During my first year in Colorado, I gained a key insight beyond mastering driving on snow and ice. People traditionally hang Christmas lights the day after Thanksgiving, which was my usual practice. When that season arrived, I attempted to install our lights in late November.
Man was that a mistake. On the day in question, it was about 30° out with a windchill of about 20°. It was windy and cold. I practically froze to death. I got it done, but it was very painful.
Since then, I aim to install the Christmas lights in early November before the weather turns too cold. I wait until Thanksgiving to switch them on, but they are set up and I avoid frostbite.
This year I am scheduling knee surgery in late October, so I am setting up most of the Christmas lights beforehand. I will not walk easily for some time. I certainly will not use a ladder for a while.
Generally, the lights are installed. I am ahead of schedule. You simply need a strategy for weather in snow country.
Doug
