.....Begining on December 18, three days before winter, a monster snow storm came out of the South. It began sometime after 2 P.M. and snowed all night and part of the next morning. These photos tell part of the story. But it dosen't tell of the folks stranded out on the Interstate or of folks stranded at work. Nor dose it tell of those marooned at home. People were stranded on the South Bound lane of the West Virginia Turnpike for 19 hours. When they did get freed, they had to stay at Pax where the good folks there took good care of them.
.....The lesson to be learned is: Make sure your gas tank is filled when you start a winter trip, dress for winter in the case you might have to leave your car and walk, keep blankets in your car, and keep some food or snacks along with water. If you are coming from the south, remember that you are leaving the south and entering a different world. Your car, with its climate control, may let you down...hard. It may not be a match with the elements that God created.

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.....My wife did not make it home and spent 33 hours at the nursing home. My son tried to make it home, but did not make it. He parked his car a a local service station and came to our house. But, I had to take him home the next day. Without a good place to turn around, I drove all the way around by way of Lewisburg.

.....Being used to my 4X4 going though any snow. I tried to get back up our hill. That was a mistake. I made it almost to the top of the hill only to slide against the bank. I dug my way out and attempted to back down the hill. But I could not stay out of the deep snow near the bank. I ended up digging my way out three times before giving up for the night. This almost 70 year-old man was pooped.

.....The admistrator at the nursing home drove my wife home that night. He also made it almost to the top of the hill before sliding against the bank. But, he was able to back down the hill.

.....Finally this after noon,after digging out two more times, I was able to get unstuck and drive back across the tracks. This is where we stand now. We didn't get to have Christmas Sunday at church. My son's car is still plowed in. My daughter finally has her car dug out and hopefully will be able to get to Walmart to work for the night shift. But, there are still folks in shelters.

....People talk about wanting a white Christmas. But, this is going a bit too far.

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.........Photo by Okey L. King

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............Photo By Okey L. King

.....We had been watching for tracks and we were rewarded at the pond. There were quite a few deer tracks, and on the far side of the pond, you can see turkey tracks.

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...................Photo by Okey L. King

.....Back up on top of the ridge, we found the tracks of a pinemartin. Jonathan had seen the martin while he was deer hunting not far from where we found the tracks. We found more deer tracks where the deer had been been munching dried honeysuckle leaves at the edge of the yard. This winter has been tough on everyone here on the Kienigsberg.

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........Photo by Jonathan King

.....The weathre has changed a little. While this rainbow made its appearance, the Greenbrier River was flooding.

Photo By Okey L. King

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.....Photo By Okey L. King

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...........Photo by Okey L. King

.....This is Carolyn's flower garden draped in winter.

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.................Photo by Okey L. King

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......................Photo by Okey L. King

.....This is the last little strectch you have to make if you are going to get up our hill.

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...........Photo by Okey L. King

......Looking back down our hill, you can see how tough the climb can be.

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......Photo by Okey L, King

.....This photo show the perfectly unbroken snow free of any tracks. No living earthbound thing hs passed this way either by foot or otherwise. It is very peaceful.

.....It is the 27th day of February and winter has not slowed down yet. It has been five weeks sisnce we have been able to have church.