This is being written during a mid snow clearing coffee break; there is a lot of snow out there to clear, and I'm the one to do it.

I am not sure how much snow was on the ground this morning; there was considerable blowing and drifting, and the snow was pretty heavy and wind-packed. It was somewhere around a meter, but what to say officially... 70cm? 80cm? At least the cars are moving here, even if our windows are still completely filled in (snow reaching to the eaves; low, I'll admit, but still more than two and a half meters tall).

The sun did come out for one moment, and was immediately welcomed by insane winds that completely obscured the roads, but which disappeared as the snow came back in. Ah, the wonders of nature.

One word from the wife: a friend reported that there was no one at Akakura Onsen yesterday. Take advantage of this snow, people! Warm up for the season—in powder! The roads are in pretty good shape, actually (OK, you'll have to dig out your car, but..... A meter of snow!

One more cup of coffee, and back out to drive the snow-wrangling beast.