I Hate Shoveling Snow
I live in the northern tip of the lower peninsula of Michigan. We average about 120 inches of snow a year, although three winters ago, we set a new local snowfall record of 189 inches. So, I can't really say that I hate shoveling snow; with the amount we get, that would be pretty depressing. I just look at it as a necessary chore, and I try to get it over with as soon as possible.
Now, as impressive as our snowfall amounts might sound to someone from further south, all things are relative. Marquette, on Lake Superior on the northern shore of the Upper Peninsula, averages about 200 inches a year, and further west of Marquette in the Keweenaw Peninsula, snowfall depths average well above that amount.
In fact, the record snowfall for the state of Michigan is 376 inches. There is a TALL post along M-28 (Michigan highway 28) near Baraja at the base of the Keweenaw. The post is marked in feet and inches, and way up high, at the 376 inch mark, is a large wooden hand pointing out. The sign at the base indicates that this location received the record snowfall amount during the winter of 1977 to 1978. Now, if I lived there, I just might hate shoveling snow.
One note: although we do own several snow shovels which I use on our three porches, I use a snow scoop to do the large areas like our driveway. The Upper Peninsula is know as the UP, and, from that, the birthright inhabitants are known as Yoopers - and, since they do get a lot of snow, a snow scoop is known as a "Yooper Scooper".
Depending on the amount of snow we receive - 2 inches to 18 inches on one storm - it takes me between one and a half and four hours to completely clear our driveway.
The first few storms are pretty easy. I push the snow well back into the yard to allow for placement of snow from future storms. The one thing about using a snow scoop - you can't lift it loaded with snow to toss like you can with a shovel; you need to get your knee under the scoop and lift it that way to get the snow onto already existing snow banks. You need to put some extra cushioning on your knee to prevent it from getting bruised after a while.
I just finished shoveling/scooping the snow for today. Let's hope no storms come through tonight. Ha, Ha, Ha!
By the way, since the Lower Peninsula of Michigan lies "below" the Mackinac Bridge, the people in the Upper Peninsula call us "Trolls".
Quakertrucker
Now, as impressive as our snowfall amounts might sound to someone from further south, all things are relative. Marquette, on Lake Superior on the northern shore of the Upper Peninsula, averages about 200 inches a year, and further west of Marquette in the Keweenaw Peninsula, snowfall depths average well above that amount.
In fact, the record snowfall for the state of Michigan is 376 inches. There is a TALL post along M-28 (Michigan highway 28) near Baraja at the base of the Keweenaw. The post is marked in feet and inches, and way up high, at the 376 inch mark, is a large wooden hand pointing out. The sign at the base indicates that this location received the record snowfall amount during the winter of 1977 to 1978. Now, if I lived there, I just might hate shoveling snow.
One note: although we do own several snow shovels which I use on our three porches, I use a snow scoop to do the large areas like our driveway. The Upper Peninsula is know as the UP, and, from that, the birthright inhabitants are known as Yoopers - and, since they do get a lot of snow, a snow scoop is known as a "Yooper Scooper".
Depending on the amount of snow we receive - 2 inches to 18 inches on one storm - it takes me between one and a half and four hours to completely clear our driveway.
The first few storms are pretty easy. I push the snow well back into the yard to allow for placement of snow from future storms. The one thing about using a snow scoop - you can't lift it loaded with snow to toss like you can with a shovel; you need to get your knee under the scoop and lift it that way to get the snow onto already existing snow banks. You need to put some extra cushioning on your knee to prevent it from getting bruised after a while.
I just finished shoveling/scooping the snow for today. Let's hope no storms come through tonight. Ha, Ha, Ha!
By the way, since the Lower Peninsula of Michigan lies "below" the Mackinac Bridge, the people in the Upper Peninsula call us "Trolls".
Quakertrucker
70-79, M
