Snow arrived in the Traverse City region relatively early this year. All the ski areas opened on or before the Thanksgiving weekend with plenty of the white stuff. Considerably more snow has fallen since, and every ski run in the area is now open and in great condition.

Sure, the driving has been a bit dicey now and then, but it hasn’t been unreasonable.

Monday, I parked about half a mile from the office and walked the rest of the way downtown. It was probably the windiest day of the season so far, and the wind chill was well below zero. I bundled up, but hadn’t thought to bring a scarf, so after two blocks my cheeks and nose were icy. I stopped for a few seconds break from the wind behind a handy building.

I started back up the ice-covered sidewalk. The wind was directly in my face, and a heavy gust blew up. I kept my balance, but the gust blew me straight backward about two feet before one of my boots caught some traction in some snow.

Most days, though have been very pleasant, with some sunshine alternating with gray skies.

Downtown is fairly busy, though the nationwide economic slowdown is visible here, too.