Note
The wind fans kicked back on today, and just in time--more than a day or two of quiet, and it just doesn't feel right.
There was mention in the local news early in the afternoon of a snow squall in the vicinity of Elk Mountain (west of Laramie), and when I was driving up top go skiing and had a view from near the parking lot out over the Laramie Valley, I could see there was an amazing looking ground blizzard obscuring the valley floor NW of Laramie--no doubt the result of the snow squall plus the big wind. On the way back home, signs were flashing warning that the interstate was closed west of Laramie.
Tomorrow there is a local ski race, and I agreed to help after being asked. The organizer wrote me:
"Here’s a bit more information about your role as course sweeper on Saturday:
Course sweeper. Ski part of race course, starting approx. 10:45, to be sure that all racers have finished. If you encounter a racer who needs assistance, ski back to start/finish to notify Randy and the 1st-aid person. Plan to stay until 11:30."
I wrote him back:
"For those who are flagging through no fault of their own, I will have marshmallows and little trinkets to encourage them along.
For the recalcitrant who are not even trying, swift and terrible justice will be rendered, along the lines favored by the founder of the Pole Mountain Shuffle, General Philip Sheridan.
Thus will sweeping be accomplished."
He then wrote me back:
"Wow. I’m glad I’m not racing…"