Tracy;

While in the Air Force I was on an inspection of a Radar Site in North Dakota. I noticed red bands high on the power poles and asked the locals what they were for. “That is the twenty foot mark so we can tell how high the snow is”! Sure! Being from San Francisco, I had my doubts even if I could not spell snow.

When I got to the Air Force Radar Site (about 150 men) they took me for a tour. All buildings had two stories and I found out why! Then these guys showed me the pictures from the previous winter. The snow was so high that you climbed out of the second floor window and walked to the chow hall. Then you went through the second floor window of the chow hall, down the ladder and had your meal. Who needs shovels?

They would send guys out on schedule to what was called “Gap Filler Radar Sites”. These were small search/height finder radar stations that filled missing gaps provided by the big radar systems.

The men would use a half-track and have two weeks rations. The reason to go was to make checks on the equipment. You might get snowed in so you took precautions. On one trip in was –58 F with 90 mph winds. Yes, I really enjoyed the snow!

I had lots of experience with snow thanks to the Air Force and the many inspection trips I made. I like to avoid that white stuff. :)

By the way my uncle in Janesville, California experienced 20-foot drifts in 1982-83. Thank God he had a two-story house!

Tom


>I remember growing up in Wisconsin and having to climb out of a window to shovel the snow so we could open our front door. Clearing the sidewalk and driveway were the kids daily chores when I was young in Wisconsin. The last few years though Wisconsin has had mild winters. I thought for sure I would never see that snow again when I moved down south. I was wrong -- a couple of years ago we got 10 inches! Luckily it melted in a few days because we only have one sand truck in the county.
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>>>Hi Dragan,
>>>
>>>I know a little of what you are going through. It seems like our friends at the INS go to the Nth degree to make it difficult for someone who wants to come to the US legally and yet looks the other way when it comes to all the illegals from Mexico.
>>>
>>>I am originally from Canada and have been here in the states on a green card since '76. It was fairly easy for me to get as my wife was was a dual citizen. My brother, on the other hand, spent years and thousands of dollars on immigration lawyeres to get his green card.
>>>
>>>I also have taxation without reprsentation as I can't vote having only a green card, but I don't want to give up the ability to work on both sides of the border, which I do frequenty.
>>>
>>>I wish there was something we all could do to help you out of your dilema.
>>
>>I figure Canadian laws on this matter are much more fair, from what I know. That's always an option.
>>
>>We just like it here on the coast - much as I may like snow, it becomes a nuissance after a while. But then, I appreciate spring after a good winter much more than I do after this poor excuse for a winter that may be observed here.