible shorts are staying at home...shorts all the way.

C'mon, this is flat-out crazy.

Did we have a single day this winter where the low temperature was below zero?  If so, it was only a day or two.  I actually had to think about turning on  the AC on Mach 14.  Is this that "climate change" thing everyone talks about or just a fluke?  Man, I don't know, but I'm all good with it.

Come Saturday, I'll be playing golf in Florida.  Temps in the 80s.  I could be staying at home and playing golf with temps in the 60s or 70s.  Is the Florida trip a waste? 

Nope.  While the temps may not differ much, Florida is a vacation and Chicago is not.  Still, this winter has been pretty odd.