Sam Lively: Musings of a cowboy

Utah can still be a winter wonderland in January… if you prepare for it

As a kid, I can recall the anticipation that inevitably followed the weather man’s call for snow. The night before a single flake would touch the ground, my gloves, winter boots, snow pants, and coat were all neatly laid out just inside the back door topped with an oversized red knit hat. “Oh, the joys that awaited the following morning!” I remember thinking to myself as I’d lay in bed. It’s a wonder I’d even sleep on those nights, what with all the activities daylight would bring! There were forts and snowmen to be built, ice to be slid upon, and the unforgettable childhood craze, sledding! Yes, to a child, Utah in January was nothing short of a “Winter Wonderland”.

Nowadays, it seems the only good that comes from 0° is that all of the mud is frozen in the horse corals, and the days are too short to work outside too long, even if you wanted to. I don’t mean to come off as negative as the temperature, I’ve just chopped too much ice in it.Welcome to January, the most “solid month of the year!”

I was 14 years old the first time I encountered a frozen diesel motor, ironically enough, this was also when I discovered that my main use for a “weed burner” wasn’t burning weeds. One tank of propane, two cans of starting fluid, and three hours later, and the back-hoe was ready for use.

Since then, I’ve thawed out a few engines as well as some air lines on a semi truck, and more garden hoses than I care to admit. Through all these experiences, I’ve found preparedness is the best avenue for success. Much like my boyhood-self that laid out every article of clothing for the next day, I take the time to check the antifreeze in the back-hoe, pour alcohol in the air lines, and keep a full tank of propane for the “weed burner” just in case.

Despite the tribulations that tag along with the negative integers, on a still day with Earth’s sky so clear and blue you swear you could drink it, and all the man-made imperfections blanketed beneath her makeup of snow, Utah’s January can still be a “Winter Wonderland,” you’ve just got to take the time to prepare for it.

Musings of a cowboy

Sam Lively

Rodeo Cowboy