Category: Life

Aftermath

Fran mentioned missing my daily photo of snow yesterday. No, the snow has not gone away. However, most of the snow within easy reach has achieved the gritty, icy stage and is laying about in not particularly attractive drifts, with lots of large bare places scoured by the wind.

Yesterday, I needed some chili, so I braved the roads to go grocery shopping. Our road, though it was well-plowed when the last snow storm stopped, has been subject to continuous drifting. One particularly bad area is at the end of our driveway, which sits inside a banked curve. Saturday night, I left for a party, and barely clawed my way back into the driveway afterward while driving the Subaru. Sunday morning, the trip out was only interesting for the first tenth mile after I left the driveway. Coming home, I was chanting I think I can, I think I can, as I drove that last tenth mile before I got stuck as I turned into the driveway. This was not unexpected, but embarrassing because a truck was coming down the opposite way. I called Jack to come out, and jumped out and started digging with my trusty snow shovel. I was able to free the wheels sufficiently that I lurched into the driveway as Jack opened the garage door.

My homemade chili was excellent.

Late that evening, I was startled to look out and see the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle, and what was apparently a pile-up of vehicles at the entrance of our driveway. Since I was already in my jammies, I sent Jack out to investigate. There were no injuries, evidently, but one massively stuck vehicle, along with a truck which had burned out its clutch trying to free the massively stuck vehicle. Later, a bob cat came by and did some serious snow moving, and I noted this morning that the only vehicle there is a truck, presumably the clutch-less one. I can’t tell whether the road has been plowed, but did note that a massive 4WD truck was able to get by, so perhaps we can get out.

6:40 am I just noticed a light truck, going north, that turned around when it reached the stuck truck, so it must still be pretty treacherous. I’ve noticed another vehicle made it by going south, but it was apparently an SUV. South is easier than north, because north goes up a significant hill. School bus due at 6:45, so that will be more data.

7:00 am School bus is apparently parked at the bottom of the hill, awaiting developments. I just shoveled our driveway entrance enough to get the Subaru free, and will have to do it again if developments include a snow plow. Two passenger cars made it out going south: I think the Subaru Forrester in the lead was acting as escort for the other, since it waited while the other negotiated the drifted area.

Just think what you people who live in Southern California are missing.

Four Wheeling

I view 4WD rather like having seat belts in the car: something I like having, but would much rather never use. Today, since I had ordered a much needed 30 bales of hay from our supplier, I decided I should drive the Subaru Forrester out to the barn under the theory that if the Subaru could get there, a ton truck with 4WD should have no trouble. With a little digging I got the Subaru there and back again several times. (I wonder if any of the neighbors noticed me driving back and forth to the barn.) I even enjoyed skidding through some of the drifts. An hour later, the hay supplier showed up and delivered the hay without difficulty.

I had errands in town, and arranged to have lunch with a friend. As I drove south on I-25, the steering wheel started to vibrate. Even though I hadn’t hit anything during my “off-road” experience, I thought maybe I had knocked a wheel off balance. Fortunately, my friend was able to pick me up at Tire World, which was apparently doing a land rush business. They were so busy that I was astonished to get a call a little past 5, saying that my car was ready. Evidently some snow had stuck inside to the wheels, causing them to seem off-balance. Oh well, the car needed an oil change anyway.

I am thrilled to have it back because there is a forecast of another significant winter storm for Colorado. I really feel sorry for those people who may catch it coming and going on their holiday travel plans.

Chez Nous

December 23, 2006 – Click on image for higher resolution version.

I took this early this morning on my way home from grocery shopping. (I wanted to avoid the madding crowds.) In a process very similar to one of solving one of those sliding tile puzzles, we managed to free the truck and Subaru with minimal digging. (This process was helped by the truck’s 4WD and the Subaru’s AWD.) Since I had neglected to unhook the trailer from the truck, we had to park it where we could instead of its normal slot. Although at times I dislike how close our house it to the road, the short driveway with its southern exposure is great when we get a lot of snow. If you look at the high resolution image, you can see trailer, truck, house, barns and even the horses standing at the gate waiting for room service.

Snowbound

Jack is entertaining himself by making Beer Bread. I am entertaining myself by watching neighbors dig out the truck that is stuck in the same place vehicles always get stuck after a major snowstorm. Each storm, at least one neighbor attempts to prove that 4WD means you shouldn’t have to wait for the county snow plow. Since I25 (about 2.5 miles away) is not yet open, I have no idea of where they were going with the truck.

Dubious Mia

Taken on December 21, 2006.

Mia did not believe that I was serious about her leaving the mudroom this morning. After several attempts to call her, in which she turned around and went back inside, I had to put a leash on her and lead her to a part of the dog run which had been scoured bare by the winds. Fortunately, Lody loves to gambol in the snow, so I didn’t have to coax her out. Then, I went back inside and watched Magic and Rags playing by the barn through the bedroom window. It would have been a lot more charming if I hadn’t been worried about elderly horses fooling around like foals in dangerous conditions.

And it is still snowing.