In case you haven't heard, Denver is at a standstill. A major holiday blizzard has hit the Front Range with a vengence, bringing travel to its knees. Denver International Airport, a hub for cross-country flights, has shut down and doesn't expect to reopen until tomorrow afternoon. Thousands of stranded travelers spent the night on cots, benches and the floor. All government agencies are closed except for critical personnel. Sporting events, concerts, plays and other activities have been cancelled or postponed, primarily because the teams can't get in or out of the airport.
Check out Denver Cam for a view of what Downtown looks like.
Over 20 inches of snow here with drifts in our yard over 5 feet deep. Fortunately, we have a 4WD Toyota 4Runner with brand new tires and chains. Our Subaru was getting around great yesterday, but is unlikely to make it out of the driveway today. With one of the rare vehicles that can get around the neighborhood - or around town - Greg's out and about doing random acts of kindness -- pulling stranded cars out of drifts and intersections.
Last night, just a couple of miles from where we live, at US36 and Sheridan/Church Ranch, the National Guard had to come in to rescue stranded motorists and tow vehicles off the highway so snow plows and emergency vehicles could get around. You can read the story and see the video here from last night's news. People spent the night at one of two nearby shopping malls, or one of two rec centers just a mile or so from our house.
One of those last-minute people, I didn't get my holiday shopping done before this storm hit. In fact, I didn't even get a very good start on it. I'm hoping that I have a chance to shop tomorrow - Saturday for sure! Gift cards for everyone!
My brother is scheduled to fly in from San Diego tomorrow afternoon. Fat chance! We have tickets to the Avalanche game Saturday night, which is a typically active event for pedicabs. Plus, the Broncos play at home on Christmas Eve. With all the snow, pedicabbing may be tough that day, but should be great money.
But all is not lost. We have a hot tub with a gazebo in our backyard. All evening yesterday we kept clearing a path through the snow so we could enjoy a nice soak. Later today we'll put out the word in the neighborhood to come join us for a holiday hot tub party.
By the way, today is also my birthday.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
No pedicabs running in Denver today
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With one of the few vehicles that could get around the metro area today, Greg's been over around the airport trying to help some of the 3000 or so stranded travelers get to hotels in the area or pulling cars out of drifts and ditches.
Finally, the snow has stopped, blue sky is beginning to show through the clouds, and sunshine is starting to cast shadows on the deep snow.
A few stores and other businesses are beginning to open up - Walmart, BestBuy, gas stations and grocery stores. Neighbors have shoveled driveways and sidewalks. Snowblowers can be heard working hard to clear paths. Looks like the city is beginning to get back to normal - more or less.
I'm guessing that we have about 2 feet of snow on the ground. It's hard to tell with all the drifts - some 4 or 5 feet deep. This storm will rank 4th or 5th on the list of worst in Denver history.
Greg's on his way home. We'll venture out again and try to get some of that last minute shopping done. This is life in Colorado.
Updated snow totals at http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=a0ed1359-0abe-421a-01d9-b678c1e54500&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf.
Westminster (where we live) got 34.5 inches. 24 inches in Denver. I guess that makes this the 4th worst storm on record.
I heard that the official snow total in Denver was 20.7 inches, so officially this storm doesn't make it into the top 5, maybe not even the top 10. Bummer.
happy late birthday
Why thank you!
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