Our property was surrounded by acres of flat farm land and when a storm came there were no trees, hills, or mountains to stop its effects. We became used to losing shingles off our roof and buckling down anything that could fly away.
I had heard the wind during the night, but living only a couple miles from Lake Michigan, I was used to hearing it as it came off of the lake. But now when I looked out the window I couldn’t see anything. It was a total whiteout. It was as if someone painted the entire countryside white and not a glimpse of light could get through. It really was quite frightening.
In the fall I had seen my neighbor tie a rope from his house to the barn. He said he hoped he wouldn’t have to use it, but he knew how the winters were in the country. He was a dairy farmer, and it was important for him to get to the barn. Of course, I thought this was like the days of writer Laura Ingalls Wilder and her experiences on the prairie! I sort of chuckled when he told us about this. But now, looking at the whiteout, I was beginning to understand the importance of that rope!
The snow kept coming down, the wind howled, and Ralph and I sat waiting for it to end. We were surprised when we heard a loud pounding on our front door. We couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to be out in this kind of weather.
Ralph was reluctant to open the storm door as the wind was at a blizzard stage. As he began to push the storm door forward the wind caught it and tore the hinges off. The door was now at the mercy of the wind as it moved freely back and forth on one remaining hinge. A woman, trying not to get hit by the door, was standing helplessly. She was caked with snow. Ralph quickly pulled her into the house and had her stand by our wood-burning stove. She told us her story.
She was going to church. From where she lived, it looked like a little snow was falling, and she felt it would not be a problem driving the car. However, as she continued down the country road, the snow began to come down faster and heavier. There was no place for her to turn back, and soon she was driving directly into the whiteout. She was blinded by the snow and drove the car into a large ditch that was in front of our house. She was not hurt and managed to push the car door open to free herself. Not knowing where she was, she used her feet for direction! She pushed the snow away until she felt gravel underneath them. She knew as long as she followed the gravel eventually there would be a house or barn. It took some time for her to find her way to our front door.
It was later when the first county snow plow arrived. The snow and wind had subsided, and we were able to watch from our windows. The snow drifts were so high that this plow looked buried before it began. It looked way too small to do the job! We saw the driver back up and leave. I was told by a neighbor that there were times when no plow could get through for two weeks! I began to wonder if this was one of those times! Then we heard something coming. It was a huge “papa” snowplow. We watched as that big plow hit the drifts without hesitation. It rammed them with such force that snow flew 30 feet in the air! But, the drifts were so big and deep that the plow could only go a short distance before having to back up and ram them again! This went on until eventually a lane was opened. Our unexpected friend did not have to spend the night as her husband was able to pick her up.
Ralph and I loved the country and our home. We did learn about a whiteout and how quickly it could develop! We did have an extra bed for someone — just in case — and we were very well aware that a rope was a good idea for our neighbor! He laughed as he told us that his only concern was that the rope would break and fall in the deep snow, he couldn’t find it, and he would be wandering, perhaps for hours, trying to find the front door of his home!
This is my memory of a winter day in Michigan. Oh yes, we have ice and snow in Tennessee and we have to endure for a few days, but I haven’t seen a whiteout yet. I do like Tennessee.