Friday, January 27, 2012

The Great Salt Lick

I am sure with winter weather knocking at your door, wherever you might live that receives snow,  traveling on the  highways have added an extra coat of road additives to the side of your car or truck. Heading to the car wash gets a bit laborious to keep it clean.

Here at Timber Life we always have some assistance with giving our vehicles a bath without moving them from their parking spot.

It wasn't until three or four  years ago we actually had this kind of activity start, a mystery for a time.

The rock salt and brine used here in Iowa seems to have a twofold purpose; one for the road, and after the animals found it a dietary mineral source.

These pictures were taken last weekend...

Checking Saturday this side of the car was almost licked clean by our nocturnal visitors and they were starting on the other side.

Yes,you may have already guessed! The deer are the culprits.

Rain came and washed the car the rest of the way.
I guess I will have to go somewhere now the car has gotten cleaned off to renew the mineral content.

However, after today's snow possibilities and cold this weekend, the weather forecast is, let me rub my eyes here,  for up to 50 degrees on Monday and 40's the rest of the week . Spring for the first week of February?!?

With the unseasonable temperatures it has given me more of a chance to take advantage of walks in the timber and fields. Check back to see who goes along...

Friday, January 20, 2012

Winter has Arrived


The  bubble broke this week keeping us without the seasonal snow cover . Up until now the little amounts dropped in fast moving fronts have disappeared within hours or a day at most. Tuesday, brought 2-3 inches and on radar the storm today is expanding. As of the forecast this morning they are telling us 3", but a chance for more might be possible.,time will tell...Don't want wind above 5 mph the dreaded drifts would start whipping up and closing the driveway.


Picture taken at 7:54 AM

Not the first time for the air to be filled with snow at Timber Life this year...However, it is the first time for us to see an accumulation on the increase.

Ah! Recent weather update says the snow should end in Des Moines by the end of the morning . Wouldn't you know it the roads are reportedly slick in my neck of the woods. Hubby's commute home could be interesting  later today.
Latest Local update 9:08 AM

Wait a few minutes - it appears we are again going to luck out without a huge deluge of those big snowflakes continuing to drift earthwards.

I am already looking forward to the February thaw, or at least temps in the 20's without wind. "Could we be in for winter into late March???", I say with a sigh...