Winter in South Carolina

Photo Credit: Rachael Richardson (edited by Paul Davis)

We are only half way through January and like most of you, I’m already tired of winter.  The snow storm that hit South Carolina the other week made me realize (again) that less than 7% of the people in this fine state can drive in the snow.  Exhibit A – gas scooters are not a safe form of transportation on snow-packed roads.  Nothing against my fellow residents, I just call it like I see it.

Prior to the storm’s arrival, the local weatherman was calling for anywhere between 1-12 inches; that is quite a range I thought.  His predictions, that changed hourly, left me wondering if I too could get a job doing what he does as it seems like a pretty good gig. Then reality set in as I came to terms with the fact that I don’t have great hair like this guy, certainly a prerequisite for the position.

The news station proceeded to fire up its special winter storm theme music (new for 2011 I believe) that would make even Michael Bolton cringe.  Shortly thereafter a “storm team” or “snow crew TV 5” something-or-another logo came tearing across the screen and left me wondering if the reporters were going to announce that the world was about to end.  I love how the media attempts to instill fear in the general public in order to create a news story.

Being the guy who always likes to be prepared (considering the news has now actually convinced me that the world is going to end), I figured it was high time to stock up on an extra 12 pack of Budweiser.  If my years of schooling have taught me anything, it is that beer is an essential item to have during a snow storm…thank you Hampden-Sydney College and Matt Fontana.  After sliding on my boots I made my way out the door and to the strip mall down the road.  Judging from the looks of things in the parking lot, I knew what I was in for. 

Mind you, nothing has fallen from the sky just yet.  Nevertheless, grocery supplies at the local Bi-Lo had already hit DEFCON 2 levels by the time I got there. It was every man for himself. I watched from the fully stocked beer aisle as patrons tussled over the dwindling supply of milk and bread.  Who drinks that much milk anyway?

As I made my way out of the chaos with beef jerky, canned tuna and my 12 pack of red delicious in tow, I got a call from a friend in Charleston asking me about the weather.  He also let me know just how good the fishing had been down there over the past few weeks.“I caught 12 nice reds this morning”, he said.  That’s great I thought, as I reminded myself that I hadn’t had so much as a bite since late November. 

Photo Credit: Paul Davis

The snow/ice storm eventually came and passed with no major incidents to recount on my part.  I am happy to report that we didn’t run out of beer and we threw some bread out into the backyard for the birds even before the storm passed.  I know, we were living on the edge. 

Thankfully, work in the shop has kept me surprisingly busy too this time of year.  I guess everyone else that is trapped inside likes to shop on the internet as much as I do.  I hope that there will be no more snow storms this season.  As I sit here and write this, I am reassured by the fish mounted on the wall in the office that warmer times will be here soon enough and the fishing in my area will change for the better.  Until next winter.

- Paul

www.PalmettoKayakFishing.com