Goliath Blizzard and that it was. We heard that we were to get record snowfall and historic conditions that Saturday after Christmas. Days before we stocked up on groceries, drew up water, brought firewood up and got all the livestock and animals ready the best we could. Tyler penned all but 1,200 head out of almost 6,000 head of cattle that were turned out on wheat. The storm started up Saturday evening and didn't quit blowing until Monday morning. We have never seen a snow like this. The old timers are saying the same thing. They have been around a lot longer than us. I would say it was historic then. We got somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 inches for our area. We also have snowdrifts anywhere from 3 foot up to almost 15 foot. Anywhere there was a building, house, barn, trees or vehicles the snow piled up. The winds were so fierce and piercing. There was nothing we could do but wait it out. We felt so sorry for all the animals and livestock out in it. We woke up with all windows covered in snow. Our front porch was buried halfway up the storm door and fortunately we were able to get the back door open.
This was Sunday during the storm.
Bronc kept telling me there was an owl on the front porch. I thought he kept talking about my fake owl that we had hanging in the trees. Then I looked out and there really was an owl. We thought he was frozen, so Tyler went out to see if he was ok. We wanted to put him in the barn if we could. He ended up being ok and flew away. The amount of birds and rabbits I have seen dead around here is just crazy. We had bird feed out but the doves seemed to just lay there and freeze. The little birds toughed it out better than the doves did.
The kids just couldn't stand not being able to play in the snow Sunday. So we went out and played in the blizzard for a short time and then came back in. Cabin fever was setting in so we got rid of it for a bit. This is Bronc and Skye smoked after playing in the storm.
Good calm and still Monday morning finally arrived.
The sunrise was beautiful on the snow.
Time to try and get to the cattle and see how they handled the storm. Tyler tried for over three hours trying to get out of our place. We live on top of the draw and the draw was full of snow. There was no way out. Finally Deon, our work partner, came and bladed Tyler a path out through all these different pastures and around the draw so he could come help with cattle. Snowmobiles would have been handy. The snow was so deep on the east/west and even some north/south roads, riding horseback out would have tired the horses out. They may have not even made it to far. While we were waiting on Deon we had cattle roaming across our place. We penned them south of the house for a neighbor. It has been neat seeing all the neighbors coming together to help each other out.
We have since heard that anywhere from 30,000-40,000 head of cattle left their pastures or pens in the areas that had blizzard conditions. The cattle were able to walk over fences or pens due to the drifts. Tyler had some over 30 miles away from where they were turned out. Also the dairies around here have taken a huge loss. The same amount of cows have died. Cattle bunch up when snow blows and then suffocate. It is a huge loss to this area. Tyler had close to 30 head smother. It is so tragic. Driving down the roads there are dead cattle here and there. Just super unfortunate for all the cattleman in this area.
Aftermath of Goliath.
Wind snow art
The drifts in the arena were nearly as tall as our cedar trees. Crazy!!
I would say the front porch is snowed in.
Sweet Tuck
Drift on the north side of our house.
Playing on the drifts. We have had the best time sledding on the drifts. Great entertainment for the boys indeed!!
Down the drift Tucker goes.
Well of course we have to throw snowballs at Mama!!
Tucker at the front porch window.
We have had lots of critters visiting the front porch.
Thank goodness for neighbors. The county said they couldn't come bust out the drifts on our county road for over a week. So our neighbor came three miles down our road to help get a path out this past Wednesday afternoon. Yay for big tractors with huge snow plows!!
Bundled up and stuck in the wagon.
Ivy girl
Skye was cold waiting on me to do chores. So she jumped up in the wagon to get in a warmer, dry place.
This storm was a whopper. We have learned lessons, figured out how to manage and possibly seen a once in a lifetime event. I know one thing, it takes 5 times longer to do anything. Maybe ten times longer. We have so much snow around our house it makes it a chore to do chores. Lol!!!
Wow!
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