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News Flash . . .West Michigan Disappears off the map!

By
Real Estate Agent with West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate

West Michigan has disappeared. No longer does the state look like a mitten. It is being called the Alaska syndrome. Word has it that West Michigan does still exist but it is buried under several inches feet of snow. The city's started disappearing first. It has been reported that each neighbor kept shoveling mounds of snow so high on each side of the drive that avalanches have occur ed and buried entire neighborhoods.

Women on a horse in Deep SnowOk I am going to gripe. I'm unabashedly looking for pity. Most of you who know me, know that I don't complain. WELL I AM GOING TO COMPLAIN. I am sick to death of all this snow!! I get text messages sent to my phone whenever there is a weather alert. Mostly, it is for the summer because I have a nasty habit of driving into tornadoes. But I have been getting two and three weather alerts daily for weeks. Into the late hours of the night, my phone is going off.

 

 

This is my friend on a ride yesterday in Grand Haven, MI on a full size horse - not a pony!

 

This video was from last week when we went to get a CHRISTmas tree. This guy slid off the driveway where the trees were at. Of course he sees us in our 4WD and thinks life is good!! So did we. We love to help people out. USUALLY we just hook on a strap and pull them out in seconds flat. NO NOT THIS TIME! It was so icy that the 4WD couldn't dig in. We had to haul him along until he got to the drive so we could force him up. It was truly comical! We did end up getting the guy out--he tried to pay us but we wouldn't take it. I'm not taking money from someone when it cost me nothing to help him.

 

Today, I thought about canceling an appointment to show houses to a couple for the second time. I REALLY wanted to show them houses-they sounded like such nice kids. But I REALLY didn't want to end up in the ditch either. I finally decided to take the darn 4WD and just go!! On the way I saw about 12 cars in the ditch and the finale . . .a jack knifed semi on the highway! Flippin' lovely!

If you can believe it, it gets worse! We have a big snow blower that attaches to our garden tractor. Our drive is way beyond shoveling or even using a little snow blower! It would kill it quickly, there is just too much there. Our snow blower broke . .can you believe it?!!? The belt broke! Now just a belt breaking is not a big deal. I have a husband that can fix anything and I mean anything! BUT NO PLACE ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH CAN YOU PURCHASE THE STUPID BELT RIGHT NOW!! We have to order it!

ORDER IT!! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? It will take 3-4 days to get it. By then, we will be buried in snow. We are suppose to get 6 more inches tonight and it is suppose to keep coming tomorrow!! Do you know how much snow we already have???!?!! Look at the pictures. That was from last week folks!! It has been snowing for 5 solid days since then!!

Ok . . you all know I am an eternal optimist so I do have to look on the bright side. This is going to be awesome for Lake Michigan. Water levels have gone down so much that people are destroying props when they put their boats in. This will really help!

Picture of deep snow

 

The other bright side is that the schools are off for Christmas so they aren't using up a ton of snow days so they have to keep going in June. My daughter would be beside herself . . she graduates in June!

Another bright side is that it will make for an awesome blog about our local cross country skiing and sledding place. I am already forming that one in my mind and have the cam corder primed and ready. I can't wait for you all to see it!

And see I just thought of another plus . . .I can get out my cross country skis. I haven't been able to use them for two years because we haven't had enough snow. WELL WE GOT ENOUGH NOW!

 

Allendale, MI 12/20/08 3 feet of snow!

 

<This was actually posted on 12/24/08, but there were some problems with it appearing.  It was recommended I delete it and repost it to see what happens . . .so here it goes!  By the way we are under yet another warning . .flood warning because now the snow is melting and dense fog advisory!  Enough already!>

Terrie Leighton
Ferrari-Lund Real Estate - Reno, NV
Reno Real Estate Agent ~ Selling Homes in Reno

Tami ~ I am smiling right now because I just love the pictures you included, especially of your friend on her horse (not pony)! It is just gorgeous!! We have about 3 or 4 inches but it is melting fast! Hang in there and drive safely, watch out for those who don't take it easy on the roads!

Dec 26, 2008 09:41 AM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

I think tht snow is just wonderful under these conditions:

  1. When it falls at night and I don't have to go to work the next day!! and
  2. When it is in somebody elses neighborhood!! or
  3. I am in the sunny and warm south and the snow is like way up north!!

I hope that you enjoy the cross country skiing.  ;-)

Dec 26, 2008 11:47 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Tami, Gripe all you want--I thought WE had it bad! Our snow turned to ice--my least favorite thing. When the weather is really bad I will reschedule....I've had too many treacherous trips through the years! Isn't spring just around the corner?? :)
Dec 26, 2008 12:06 PM
Margaret Oscilia
Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Salem Oregon

Sounds like this problem certainly hit several states!  We in Oregon had some snow/ice which cancelled the alst week of school before Christmas.  Then we had more snow - and lots of ice . . . causing our trees to lose large limbs or crack - we have probably the equivalent of 5 full sized oak trees that are down in our yard, destroying the smaller shrubs/trees below.  The clincher was when we lost power from 12/20 through 12/26.  No water/elec/heat/cooking -- how fun is Christmas in a 45 degree house?  My daughter says she is NEVER wishing for a white Christmas again!

