EAST COUNTY — As predicted, the snow came again this year, a little later, and a little noisier, but it came down nonetheless. The fluttery white stuff was preceded by rain and hail Friday, making for a very slushy Back Country. The many dirt roads and unfinished driveways quickly succumbed to the squishy conditions that make them impassable when our winter weather comes down. 
     Monday morning road closures on the 79, heading up to Lake Cuyamaca and Julian were still in effect and according to California Highway Patrol Officer, Paul Segal, would stay in effect until Tuesday, unless the sun came out and melted everything before then. Only residents were being allowed to pass, and even they were required to have chains.
     "Saturday’s snowstorm brought half the county out to play in the snow," Segal said, "It took travelers on I-8 west over two hours to travel to El Cajon from Sunrise Highway.” Segal said that people were literally stopping on the freeway to have some fun. Highway patrol officers patrolled the on-ramp to I-8 east at Japatul Valley Road, where cars made an impromptu parking lot and people were sliding down the banks of the on-ramp on sleds. Patrol officers had quite a challenge trying to stop the recreation taking place there, Segal said.
     When it snows here in San Diego County, people get excited and get in their cars to see the phenomenon, but they were disappointed when they were turned away from their usual snow destinations. 
     When the road closures were realized, the revelers invaded the town of Descanso, to get a glimpse of the wintry scene. Eileen at Perkins General Store in Descanso, said that the weekend brought thousands out. The store sold over 150 pairs of gloves, over 100 sleds, and were selling coffee and hot chocolate so fast that they sold out of hot chocolate. She also said that because of all the people, damage occurred to personal property. People were breaking down property fences to get into the fields of snow.
     People do not realize the danger that snow can present. Southern Californians are not prepared for snow and ice and are not practiced in handling the roads when the snow comes down. Two cars were still buried in the snow as of Monday morning, on Hwy. 79, and even a snowplow was buried on Sunrise Highway.
     When visiting the post office in Descanso, we were met by a flying snowball that had been carried down by a friend from Guatay. Guatay had been sifted on and covered early Friday morning, causing some people to think twice about traveling the freeways.
     All the schools in Mountain Empire Unified School District were closed due to the snowstorm on Saturday. As the roads were not safe to travel on Monday morning, local radio and television stations were notified of the closures.
     This is the third time schools have been closed due to the weather this school year. In January, the schools closed due to high winds, and this is the second snow day to cause closures.
     People in Descanso made a run on the library to check out books, DVD’s and videos, making for a very busy day for the librarians. Sara, the library tech on duty, said that she thought at least 100 videos must have gone out in preparation for a weekend indoors for the local residents. 
     As per the weather channel, our mountains were supposed to receive six inches, with a forecast of snow down to 2,000 feet before 10 a.m., but it seems the storm came in a little later than expected. 
     Snow appeared shyly Saturday morning in Japatul without much promise of sticking, as the temperature stayed between 36 and 40 degrees. But, by the afternoon, the storm began to really blow. Lightning strikes and thunder rolls let loose and the temperature dropped to the perfect conditions to welcome in the flurries that covered the mountains, hills and valleys. I-8 was closed as the expected winter storms finally made their appearance.

Photos: At top right, Heidi Greathouse, compares fashion choices with her snowwoman at the family’s Pine Valley home. Grandparents Linda Marie and Ron Peterson ended up playing hosts for the weekend to surprise visitors from town, who were prevented from leaving by the standstill traffic and deep snows on local roads. The Petersons improvised snow gear by tying plastic grocery bags over the children’s shoes. Linda Marie Peterson/The Alpine Sun

Katie and Andy Bledsoe, above left, square off for serious war at the family’s home on the outskirts of Japatul Valley. Below, Chris Bledsoe gets the family firewood ready for the stove. Lori Bledsoe/The Alpine Sun

Weathering the storms...  Rural families learn many ways to cope with local weather. Following is our “sampler.”

The Bledsoe family, Alpine
     From our home, we could see the Descanso, Japatul Valley on-ramp as a white streak against gray misty backdrop.
     Keeping a warm fire glowing in the wood stove is a necessity when the cold is blowing outside. When I found we were low on wood I went out to throw the splitter with my daughter. Chopping wood in the snow has been a new experience for this family. Last year, we seemed a little more ready for the weather. When I found I was having only a little luck, splitting and collecting the wood I felt we needed, my husband was sent out to wield the ax (he’s better at it than I am).
     After chores were done, everyone got to play. It’s a real treat here in Southern California to have enough snow to actually have a snowball fight, or ride a sled. As everyone began to enjoy this gift from God on this Saturday March afternoon, my husband let the animals out to join in the fun. I truly believe the llama relished the crunch under her hoof, and the goats pranced about and challenged the dogs to a head-butting tournament.
                                                    — Lori Bledsoe

The Jannen family, Campo
     Out here, if it isn’t a wildland fire, it’s a flood — and after 18 years of coping with our weather, we have it down to a fine science. There’s almoat always a whole chicken in our freezer, so chicken soup simmers on the stove all day to warm the house AND the tummy.
     Both are important when you have livestock to look after. We got very little snow at our house, but icy rain and sleet, combined with brisk winds, had us worried that blanketing wouldn’t be enough protection for our old (really old) mare. So, Saturday saw us clearing out a corner of the hay shed and settling her in. Once she got over her surprise, she decided this was much to her liking. David spent several hours digging drainage ditches to let water out of the corrals and ran errands in the flatbed truck, which will take on any weather or terrain. The rest of us took turns thinking up new things to cook so the house would stay warm. Chocolate chip cookies, chicken soup, and even fried trout graced the table.
     Other than some invigorating outdoor challenges, we spent a cozy weekend with movies, video games, and spying on the mayhem outside via the internet and radio.
                                                                                                                                        — Billie Jo Jannen

The Slaff family, La Posta
     We got cabin fever Saturday and went to Pine Valley to get pizza. Then we ventured into Descanso to snow sled, but the snow in Descanso was very deep and treacherous. We got stuck in our 4X! Sunrise and Highway 79 were closed, and all the snow bunnies were scattered from Sunrise/I-8 and all along Old 80 to Descanso, Sooo...we decided it would be fastest to take the freeway.
     We later heard everything from a spun-out snow plow to a jackknifed semi on Pine Valley Bridge. Whatever it was, it took four hours to get past the bridge and on our way. At this point, traffic heading west on I-8 was backed up all the way to Crestwood — partly due to the one lane on the bridge, and then the one lane further down past the Descanso cut-off. From Descanso to Crestwood on I-8 west it was almost as bad, but it was moving, albeit VERY slowly. We moved NAUGHT from our spot for four hours and the snow was piling up around us and hundreds of others. It is hard to walk through three feet of snow to find a “bathroom” in the bushes aongside a freeway. But we did. One man was trying to get his toddler son to go, but the poor tot was crying because it was just...too...cold.
                                                                                                                                                — Nancy Slaff