- Joined
- Nov 16, 2015
- Posts
- 9,893
Living in the Midwest winters are fickle. One day it can be a snowy 5 degrees outside -- the next day a warm 55 degrees which melts everything. I have loved snow as far back as I can remember. As an adult I expect to look out the window and see snow during the winter. On one of those warm 55 degree days about 12 years ago I decided to do somethings about it. I ordered a Snow at Home snowmaker.
A few days later my package arrived. I then headed to Sears to purchase the appropriate air compressor. A water pump was also needed but I already owned a pressure washer and that was adequate for my needs.
I was eager to try my new setup, but we were experiencing some balmy winter temperatures. Finally about two weeks later the weather forecast was favorable. At 2:00 am the temps and humidity were finally low enough for snowmaking. My then young son and I set an alarm clock for the middle of the night. I bundled up, headed outside, and cranked it up. Immediately my wife got out of bed and told me to shut it down as the air compressor and pressure washer were quite loud -- she wasn't too happy with me.
When I finally did make a good amount of snow the next winter the local TV news crew showed up at my home unexpectedly one evening for an interview. That somehow ended up being broadcast nationally on THE WEATHER CHANNEL.
Quite a few years later I got a call from movie producer Dana Altman and he asked me to make snow for the movie LOVELY, STILL. One of our neighbors (friends of Dana) knew Dana needed snow for his movie and told him about our snowy yard and my snowmaking. I worked with the movie crew for a couple days making snow at a few locations for the film. It was quite fun being part of the team. Surprisingly for a smaller budget film there were a few big name actors in the movie including Elizabeth Banks. If you ever watch the film I am listed in the credits as Dave "The Snowman" Petersen.
Every year around Thanksgiving I get the itch to make snow. I like having a snowy yard for Christmas. Our home faces North and our front yard remains in the shade most of the day, so that helps maintain my snowpack even during the occasional thaw.
To this day I am still passionate about making snow. I enjoy peeking out my window and seeing the garbage collector or mailman hitting the brakes as they drive by and staring at my yard wondering what the heck is going on!
Some misc. pics over the years:
Large "whale" in the backyard:
Google maps below - the only snowy yard in the neighborhood:
Some shots from the movie "Lovely, Still":
Easter snow - plenty of great places to hide eggs!
A few days later my package arrived. I then headed to Sears to purchase the appropriate air compressor. A water pump was also needed but I already owned a pressure washer and that was adequate for my needs.
I was eager to try my new setup, but we were experiencing some balmy winter temperatures. Finally about two weeks later the weather forecast was favorable. At 2:00 am the temps and humidity were finally low enough for snowmaking. My then young son and I set an alarm clock for the middle of the night. I bundled up, headed outside, and cranked it up. Immediately my wife got out of bed and told me to shut it down as the air compressor and pressure washer were quite loud -- she wasn't too happy with me.
When I finally did make a good amount of snow the next winter the local TV news crew showed up at my home unexpectedly one evening for an interview. That somehow ended up being broadcast nationally on THE WEATHER CHANNEL.
Quite a few years later I got a call from movie producer Dana Altman and he asked me to make snow for the movie LOVELY, STILL. One of our neighbors (friends of Dana) knew Dana needed snow for his movie and told him about our snowy yard and my snowmaking. I worked with the movie crew for a couple days making snow at a few locations for the film. It was quite fun being part of the team. Surprisingly for a smaller budget film there were a few big name actors in the movie including Elizabeth Banks. If you ever watch the film I am listed in the credits as Dave "The Snowman" Petersen.
Every year around Thanksgiving I get the itch to make snow. I like having a snowy yard for Christmas. Our home faces North and our front yard remains in the shade most of the day, so that helps maintain my snowpack even during the occasional thaw.
To this day I am still passionate about making snow. I enjoy peeking out my window and seeing the garbage collector or mailman hitting the brakes as they drive by and staring at my yard wondering what the heck is going on!
Some misc. pics over the years:
Large "whale" in the backyard:
Google maps below - the only snowy yard in the neighborhood:
Some shots from the movie "Lovely, Still":
Easter snow - plenty of great places to hide eggs!
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