Monday, December 7, 2009

The Winter Configuration


Over the weekend I moved the vehicles to the winter configuration I'm going to try this year.  The car in front of the outside woodpile, the truck in the driveway and the log skidder ...  huh ... log skidder?  Oh yes, the log skidder isn't mine.  But it's broken (first the battery, now they're cannibalizing it for the other log skidder up on the hill) so if it moves, it will have to be dragged by the other skidder.

Last year was totally different.  Where the car is now was a lake that eventually froze.  I had the truck parked there, a little farther back, and had to walk through water to retrieve it after a rainstorm dumped the water in that low spot that stayed from December until about April. 

I parked the car in between those two lilac bushes, facing out (dumb, dumb, dumb).  The mountain of snow from plowing blocked it in, and then after I decided to back it out through the yard in February, I realized it was truly stuck.  It stayed stuck for 6 more weeks after that with me making pathetic attempts to get it out every week or so, like trying to pull it with the truck, push it with the ATV, pouring sand around the wheels or salt, or hot water.  Eventually the Ace hardware man gave me the suggestion that made the difference.  Bathroom rugs under the motive tires (front, in this case).  I'll never drive anywhere without my trusty bathroom rugs in the car again.  Funny, yes!  But they really worked!

The loggers have got to move the skidder back up the hill.  I don't care if they have to pull it.  The town plows a nice big turnaround here which cleans out about half of my driveway.  Loving it!  The skidder definitely puts a cramp in that plan, and we can't have that!

3 comments:

  1. Looks like you're all set there, Girl! I also found that a few spare shingles that might be laying around is not bad for traction. If someone is stuck, I will stop to shovel or help push most days. My funniest was one where I think she did go in the garage and find some shingles...I helped to rock her out and she got to the road...and then just kept going. No happy wave, no thank you M'am! Not sure I'd have pushed her out again that winter!! Looks like you are starting to get a bit of winter there on the ground, too.

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  2. Sounds like you have a plan. I think you're on the offense this year. Not the defense like last year. We are waiting for our first blizzard starting tomorrow here in southern Minnesota. It will be a good test to see if we are as prepared as we think we are. Hope it missses you out there.
    Cindy

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  3. Cindy, that's a great way to think about it. At least so far this season!

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