Started off as a typical winter type commute; light rain, a bit breeezy, but not too cold. I took it as a good sign that the apartment manager was in the parking lot handing out OJ and snacks! Then the wind kicked up, the temp dropped, and the rain started to come down harder. Since I only have to go 8 miles, I thought it wouldn't be too bad.
Learned a very important lesson about cleaning helmet pads. Once my helmet was completely saturated, a very salty fluid started running down into my eyes. Pretty disgusting, I know, but more seriously, it didn't start happening until I was on the busiest section of road I travel on. Every few minutes, one eye or the other would start burning and I would find myself squeezing BOTH eyes shut for a second. When that happened I pulled off the road and waited until I could see clearly again. Not being smarter than the typical lab rat, it took a few tries at this before it occured to me to just pull the pads out of my helmet. The rest of the commute was a little more bearable.

Early in the afternoon, my wife called and suggested I look outside. Since my shop/studio doesn't have windows, I went to the door and was greeted by snow. It's not supposed to snow here. I had never ridden in snow (I was a desert rat before moving to Oregon), so I decided to head home before it accumulated. I now have the utmost respect for those of you who commute all winter in places where snow is regular. I can't remember the last time I was that cold. Tomorrow the forecast is for sleet. I can't wait.