Mabel the Maple: A Timeline

The photo pretty much speaks for itself (click to enlarge; click again to enlarge even further):

March 13, 2013

Driving in the Snow

Well, the magnesium chloride basically got overwhelmed by the 4+ inches of snow we got. Or maybe I just need to use a lot more. It didn’t seem to have much effect.

I got stuck briefly in the driveway this morning, wheels spinning as I tried to turn onto the road. Backing up first and then taking it more slowly did the trick. When I reached the main road, the county road crews had done their job, and most of the snow there had melted or turned to slush.

I’ll say this, though: It is very tricky to drive on snowy or icy roads. The slightest touch of the brakes or the accelerator, or the slightest turn, can send you sliding out of control, and you don’t really know where you are going to end up. It has happened to me a couple of times this winter, and it’s not a good feeling. Staying under 20 mph, or better yet, 15, is key, but even so, a hill or a relatively sharp turn can make things dicey in a hurry.

On my way to work this morning, along the few miles of freeway that I drive, I saw half a dozen cars that had slid out and were in various stages of rescue.

A Late Blast of Winter

It’s snowing heavily outside tonight – the first big snowstorm we’ve seen in a couple of months, and a reminder that winter isn’t over. The forecast is for 3-5 inches of accumulation – the biggest snowfall of the year – enough to potentially prevent us from getting to work unless the roads are plowed.

The county road crews here are pretty good at spreading salt and plowing roads. They’re diligent and they work all night when necessary. But they don’t plow the private road that leads to our house, so I have to wait for a couple of neighbors to do the job.

Tonight as the snow began I sprinkled magnesium chloride, a more environmentally friendly alternative to plain salt, on our gravel driveway. I’m curious to see how much of a difference it makes, but I won’t know until morning. Fingers crossed.