Friends, despite the blue sky this a.m., snow is scheduled for Bethesda/ the Washington, DC metro area tonight and tomorrow…..stay tuned for more.
Posted March 26th, 2011 by Raj
Posted January 27th, 2011 by Tom
Just to follow-up on Raj’s post from this morning, I grabbed a few pics of the snow while out and about around downtown Bethesda today. It’s incredible to think that with all the chaos caused yesterday, the roads would be open again today with very little disruption caused to work schedules. Though the roads were relatively quiet, it was a far cry from less than 24 hours ago when friends took upto six hours to travel a few miles home from work. And just when people thought there might be a nice snow day to compensate!
Posted January 26th, 2011 by Raj
Temperatures are hovering just above freezing (currently at 34 degrees) which means the light snow and freezing rain we had last night is now SLUSH!
As temperatures drop the slush may well re– freeze and become ice. So please TAKE CARE. And in the mean time, when waiting to cross the road, stand back or be sprayed!!!!
Here is a picture of the slushy mess from earlier 
Posted March 9th, 2010 by Tom
Wandering around the Bethesda neighborhoods to the east of Wisconsin Avenue today, it seemed a bit bizarre to walk past the odd pile of snow on what could have been a pleasant early spring day. It just goes to show how impressive Snowmageddon really was, as we’re still seeing the after effects dotted around the area…
Having said that, I’m guessing we’re all rather “snowed-out” at this stage, so barring any unforseen attempts by winter to make its last stand before the warmer weather really sets in, this could well be the last snow post for some time!
Posted February 28th, 2010 by Tom
The scene above will probably not bring back happy memories of the recent Snowmageddon. But thankfully despite yet more snow forecast for Friday and the weekend, apart from a couple of small snow signals in the air which seemed to vanish as soon as they’d appeared, we’ve yet to be bombarded by the blizzard. In fact, yesterday was a great day and today looks sunny and inviting! That said, a friend visiting from New York City was forced to take the bus after his flight was cancelled on Friday afternoon. I guess we were lucky!
Posted February 22nd, 2010 by Raj
I love walking on the Crescent trail. I usually pick it up from downtown Bethesda (hear Barnes and Nobles) and take a walk for a few miles to get some much needed exercise or brush away the mental cobwebs. Unfortunately it is very difficult to get a proper walk in at the moment because the trail is still covered with snow in many areas. The Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail is one site I visit for news on trail conditions and they are reporting that it could take weeks to clear. If that leaves you feeling gloomy you should take look back at the delightful pictures of the trail on our site or the Coalition site — the pics of just after the winter storm are delightful. Also console yourself with the fact that in a few weeks we will likely have an uptick in the temp which should wash away the snow and allow us to all walk/ run and bike the trail again!
Of course, while the snow on the trail interferes with my social walking, I know that for others it creates a real obstacle in their commuter route to work. This got me wondering whether folks have discovered alternative bike routes to work in DC and/ or Silver Spring?
Posted February 15th, 2010 by Tom
Anyone who has ventured into the interesting and diverse DC neighborhoods of Mount Pleasant and Adams Morgan will be familiar with the murals depicting all manner of life and history within those areas. But many people who visit Bethesda may not be aware that we also have some fantastic murals in our equally-awesome little town.
The one above depicting a traditional looking American steam train is perhaps the most prominent. Despite being located on a lane behind the main drag, it is nevertheless noticable as you wander past – not least because of its impressive size!
It’s location seems obvious enough, very close to the Capital Crescent Trail, once a branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, but it wasn’t until I decided to do some digging that I had any idea whatsoever about its history. Not surprisingly called the “Bethesda Train”, the mural, on Bethesda Road, was produced in collaboration with Jerry, Pat, Bryan and Cory Deere of Deere Signs of Clinton, Md.
The 34′ x 74′ mural was created according to the design of Chip Gestiehr at Good Dog Creative located in Bethesda. It was painted with Duron exterrior acrylic enamels over the course of approximately two weeks. Big thanks to Daybreak Studios for this info, where you can also view a series of photos showing the creative stages of the project.
