Snow, More Snow, Then a Blizzard

Hello Loyal Readers! I know I've been absent the last few weeks but only because there's not a whole lot happening at the ranch. We've just been hunkered down due to several snow storms.

Yesterday, we had a blizzard that was pretty intense. It began very early Sunday morning and just kept on going all day and into the night.

At one in the afternoon, we dressed in layers and went out to check on the horses. They were all frisky, bucking and farting even with the howling winds and near-white-out conditions. The snow was already piling up in drifts under the barn porch. That's a 100-gallon stock tank, to give you some idea of the scale.

It was also starting to drift around the deck stairs.

My truck...

At five in the evening, we went out to feed the Boys their dinner. They were shivering a little, so we dried them off and put their blankets on for the night. 

Butts to the wind....

The drifting at the barn was getting interesting.

It was still snowing hard and the wind made it seem as if it was coming in sideways. Our footprints drifted over within 30 minutes.

Don't ya just love my "Elmer Fudd" hat? Silly as it looks, this hat, which is a "Stormy Kromer" is easily the best winter hat I've owned. It's insulated wool with flaps that fold down to keep your ears warm.  Here's a link to their website...Stormy Kromer. I do not get anything from the company for giving them a shout-out or if you click on the link. I'm doing it because I'm impressed with their product and wanted to tell you about it.

Taking a little break...The big pines blocked the worst of the wind, so it was comparatively pleasant there on the bench.

I should also give a shout-out to the good people at Duluth Trading Company. I'm wearing their coat, insulated bibs, and neck gaiter. Under the coat I've got on their long sleeve waffle Henley shirt topped layered with their heavy cotton button shirt and a Shoreline fleece jacket. I didn't plan on wearing all Duluth clothes...but they are what I grab when I have work to do.  Oh, Duluth also sells the Stormy Kromer hat. I just didn't get mine from them.

I know! I know! I sound like a commercial. I am NOT getting paid or compensated in any way. What can I say? I like Duluth's work clothes!

By this morning, it was all over. We got at least 15 inches of snow. It was up to G.W.'s knees.

The valley is beautiful after a snowfall!

The snow drifted dramatically at our antique barn.

The deer were out this morning. Belly deep in snow...

While I was watching the two deer above, I didn't realize that another was watching me. She was only ten feet away, peeking at me through the arbor. I turned and there she was!  It was the highlight of my morning!

Deer tracks in the snow...

Snowy ridge.

Frosty Branches

Pines

G.W.'s truck looks misshapen because of the way the snow stuck to it.

Drift on the house roof.

Winters in the Rockies are hard and not for the faint-of-heart. At it's worst, it can kill you if you are unprepared or don't take the weather seriously. Plus,everything is more difficult in the snow. 

But I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!