As for Massachusetts, I get the feeling that if these cool nights continue, a few areas will be open Thanksgiving Weekend.

If you go skiing this week, let me know how the conditions are! And send pictures to reportit@wwlp.com!

FYI: UMass is a leading school in climate research.  Professor Ray Bradley (along with the Climate lab staff) is world famous for his research on global climate change.  Check out the the science at the UMass Climate Lab Web Site!!!

After five days covering the lead-up to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis, things are starting to return to normal here. During the day,  22News witnessed hundreds of workers taking down signs, scaffolding, and posters that once covered downtown Indianapolis. Streets that just 24 hours previously had been impassible to cars and crowded with thousands of football fans were largely empty, save for the workers and some people who decided not to fly out Monday morning. To get a look at some of the work that goes into taking it all down, check out our new photo gallery.

St. Elmo’s Steakhouse in downtown Indianapolis, which just a day before had huge crowds of people outside trying to catch a glimpse of dining celebrities, was still busy Monday night, but the sidewalks were clear, and it was actually possible to get a table.

As the city moves on, it does so with the pride of knowing that this event brought worldwide attention and praise for the ease of access and friendliness of the environment here. Businesses have cashed-in due to the fact that more than 600,000 people came into the city at one point or another to participate in the offered events. We were happy to be among those people, who were able to share with you the experience of being at such an exciting event.

To be sure, it is no ghost town downtown. With the thousands of workers combined with several hundred tourists still milling about, there is plenty of activity here. Yet the differences are huge. I’m posting this from Monument Circle, which is home to the iconic Super Bowl numerals. Just a day ago, there were huge crowds of people here, snapping pictures and hanging out at this landmark in the heart of the city. Today, you’ll see the occasional dozen or so people stopping to take some pictures before those enormous numbers come down (as pictured, a smaller set of numerals that were kept close to the stadium have already been loaded onto a truck to be hauled away.)

Speaking of taking things down, the work of taking it all down is really what has consumed the Super Bowl Village, several blocks south of here. Georgia Street has been transformed into a pedestrian mall for the event, and while cars are still not being allowed to pass down the street, it’s not for pedestrians’ sake; it’s because they need room for construction crews to take down the signs, scaffolding, beer tents, and awnings that filled the roadway.

For those who did not get out of town Monday morning, there are some advantages: in addition to being able to enjoy what Indianapolis has to offer without having to fight off massive crowds, everything is a lot cheaper! Parking lots have returned to their normal prices, taxi cabs are running at their going rate, and as you might imagine, Super Bowl merchandise is retailing for half price.

The weather, of course, may have something to do with people’s feelings. With the exception of some rain on Saturday, the weather has been nothing but unseasonably warm, sunny, and beautiful. No harsh Midwestern winter here! Contrast that with last year’s Super Bowl in Dallas where it snowed in the normally much warmer city.

To give more credit to the city itself, though, Indianapolis is a very walkable city. The stadium itself is right downtown, and venues for most Super Bowl events have also been right within the downtown area, with few exceptions (I had to travel several miles away to a hotel near the airport for a Patriots’ Cheerleaders event.) This convenience of location is not universal for Super Bowls. Ryan Walsh remembers going to Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona. While the stadium was in the suburbs, most events for that game were several miles away in Phoenix.

The other thing that has made the experience so positive for so many is the nature of the people here. In these parts, they call it “Hoosier hospitality;” the people of this city have really welcomed travelers with open arms. Hundreds of scarf-wearing volunteers are posted everywhere tourists may be, from the airport to hotels to downtown street corners; ready to answer questions and to wish you a “super day.” Even Patriots fans have felt the love in a city obsessed with the rival Colts.

There is such a pride people who live here have in their city. They are proud that Indianapolis has gotten to be in the national spotlight, and they are also proud that people are recognizing what they have known all along. Sean Rocke grew up Enfield, but has since moved to Indianapolis. “This is the country’s best-kept secret right here, Indianapolis.” Rocke said. “You can afford to live here, raise some kids out here. Very pleased to be here.”

Inside Lucas Oil Stadium, you can plainly see the huge difference in emotions. Tens of thousands of giddy Giants fans remained in the stadium amid showers of confetti as the G-Men were awarded their second Lombardi Trophy. Patriots fans made a hasty retreat to the exits, quietly and disappointed; a feeling that is surely felt back home to the millions of New Englanders watching the game on television.

Despite the Pats’ disappointment, it was a game to remember; the first points scored came off a safety due to an intentional grounding call against Tom Brady, and while Brady otherwise performed extremely well, so too did Eli Manning and the Giants.

There was one thing for Western Massachusetts football fans to cheer about; among the game’s standouts: UMass-Amherst alum Victor Cruz, who danced his now-famous salsa after scoring the game’s first touchdown.

Most members of the media, however, do not have the great views provided by on-field access and high panoramic perches. There simply isn’t enough room. Most of us have to watch the game just like you do: on television.

Here at Super Bowl XLVI, 22News is one of hundreds of news organizations with reporters inside the many media workrooms at Lucas Oil Stadium. The workrooms feature long tables filled with power strips to plug in the electronic devices you need to do your work. There are also several large screen TV’s for watching the big game.

While you don’t get the live view and some of the excitement of the action on the field, there is at at least one up-side: food and drinks are free!

On that note, perhaps the most noticeable thing about downtown Indianapolis Sunday is that the fan atmosphere has changed. In the days leading up to the big game, the majority of football jerseys that you could see on the street were actually Colts jerseys. Huge numbers of Hoosiers have made the trip to the city to enjoy the free concerts and attractions that have been offered over the last week. An estimated 650,000 visitors came into downtown Indianapolis over the last few days; nearly the population of the city itself.

On the way downtown, 22News ran into a group of Patriots season ticket holders that were lucky enough to win Super Bowl tickets. One of them said that he had been to the last Giants-Patriots Super Bowl; the great upset Super Bowl XLII, where in which the Patriots were defeated. Pats fans, of course, are hoping for revenge. 22News is headed to an Indianapolis bar that has been a favorite hangout of New England fans. We’ll show you how they’re getting ready for the big game here on WWLP.com,

With the exception of some rain on Saturday, things in Indianapolis have been pretty much perfect for Super Bowl XLVI. From NFL stars on the red carpet to people on the street, I cannot count how many times I have heard positive things about how this city has been for the big game. “It’s awesome,” Dan Gronkowski of the Cleveland Browns told 22News.

Gronkowski’s brother Rob, still recovering from an ankle injury, will be one of the most-watched players in tonight’s game. “He’s a tough guy, so hopefully he gets out there and makes some plays,” Gronkowski said.

Off the field, 22News will see how people are making the most of game day. From tailgating to hanging out at the numerous bars, there’s lots of different ways people are getting ready for the biggest of games.