Snow Storms

I remember a few outstanding snow storms in my lifetime. One that stands out was one that piled snow all the way across the creek south of our house south of Wray. Garry came up with some skis and actually did some short run skiing. The John Deere tractor was buried in a drift with only the top and exhaust pipes showing.

Another time after we had built the new house in 1976. We had a full walk out basement. The electricity and telephone went out and we all went to the basement where we had a wood stove. Providentially, Owney had stacked wood to the ceiling between the two center posts down the middle of the basement. Mel and his wife and 3 children had come from their trailer house and could not get back. We laid mattresses on the floor and had a slumber party for several days. We melted snow for water and were blessed to have a wood cooking range in the basement to heat food and melt snow on. Heidi was in cloth diapers so the melted snow provided the water for that job.

The wind whipped around the side of the basement where the doors and windows were and left a walk-way out to the perpendicular wall of snow about 8 foot high. We could easily step out the basement door and get tubs of snow to melt and we dug cubby holes in the bank to store our food that needed to be kept cold.

Neighbors with snow mobiles and sleds were able to get some feed to the stranded cattle. The guys found a trail to the Beecher road to get to town for milk for the baby and other needed items.

-- Floy (Crabtree – Fisher) Ruggles