By Mom — Part 1 of a long, 3-part letter (more like a booklet) she wrote to Tom at college in February 1982. Twenty years later Dad mentioned “that wonderful letter Mom wrote to you in college about a winter adventure we had.”

By Grace A. Beaver (better known as “Mom”)

Record Snowfall! — Sat. & Sun, January 30-31, 1982 — St. Louis, Mo. & Surrounding area — Most snow to fall in any 24 hour period in over 70 years — “The Beaver Family” — “We lived through it” — Thrills, fears, anxieties, fun & games

All day Saturday, Deb and I were hearing storm warnings on T.V. — mostly conflicting reports. Rain, changing to sleet, freezing rain, then snow — 2, 4, 6 inches — maybe more, maybe less.

We had on the previous several days some springlike weather and didn’t take the reports too seriously. Actually, we had heard the same warnings several times in the past two or three weeks and the storm would break up before reaching St. Louis, or hit either North or South of us.

However, I was concerned enough to not want to take a chance on going out for our usual Saturday night dinner (besides I had Turkey, dressing, etc. to prepare for Sunday dinner for Linda, Shane, Kathy, Bryan, Sue, Deb, Bill, Dad & I — and maybe Mark). But, you know Dad — “Weather doesn't worry me — beside it won't amount to anything.” So against my better judgement, Dad and I went out for dinner around 8:30. Actually I look forward to Sat. Night and it didn’t take too much to convince me that we should go.

In the Meantime:

Kathy was having a bad day at work in St. Louis & decided to come home for the evening. (She had not heard about the storm warning.) Her plans were to spend the night with us, drive back to the School for the Blind on Sunday morning, and come back out with Bryan for Sunday dinner. She got here about 5 o’clock and already the rain slick roads were starting to freeze and her car was sliding some on the blacktop.

Mark was working all day Saturday until close and Sue and Deb were shopping all afternoon — looking at Bridal Gowns, trying on veils, and goofing off. They were back home and not ready to settle down for the evening. Wanted some Pizza Hut pizza. Because of the weather, I told them I would make hamburger pizza at home. Instead they called Bill at the shop & he said he would take Kathy, Deb & Sue to Pizza Hut around 6:30. He wasn’t worried about the weather — the rain and sleet had stopped and we were getting some snow flurries. He said the worst had passed through our area, and besides he wasn’t worried — his new car handled good on snow.

Linda and Shane were supposed to take Dena and Cheryl skating, but Dena & Cheryl didn’t want to go out in the bad weather — Linda called to see what we were all doing & decided to meet the kids at Pizza Hut.

Dad & I were getting ready to leave — we planned on going out about 8 P.M., but I was slow — kept looking out the window and saw the “snow flurries” accumulate. Dad still said — “Nothing to it — its stopping already.” Mark called from  work a little after 8 and was real upset when he heard Sue wasn’t home. In St. Louis there was 1 1/2" of ice on the roads plus 4" of snow already. Mark said there were accidents all over and Wendy’s parking lot was getting crowded with banged up cars. The tow trucks would pull the cars off the road and go back for more. Mark and his crew had already decided no one would take a chance on going home — they would all stay all night.

Dad said “Nothing to it — it’s already passed over us.” ........and the snow kept falling.

Snow swirling all around us — a beautiful snow — big flakes — blowing all around, changing direction with the wind. If only I could enjoy it like I do when I’m sitting at home watching it

I finally got ready to leave, half convinced that the snow would stop, like it has so many times before. I left a note for Sue to call Mark as soon as she got home and also call us at Jim & Charlies so I would know they were home.

We drove to Washingon — me sitting on the edge of the seat the whole way. Snow swirling all around us — a beautiful snow — big flakes — blowing all around, changing direction with the wind. If only I could enjoy it like I do when I’m sitting at home watching it — buts thats me, a worrier. We got to Jim and Charlies without any problems and I started to relax some. The restaurant was more more crowded than usual — so I knew it was just me, all those other people wern’t afraid of a little snow.

We had a delicious salad as usual, and Linda & Shane came in about 9:30. (Sue still hadn’t called me). Linda said they had gone bowling after Pizza Hut. I said — “Well, the kids haven’t had time to get home yet.” “Oh, they didn’t go bowling with us — we left then a long time ago.” Well, after some anxious moments and a telephone call — the kids had been home for some time. Debra found the note and forgot to tell Sue to call.

So we kept sitting, enjoyed Linda & Shane’s company, had chicken dinner, and kept sitting like the Sun was shining. (Almost everyone else was gone home already). At 11:30 — Sue called, “Mom, you better start home, the snow is piling up and the forcast is for 10-12 inches.” We left right away and there was already 6 inches or more on the ground and the wind blowing like a blizzard.

We drove home, slowly & carefully. Only passed 2 stalled cars on the road in Marthasville and a highway truck off the road when he had attempted to plow. That is, we made it to Holiday Ranch, then had to walk up the hill.

That’s when Dad got upset — he said he’s never had to walk up the hill before — and he hated for the property owners to see his car stalled and practically blocking the drive. Actually, he probably could have made it up the hill — but when we would slide a little, I would catch my breath *loudly* and he would take some of the pressure off the accelerator.

