Most of the time living on a mountain is an exciting and amazing thing. Our view is gorgeous and never ceases to amaze - and that view goes completely around our house, from any side. We have the most amazing sunsets and even sunrises (although the sun hits our house pretty late in the morning after traveling up the valley.)
We love to drop the shades at night and awaken to the view of the mountain out our window. We often hear coyotes, see deer, and the other night we heard an owl. In the summer we had hummingbirds and meadowlarks. Last night we watched two deer through our bedroom window as they meandered through the back yard just a few feet from our house. We live in the city, and yet we live in the country.
However, ice and snow make living on a mountain a bit of a challenge. When there is new snow, coming to visit us may mean a walk down from the top of the hill, or some serious excitement getting back up the hill. The street in front of our driveway is very steep. The only way out of our house is up that steep street. Normally that's not a problem, but ice and snow make things much more exciting.
The street we live on is a private road, not cared for by city plows. Thankfully, we've been cared for pretty well by the developer that is selling the lots in this area. He sends this front end loader to plow our street, and he's been good to come often enough. It's really amazing to watch this big vehicle go up and down the street. He has no trouble going down, but often just spins his wheels trying to come back up. Several times he has given up and just headed out over open country at the bottom of the hill.
We have been given three large piles of sand, one across the street from our driveway, one partway up the hill and one at the top of the hill. On several occasions we've been found with shovels throwing sand under the front wheels of cars as they've attempted to leave our house. Many mornings after a storm during the night, we just wait until we hear the plow because we know we won't be going anywhere until the street has been cleaned off a bit. Then we go out with sand and/or ice melter and prep the road before going in and getting ready to leave for the day. Bryce has been talking about getting a four wheel drive vehicle. Maybe that would help, but maybe not. I think we should first try some studded snow tires.
Anyway, we love living on a mountain in spite of everything.
3 comments:
Hmmm, maybe a permanent winch installed at the top of the hill would be helpful? hmmmmm, nah, maybe not.
That is one steep hill! Can you imagine once you get neighbors and they are trying to teach their 15 year old how to drive in snow? WHEEEEEEEEEE...I bet you're glad you didn't buy the house at the bottom of the hill. ;-)
We appreciate you sanding the hill every time we come. :)
I've decided that there's more to the phrase "ye are the salt of the earth" than I knew about before. We are VERY grateful for salt and sand. Today it's been snowing all day, but the sand and salt we threw out this morning is doing a great job and the hill remains black (or brown?).
BTW, I don't recognize "8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,but I think it's Sue?
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