We kicked off our Christmas Vacation with driving to Bruneau (ID) on Saturday.  We were going to drive the Subaru, but Lee was nervous that the Sub wouldn't be adequate in Bruneau.  Apparently when it snows in Bruneau the wind creates impassable drifts that barely a pickup can clear.  I was skeptical but trusted my smart husband and off we went in the pickup.  With the exception of some ice in Jordan Valley, the roads were clear.  As we pulled up to Merrick Lane I told Lee that I think the Merricks just didn't want anything but a pickup on their property -- my Sub would have done just fine getting here....  Then we drove up Merrick Lane and I was no longer skeptical.   It took seeing to believe, but yes, just 3 - 4 inches of snow is enough with the wind to create 4 - 6 foot snow drifts.  My sub wouldn't have made it.... at least not up the lane.  Maybe out in the bare hay fields where dirt is visible, but definitely not up the lane!

It snowed a fair amount on Sunday night and Monday morning (today) and the wind blew steady...  Enough to form some serious drifts and create some fun play opportunities.  Out came the pickups, Samurais and the tractor.    I was so excited!  Lots of firsts for me.  We all loaded up in Connor's pickup and attempted to make it down the lane, "bucking snow drifts".  It was fun.  We only made it so far before the pickup was up its bumper in snow.  That's when the tractor came out.  We pulled Connor out and then Cole cleared the lane-- with Connor right behind in the Samurai.  (which eventually also needed to be rescued with the tractor).  My first tractor ride -- and IN THE SNOW!  So fun.  (The tractor also came out later this afternoon to rescue the brave UPS man who attempted to make it up the lane in the UPS truck.  So many firsts! How many people (outside of Bruneau) have seen a tractor pulling a UPS truck before?)

We decided to make a snowman and Lee was determined for it to be taller than we are -- it was a group effort and is definitely tall.  We love it!  What a fun day at Merrick Lane.

We of course documented it with photographs.