I was glad to walk — to get out of the car. That’s when I started enjoying the snow. It was a beautiful evening — not too cold — everything white and big flakes still falling.

I stayed up several hours trying to unwind and I put my Turkey in the oven — but didn’t think the kids would be able to make it for dinner — I was finally convinced we were going to have a snow storm.

The next few days were a disaster for St. Louis and St. Louis County. Businesses were closed, highways were closed, bridges impassable — everything virtually at a standstill. But the weather doesn’t stop the Beavers…….

Shane brought Linda and Kathy here for dinner — right on time. Mark made it to his house and came over here about 2. Bryan didn’t try to make it.

Mark had made it home, but if he had it to do over again he wouldn’t try it. I told you he stayed at Wendy’s all night and he said most of the night he was trying to shovel a way out of the parking lot. He wasn’t about to be snowed in for a couple of days with Sue out here. He said he would shovel a while and then try to move his car and then shovel some more. About 7 a.m. he was trying again (his coat & blankets & boots in the store). This time he got good traction and made it out of the parking lot and had to keep on going. (Manchester Road hadn’t been plowed for several hours and there was no way to turn around and go back for his coat, etc. Driveways and side streets were piled high with plowed snow and drifts up to 5 feet high in some places.

Mark said it was like a bad dream and the only thing that got him home were prayers. Stalled cars & stalled trucks and overturned semis littered the highways. he had to weave in and out of trucks, etc. on unplowed highways — up hills and around curves. If he would have stalled — bad news. He had no coat, no boots, had used all his salt in the parking lot. No traffic to hitch a ride. All available 4 wheel drives and tow trucks were being used for emergencies only. Mark traveled on a prayer (or hundreds of them) and didn’t get stuck until he was about 10 feet from his parents driveway.

It was like a Holiday Week-end. Lots of good things to eat. Everyone went out in the snow — shoveled, played, went for walks, played with Mindy. Mindy loved it and still does. She can plow through snow drifts like nothing. In the evening, they all played games. (You wouldn’t believe the laughing & giggling & screaming — you know how Kathy screams & Linda laughs). Mark & Kathy stayed overnight, and Shane took Linda home without problems.

Everyone enjoyed it but Dad. He stayed inside for 2 days (Sun. & Mon.). He would sleep a couple hours, get up for a while and then go back to bed. Didn’t want to eat. But by Tuesday he was out and around again and feeling O.K. I worried about him over the weekend and still don’t know what was the cause of it. He said nothing hurt — he just felt useless and tired. I suppose it was some kind of a bug together with frustration. The Beaver cars (Dads, Marks & Shanes were the only ones at the bottom of the drive all day Sun.)

Dad has 3-4 or maybe more — 4-wheel-drive vehicles, plus umteen tractors and we didn’t have one thing running that would tow a car or clear 10+ inches of snow out of our driveway. That’s enough to frustrate anyone. (He said it won’t happen again. Yesterday (Wed.) he went out and bought a 4-wheel-drive jeep truck with snow blade on it and was plowing our drive at 10:30 last night.)

By Monday, Kathy was anxious to get back to work and Bill was anxious to see Nancy. (Even though all businesses were closed and the Mayor of St. Louis asked for everyone to stay off the streets). So, Bill took Kathy back to St. Louis and visited with Nancy for a little while and made it home O.K. He went prepared — new snow tires, chains, sand, jump suit, shovel — you name it — he had it.

Tuesday — we had another 4-6" of snow. St. Louis hadn’t even dug out of the first one yet. Businesses closed again — the National Guard was called to help clear streets — Washington, Mo. had a 10 o’clock curfew — everyone off the roads so they could clear them . East St. Louis had a 24-hour curfew — anyone on the road, except emergencies, would have their vehicle confiscated. Any four-wheel-drive vehicle on the road would be taken and used for emergency use.

Today (Thurs.) things are starting to get back to normal. Buses are running, businesses doing business — roads passable, but still dangerous, and now we’re waiting for another storm — 3-6" of new snow.

Friday Morning — 10 am — February 5th.

I thought I would finish this portion of my letter to you this morning. Bill & Deb are watching television, (Deb has been home from school all week, along with all St. Louis & St. Louis County school kids.), Sue went to work, Dad left with his new toy (4 WD Jeep truck) about 9 am.

Holiday Ranch looks like a winter wonderland — just beautiful. Snow is falling gently this time — no wind. Updated weather now is only 3" expected.

Previous winters at Holiday Ranch

We have vehicles in front still not dug out yet. My car, Kathy’s & Sue’s car, are covered practically up to the windows from drifting snow.

I hope you are not out in the freezing rain that hit Springfield this morning. I have been thinking about you all week, and wishing you were with us to enjoy our “Winter Holiday.” Because it has been enjoyable (for me anyway). If you forget the tensions and anxieties — We’ve had the kids around a lot, lots of laughing & fun, no business or people knocking at the door, no worry about Bill out on tractors clearing roads, and I’ve finally found time to write to you.

Love You,

Mom

For more information about this blizzard, see this newspaper story from Jan 30, 1982: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Story