Ups and Downs…and In Betweens.

Over the last week we’ve had some pretty interesting weather.  Now some may think that if you live in Colorado you’re a shoe-in for cold, snowy, cold, snowy, cold… and more snowy weather.  Visions of white-capped mountains may come to mind.  But that’s a little further up.  And we’re much further down.  There’s a joke I’ve learned while living here.  You want to hear it?

You know why northeastern Colorado is SO windy?  Because Nebraska sucks and Wyoming blows.  (insert appropriate level of laughter here.)

Yes.  We’re in between, it seems.  Cold and snowy we’re typically not.  This is one of two snowy winters we’ve experienced since moving here in November of 2007.  The last one was 2007-2008.  Otherwise temps here may be consistent with snowy-like conditions elsewhere, but the sun, the lack of cloud cover, and an elevation of 4,300 ft. above sea level seems to make everything feel about 10 degrees warmer than anywhere else.

Our weather is interesting because it’s been snowing.  I’ve pulled out the two-stage snow thrower a whopping total of five times more than last year!  How many times did I use it last year?   A big, fat NIL.  Zero.  Zip.  Zippo.  Nada.  None.  Not once.  I even pulled out the snow thrower a bit prematurely this evening as it’s still coming down and blowing.

Why do I mention this?  Ever try to RV in sub-freezing weather?  Right… you can’t.  Well, I should say you can, but with very limited capabilities.  Luxuries like using the shower are off limits (pipes freeze… or your water pump freezes and explodes… Learned the latter of the two the hard way) and even staying warm is a challenge.  It’s not like these RV’s are insulated like your congressman (again, learned that one the hard way – never do a test-run at an elevation of 9,400 ft. above sea level in February and expect good results) .

In two and a half weeks we’re on the road.  Going UP through the mountains and then slowly back down to an elevation of 4,000 ft. for our first stop.  4,600 ft. for our second stop.  I’m praying for mild weather to say the least.  It’d be slightly better than a good thing to get this adventure off to a good start.  Would you pray with me?  Please?

Thank you.