[Colorado] Melting...

On Marc's patio at sunset yesterday. At sunrise the snow on the chair was a full 12" deep.

[Colorado] 12" of Snow at Marc's House

The snow has stopped. The sky is brightening to the west. I think I have already received all the snow I am going to get. The TV says that Fort Collins, just 7 miles to the north of me, got 20".

[Colorado] 10" of Fresh Wet Snow So Far, Still Falling

I have between 10" and 12" depending on where I measure. We'll call it 10" officially.

I went out and knocked the snow and ice off my maple trees' branches. Many of the longer branches were bowed down by 6' to 10'. I feared they would break under the snow load of tonight's predicted additional snowfall. To reach the higher branches I had to run my 12' pole vertically. I discovered that snow falls vertically when knocked off of branches, and when one is standing directly beneath the branches in question one gets quite a bit of snow onto one's head. :-(

[Colorado] 6" of Fresh, Very Wet Snow, More Falling

I shoveled the first four inches and then decided that it was time to awaken the snow blower from here on. The first two inches were nearly-frozen wet slush about the consistency of wet concrete, and a lot heavier. The roads are poor and degrading, as the slush layer on the bottom offers no traction for stopping. If the temperature dips far enough enough tonight to freeze the bottom layer of slush into ice, travel is going to get very exciting (in an unhappy way).

[Colorado] Washed My Car Yesterday, Snowing Today

Just for the record, I washed my (filthy) car yesterday. Therefore, we are getting sloppy rain and snow today. :-(

[Colorado] Light Snow Falling

The sky is heavily overcast and I have light snow falling. I got the great juniper hedge trimming exercise finished up just in time. :-)

[Colorado] More Rain and Thunderboomies

More lightning and thunder-boomies. The rain is coming down so hard it is knocking leaves off my maple trees.

[Colorado] Complete Colorado News

I just stumbled across this Colorado-news-specific web site. It is laid out similarly to the familiar Drudge Report. It has an RSS feed. It has links to all the Colorado news web sites. I have been looking for a Colorado-specific web site such as this for years.

Non-Colorado readers: yes, I understand that you probably don't care. Please just bear with my enthusiasm. :-)

First Snowfall

Winter has officially come to northern Colorado. Not enough snow for snow angels yet.

[Veteran's Day] Flag-Decorated Vintage Car

Seen at Loveland Coffee Company's parking lot on Vetran's Day. I know the owners and restorers, Gordon and Shirley.

[Halloween] Only One Trick-or-Treater

What a bust. I had only one Trick-or-Treater ring my doorbell.

[Colorado] Wildfires spread smoky haze over Loveland - Reporter-Herald, Loveland, Colo.

Wildfires spread smoky haze over Loveland - Reporter-Herald, Loveland, Colo.:

"Publish Date: 8/29/2008

Wildfires spread smoky haze over Loveland

By Jon Pilsner
Loveland Reporter-Herald
The smoky haze that settled over Loveland and much of Northern Colorado on Thursday came from wildfires burning throughout the Western U.S., a weather expert said.

Don Day of DayWeather in Cheyenne said the smoke that was visible Thursday came mostly from a fire burning near Cody, Wyo., near Yellowstone National Park.

That fire flared up recently, kicking a large amount of smoke into the air. With the current wind patterns, those particles were carried south to Colorado."

[Colorado] Lawn Mower Always Cuts Better With A Freshly Sharpened Blade

It never fails to amaze me how well my lawn mower cuts tall, wet grass when its blade has just been sharpened.

[Colorado] The Rain Has Stopped, Loveland Is Still Here

I am very pleased to report that we were not all washed away.

[Colorado] Lots of Rain

Lots and lots and lots of rain, continuously for the past two days.

[Colorado] Loveland ranks No. 33 on top places to live

"Loveland ranks No. 33 on top places to live

Loveland Connection staff • July 15, 2008

Citing the city’s well-known Valentine’s Day remailing program and its devotion to the arts, Money Magazine this week named Loveland the 33rd Best to Live in 2008.
Advertisement

In singling out the city, the magazine said: “In the late 1920s, Loveland's Spring Glade orchard was the largest cherry orchard west of the Mississippi River, contributing to a million-dollar cash crop.

“Now thanks to its name, Loveland is better known as the home of the Valentine Re-Mailing Program.”

The Best Place to Live 2008 article is in the August issue of Money Magazine, which hits newsstands July 21.

