‘Let it snow’ ... no, it must go

We have been continuing our exploration of Wallowa County over the past week, and it has been a pleasant adventure. We have met so many terrific people who have welcomed us with open arms.

Saturday morning we drove through the snow to Joseph and had breakfast. It was great. Then we walked around town until we were cold and headed back to the warmth of the car.

Later in the day, we headed up to Wallowa for the Spring Fling and rummage sale. We met several avid readers, and even one who once lived in the same part of Colorado as we did.

Although we were still stuffed from breakfast, the ham and bean soup looked and smelled terrific. We did partake of fry bread, however. It was great.

Sunday we decided to get adventurous and headed north on Hwy. 3 to Lewiston. Yikes.

Now mind you, having lived in Colorado, we are somewhat accustomed to narrow and winding roads. We lived 30 minutes from Red Mountain Pass (11,000 feet) and had driven the road from Ouray to Silverton a number of times.

The Lewiston road is like Red Mountain Pass times 50. It seemed as if it would never end.

After a brief sojourn in Lewiston, we headed back through Walla Walla and came down Hwy. 204. There is still an incredible amount of snow above Elgin.

We arrived home Sunday night tired but with the realization we had seen some of the most beautiful territory in the country.

Getting up Monday morning to more snow wasn’t quite what we expected, although we’ve been warned to expect the unexpected weather-wise in this area.

Having grown up in North Dakota, I am somewhat familiar with snow lingering until well into April and beyond. I recall a couple time when snow fell on July 4.

Then we lived in Minnesota for nearly 20 years, another area where snow is common for months on end, especially in the northern part of the state.

So you add an extra layer of clothing, and life goes on.

We were encouraged Saturday to see the snow didn’t keep folks at home much. Minnesota was that way. No matter how big the blizzard whirling around outside, people were out shopping and eating, cross-country skiing and just going about life in general.

By far the best efforts to remove snow from roadways and other surfaces we found in Minnesota. We have a good friend who works in the snow plowing division of one of the larger Minneapolis suburbs.

Those folks engage in all-out war with snow their sworn enemy, and they don’t stop until every last flake is moved and disposed of properly. If it took 14 consecutive hours behind the wheel of a plow, so be it. It’s what you do when you’re under attack by Mother Nature.

I fully expected the daffodils in our front yard to be a wrinkled mess by Monday morning, but there they were, yellow and fresh.

I suspect summer will make an appearance before long, and after this past winter, we’re all looking forward to that.

Wahl is the editor of the Wallowa County Chieftain and is looking forward to eating on the patio without gloves.