This is something I actually dreamt up over a month ago, after our last decent snowfall here in I–Dee–Ho, but, bad me, I didn’t get to it until now.  A little dissertation on snow (In Idaho) vs sand (in Florida).

Snow vs Sand

Ah, snow vs sand.  Sounds way different? I thought so too, or at least never really thought of them as having much in common….until now.  I can honestly say I’ve had intimate experiences with both.  Snow and sand actually have more in common than you’d think.

First, I’ll state the obvious.  For the most part, they are both white.  I KNOW some sands are different colors and the whole dirty snow scenario, but I’m talking in general here……snow and sand, are both white.  In addition, as you walk through both snow and sand, you are leaving your footprints behind.  It depends on the consistency and quantity of both to how large the said footprints might be, but still.

They are both subject to drifting when the wind picks up and they will both sting your eyes and burn your skin in the process (except with snow, you’re usually dressed for it while often with sand you’re almost completely exposed).  

Both snow and sand stick to everything. Yes, everything.  Don’t lay a book in the snow with the expectation of retrieving with no snow a minute later.  It won’t happen, and neither will it in sand.  When at the beach, on a camping trip, or anywhere in the “open” in Florida, sand will find its way in to every crack and crevice, and good luck in getting it all off, even with a shower!  The difference is, the snow will melt and turn to water while the sand is found near or in water, hence, sand is much harder to get rid of.  Snow will melt….sand will not.  In addition, snow and sand look almost identical when drifting across the road and both will make you slip and skid.  Difference, sand is used to give traction to snow.  It, um, can’t really work the other way around.

If you choose to go barefoot in snow and sand, they will both burn your feet, one from the cold and the other from the heat, and sand often has shell particles in it to boot in case the sun isn’t shining on it.  Gives the sand a little extra umph.

In addition, both snow and sand are used to make sculptures, and in places like McCall in Idaho and Daytona Beach in Florida, they have big events focused around these sculptures. Obviously, however, snow sculptures will usually last much longer, through winter or at least until a good warm front comes through.  The sand sculptures, on the other hand, will last until the next high tide or errant wave comes crashing through.  You have to admit, however, with the pictures as evidence, that the sand sculptures can have much more detail!  (Pictures in next entry!)

So now you know the skivvy about snow and sand. Much more similar than you’d think on the surface.