Wednesday 5Feb20 Freak Freaking Snow Storm

Day 20

Woke up around 3:30 to put Pete out. Went back to sleep and slept off and on until 9:30. It was a cold morning and there was a dusting of snow. The road appeared to be icy and I decided to not take a chance and waited for the road to improve. I had a hard time getting breakfast ready. I mistakenly poured a package of oatmeal into Pete's bowl instead of mine. Next I managed to tear another package trying to get it out of the box. That resulted in oatmeal getting every where.

I finally had breakfast, cleaned up the RT and headed the mile or so to the caverns. I got to the entrance but the gate was closed. A sign said closed due to safety concerns.

I drove back to the RV office/gift shop but everything was closed. The only person around was the postman in the post office that was open. Apparently they don't typically get snow in these parts.

I know that to be the case because years ago, 1976 to be exact, while I was stationed at Ft Bliss a snow storm hit El Paso. At that time CB radios were popular and I had one in my 1975 Mustang II. I was listening on my CB and as soon as the snow started falling the accidents on I-10 began. There must have been 30 accidents in a matter of minutes. A long, long time ago.

Anyway I finally found a human at the motel. She was also the receptionist for the RV park. She informed me it would be $45 to park for one night. I would have liked to have electricity since I brought an electric heater but I can buy a lot of propane for $45. About 4 tanks worth to be exact. It amazes me to see RVs in an RV park.

I decided I would drive on to the town of Carlsbad and listen to President Trump's State of the Union speach that I missed last night. I am still confused as to why the NPR station I was listening to last night didn't cover the speach.

As I was listening to his very impressive speach in Walmart's auto care center waiting room one of the workers made a fresh pot of coffee. That was sure nice of him and I did help myself to a couple of cups. It was pretty darn good.

After listening to the speach I took care of some Airbnb business back at the RT and nuked a burrito for lunch. I then went back into WM and bought some paper towels. I always buy something at WM even if they don't allow overnight parking.

I decided I wanted to see the caverns so I drove back that way and parked at a pull out about a mile before the entrance. There was another RV there when I arrived and at least one more pulled in after me.

Me and the dogs are in the bedroom with the room divider curtain up. I have a three wick candle burning and the temperature in the bedroom has been around 60 degrees for about an hour. It is slowly dropping. I will feed the dogs and give Pete his shot then call it a night around 9. There is no internet but I could watch a movie however I want to save the battery to run the furnace as needed tonight. They forecast it getting down to 17. My outdoor sensor says it is 30 at the moment.