Dec 27, 2008 01:10 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Tami- Oh my....forget the truck, I was shocked how the snow came up so far on the Horse..but my question is whay didn't you just ride your horse to show LOL :)  Seriously,.,.,,you are a much braver soul than me, I would have canceled.....hate driving in the snow, and especially as much as you have :)

Dec 27, 2008 01:53 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Tami I am sick of Winter already myself. I would much rather be in some tropical destination at the moment:)

Dec 27, 2008 04:58 AM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Tami - When you said that you got a lot of snow, you weren't kidding!  How many feet is that?   :)

Dec 27, 2008 06:24 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!
With all that snow, it did feel sort of like we disappeared over here in West Michigan! Today, it's over 50 degrees. That's what I love about this state...the weather is never boring. :) Despite the relative warmth...our snow piles are still pretty high.
Dec 27, 2008 06:40 AM
Tami Vroma
West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate - Grand Haven, MI
Realtor, Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Lola - They are pretty high.  The river is coming up fast over here.  My husband said it was going over the service road out on the State Land behind us.

Dec 27, 2008 07:07 AM
Marian Gregor-Ann
Keller Williams - Ann Arbor, MI
Arbor area Real Estate
Hi Tami, It looks like a mega Hot Chocolate Alert to me! I grew up in Portage (next door to Kalamazoo). We had a huge blizzard, then everyone was snowed in in the late '70's. On the 2nd snowed in day I decided to ride my black Morgan horse to the store a couple of miles away. I called a few of the neighbors to see if anyone was out of staples- you know, bread, milk or baby food. Someone wanted me to pick up candy. Another neighbor wanted cigarettes! Needless to say, they didn't get them! My horse (and best friend) Laddie plowed his way through the chest deep snow all the way to the store and carried me back home safely. Of course he got extra apples that day. Thanks for the memory. Many of my family live on the west side of Michigan, in Mattawan, Lawton, w. Kalamazoo. Like you, they have all had way too much snow and it's not even New Year's yet! Be well. Fellow Horse Girl ~ Marian
Dec 27, 2008 07:53 AM
Tami Vroma
West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate - Grand Haven, MI
Realtor, Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Marian - What wonderful memories! I have only had the horses about 8 years and they are my dream come true!

Dec 27, 2008 12:09 PM
Marian Gregor-Ann
Keller Williams - Ann Arbor, MI
Arbor area Real Estate
Tami, Connecting with a horse is truly a gift, isn't it? What's that old saying "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man". Be well ~ Marian
Dec 27, 2008 01:37 PM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Tami,

My dad used to live in the UP when he was younger.  He used to talk of snow over the roof...I still want to see it.  I have never been farther north than Detroit in the winter.

I am sure living there you are sick of the white stuff.....hang in there.  Spring will come soon.

Happy New Year!!

Ann

Dec 31, 2008 02:00 PM
Tami Vroma
West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate - Grand Haven, MI
Realtor, Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Doing some catch up here - I am so sorry it has taken me a while to reply!

Terrie - I am glad you enjoyed the picture.  That is actually a path she reguarly goes down!  Isn't that a hoot!

Don those all sound like very good reason to like snow . . lol!!

Carole - Man it was cold in New York yesterday!!  Can you imagine standing out in that cold.  Spring has just GOT to be around the corner!

Margaret - Man you really had it going on too!!  That is a bummer no electric at Christmas!!!  Hope everything is back to normal now!

Kathy - You crack me up!  That would have been a long cold ride on my horse.  My flast wouldn't hold enough Baileys to keep me warm for that trip!

Bill - Where would you go if you coudl go anywhere?  Lets go stay with Sally Cheesman!

Debi - That right there is about 3 feet of snow.  Can you believe it is all gone now!

Marian - It is a gift isn't it!! 

Ann- I have never been to the UP in the winter but they get a lot of snow also!

Jan 01, 2009 06:54 AM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com
Tami, You must be close to the lake and get the lake effect snow? I think it might be fun to have a lot of snow but then I would want it off the roads.... Wishing you a fine 2009! Ann
Jan 01, 2009 10:11 AM
Tami Vroma
West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate - Grand Haven, MI
Realtor, Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Ann- I have to admit I love a good snow storm but I am sure sick of the roads!

Jan 01, 2009 10:29 AM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Tami,

You need smarter snow...the kind that knows to stay off the raosd...;-)

Ann

Jan 02, 2009 12:53 AM
Tami Vroma
West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate - Grand Haven, MI
Realtor, Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

You make me smile Ann!

Jan 02, 2009 08:31 AM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com
Tami, Humor is one of life's greatest gifts! Thanks for smiling, Ann
Jan 02, 2009 09:29 AM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Hi Tami,I had to look at twice the picture I couldn't believe it that the snow is that thick.But the snow looks beautiful though but its just hassle when you want to go out.Thanks for this share.Stay the best Grand Rapids Short Sale Agent.

 

May 02, 2012 05:36 AM