OK, Midcoast Maine residents, let’s all admit it: We’re spoiled when it comes to dealing with serious snowfall. We’ve had it too easy of late, with a few exceptions of course, and while we can usually manage four or five inches of snow, the magnitude of the recent storm on top of a smaller snowfall, was more than we wanted on our plate. The amount of snow that fell varied throughout the Midcoast, but it’s safe to say we received substantial amounts of the white stuff. Nearby Harpswell recorded 25 inches, and we don’t think local towns were far behind.  What made matters worse was that we already had several inches on the ground which hadn’t had time (or the necessary warm temperatures) to melt.

While we were still trying to cope with all that snow, Mother Nature brought us a few more inches. Where to put it all was the million dollar question. Road crews on the local and state level scrambled to keep some of the side roads plowed wide enough to handle the traffic, while downtown clean-up and sidewalk clearing had to take a back seat.

Those of us who have been around for a few decades remember when the snowfall was as bad, or much worse, than our recent storm. It’s been a few years, however, since we actually felt snowbound, unable to get to, or even see, the road, thanks to the drifts, and all of our doors and many of our windows were blocked by snow. It wasn’t until late on the second day that we were shoveled out (via snow-blower) when we waved down someone working next door who came to our rescue and we were able to use our walkway and gain access to the road. The good news: We didn’t need to go anywhere, which was thankfully true of many area residents who didn’t have to report to work. Schools were closed so buses avoided the dangerous road conditions, although they’ve had to cope with challenging situations since then.

While we were settled in, road crews worked around the clock to keep the roads passable for those who did need to get from one place to another. It had to frustrating, to say the least, for snowplow drivers and others trying to keep up, not only during the storm but in its aftermath, when roadside space to put all the snow is limited. Even businesses faced the dilemma of where to go with all the snow.

While we were busy grumbling and complaining, those in northern Maine have been welcoming all of the winter’s snowstorms with open arms. Their very livelihood depends on it for ski areas and snowmobile businesses. We’re happy for them, and if we had a choice, we’d direct all future snowfalls in their direction.

We’re thankful that the calendar indicates February is about at an end, and while winter weather is far from over, things may look up in March and April.  The above-freezing temperatures this week have helped speed up the melting. We can only hope that snowstorms between now and late spring will bring smaller amounts, which should be much easier to handle. We really don’t need any more major storms like the one last week. We’ve paid our dues.