Well, the Great Chicago Blizzard of 2011 has come and gone. The "Snowpocalypse" hit us February 1-2, officially dumping 20.2 inches at O'Hare, making this the 3rd largest in Chicago history (following blizzards in 1967 and 1999). Heck, the Chicago Public Schools even canceled classes for 2 days… which never happens.
Amy stands next to a yardstick... yes, lots of snow!
We lost power for 14 hours during the storm, but luckily our condo retains heat very well. We just played boardgames in the dark and listened to the radio reporting all the crazy happenings in the snow.
Snow attempts to bury the fence
Speaking of our condo, because of the way it was built, we saw some pretty huge snow drifts piled up against the building, doors, and windows. It also took a few days to clear out enough snow to get Amy's car out of the garage… and many days later to dig my car out of the street.
Playing "Dominion" by LED and candlelight
Aside from vehicles getting abandoned on Lake Shore Drive when it was shut down during the storm, the city actually did a pretty good job of handling the blizzard… as is typical of a municipality where a snowstorm once determined a mayoral election!
Snow as viewed from our atrium
I should also mention that our 9th wedding anniversary took place during the blizzard… and it was an odd way to celebrate it!
Here are some photos and video I shot during the blizzard to help capture this historical moment!
After power loss, a look out our atrium windows
Steve heads out into the storm at night
Steve's legs disappear!
That's our bedroom window
Odd snowdrifts in the "canyon" between condo buildings
The morning after...
Our street after the storm
Still snowing the next day
Note Amy's height vs. the pile of snow
Lots of snow in the alley
Someone built a snowman!
Steve falls between 3-foot snowbanks
Condo entrance post-snow removal
