PILES AND PILES OF SNOW...

One of the great things about the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for me is the amount of white gold (snow) that falls every winter. Even in the worst of years about 100" falls near Carolyn's family cabin not far away from Kenton, Michigan. In the winter of 78-79, which was monumental even down here, 390.4" (32.5') piled up in Keweenaw County...around Houghton.

Here's a picture of the snow "thermometer" that gives you an idea of just how high 32.5" of snow is. More than 3 stories high. Whoa Nellie!

Another shot taken in 2008 which was another good snow producing winter both here and there. Still a long ways to go to top 390".

For some additional perspective here's a house buried in snow. It's not even officially winter at this point.

Later in 1979, this picture was taken of what looks to be a school in Calumet which is located in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Men cross country skiing up one side and down the other of this 2 story building.

Once I asked a "Yooper" to explain what winters were like up north. He responded by saying, "there's 9 months of winter and 3 months of bad sledding". I always loved that saying and I suspect it's not far from the truth.

By the way, if you are interested in any aspect of the Upper Peninsula's weather there's a great book that my colleague Karl Bohnak put together called So Cold A Sky. He put a lot of time and effort into researching the amazing weather history of this incredible part of the country. For many years I watched Karl do TV weather in Marquette, Michigan. He loved his snow and he found a unique place to practice his trade. As far as I know he's still there. Roll weather...TS