It's been a recording breaking year already, for snow that is. Even before March came around, as Montrealers we just dig ourselves out and carry on as normal. So when they announced another storm it was "Oh well" and off we went on our merry way to Chicago enroute to Kalamazoo.
Yes, Kalamazoo exists - it's a real town and we wish we had more time to visit. Located in the southwestern corner of Michigan, the city of Kalamazoo is a bustling center that offers a wealth of cultural attractions, recreational areas and unique shopping opportunities. Since the city is home to three universities and two colleges, it is not surprising that educational attractions abound in Kalamazoo. Art enthusiasts enjoy the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, where permanent art galleries and touring exhibits are on display.
The Art Council of Greater Kalamazoo holds an event that features multiple art exhibits that are open at the same time. Usually held on the first Friday of the month, "Art Hop" is a fun, friendly, informal happening where people meet for an evening of art and entertainment.
This particular "Art Hop" held on Friday March 7th,2008 had a Mardi Gras Jazz theme entitled "Tardi Mardi Gras!". Cherri Emery, owner and curator of Gallery 344 had an amazing jazz trumpeter (Eddy Curtis) who played for us during the evening as I painted on site and was happy to meet and talk with patrons of my work. Good times were had by all.
Then the long track back home and found out that Montreal Airport was shut down. No Flights leaving Saturday so we booked into the Hyatt in Chicago had some deep pan pizza & shopped.
Sunday we tried to get home - but so did the 400 other people diverted from Los Angeles, and Vegas. We sat around till 9:00PM watched movies and then went off back to the hotel. Finally, Monday we got on the 8:30am flight to Toronto and made it out of Toronto alive on the 2:00 PM flight home to Montreal which landed at 3:30 PM. That is when the impact of the storm hit us. Baggage everywhere that didn't make it to passengers and an hour to get our car dug out of the parking lot.
All in all was glad we were in Kalamazoo rather than Montréal during the storm.
Randal and I explain why it took so long for this podcast. 