The article was released Monday on cnnmoney.com and praises Fort Collins as the No. 2 place to live.

It was honored for its schools, low crime rate, Old Town’s microbreweries and restaurants, and for being an outdoor paradise.

Money Magazine also highlighted Loveland’s varied cultural experiences by citing:
“Though big brother Fort Collins sits to the north, there's plenty of action in Loveland: the city has a notable sculpture collection, and the Budweiser Event Center houses acts such as David Bowie and Disney on Ice.”"

[Colorado] Monsoon Has Passed (I Hope)

I have had steady and heavy rain for the past two days. At one point as the rain pounded down I was getting ready to put in a call to Noah.

Happily, today the sun is out, the birds are singing, and I may get a change to mow my over-grown but very-green grass.

[Colorado] Happy May Day! (Light Snow)

Happy May Day, everyone!

Just to remind me that this really is Colorado, yes, I am getting very light snow in my back yard this morning.

[Colorado] Spring Has Sprung

I revived the lawnmower and mowed the lawn today. Spring has officially sprung here in northern Colorado. Now it is time to contemplate trimming back the juniper hedges (as usual, they have grown a foot since I trimmed them last year) and to cut back the cherry suckers.

Colorado: Spring is back

Snow has all melted. Clouds are gone. Sun is out. Wind is gusting.

[Colorado] 2 Inches of Hail on the Road Today, 8" of Snow Expected Tonight

Driving home from Fort Collins in the heaviest rain, sleet, and hail storm I have seen in Colorado was fun. Noisy, too.

[Tea] Tea of the Day: Upton Mango Indica

I drink it all the time. Every time I brew a fresh cup I say, “Yum!”.

Snow and Ice

25°F here in Loveland, with about an inch of fresh snow atop about a quarter inch of ice from last night's rain. All the neighbors' tulips are frozen solid.

Rain

Steady rain for two days now. Most welcome. My lawn has gone from brown with patches of green to green with patches of brown. Most of the trees are putting out buds thinking about flowering. Spring is nearly here. :-)

Tea of the Day: Upton's Baker Street Blend

Yummy for a nice spring day (mid-40s F here in N. Loveland today, bright and sunny, snow melting).

Very Little Snow, Maybe 1.5 Inches

Yesterday's predicted snow storm was a bust. I don't think I even received a full 1.5 inches, and that is vanishing rapidly from the roads and driveways in today's morning sun.

Light Rain & Fog

This morning at 06:00 I am getting a very light misting rain along with fog heavy enough that it is hard to see to the end of my block. Everything has a light coating of ice, as the temperature is 25F.

Nippy at -12F This Morning

I even put on a sweater this morning.

Snowing Again

I have received about 2 inches so far, very dry and fluffy.

Police catch Loveland bank robbery suspect

Loveland police reportedly apprehended a bank robbery suspect today, within hours after a robbery at Wells Fargo Bank, 3710 N. Grant Ave.

The robbery was reported around noon. Police dispatchers reported a man wearing a stocking cap, dark glasses, gloves and a tan Carharrt coat entered the bank and indicated to employees he had a gun and a knife. No weapon was shown during the robbery.

The robber was seen on foot heading toward East 37th Street, according to initial reports. He reportedly was caught while walking along Highway 287.

Snowing

Just a dusting so far. I thought we were not going to get any more snow this weekend. Silly me.

Bank Robbery a Few Blocks from Marc's House

Transient arrested in bank robbery
By SARA REED
SaraReed@coloradoan.com


A transient was arrested Wednesday afternoon following a bank robbery in north Loveland earlier in the day.

Kurt Dahlberg, 35, allegedly walked in to the Wells Fargo at 3710 N. Grant Ave. shortly before noon with a note that said, "I am robbing you. Please give me your money. I have a gun and a knife. I don't want to hurt anyone. I just want the money. Thank you," according to a news release from Loveland police. No gun or knife was used or seen during the robbery and no one was injured.

Dahlberg then allegedly left on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.

52F in Marc's Back Yard, No More Snow for a Whole Week

I just looked out the window at the thermometer on my patio: 52F. Wow.

We are not supposed to have more snow for a whole week. :-)

Snowing and Blowing

I have about one inch so far. I am drinking Upton's Russian Caravan tea and listening for the wolves howling (probably really coyotes, but hey, go with the Dr. Zhivago scene).

Sub-Zero Temperatures, Snow Falling Gently

The temp this morning was -3F. Snow is falling very lightly. I have only gotten 1/2 inch so far, and the Denver weather boffins say I should only expect a maximum of 2 inches. Very disappointing. I was all psyched up to get the 2 feet they were predicting for this snow storm 2 weeks ago. :-(

Snowfall Has Begun

Supposedly we are going to get as much as 2 feet by the end of the weekend. Sheesh! :-)

Addendum: The Denver weather boffins are now saying that we will only get a few inches here in Loveland. Mainly what we will get is cold temperatures (single digits).

Another Addendum: I have about 1/2 inch of snow and snow has stopped for now. Off to bed. (I had been prepared to go snow blow a foot of snow off my driveway before bedtime. Silly me).

Weather Bulletin - Denver

Forwarded to me by my Dad. I do not know the original source.

Weather Bulletin - Denver

Up here, in the "Mile-Hi City", we just recovered from a Historic event--- may I even say a "Weather Event" of "Biblical Proportions" --- with a historic blizzard of up to 44" inches of snow and winds to 90 MPH that broke trees in half, knocked down utility poles, stranded hundreds of motorists in lethal snow banks, closed ALL roads, isolated scores of communities and cut power to 10's of thousands.

FYI:

George Bush did not come.

FEMA did nothing.

No one howled for the government.

No one blamed the government.

No one even uttered an expletive on TV.

Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton did not visit.

Our Mayor did not blame Bush or anyone else.

Our Governor did not blame Bush or anyone else, either.

CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX or NBC did not visit - or report on this category 5snowstorm.

Nobody demanded $2,000 debit cards.

No one asked for a FEMA Trailer House.

No one looted.

Nobody - I mean Nobody demanded the government do something.

Nobody expected the government to do anything, either.

No Larry King, No Bill O'Rielly, No Oprah, No Chris Mathews and NoGeraldo
Rivera.

No Shaun Penn, No Barbara Striesand, No Hollywood types to be found.

Nope, we just melted the snow for water.

Sent out caravans of SUV's to pluck people out of snow engulfed cars.

The truck drivers pulled people out of snow banks and didn't ask for a penny.

Local restaurants made food and the police and fire departments delivered it to the snowbound families.

Families took in the stranded people - total strangers.

We fired up wood stoves, broke out coal oil lanterns or Coleman lanterns.

We put on extra layers of clothes because up here it is "Work or Die".

We did not wait for some affirmative action government to get us out of a mess created by being immobilized by a welfare program that trades votes for 'sittin at home' checks.

Even though a Category "5" blizzard of this scale has never fallen this early, we know it can happen and how to deal with it ourselves.

"In my many travels, I have noticed that once one gets north of about 48 degrees North Latitude, 90% of the world's social problems evaporate."

It does seem that way, at least to me.

I hope this gets passed on.

Maybe SOME people will get the message. The world does Not owe you a living.

8" of Fresh New Wet Snow, More Falling

Audi is snowbound, big-time. Jeep just barely made it out of my street in 4WD Low, and then only just barely. I should have chained up first (my tires are worn, fine for summer, not so good for deep snow).

The weather boffins predicted 6" to 8" this time around, and they got it right. They are predicting 2' (yes, two feet) late next week.

Snow Falling Again

We are supposedly only going to get 6 inches tonight and tomorrow, and then sun until next Wednesday when we will pick up another 6 inches or so.

Snow Has Stopped, Sun Is Out

The storm swung slightly south of me and missed me (mostly). My backyard has 18" of snow (I waded out into the middle and measured). The streets are passable (I ran my snowblower down the center of my own street to get the clearance I need for my low-slung Audi).

No more storms until next Wednesday or Thursday (and Seattle is gonna get hammered).

10 Inches of Virgin Snow on Marc's Street

I took my tape measure out and measured. I have 10" of fresh new snow on the street (atop what was already there). Pickup trucks are moving. Not much else is.

I found the right set of chains for my Jeep in my garage. Huzzah!

I broke out my chains for my Audi. I may try an adventure to see if it can get through (a heavy front wheel drive car with "Z" cable chains). I may not. We'll see how brave I feel.

Only about 8 Inches of Snow, Total, Plus Modest Drifts

Apparently just after I finished snow blowing last night and went to bed, the snow stopped (or tapered off). I only have perhaps an additional 1 or 2 inches of additional new snow this morning. Of course, the wind has formed drifts at least a foot deep across my formerly clear sidewalk, so I have to go fix that.

I have not looked at the weather snows on Denver TV yet, but I presume that the storm decided to slew south and more or less missed me. I do not know whether I will get more snow from the back side of the low-pressure front or not. I will have to go see what the weather boffins have to say. Update: the latest forecasts (09:34) say I should expect to get another foot throughout today and tonight.

6" of Snow So Far, Still Falling, Blew Snow

Coming down hard and wet. My policy is to snow-blow at 6" or when the snow stops, whichever comes first. My snow blower is Marc-propelled, not self-propelled. That means I have to push it through the drifts. It is much easier to push the blower through little drifts part way through the snow storm (and more than once, yes) than it is to try to bull through the heavy and packed-down drifts after the snow stops.

I did the sidewalks for a few of the neighbors while I was out there.

The Audi is officially snow-bound, even with cable chains (I think, I have not tried it). The Jeep may or may not be snow-bound with its worn all-terrain tires. I may have to try fitting my chains tomorrow (I don't think they will fit, but I may as well try).

Good thing I do not have anywhere to go to tomorrow (no usual Friday doctor's appointment, due to holiday schedules).

Snow, Snow, Snow

I have one inch of soaking-wet snow so far. I grabbed a fist-full of snow to check the snowball forming properties--my heavy leather glove was instantly soaked through. Some of the Denver weather stations are predicting that we are going to get a "perfect storm" and see several feet. Other stations are saying I'll only get one foot or so.

The temperature just dipped below freezing, so things are just starting to get exciting.

Friday night and Saturday we expect to get another blast, maybe another half a foot to a foot additional snow. Whee!

Snow Falling Now, Huge Low Pressure System Moving In, Moving Slowly

The Denver weather forecasters are bracing for the worst. There is a huge low pressure system moving in, and moving very slowly; we may have snow for a full 3 days. If I am lucky, Denver will get it and we (Loveland) will not. Ha. Snow is falling now just outside my window. I'll fire up the snow blower in a few hours in an attempt to stay somewhat ahead of the accumulation. Sheesh!

More Snow On The Way

Supposedly we are to get another 1.5 feet of snow in the next two days (today and tomorrow). Sucks. But I have lots of gas for my snowblower.

Snow Falling Again

It is snowing hard once again. The adventure continues.

Street is Cleared, Driveway is Open

The road grader made a final pass down the street to cut open the berms in front of every one's driveways! The neighbors formed a block party (I brought my snow blower) and we made sure everyone has 2WD sedan access. Several neighbors then zoomed out in their 2WD rear-wheel-drive sedans to go shopping.

Audi Snowed In

No sedans of any nature are moving in my neighborhood, not even 4WD Subarus, due to insufficient ground clearance. My Audi is stranded in my driveway until further notice (that is, until after the city has the resources to run a big plow down my street, and after I feel well enough to dig through the resulting berm). That probably will not be until after Christmas for the plow and who-knows for digging through the berm.

Street in Front of Marc's House Still Nearly Impassable

The snow in the street is now nearly 3 feet deep in sections, as everyone has been shovelling or blowing the snow off of their driveways out into the street. There are two ruts down the middle of the street, made by large high-clearance pickup trucks (about the only thing moving). I made it out of my driveway and across the street into my neighbor's driveway, then got a run at the snow and into the ruts yesterday morning to go out to the doctors. I made it, just barely.

On the way home I did not do nearly so well. I stuck my Jeep 3 different times on my street trying to make it back to my driveway. I had to dig out each time. I finally retreated and went shopping for chains, as I had discovered to my chagrin that the chains I have had for years but never used before were not the correct size to fit my Jeep's tires. Of course, all the auto shops were completely sold out of chains. No surprises there.

I finally made it home (what a roller coaster ride, with the Jeep in 4WD-Low and floored).

The street in front of my house is actually getting worse, not better, as the ruts compact (the compacted ruts still have about 6 inches of snow under them) and if one falls off the ruts into the deep snow one's vehicle high-centers (that is what kept happening to me). Today the sun is out in a clear sky, so we will see if we get enough melting to start to help.

[Colorado] No Birds on Marc's Bird Feeders

No birds flying anywhere. No birds on the bird feeders. None. Zilch. Maybe I will see some more birds once the sun comes out--the sun is trying to burn through the overcast right now. 

