Rochester’s Most Foreboding Sign Ever

I spotted it while out for a walk through downtown Rochester earlier this week, and given the cold temperatures and windy conditions we've been experiencing lately, it definitely sent a chill down my spine.

So there I was, about to head across the mighty Zumbro River on the pedestrian bridge at the end of Third Street Southeast-- it's the bridge that takes you right along the east edge of the river, near the Olmsted County Government Center.

Sure enough, there it was. And even though Sunday was a lovely fall day in the Med City (sunny skies with temperatures in the 60's), it brought a chill to my spine. Literally.

That's right. "Do Not Stock Pile Snow In This Area," that's all it said. But it reminded me of the cold, snowy winter that's lurking on the horizon here in Minnesota. If you're old enough, like me, you remember all the snow dumped on us during the Halloween Blizzard of 1991, so the thought of snow on October 24th shouldn't be all that jarring. (And, heck, we already HAD some flurries a few weekends ago.) But, yet, it still was.

And the sign raised a question, as well. What's with the 'no stockpiling' part? Isn't stockpiling when you save stuff for use when it's needed later? (Like when they say they're stockpiling flu vaccines for use later this winter?) I'm guessing the sign-maker probably meant no PILING snow right there, at that exact location. Because I'm guessing they're not saving snow at on that spot for use later on, right?

Listen to Curt St. John from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5
and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 103.9 The Doc