Bandi's Happy Morning Car Ride

 

Song:  Happy

Artist:  Pharrell Williams

Although the temperature this morning at 9:30 AM was at 7 F (-13.8 C)...

as the air is very arid at my altitude...

it really doesn't seem to be cold unless there is a strong wind blowing.

The air merely feels crisp and refreshing.

As so often is the case here...

after only a day or two of snow...

there are many following days of blue skies and sunshine...

which makes for a beautiful winter landscape.

The warmth of the sun is the predominant feeling...

even in subfreezing weather...

so long as there is no strong wind blowing at the time.

As it was so nice outside...

I decided to take Bandi on a car ride to pick up the mail...

and I would take a longer route down the mountain just so Bandi could 

enjoy more of the scenery.

We got into the car...

whereupon I lowered all of the car windows...

and off we went.

Bandi gets so excited riding in the car.

She has the completely uninhibited joy of a toddler.

On our way down the mountain to the mailbox at the main road...

just before the road leading up the mountain.

Instead of driving straight down the mountain...

I decided to extend the drive by driving my Autumn trike route.

I only drove 20 - 30 MPH...

and so...

the gentle wind blowing inside of the car was simply refreshing...

just crisp and clean.

There was no need to wear a jacket, a hat, or gloves.

Just wearing normal street clothes is enough for the weather up here...

because, once again...

with the air being so arid...

heat is not lost nearly so easily as in more humid conditions.

However...

it is during hail storms that it gets super cold because of the rapid climb in humidity 

as rain and ice is involved.

But...

for the majority of times...

just because the temperature drops...

doesn't mean that you will feel cold...

even with a light wind.

It just feels so crisp and refreshing on your skin...

without chilling you to the bone.

Bandi, in the meantime...

was hopping back and forth in her area of the car...

eagerly going from window to window to see the scenery from 

each side of the car.

I was at the mailboxes here.

I had a few packages to pick up...

and we then drove back home.

We are headed back up the mountain to home.

Don't worry about Bandi feeling cold as she hangs out the window as I drive.

Not only is she made for cold weather...

but as I have said before...

it simply doesn't feel so cold outside unless it is more humid during storms.

For the most part...

no gloves or hats are needed...

and only a light jacket or thick shirt suffices in subfreezing weather...

especially with blue skies.

Bandi gets so happy with the wind in her face as I drive.

She makes me so happy seeing her so happy.

Happiness is infectious...

and so why being around light hearted people and animals

is so good for everyone around them.

Almost home here.

----------

I am presently defrosting 4.5 lbs of chicken (about 2 kilos)...

in preparation to steam them.

I will also be defrosting 4 lbs. of shrimp as the chicken is steaming.

I will be making a large batch of chicken and shrimp Yakisoba.

I will be taking photos of the process and posting it later tonight.

It is such a delicious meal that can easily be made into large batches for leftovers.

It is one of my favorite Japanese meals to make.

Just thinking about feasting on this meal makes me happy.

In great anticipation of my coming meal...

I am presently dancing to this song...

in my head  :)

(I am a terrible dancer in real life :)