On the Road!

OK, the people who thought I'd wait until Wednesday to leave are probably the same ones who thought I should stay home - or go to Winnipeg.  Temperature was a balmy -33.7C Saturday morning, so really no reason not to head out on the highway.  I'm starting to like those little magnet mount heaters, as with one of those stuck to the oil pan all night she cranked and fired without much difficulty. 

Fortunately I couldn't tell the temperature once we were in the Bounder, as my thermometers in there were frozen up.  But this was the view out the front window when we left about 11 AM, having had the defrosters running on high since about 8 while we were loading.  Eventually I stopped and fetched a fan from the back to get the air flowing on that side. 

My travelling companion had it a little better on the right-hand side: see, she even had her coat undone at one point!

After a stop in Ponoka to warm up and mooch lunch off Red and Diane, we had an uneventful trip all the way over to Cranbrook.  I have to say I'm impressed at the Bounder's ability to handle the cold even considering the obvious fact that it just wasn't made to travel in -30 degree temps.  Have to also thank the Ford chassis as it held together very well. 

As I expected, once we got across the Crowsnest temps warmed up considerably (as far as I could tell).  I thinke we had -10 or -15C in Cranbrook overnight, and the furnace was quite able to keep up since it didn't have the 90 KMH wind to contend with. 

Make up your mind!

OK, now it's getting silly.  Looks like neither Saturday NOR Sunday is gonna be a banner travel day... but Wednesday looks OK.  What do you figure the odds are of me waiting until Wednesday (trick question, since you already know the answer)? 

Just look at the poor Bounder.  I can't possibly make her wait longer, can I?

 

Uh oh.

OK, before you write to me and tell me Blogger isn't updating properly, I'm actually posting this on Monday the 14th.  But to keep things in order I've backdated.  So maybe every once in a while you need to go back and re-read the past posts!  Just kidding (maybe).  Anyway...

As you can see from above, the weather guy changed his mind a bit from earlier in the week, and now things looked not so good for the "wait til Sunday" plan.  In case you're wondering what the value of those below-the-line days are, here's the forecast:

Brrr.  Anyway, reset departure to Saturday, and DRIVE LIKE HECK.

The plot thickens...

Hmmm.  What day did I say we planned to leave?  Oh, yeah, that would be Saturday - THE COLDEST DAY OF THE FREAKIN' COLD SNAP.  Y'know, perhaps it would have been a wise move to put a block heater in the MH this summer (but really, who needs a block heater in the summer??). 

No matter, really... I think we'll just lay over and leave Sunday instead.  Weather's supposed to be improving the whole way early next week, so no point pushing too hard and breaking something.  Keep you posted. 

BTW, check the upper left corner - Blogger now has a poll feature which might be interesting to play with.  Keep watching there - I'll try to change it regularly.  If you have any ideas send me a note. 

Getting ready to head south - 2009 edition

Here we are in the countdown for another 5 or 6 weeks south.  Two main differences this year, though: 1.  Leaving in mid December and returning late January, instead of late Jan/mid March, and 2.  My travelling companion's a lot better looking this time around (might even share my bed this time). 

Oh, there seems to be a third difference, too:  3.  Last time we got out of Dodge just ahead of the big cold snap of the winter, this time it looks like we might be a week late.  Have a look:

The original plan is to head across to Cranbrook then down through Spokane to Portland, hit the coast and wander down to San Francisco.  Couple days there, then south and east to Phoenix in time for Christmas.  My Canuckleheads are playing there Dec 27, so it would be cool to see a game.  After that???

The weather's not looking great for a Saturday departure, though, and the SF forecast is rain next week.  Have to keep an eye on that.