The Weather Outside is Frightful

I chose to avoid the overused terms “Snowmageddon” or “Tsnownami” – but what we have going on here today is frightful indeed! 

We are in the midst of the biggest snow storm yet this year – we are told to expect anywhere from 16-19 inches of snow (depending on where you are at).  We are also getting sustained winds 15-20 with gusts up to 35 mph – and to top it all off, temps are dropping (quickly) and we are being advised to expect wind-chills in the 20 – 35 below zero range.

When you live in a rural area, the roads between towns are the most dangerous means of getting around (even though they can be the ONLY means to get around).  If the road does get plowed, it will “disappear” under blowing and drifting snow again in a matter of minutes.  It’s easy to get get stranded or trapped in your vehicle in weather like this.  Given the current weather conditions and expected drop in temps, choosing to drive is choosing to take your life in your own hands.

This is quite the weather event!  But, it’s Minnesota – and anyone who has lived here long enough (or, their whole lives – like me) come to expect these types of “events”.  What makes this one unique is that #2 of 5, #3 of 5 and I committed to work the Salvation Army’s Red Bucket this morning at Radermacher’s Grocery Store.

Unfortunately, #2 of 5 was home sick yesterday, and was not feeling any better today.  Given the weather outside today, and our morning plans, I excused #2 of 5 from his bell ringing duties.

Our shift started at 9am.  I took this video out our front window just prior to leaving.   

 

We arrived, met with the store manager, got our bells and aprons, (literally) dug the stand and bucket out of a snowdrift, and set up.  It was cold, but not “frigid” outside (the temps had not yet dropped down).  Since we were on the first shift of the day, we watched the lot get plowed (for the second time today – according to the manager). 

It seemed as if 1 out of every 10 vehicles that we noticed had a snow plow blade attached to it.

As the morning progressed a few folks started braving the weather and showing up to stock up for being snowed in over the next few days.  As we have noticed in the past, the generosity of folks simply amazed me!  Perhaps they felt sorry for #3 of 5 and I for having to stand out in the blizzard?    

   

 

We stuck around long enough to finish up our shift, and (unfortunately, our relief never showed up (very likely due to weather)) so we worked half of the next shift.  By the time the weather started getting to us, you could not even tell the lot had been plowed (twice already).  We decided that we had done our part (and then some) so we called it quits.  We turned in our aprons and bells, picked up the few things that the Mother of Five asked us to pick up from the Grocery Store (since getting in and out would be pretty much out of the question in a few short hours), stopped for a hot chocolate and headed home.

One of the things I like about living in a small / rural town is seeing things that others may find quite odd.  Things like snowmobiles driving along side of you, and folks gassing up those snowmobiles – not on trailers mind you, no, they drive up to the gas pumps ON their snowmobiles and gas ‘em up right there at the pumps! 

By the time we finished our shift, got our hot chocolates, and started driving home – the snow was really starting to accumulate.  The main road (County Road 9) had been plowed, but 190th had not yet – and the drifts along that stretch of the road batted my little car around like a toy.

I nearly slid past the entrance to our development, and I really struggled to keep my car moving (with forward momentum) through the deep snow that covered our (unplowed) street.  I slowed slightly as we approached our driveway – wanting to get the garage door open so I could keep the momentum going up the driveway and into the garage. 

The door opened, and I “punched it” as I turned into the driveway.

I made it on to the driveway, but that is about it.  Thankfully, my car was completely off the roadway, but far enough down the bottom of the driveway that if the snow plow had come by My car would be half buried in the mound left behind.

I spent the next hour plowing the driveway around my car, then digging the car out. 

 

Once I successfully freed my car from the snow bank, I tucked my car back into the garage.

 

With the car safely back in the garage, I finished blowing out the rest of the driveway, and some of our front sidewalk.

 

Afterwards, I headed in to warm up, dry off, and spend some time with my family.  (Watching It’s a Wonderful Life).  But before heading down, something caught my eye. 

   

Yup!  That is snow, drifted up to the height of our kitchen table!!  So, that’s it.  I’m calling it quits!  Time to write up a quick blog post, and enjoy the rest of the day “snowed in” with my family!  I LOVE Minnesota!!