A three-day weekend was extended by a couple of days for most islanders this week after the midweek’s heavy snowfall lingered with below-freezing temperatures overnight and through Thursday. While the governor declared a state of emergency in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties because of an ice storm and power outages, there was very little wind on Bainbridge and only a few isolated outages.

With schools closed at least through Thursday, there were a lot of excited youngsters and adults experiencing their first snowstorm of the year. Many were out walking the relatively unfrequented roads, sledding down hills or driveways, sliding along on their cross-country skis or building snowmen in their front yards – check out the 10-foot-tall snowman on Madison Avenue near Wyatt Way if he hasn’t already melted.

Wednesday was a great day to be outside, though for some it was just another workday. First responders and those whose job is to keep our roads and off-road areas open to traffic had a few long work days. The state has responsibility for State Route 305, but the city Public Works Department’s job is to keep the island’s primary arterials open and safe.

Fortunately, most people stayed home, which helped city workers and their limited amount of snow equipment to keep the island’s many miles of roads clear of impediments.

There were a few cars that strayed off the road, but islanders managed to slow down appropriately since fewer were trying to catch a ferry to Seattle. In fact, the state reported that ferry use was lighter than usual and a lot of islanders were going to Seattle only if necessary because of the number of drivers navigating the icy roads in King County.

The island was poised to use its new “warming station” at the Senior Community Center if there was a power outage, but the winds remained mild through Thursday. Overall it appears the island dodged a bullet with this storm.