The Great State of Washington is officially tired of snow. At the end of 2021 there was sufficient snow that the Cascade Mountains were depressing Earth’s crust. I just made that up, but 20 feet of snow does weigh a bit.
The WA DOT was keeping the passes open until this week. Now going from one side of the Cascades to the other other requires an airplane. 17 miles north of me, Blewett Pass is also closed. Thursday’s snow resulted in closures – – with Sunday as expected openings. Friday warmed and the wind started. Continuous speed is above 30 mph, with gusts to 47 mph. The surface warmed and settled enough that we didn’t experience drifting. The high wind last only a few hours.
On the Naneum Fan snowfall began Wednesday afternoon and by dawn on Thursday there was 22 inches (56 cm) or up to my knees. Through December I was easily (with a push broom) keeping a spot out back where Annie could squat and pee. In the morning I had to get a shovel and cleared a spot a few square feet. Because she has only limited sight, she was confused by the inability to wander out of the small space. I’d been taking her up the driveway (about 100 yards) twice a day, but such trips were impossible. I managed, with difficulty, to go to the two bird feeding spots. Annie was house bound, except for her tiny space out back.
The first photo shows a cluttered deck with snow beyond. Workers had worked inside this past week and finished the interior trim. The saws were under cover on the new deck. We didn’t clean up outside, but I will burn some of the left over pieces. Others will have to be sorted and cut.
An upper county police station had a melting snow problem with water running down an interior wall. The guys left here Tuesday afternoon and went there for a look. They worked here Wednesday morning and then went back up there. What ever the issue was, an additional 2 feet of snow wouldn’t help.
The next image is looking at the driveway through the posts of the front ramp. I made a path to the big shed where I store the seeds for the wild birds. That path splits to the left. The other path is just my trek through the snow to the feeding stations. Allen is in the middle of the lane on a yellow front-end loader. A tractor with the rear blade could not manage the snow. Although the snow was light (fluffy), it was too deep. The loader is a much slower method.
Here’s a zoomed-in version:
This machine does not have a cabin, unlike the farm tractors. This is not a 4 wheel drive machine but he can push or pull with the backhoe if necessary. In contrast to the tractor (blade behind), he is working in front and can push or lift and dump.
I cleared the space in front of the truck, out to where I connected with his work. 
Being house-bound isn’t an issue for the cats. Czar has a favorite spot in front of the wood stove.
I’ve never ordered a drink at a coffee place, or wherever the cups come with a name. I believe this one was ordered by Bryan.
I note the cold has migrated to the east of the Nation. Eastern Ohio and Western PA expect 10° this coming Monday night. We no longer have nighttime temperature below 15°. Monday low is expected to be 22°.
From the Naneum Fan
John