Colorado Welcome II

Still snowing. Not our biggest storm. October 1997 the snow was 51" deep on our car lot. This snow is good news for the dry land farmers who got their crops planted. Slow release moisture, insulating the ground, and killing destructive insects are all good news. Good for the aquifers. Good for the ski/tourist industry. This is a much better stimulus, courtesy of Mother Nature, than anything out of Washington, D.C.

Colorado Welcome

First major Front Range snow storm of the Winter. Heavy, wet snow, that the kids love; it makes great snowmen. Not so much fun for the adults. No fun at all for anyone driving where the wind is blowing hard.

After shoveling snow you need to inoculate against the bite of the notorious Colorado Snow Snake! Pictured is my favorite anti venom. Some ignorant pilgrims deny jackalopes and snow snakes but that is my story and I am sticking to it!.

The selfish part of me hopes this storm is bad enough for me to be called out to plow. That will boost the, "Spoil the grand kids rotten at Christmas" fund.

Damn Pilgrims - Winter Driving

We are approaching the season of local frustration with our flatlander visitors and recent arrivals driving in our winter wonderland. Here is your first tip; GET OUT OF THE WAY! Stay in the right lane, use pullouts, and know your limitations. Locals have the tires, the experience and the need to get to jobs, day care, etc. Enjoy your experience, be safe, but have some consideration. If your safe speed is 30 mph, the truck in front of you is doing 28 mph, then you DO NOT need to pass him when the safe speed for the locals is 50 mph in the left hand lane. KEEP RIGHT!

Your second tip is this: Don't drive in a blizzard if you have never done it before. I-80 across Western Nebraska and Wyoming is a killer in a blizzard.

Your third tip is this: When your fuel gauge is on one half, you are empty. Don't pass a fuel stop if your tank is at one half or below. Avalanche and wrecks can leave you parked for hours in the middle of nowhere.

I imagine this whole rant is a waste of bandwidth but it makes me feel better.

Watch Out Again

Posted May 10, 2009 about my legendary driving skills. Today I finished training for a seasonal job as a snow plow operator. The picture shows some of the equipment I will be operating at the airport.

The flying public will be safe; the job is only on the public parking lots so no aircraft will be endangered.

This is an on call job so if it snows a lot this winter my 2010 summer travel fund will be fat. By Monday the 4x4 will be checked over, survival food and gear loaded, and the winter clothes taken out of storage and made ready. Past history says being stuck at the airport for three days is possible.

Me pass the tests? Must be low, low standards. (Friends and family, this is you cue to jump to my defense)