Muffin Top Patio! Winter Storm, December 18, 2009
Our patio after the December 18th storm that dumped 23". There was so much snow we ran out of room for where to throw it when trying to shovel our way out up the stairs to the parking lot. :D This is also how we learned the hard way to get a head start on shoveling during massive snowstorms like this (and there was one more comparable big one before the end of the season, dumping another 20 inches.....) Go out there and shovel after every 8 inches or so. Otherwise what happens when you wait to shovel out all two feet at once and let it sit like that is: A) It begins to form layers, with the bottom layer becoming inpenetrateable ice and slush, necessitating something to break it up (in our case we improvised with a thin, weighty metal pole, banging away at the ice....) and B) it's too much material, and too heavy, so you have to work your way down in layers anyway. So, may as well shovel as you go, every 8 or so inches as its dumped. By the end of this particular winter we became pros at shoveling, and our muscles had gotten bigger and stronger and we had our techniques down. :D Also, another cold weather shoveling tip: Make sure to have lots of eggs and bacon on hand. Nothing beats coming in from the cold after strenuous shoveling and sitting down to a tasty bacon and eggs breakfast/lunch with some toast maybe, and a fresh cup of hot coffee. :) Nice....
Muffin Top Patio! Winter Storm, December 18, 2009
Our patio after the December 18th storm that dumped 23". There was so much snow we ran out of room for where to throw it when trying to shovel our way out up the stairs to the parking lot. :D This is also how we learned the hard way to get a head start on shoveling during massive snowstorms like this (and there was one more comparable big one before the end of the season, dumping another 20 inches.....) Go out there and shovel after every 8 inches or so. Otherwise what happens when you wait to shovel out all two feet at once and let it sit like that is: A) It begins to form layers, with the bottom layer becoming inpenetrateable ice and slush, necessitating something to break it up (in our case we improvised with a thin, weighty metal pole, banging away at the ice....) and B) it's too much material, and too heavy, so you have to work your way down in layers anyway. So, may as well shovel as you go, every 8 or so inches as its dumped. By the end of this particular winter we became pros at shoveling, and our muscles had gotten bigger and stronger and we had our techniques down. :D Also, another cold weather shoveling tip: Make sure to have lots of eggs and bacon on hand. Nothing beats coming in from the cold after strenuous shoveling and sitting down to a tasty bacon and eggs breakfast/lunch with some toast maybe, and a fresh cup of hot coffee. :) Nice....