Digging Out

Believe it or not, the wind did stop blowing and we were able to dig our way out. All roads throughout eastern Wyoming and all of South Dakota were closed from this storm. Numbers we heard on the news Monday night (12/28/09) included 24" in Spearfish, 30" in Deadwood and 56" in Lead. Didn't hear a number for Sturgis, but did see news footage of the over pass being blown shut. Even if the interstate would have been open, no one was going to get on it anyway.

The view out the living room picture window on Monday sitting in the chair. Nice, huh?

When the weather finally broke, the drift in front of the back door was actually two.


Remember these two drifts? After they finished becoming one, they created quite the sled launch if anyone was brave enough. (We weren't.)

Picture window on the south side. You used to be able to see a boat.

Looking at the same drift from inside the garage.

Can you believe how it piled up between the garage and the boat? Yes, that is a lawn mower sticking out.

The two trucks acted as great snow fences and did an excellent job of keeping the snow in the driveway rather than blowing down into the trees. Now we know which way to plow the rest of the snow!

The drift between the two trucks and around the side of my truck ended up being about 6" above the truck bed.

Can anyone say "snow fence effect"?!?!?!?

This is standing at the northeast corner of the house. Some of my lights around the ground just disappeared in the drift!

Standing at the opposite side of the deck. You can kind of see the french doors on the master bedroom.

Standing below the big drift looking back at it. I don't know just how deep it ended up being!

Mr. Bill digging out the big drift in front of the pick up's.

Notice the styling new covies that Santa brought Mr. Bill!

Now it was my turn to plow.

Even though we had drifts that probably averaged 6-8 feet in depth, there were still some bare spots. Go figure.

Looking back toward the hills.

Looking at the hill across the street.

The northeast corner looking down the short side of the house. (Standing in the same spot looking 45* from where the picture is taken of the drift covering the lights along the ground in front of the house.)

Life is G-O-O-D

December 20, 2009

Whitewood, SD

46* ABOVE zero.

Yes, I have flip flops on.

Life is G-O-O-D!

Finishing touches

Bill: We have bourbon balls! Are you ready to come home?!?!?!??

Some finishing touches I added yesterday. Probably need to add one piece of garland. Next year.

Christmas Decorations '09

Christmas Decorations 2009

Baby Jesus and the nativity scene watch over our home.....

Outside lights shine bright

For all to see......

The train races 'round the tree

While it stand all aglow.

Stockings are hung with care

In hopes of Bill and St. Nick

will soon be here!

Sarah got this sign for Bill last year.....
She knows him ALL to well!

Merry Christmas to all

and to all a good night!

Per Request #2

Well, we can't show pictures of the inside and not show pictures of the outside.

This is taken standing on the hill across the street from the house.

Standing at the NE corner of the lot.

The view from the front deck looking toward the NW corner.
It is very Americanan, especially when the cows are out.

Center view from the deck.

Looking from the SW corner back toward the house. (This is also where I was snake hunting this summer!) We hope that eventually there will be a shop here. It will be set back in the trees as to not mess with curb appeal.


The back of the house.

The SE corner of the house. This corner is the master bedroom; it has a sliding glass door to step out onto the deck. Wonderful in the summertime!

The view from the back deck. This is also the view from our bedroom. You can see where the trees end the prairie begins. This is also the end of the Black Hills.

Down in the trees on the left out toward the end of this point we are someday envisioning a gazebo with a fire pit. (This is still the back deck.)

View looking across the revene toward the ranch our land backs up to.

I just think this is a cool picture. (Humor me, if you don't mind, please.) View from the back deck out across the valley on a foggy June 30, 2009.

That pretty much completes the tour of our humble abode affectionately known as the "Snow Chateau". Come visit. We have lots of room; only 8 minutes from I-90, or an hour from the Rapid City airport, and there are lots of things to do in the Black Hills for kids and the rest of us that refuse to grow up!

Per Request #1

Rae asked to see pictures of the house, so here you go! These are obviously the inside, when it was sort of clean. We are very proud of our home. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Entry way

Entry way from the door.

Formal Dining Room

Kitchen and Breakfast Nook

Looking back at the kitchen from the fireplace.

Great Room

Other view of the great room.

Master Bedroom

(The MB sits off of the breakfast nook area while the other two bedrooms are on the opposite side of the house.)

Spare Bedroom

Office - it is NEVER clean!!!!