Jan 24 - 25
Wednesday, Jan 25 we finally pull out of Beaufort headed West. It's been a while. Our original intent when we left Albuquerque last February was to go back out there in August. But a series of doctors appointments and other things came up and we were unable to make the fall trip.
But now, we're on the way!
We had heard the weather forecast for the mountains and it sounded okay. A little snow was predicted, but weather predictions for the mountains are like everywhere else, you have to be there to see what the weather really is.
Thursday morning its overcast and COLD. The temperature dipped down to 13 degrees during the night and doesn't seem to be moving this morning. Then a little freezing rain, sleet and snow, but not much.
Around 11 am I decide to go to the Marion Y for a swim, and leave there at 1 pm in deteriorating conditions. I'm able to get up the mountain and to Apple Mountain Road, but the first steep hill and the little CRV just can't make it. I went back to Wal Mart and picked up some snow chains and decide to try again. I finally decide to park the car at the bottom and walk up the mountain rather than putting the chains on - it's only a mile. Fortunately, the mailman come chugging along in his trusty four wheel drive and gives me a lift.
Tonight the wind has picked up a little - around 30 mph, but the temperature is warming up. at 9 pm it's up to 35 degrees. Hopefully tomorrow morning I can walk back down and get the car and get it up here. If it won't make it, I'll put the chains on. We've got to get the car back up here to reload all the stuff we took out when we got here.
Then we'll be off to Asheville to spend the night with Bill and Jan and Sunday morning we'll be on our way to Albuquerque - we hope.
I have a weather station here at the house and we've had some rather remarkable winds since we were last here in October. The highest wind speed in January, which occurred yesterday morning before we arrived was 84 mph. Decembers highest was 95 mph, which is the highest we've ever recorded here. We had 93 mph a few years back, but this broke the record. The temperatures have been about average, 19 degrees for a low in December and 13 (this morning) for January.
Saturday, Jan 26
What I thought would be a simple task this morning turned out to be not-so-simple. I figured I'd walk down the mountain to the lake (where I left the car), put the chains I bought yesterday on the car, go up the mountain, load up and leave.
First, after a lot of effort, I found that the chains didn't fit. So back to Wal Mart to get the right size, which they don't have. Then down to Advance Auto Parts, which does have the right size. Ever tried to put on chains in the snow by yourself? Two hours later, I finally get the chains on and get up the one mile to the house.
After an hour or so, we get everything loaded and we're off to Asheville and the B's.
After arrival, we start loading 4 adults luggage plus items for the motorhome for a couple months. The CRV is small, and getting smaller. Thanks to Slade we have a rack for the top. The Hillbillies are headed west.
We have a pleasant evening and get packed for the trip to Albuquerque.
Sunday, Jan 27
We get off around 8:30, drive for about 11 hours and stop in Little Rock, Ark for a pleasant evening at a La Quinta Inn just off the Interstate. It's remarkable that the little CRV was able to hold all of our stuff for our 2 months and the B's stuff for their trip. The car rides comfortably and we switch drivers often.
Monday, Jan 28
Another day for grinding off the miles heading West. Some of the crew weren't too happy with the accommodations last night, so we put the ladies (not Dave) in charge of securing accommodations tonight in Amarillo, Texas. Worked out okay at a motel just off the Interstate.
Tuesday, Jan 29
An nice easy 5 hour drive into Albuquerque. The speed limit in Texas and New Mexico is 75 mph. Our little CRV, with all the wind resistance created by the plastic box on top, plus a 30 to 40 mph headwind really challenges the engine. We drop to about 16 mpg running 75 to 80 mph. The temperature when we leave Abilene is in the 60's. By the time we climb to 7,100 feet about an hour outside Albuquerque, the temperature is 21 degrees. About 15 miles outside Albuquerque, we run into a snowstorm and roads rapidly start deteriorating.
We finally arrive at RV USA Storage. The motorhome cover is completely gone. The manager had called me a couple months ago and told me it was ripping. It really had ripped. It looked like a little boy with his pants down around his ankles.
After a couple of hours of diligent effort, we had everything ready to move the motorhome. All systems are working.
All of this was accomplished in 20-30 mph winds with a temperature of 35-36 degrees. Not what I had expected. Tonight, the temperature is supposed to get down to 15 degrees or so.
We move the motorhome and car to Kirtland AFB and the on base RV park, which we've enjoyed several times before.
We get the motorhome set up, go to the Commissary and get provisions, and finally, we are set up for heaven knows what.
Thursday, Jan 30
Today is a workday. We drop the CRV at Tom's RV Service to have the new brake system installed so we can tow it behind the motorhome. This will be a deluxe system for towing. When we use the brakes on the motorhome, the brakes on the TOAD will be applied equally. After our experience last year with a tow dolly pulling our Honda Odyssey, we want to be sure we have the best system available.
After dropping the CRV at Tom's we head out to Camping World to have the motorhome serviced. It ends up that I spend over $600 to have all the systems checked. It's worth it to help ensure we don't have problems.
Friday, Jan 31
Today is Tom's day to work on the motorhome to complete the towing and breaking system. We drop the motorhome off and head to the Sandia Tram. Wow, what a day! We take the tram from 6,000 feet to the peak at 10,000+ feet. We travel from a relatively comfortable temperature to low 20's and winds over 40 mph. We don't stay outside very long, but have a great lunch at the restaurant.
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| Downtown Albuquerque from Sandia Mountain |
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| Tram to Sandia Peak |
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| Look for the shadow of the Tram. We are high above the valley |
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| Restaurant for lunch |
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| Baby, it's cold up here! |
After descending, we go back to Tom's and pick up the RV and have our first experience (after orientation) towing the CRV behind the motorhome. It's a great system. Now we're ready to head out. I'm tired of getting things done on the motorhome and ready to travel.
One last highlight before leaving Albuquerque. Sadie's of New Mexico. We've visited and enjoyed their cuisine before and absolutely love their sopapillas. Tonight is no different, other than having to wait 45 minutes for a table, we enjoy a great Mexican dinner - and the best sopapillas in the USA.
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