Snow for the Honeymooners

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While we were planning our wedding ceremony, I wanted snow to blanket the winter landscape and create a winter wonderland. Instead, our wedding venue glimmered in a dazzling layer of ice that coated the homestead with a beauty all its own. The winter storm that I wished for did come in after the festivities were complete. Philip and I honeymooned for a few days in a gorgeous cabin in nearby Lucas, KY (link below). The plans we made were all canceled, as Kentuckians hunkered down for an unusual winter storm that dumped snow on the already ice-coated area. As honeymooners, we made the best of the snow, snuggled in front of a gas fireplace.

Snowed In for the Honeymoon

Thankfully due to covid, I had planned all of our meals for the entire KY trip, including our honeymoon. So regardless of being snowed in, off property, we had the supplies we needed to ride out the weather closures. The benefit of spending a few days in the cabin was that we spent the worst of the weather there, rather than the RV. The temperatures continued to plummet with a low of -5 degrees in Caneyville.

Frozen Pipes Make for an Eventful Return

When we returned to Kowalski Mountain, our water cistern had frozen at the spout. We had winterized the RV before leaving, so our water systems were intact, but the thick ice in the spout prevented us from hooking the RV back up to running water. Since we had only a few days left in our trip, we opted to make due. We had plenty of bottled drinking water. I had set aside several gallons of water so that Philip could shut down the water system early before our departure, and that water was still available. The gallon jugs of water quickly defrosted and we had usable water. Over the next few days, I filled up my soup kettle multiple times with snow and melted it for the evening dishes, a bath, and water to wash my hair. I’ve said before, that everything in my life before Philip, prepared me for life with him, my years of backpacking and camping prepared me to “ruff” it on the homestead!

Back to Reality: Lots of Snow for the Honeymooners

Philip and I hooked up the grader blade to the tractor and he set to work plowing the driveway and that of our neighbor. I got to work trying to remove the snow from our canopy that covers the camper. While the canopy is a necessity to protect the RV from the normal KY weather, it wasn’t designed to handle the snow load. The weight of the snow literally bent the poles that support the canopy. Armed with a broom and a long 1 x4, I set to the task of snow removal.

As the weather warmed, I cleared the truck of snow. Philip had purchased the Cadillac of ice scrapers…. where has this been my whole life! This long handled ice scraper and brush made the snow removal enjoyable!

Exploring the Winter Wonderland

I couldn’t resist a walk in the woods to explore the snowy covered trails. Its easy to think that you’re walking alone in the woods, but the snowy trails reveal the tracks of the many other occupants of Kowalski Mountain.

The Beauty of the Waterfall Garden

Of course, I had to visit the Waterfall Garden. I know its a small waterfall and sometimes the creek that feeds it runs dry, but I have to say that I love that its ours…. every season has its own unique beauty that makes me love it even more…..

Frozen Creeks and Pond

The ice on the creek was frozen in sections, surprisingly quite thick in areas. When getting water to flush the toilets, I overestimated the ice (or pushed my luck more likely) and ended up falling through it into the icy water underneath. I hustled inside to change into dry clothes and was thankful that at least no one was around to watch my foolishness to try and walk on the inch-thick ice. The pond too was frozen over, this time I was smart enough to stay off of it…

Caring for Kowalski Mountain Critters

We loaded up the bird feeders and enjoyed watching the birds come and eat in great numbers. Philip also filled the deer feeders. We feed the deer year round, to keep the deer on the property.

Sweet Winter Treat

I couldn’t resist making Snow Cream as an evening treat….. its been many years since I’ve been able to make it…. I made it for my kids when they were small, but having it always makes me think about when I was a little girl, living in Vermont. Homemade cookies and snow cream made a delicious winter dessert.

As we packed up to head home, I discovered that the sewer lines of the RV were also frozen. I spent a few hours melting snow to defrost the lines. It was important to be able to completely drain the RV of all water so not to permanently damage the systems. While the challenges we faced during our winter trip weren’t exactly enjoyable (who wants to defrost sewer lines on their honeymoon), it opened our eyes to the challenges we need to prepare for living in the RV as we build the house.

Perfect Moment in the Snow for the Honeymooners

I have to admit, I’m glad the snow held off until after our wedding. The creeks and waterfall, although beautiful in their winter white, have such a different look buried in snow, our photographer wouldn’t have been able to capture the beauty of Kowalski Mountain that she did, had it been blanketed in its white covering.

This IS the Adventure

I’ve long had the attitude that perfect trips aren’t memorable… our wedding and honeymoon adventure will certainly be one that will stick in our minds. An ice storm, treacherous driving conditions, frozen water and sewage… a sparkling venue, icicles decorating the waterfall garden, a cold but intimate wedding ceremony at the hitching post, and snuggling in a cozy cabin while the temperatures plummeted will forever make our story unique and memorable. This IS the adventure friends…. the good, the bad, and the ugly. Here’s to forever….

Perfect moments aren’t memorable.

Barbra-Sue Kowalski

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Here are a few links that you might enjoy.

Did you miss the post about our homestead wedding? An ice storm coated Kowalski Mountain in a glimmering coat of ice and created a wintery wonderland.

Check out the “Old Kentucky Hideaway” that we rented in nearby Lucas, KY

Snow Cream recipe from a fellow homesteading blogger.

Philips’s favorite Chocolate Chip cookies