Snow
I enjoy clearing snow. There is a method to it (as there is to most things) and it evolved to a system that works well. The key is the scoop. It’s the most efficient and effective way to move snow around and it’s good exercise as well. It’s not fancy or high-tech, but it works and forms the key of my snow clearing system.
With the first snowfall there are many possibilities for getting the snow out of the driveway. The best way is to scoop it up and slide it across the lawn. At least to the middle or maybe further. The lawn is beside the driveway and in front of the house where the bulk of the snow gets piled. On the other side of the driveway there is also a lawn, but it’s steeper there, so that is overflow. The key is to not have snowbanks beside the driveway to allow for easy sliding of the scoop.
To begin, the path to the pile of snow is made. Starting with small scoops the path sculpting and piling begins. Then the lighter snow in the driveway beside and behind the cars is moved, followed by the heavier snow at the end of the driveway deposited by the plow. The end of the driveway is opened as wide as possible. That gives a bit of space for the plowed snow from the next storm to go so it doesn’t pile up too high or spill into the driveway.
When the snow is falling it’s tricky to figure out when to shovel. You definitely want to do it when it isn’t windy or when it is rain or freezing rain. I usually will pay attention to the plow going by. They usually make a pass when there is a lull, so if they go by that’s a good time to go out and get clearing. Working in a city 100 km away means that there are some early mornings getting the driveway clear. The shovelling has to start before the call to cancel is made. So that can be a bit of a pain. I’ll get up and start to work on the driveway and then hear that it’s a snow day, so usually I’ll take a break and rest.
The final stage is the detailing of the driveway around the door and maybe widening out. It’s where you can check to see where things could be a challenge next storm, so it’s where I make sure that the paths to the piles are clear. Then it is time to go inside and warm up and look out at the piles of snow. It’s a bit of a pain, but it’s something that I enjoy as it is real, physical work with tangible results. The process is physical and not too intense mentally, so it’s a bit of a meditative experience as well in the quiet surrounded by snow.
