Here is a news flash: We have snow in Humboldt. Not just a layer, but many layers. The last storm dropped over 15 inches of snow. Poor Angie had to swim around in the snow in order to make a place for her to do her business. I got out of town on Wednesday, in the nick of time, but the storms followed me to Kansas City where we were bombarded with wind and hail and even a tornado or two. Phil and his golfing buddies were not as lucky. The trip to Myrtle Beach had been planned for months, the day they were to leave--Friday--was almost there when the weather took a nasty turn for the worst and the snow started falling early on Thursday morning. The men looked at the sky and discussed what to do, the first plan was for Phil to take the Born Free and drive out of the storm, stopping at Terribles on 35 and wait for the rest of the guys to head out of Humboldt on Friday, in Bills four wheel drive truck. An odd plan, as I see it, but the men liked it, for about 20 minutes. Enough time for Phil to drive the Born Free down a dangerous route 169 to Ft. Dodge, only to be called back by the rest of the men, who had decided to drop everything and head out with Phil on Thursday instead of Friday. After two or three false starts (forgotten medicine, forgotten wallet, forgotten coffee pot left on) they were finally heading south. By this time dangerous 169 had turned down right treacherous, Phil white-knuckled it until they made it to Rt. 380 near Waterloo, where the weather miraculously cleared and travel became routine. Highway 20 had closed behind them, highway 35 had closed too, but they made it through and Myrtle Beach, here they came!!!
By the time I headed back to Humboldt from Kansas City rt. 35 was clear, but tell tale signs of what had passed were everywhere. Cars on their roofs, trucks jacknifed. I passed over 15 cars left on the side of the road as I headed north of Des Moines. Once I got onto rt. 20 the road kept getting worse as I headed west, by the time I was half way to the Humboldt exit the road had become two lanes instead of four, and travel speed fell to 45. Once on 169 it was clear again, but high drifts were visible on each side of the road. These wind blown drifts were beautiful as the late afternoon sun hit them. The wind had carved soft swirls into their snow, I wished I had my camera, it would have made a beautiful black and white photo.
As I took the corner at 4th Ave. and Taft I saw our house dripping with icecycles. There was one expecially large one right in front of the living room window. The house looked like it was frosted---well, I guess it actually was!! Our neighbor, Harley, had blown our sidewalks and driveway clear, a big thanks to him! The walk to the front door was treacherous, with a covering of ice about three to four inches thick. I walked carefully to the front door and entered the warmth of our home.
I have to say, I'm kind of sad I missed this big storm, I love sitting and watching the flurries blow. I feel cozy and warm and safe in the house, it's still and quiet outside (unless the snowmobiliers buzz by)and all those guilty feelings, because you are just sitting and not doing one thing, leave and you are able to enjoy just one thing--the snow--for all it's worth.
