Most people think of Colorado as a “snow state” primarily because of the ski industry. However, at our elevation of 5,028 feet, snow is an occasional visitor. We always get some snow, but it is unusual for us to have more than a few inches at a time on our lawn.
Not this year.
I just finished clearing last night’s 2 – 3 more inches of snow from our driveway and sidewalks. This is the 3rd time in 4 days we have had snow, and it is piling up a little deeper than normal. It’s still not at Midwest levels, but the thick blanket of the white stuff is a bit out of the ordinary for us. The ski area we can see from our back deck, Powderhorn, has received more than 4 feet of snow in the last 10 days. We have 8 – 10 inches now, and that is the “settled” figure.
My main snow plowing rig is this 1979 Gilson lawn tractor equipped with a snow blade:
Gilson tractor with blade
I have had this rig for many years, going back to our Wisconsin days. The rig was a gift from Mary and Jeff Hayes. It sat unused and sinking in the mud in a corner of a farm shed , and when the farm – owned by Mary’s family – went up for sale I was given the opportunity to haul it away. After some repairs and TLC I was able to get it running and have used it for plowing snow for the last 18(?) years.
On snowy days like these, I have taken to clearing some of our neighbor’s sidewalks in addition to ours. A few neighbors are ladies “on their own.” One couple are “snowbirds” — they live in Arizona during the winter months, and another neighbor is a Vietnam veteran who has some difficulty getting around. Helping clear their sidewalks is a bit of a way for us to give to the community and help our neighbors.
Here is a shot of some cleared sidewalks.
Plowed sidewalks.
No more snow is in the forecast for the next week, so we’ll get a break. Right now we are getting ready to do some post-Christmas errands so will soon be driving to town (Grand Junction, 35 miles each way).
Arrived home and guess what? Right…it’s snowing again! Lightly, though….:)
Tomorrow we are heading for the lot to see how much snow has fallen there and, hopefully, pick up a load of firewood.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
well, i am way behind!
i am always amazed at the amount of quality and informative blogs you get posted!
hope you have fun up in the mountains!!
could sure use your snow removal skills down this way 🙂
Light snow covering road ice today (van off the road across the street from my Apt.). First sub-zero day will be New Years Day, via weather forecasts.
It appears that you’ve gotten fairly cold weather along with the snow — several subzero mornings. I’m thinking the Gilson will need a bit of help in the “high country”, but it appears to be doing very well where you’re at. Hopefully, the mentioned neighbors appreciate the assistance.
I imagine you’ve run into deeper snow on snowmobile runs. Where do the “wild horses” go when heavy snow falls?