[Colorado] Marc's Street is Untracked

Nothing has moved on my street since early yesterday afternoon. Interestingly, I am the only person who has fired up my snowblower so far. I guess everyone else is just waiting for spring. I am drinking my fortifying hot tea (Upton's Baker Street Blend) before I wander out and crank up the snowblower. Everyplace I have looked that I had not already cleared last night the snow is now above my kneecaps. In many places the drifts are above my waist.

[Colorado] Snow Storm Continues, Another View from Marc's Front Door

The view from Marc's front door, looking up. I have approximately 6 feet of snow drifted on my roof. I'll get up there and knock it off tomorrow if the wind does not blow it off tonight. 

[Colorado] Snow Storm as Seen from Marc's Front Door

The view looking out my front door, looking down. 

[Colorado] I love my Toro Snowblower!

Did I mention that I absolutely love my Toro snowblower?  

[Colorado] Snow Storm Continues

1 foot in my driveway, 2 feet on my elderly neighbors' driveways, knee-deep on my street, Audi is front-wheel-drive and has a body panel under the engine to help raise the body up in deep snow. I didn't even try. Even with chains mounted, the Audi would not have gotten out of my street.

Colorado is Jeep country, they say. :-(

My street is still virgin. No one has made it home from work. I have been out snowblowing my driveway and the driveways of my elderly neighbors (no way they were going to shovel 2 feet of snow).

I absolutely love my Toro snowblower. :-) 

[Colorado] Full Scale Snow Storm

I have about 6 inches on the ground now, with more coming down hard. The drifts are a few feet deep around my house.

I am going to take the front-wheel Audi 100 CS out for a spin after an hour or so. I suspect I will very soon be in the market for snow tires.

[Colorado] Balmy Today

Nearly 60°F on my back porch with the sun shining. Yesterday's high was only 14°F.

[Colorado] Nippy This Morning

It was rather nippy early this morning.  The sun is out now and all the snow is starting to melt, even though the temperature is still well below freezing

[Colorado] It's Officially Winter

My neighbor fired up his snow blower this morning.  That officially marks the beginning of real winter here in the lowlands of Colorado (no snickering, Bill D!).

[Colorado] About 4 Inches of Snow, Still Falling

We finally got real snow!  I actually had to shovel my front walk this morning.  It is really winter!  Huzzah!

 

Time to go refill the bird feeders, quickly before the featherhead mob starts pounding on my windows.

[Coloado] Snowing in N. Colorado

See, it really is snowing in Marc's back yard. 

[Colorado] Still Snowing

Not sticking yet, but still snowing enthusiastically. 

[Colorado] Snow!

The first snow of the season is falling here in northern Colorado.   I have run outdoors (in my short sleeves) and been snowed on, so it is almost official.  As soon as there is enough snow for me to make the first snow angel of the season it will officially be winter.  :-)

[Colorado] Rain! Somebody Call Noah!

Huge dump of rain.  Water in the street is several inches deep.  Water is standing several inches deep in several areas in my yard.  Yikes!

[Colorado] Lawn Mowing and Rain

I was out mowing my lawn when big raindrops started falling on my head.  I looked up at the sky.  The clouds looked to me like the sort that emit lightning bolts.  Not wanting to become a crispy critter, I desisted from finishing mowing.  The rain is now falling again, and lightning blots are lighting up the sky.  My lawn has a partial Mohawk haircut I will have to correct tomorrow. 

[Colorado] Rain!

Good hard rain falling right now.  Most welcome.  Finally the cloudy skies of the past few days deliver some moisture. 

[Colorado] Road Rage

Feed: Loveland, CO - Topix.net   Title: 2 arrested after shots fired from car  Source: XML Rocky Mountain News

The Colorado State Patrol arrested a man and a woman Monday after receiving word that a man in one vehicle was shooting at another vehicle near Colorado 34 and Interstate 25.   Marc Says: I traverse that intersection routinely.  :-(

[Colorado] 90°F on Marc's Patio

Plenty warm at 17:00 on Marc's patio. We are supposed to break 100°F tomorrow. 

[Colorado] 102°F on Marc's Patio

Plenty warm.  Official temp was only 99°F.  What do they know anyway?

[Colorado] Rain

Gentle rain has been falling most of yesterday and all last night.  It is most welcome.  We need the rain badly.

[Colorado] 104°F On Marc's Back Porch This Afternoon

Warm!