In light of this weekend's snowstorms out east, it seems like an especially good time to reflect on Minnesota's Halloween of 1991, when we were dumped with more than two feet of snow. This weekend, the Star Tribune had a good look back at the craziness that started with a prediction many didn't take seriously, but also started with a wet, sloppy snow that created sheets of ice as the temperature dropped. I remember being snowed in for two days at our then-home in Maple Grove, and when we could finally get out, the roads were the worst skating rinks I've ever had the misery to drive on.
Holli says, I'm all for two feet of snow in one day. Winter is my favorite time of year.
I remember the kids trudging through high drifts, costumes obscured by snowpants and parkas, to trick or treat. Exasperated accompanying parents noted that between the holiday and the snow, keeping the kids indoors was just asking for trouble; the excitement levels were way too high.
Some things I didn't remember were in an accompanying piece in the Strib. I'd forgotten that was the year the MN Twins won the World Series on Oct. 27, and had a celebration parade on Oct. 29; I'd also forgotten that the storm immortalized as the Perfect Storm peaked on Oct. 30 (although weather experts say the storms were not related); and I didn't remember that of that crazy Halloween snowfall, nearly all of it had melted away by Nov. 20--only to be replaced with six inches of fresh snow on Nov. 23.
It's a landmark storm here in Minnesota. What do you remember about it?
Shoveling is what I remember. Shoveling, shoveling, shoveling until I thought I couldn't shovel any more. And then more shoveling.
Posted by: Miss T | October 31, 2011 at 09:51 AM
#1 Son was 6; his Halloween costume was fake fur wolfman hood and mitts, worn with regular pants and a corduroy blazer. We just added a turtleneck underneath and boots instead of the fake fur spats, and he was good to go. #2 Son was 2; he got to wear his Superman costume -- actually pjs -- in the house and answer the door to trick-or-treaters.
At the cabin, our pontoon boat was frozen in 6" of ice because the temperature dropped so precipitously after the blizzard. DH got it out a week later with chain saws and a torpedo heater. He also drove to Eau Claire to buy a snowblower -- there were none to be had in the Twin Cities.
Posted by: kmkat | October 31, 2011 at 06:05 PM
i dressed as a bunny that year - like a head to toe fuzzy bunny costume. i remember actually getting hot from trudging through the snow!
Posted by: Lisa N | October 31, 2011 at 09:26 PM