News Summary
Four friends from the University of South Florida took a spontaneous road trip to Tallahassee to capture a giant snowball after an unusual winter storm hit Florida. The adventure included memorable snowball fights and a humorous attempt to transport their 250-pound trophy back to Tampa, highlighting the importance of friendship and spontaneity during rare weather events.
Historic Snowball Journey: USF Students Make a Spontaneous Road Trip
In Tampa, four friends from the University of South Florida (USF) decided to embark on a thrilling, spontaneous adventure to capture a piece of history — a giant snowball from Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee. This unique escapade was sparked by an unusual winter event when Winter Storm Enzo blanketed North Florida with about 2-3 inches of snow, a rarity that hasn’t been seen in the region since 1989!
Clearing Schedules and Making Plans
It all began in the wee hours of Wednesday morning when the excited group, comprising Rylie Birkey, Daniel Ramos, David Robinson, and Joel Johnson, got the idea that they just couldn’t let this opportunity pass by. After a flurry of discussions around 1 a.m., they decided they had to go for it. With snow falling in Tallahassee and classes canceled at FSU for four days, the allure of snowy fun just proved to be too irresistible.
By 3 p.m. Wednesday, they were all loaded up in Johnson’s truck, ready to hit the road. With a quick discussion about vehicle suitability, Birkey explained that her car was a manual transmission model and simply wouldn’t handle icy conditions. And thus, the spontaneous trip was officially underway! Birkey’s words were clear: it was time to enjoy some snow.
Arriving in the Snowy Wonderland
Upon arriving at FSU, the merry band of adventurers dove straight into the winter wonderland that awaited them. Snowball fights, carefree laughter, and their famous “penguin sliding” down icy hills filled the air. However, it’s worth noting that during their antics, both Birkey and Johnson experienced a few minor injuries — a small price to pay for the sheer joy of playing in the snow!
As they explored the snowy campus, the group stumbled upon a giant snowball that weighed approximately 250 pounds. Immediately, the idea to take it back to Tampa was born! Imagine that! A massive snowball as a trophy from their whimsical journey, proving that this was no ordinary road trip.
Snowball Shenanigans
Lifting the snowball was no easy task. As they grappled with their frosty prize, a friendly police officer approached and offered some tips on how to lift the cumbersome creation successfully. The officer even escorted them across the campus, ensuring the group had their moment of glory with the snowball!
Enthusiastic FSU students stopped to snap pictures as the USF group paraded through the campus with their “stolen” trophy. Amid their laughter and excitement, jokes about starting a rivalry between USF and FSU over a snowball were thrown around. What a way to capture fun and camaraderie!
The Journey Home
After their exhilarating experience, the group set out for the drive back to Tampa just before midnight. But as they encountered icy road conditions, things got a little tense when the snowball slid in the truck bed, causing a near-mishap. Thankfully, they navigated the icy roads safely and made it home without significant incident.
A Melting Memory
As they arrived back at USF, the excitement of their adventure was still fresh in their minds, but the reality of warmer temperatures in Tampa began to set in. The once impressive snowball was already starting to melt in Johnson’s truck bed, slowly losing its stature as the group reminisced about their spontaneous trip.
This unforgettable journey showcases the beauty of friendship, spontaneity, and humor that accompany a rare weather event in Florida. Who would have thought that a simple snowball could create such cherished memories?
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Florida Outdoor Nurseries Devastated by Winter Storm
- Fox Weather: Florida Winter Storm News
- PNJ: Florida Weather Forecast and Temperatures
- Wikipedia: Winter Storm
- Tallahassee.com: Florida Winter Storm Updates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Weather
