February 19th Great Lakes Ice Cover Photo

With the cloud cover dissipated a bit from how it has been all winter long, you can really get a good look at the ice cover on the Great Lakes. This satellite photograph is from yesterday, February 19, 2014. You can view a larger version here.

What is your favorite winter activity in Michigan?

We are past the halfway point for winter and by now people in Michigan start to count down the days until spring. Others have so much fun skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and other activities that only take place in the winter that they wish for spring weather to hold off so they can keep having fun in Michigan's Winter Wonderland. Personally, I'm okay with winter, but when the calendar rolls over to March I start to get the itch to work in the garden and not have to bundle up in layers to spend time outside. How about you?

Take a second to vote in this week's poll for your favorite winter activity:

[poll id="39"]

To those who think being neighborly is dead

We have a wonderful older gentleman in our neighborhood who happily uses his tractor and attached snowblower to plow out all of the surrounding homes. It's a trick after each significant snowfall to finish using my Yooper Scooper on my driveway before he helps. It's not that I don't want his help, I just like to challenge myself to see how quick I can clear my driveway :). Anyway, he helps everyone young and old get their drives cleared. You don't even have to ask him, although he has said if he doesn't make it down to yours and you need his help to just stop on by or give him a call. There must be about a dozen driveways of varying lengths that he spends the entire morning plowing out after each snowstorm.

I know what you might be thinking. How much does he charge? Well, he won't take money, but he has yet to turn down a handful of fresh-baked cookies. I've helped neighbors get their cars unstuck or shovel a driveway during the years that we have lived here and it hasn't cost me much except a little time.

Before you complain about how unfriendly your neighbors are, think about this. What have I done to extend friendship and to be neighborly? Just think how much better our communities would be if we all asked ourselves this question and then acted upon it.

Have faith, dear readers, for this world isn't as selfish and cold as the news reports would make it out to be.

Use a Yooper Scooper to clear snow this winter

[UPDATE]I have used my Yooper Scooper quite a few times already this winter and I have to say that this is probably THE best investment I have made lately. Clearing the driveway takes a fraction of the time it used to take using the old shovel. Plus, I no longer have a sore back for two days following a session of driveway shoveling.

For the record, my driveway is crushed limestone and my Yooper Scooper glides right over it without any trouble at all. Also, I am 6' 4" and the handle is just right - I don't have to stoop over to use it properly :).

Just push, tip, and dump the snow. I love it!

Save your back and save your money (by not buying a snowblower and filling it with gas) with a Yooper Scooper (as it's called in the Upper Peninsula) or as it is more commonly known, a Snow Scoop. You simply push the scoop until it is full and then drag it to where you want to dump the snow. Repeat until your driveway is clear :).

I'm ordering my new snow scoop today in anticipation of the snowy forecast. You can either order one off of Amazon [affiliate link] - the 22" Suncast model - or from a Michigan-based company - Silver Bear Manufacturing has their 22" snow scoop for under $70. The Silver Bear snow scoop is highly recommended by folks who have had the same one for over 20 years - can't argue with that!

If you are seeking ways to avoid the snow, visit this list of Indoor Water Parks in Michigan.

Icy Lakeshore photo

Icy Lakeshore, originally uploaded by Blondieyooper.

Another great shot by Blondieyooper. It's still pleasant here in southwest Michigan this afternoon, but that is going to change. I've really enjoyed these two days of warm temps and feel like I can make it until spring without going nuts.