This is the time of year where our thoughts turn to family and celebration.  As we ask our neighbor to feed the cat, stop the mail for a week, pack our cars for a trip over the mountains, or head towards the airport it’s easy to forget the challenges of travel in the early days of our state’s history.

With winter travel in mind we’ve compiled photographs from the collection; pictures of snowy travel by sleigh, train and automobile.  So if you get caught up in traffic snarls or flight delays on your travels remember how comparatively easy you have it.

Washington Rural Heritage  is a collection of historic photographs from around the state.  The Washington Rural Heritage Program helps small libraries and museums digitize their historic photo and archival collections. It is also a digital archive for Washingtonians, with more than 300 family photo collections included in the website/database.  Each picture in the collection tells a unique story.  Think about taking time over the holidays to explore and lose yourself in these images of early Washington.

Pictures in this slide show are from: Ellensburg Heritage, Roslyn Heritage, Skamania County Heritage, Orcas Island Heritage and Whitman County Heritage.

Winter weather is on its way. Or so says the National Weather Service:

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Seattle WA
3:58 pm PST Sun Nov 14 2010

A change to much colder conditions is possible Friday into next weekend…

Cold air is expected to develop over western Canada during the upcoming week. There are strong indications that changes in the wind flow aloft toward the end of the week will allow some of this colder air over western Canada to filter into western Washington Friday or Saturday.

Weather guidance also suggests that there is a risk of snow…or mixed rain and snow showers over portions of the area Friday or Saturday. The highest risk will be where the air is colder…over the north interior.

While weather guidance has been consistent in showing a change to a colder weather pattern…they have been uneven in showing how cold it will get and how much…if any…snow will fall.

Now would be a good time to think about how you could prepare for the first possibility of winter weather conditions in the lowlands. Are your tires ready for snow covered roadways? Are your outdoor pipes and faucets winterized?

All indications are that we’re going to have a cold and snowy winter. Are you prepared? No? We can help!

The Washington State Library has updated the Cold Weather resources on its Hard Times Resource Guide. Check it out for a quick list of resources to help with disaster preparedness, flood preparation and recovery, weatherization tips, and even resources on how to keep your pets safe and happy throughout the cold winter months.