I immediately thought of the Bethesda Train while walking down Woodmont Avenue before the snow came 10 days or so ago, and spotting a new (brick wall) mural in the process of being painted on the side of the building for lease.
It’s not quite on the scale of the Bethesda Train, and I suspect it is covered by snow at the current time, but nevertheless an interesting addition to the area, and a great way of adding some flare to a dull beige wall. Does anyone have any idea of the story behind this one? I wonder if it is primarily to attract attention and entice potential occupiers to the premises? We’ll post more of the finished product once the snow clears away!
Posted February 15th, 2010 by Tom
The latest flurry of snow promised for the DC metropolitan area today seems to be upon us, with a flurry currently coming down and the backdrop of a rather heavy looking sky… For some reason I’d got it into my head it wouldn’t start snowing until later, or perhaps even overnight? Not the case though, although hopefully this is small fry compared to the last 10 days. Tomorrow’s forecast for the Bethesda area looks much better – albeit cold – with a mixture of sunshine and cloud pretty much characterising the rest of the week. More to come…
Posted February 14th, 2010 by Tom
The last few days have been a welcome respite from snowmageddon rounds one and two began almost ten days ago but seem to have been dragging on for much longer. With the sun making a welcome appearance and the big thaw beginning, we take a look back at some snowy photos from the past week kindly sent our way by Patricia Tunnerman-Stewart. These great pics also offer up an explanation to the current abundance of snow piles and large scale puddles they are giving way to…
Clearing cars has been an epic task, and no matter how snow-free you try and keep them, a fresh covering of compact snow was never far away. Couple that with the drifts that have built up against each vehicle, and it could be some time before these machines are back on the roads!
This snow scene punctuated by half covered tables and chairs makes for a fantastic photograph. The outdoor furniture offers a sense of scale to the drifts that surround it.
Welcome to Bethesda!
Here’s a birdseye view we haven’t yet seen on this blog showing the snowy roofs of the eateries along Cordell Avenue. The snow bank against the car’s front wheel shows how deep the snow is down the sides of the street.
And again, the streets abound with snow piles, drifts and steep-sided snow banks that make walking down the sidewalks seem like trying to negotiate an endless icy corridor. Ice on the ground is an issue now, and further problems will arise when these snow piles really do start to thaw. But first, we have another round of snow to contend against, due to hit tomorrow and continue overnight into Tuesday… But if this winter weather is good for anything, it’s a good large-scale snowball fight. Patricia’s husband Cody Stewart (above) clearly has the right idea!
Posted February 12th, 2010 by Tom
While some bird species migrate for the winter, our little feathered friends who choose to stick around are probably wishing they’d flown south too in light of the last week’s snow! This fantastic series of pictures was kindly sent to us by local photographer Victoria Porter, an East Bethesda resident since 1981. They show that it’s not just we humans that have been struggling to keep up our daily routines in Bethesda since snowmageddon round one took us by storm. But it’s nice to know the birds are getting a helping hand!
Beautiful Female Cardinal with snowy beard… Blizzard!
Robin dining on holly berry in snow… They don’t eat seeds!
Many robins found food in my snow-laden holly during our first February 2010 blizzard!
These two robins are taking a rest in the Dogwood before continuing to dine on holly berries…
ALL IN… These two sparrows are seriously going after food here!
Piling on… 5 sparrows at the feeder on a snowy, snowy day!
Masterful Mister Cardinal in snow!
Sparrow and Junco on deck rail… Stirring up the snow!
Mister Cardinal… OK… Where’s the seed?
What? You’re taking my picture again?
And last but not least… A hungry squirrel on approach to the feeder… Keeping a wary eye out for the BIG person who chases him away!
You can see more of Victoria’s work on display at the Orchard Gallery in Bethesda. Her exhibition, Nature’s Bounty, opens today and runs until March 4th. A reception will be held next Friday, February 19, from 6-9 pm.
