HEADED SOUTH 2018

Headed south this year just in front of a big cold front that is packing quite a bit of snow and cold temperatures.  We got up very early on the 17^th of February and left Corvallis.  Drove through a little bit of snow going to the top of the pass and then in a lot of slush going down the other side into Idaho.  Made it to Jackpot, NV in the afternoon.  Nice day there but the wind was blowing.  Got up very early (0300) and headed out to Echo Bay on Lake Meade.  Made it there in good time but the cold front was just catching up to us so there was a lot of wind and some snow/rain showers at first.  It was 72 degrees and sunny at Lake Meade when we arrived.  But cooled off in the night with some pretty good winds.  The cold front caught us again!  It was only in the 50’s the next day.  Left Lake Meade on the 20^th and drove to Burro Canyon and spent the night.  And it was the coldest night so far.  Got down to 25 degrees and it was pretty frosty!!!

Lots of slush on the jeep after coming over Lost Trail Pass.

Not much snow down in Idaho.  In fact, this is the least we have seen in quite a few years.

This is the Craters of the Moon entrance and we have never seen this little amount of snow.  Idaho is going to be dry this year unless they get a lot of late season snow.

Sunrise just north of Ely, Nevada.

What is at the bottom of Lake Meade?  The following pictures give you an idea!

The old resort of Echo Bay in the back ground.

A blue heron standing on the old docks.

And old sign at the entrance to the bay.

They are making some progress at cleaning all this up.

Zeph up on some heavy equipment volunteering to help them clean it up!

If you look close right after the rescue squadron you will see some green feet stenciled.  The Jolly Green logo which I flew under for many years.

UPDATE 10 FEBRUARY 2018

Things are plugging along up here in Montana.  We are starting to get ready to head south for spring in the dessert as we always do this time of year.  Time to get out of the snow and get some sunshine on these old bodies.  Skied my last day a couple of weeks ago and it was just wonderful.  Lots of great powder and snowing at least an inch per hour so the tracks were being filled in while I was riding the lift back up to the top.  Not very many people were there so it was just ski down, get on the chair, ride it up and repeat until my legs were getting tired.  I did take a break about 1130 and grabbed a quick cocoa and some gorp at the yurt.  Then about mid afternoon I just said good by to the skiing for the season.  I had to have an operation to close up an inguinal hernia the following Monday so that knocked the rest of the season out for me.  Can't lift anymore than 20 pounds and have to take it easy the doc says.  Will be back to normal in a couple of weeks I hope.

The dog goes with us to feed ALWAYS but the cat just once in a while.

Dell's normal place in the winter or even closer to the fire.

At the top of our ski hill.

You have to take this tow rope up from the top of chair 4 to get to the top of the mountain to ski some of this part of the mountain or go back to the other side to the lodge.

A little skiff of snow this morning.  Yesterday it was 50 degrees and this morning snow. 

Joe running to the feed truck.

Connie has been doing the feeding since my operation and loading the hay. 

Snow on Jack's withers.

Jack is getting old and looks it.