i'll take a battery tender over a season of tropical storms/hurricans

Not me! Tropical storms and hurricanes are just plain inconvenient, and can easily be avoided. Snow and ice are inevidable and can last for months and months depending on location. I've lived in Florida since '66 and have only been hit bad by one hurricane (Andrew), and that actually turned out for the better (better home and neighborhood after the insurance company paid for reconstruction, increased property values, etc..). I did a little over a year in Iowa, and the winter just plain sucked.. no escape from it either, you just had to sit there looking out the window waiting for it to all be over with. I'll take rain over snow and ice any day

The one good thing about living in a northern climate is the beautiful change of seasons. Except for the harsh winter, I really loved Iowa and the mid-west. The countryside is beautiful, the people are super friendly, the small towns are quaint and peaceful, and the lack of city traffic make riding up there a joy.

Cheers,
Brad

To be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid.