Winter Things to Help Break the Monotony

[John_C]

Originally Posted by Michigantraveler

Hmmm...let's see 761 miles, 11 hours, 17 min. From here to there.
Not very feasible. 1500 miles of gas. No way to bring stuff to sell. Nope, not in the cards.
Are you planning on Arizona again? But without the rig? I still think we should meet up in the UP to camp in the summer- after black fly season!!

OUCH!!! I had not calculated it and just didn't realize it was that far... Goodness, 761 mi. one-way... and no room to carry stuff to sell... ... For Annandale, I have the pick-up space plus either trailer provides more space for items than I want to set up...

For the trip to AZ... I need my hotel on wheels whether it is the small CC or the FF and the tow to and back from Arizona is a $$ hog anyway, depending on the route, the distance averages a little over 2,000 miles one way... Then gas at roughly $2.25/gal (Which is a hopeful figure) and depending on the west winds, I'll hope for 10mpg will run... so... give or take ~$900 for fuel, depending on the gas prices :rolleyes

I was thinking of taking the cargo conversion to AZ to save a couple bucks on gas, but will most likely take the FF, it doesn't cost too much more to pull and for 4 - 6 weeks total, I think the comfort and space of the larger FF will outweigh the extra cost... ... Plus, it will be easier to sleep in during the drive... I'd have to fold the bed up in the CC to haul the ATV... Leaving almost no space ... A single axle would require a bit forward center loading and that leaves about 2 feet for for access to the galley...

After all that figuring, we'll get together on the UP trip as time draws closer and see what we all work out...

[Michigantraveler]

Originally Posted by John_C

OUCH!!! I had not calculated it and just didn't realize it was that far... Goodness, 761 mi. one-way... and no room to carry stuff to sell... ... For Annandale, I have the pick-up space plus either trailer provides more space for items than I want to set up...

For the trip to AZ... I need my hotel on wheels whether it is the small CC or the FF and the tow to and back from Arizona is a $$ hog anyway, depending on the route, the distance averages a little over 2,000 miles one way... Then gas at roughly $2.25/gal (Which is a hopeful figure) and depending on the west winds, I'll hope for 10mpg will run... so... give or take ~$900 for fuel, depending on the gas prices :rolleyes

I was thinking of taking the cargo conversion to AZ to save a couple bucks on gas, but will most likely take the FF, it doesn't cost too much more to pull and for 4 - 6 weeks total, I think the comfort and space of the larger FF will outweigh the extra cost... ... Plus, it will be easier to sleep in during the drive... I'd have to fold the bed up in the CC to haul the ATV... Leaving almost no space ... A single axle would require a bit forward center loading and that leaves about 2 feet for for access to the galley...

After all that figuring, we'll get together on the UP trip as time draws closer and see what we all work out...

Oh, did they give you an eta on the FF? It will be so nice to know you have a good roof over your head on the trip. I would love to find some warmth for a week or a month this winter but it's not in the cards. Especially after reading what your gas bill will be! Too many pressing needs around here.

[John_C]

Hi Mich...
Just finished cleaning the driveway and deck... we got between 4 and 5 inches of snow last night, and this morning... How did you guys do; east of the lake I suppose you needed a bulldozer to clean your driveway...

The Arizona trip mileage depends an awful lot on the weather, especially the wind! The prevailing wind is from west to east; I made the trip from here to Arizona in late 2013 and the winds across the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico were brutal... We went through some areas there, while towing the CC, and had to keep the old Blazer in 2nd gear for miles at 30 - 40 mph and occasional 3rd gear when heading downhill and when a hill would block the wind, and good luck if we got 7 mpg ... BRUTAL... The old Blazer had a 350 CI engine and plenty of power, but the headwind had to be at least 40 mph with gusts up to 60... even the big trucks were traveling at a snail's pace... Remember the 55 mph Redline... if we made 30 mph and the wind hit us at 40 to 60 mph, we pushed that Redline up to 70 - 90+ mph... What a block to push!!!

I now try to watch the weather reports and hope to catch a minimal head wind... Hopefully...

BUT, it is all worth while... the weather is generally warm and sunny, prospecting is enjoyable, and friends and family are great...

[Eagle]

It started snowing here yesterday about 10 AM and let up this morning around noon. It's a dry, light fluffy snow with about 5-6" on the ground.

The clouds left around 1:30 PM and have blue sky with sunshine now and temp about 10 degrees w/light breeze of only 4 MPH.

Snow flurries in the forecast around noon tomorrow too.

Everything is blanketed in a beautiful white.

I"m not clearing the sidewalk or driveway until tomorrow afternoon since it might snow tomorrow before that.

[Michigantraveler]

Hi John. Well we're getting more snow. I posted a couple of photos from this morning on my gallery just now. We have about 10". It's still snowing. Twenty degrees all day so we keep it. Kalkaska northeast of us got 24" in places. Lake effect snow is unpredictable. It occurs when the temperature at 5000 ft. Hits 27 degrees lower than the lake temperature down below. It's fluffy stuff.
Any trailer can be a bear in the wind, they are pretty much just big sails aren't they, or billboards! I was looking at round trip fares from Traverse City up here to Ft, Myers Florida. $334, not bad. Our neighbor winters down there. He has a spare room. Hmmmm... Paul can stay here with the animals and snowmobile to his hearts content. (Just kidding)
We don't snowblower the drive very often. We get in and out fine. Circle drive and four wheel drive. It's prettier when we don't too.

[John_C]

Originally Posted by Eagle

It started snowing here yesterday about 10 AM and let up this morning around noon. It's a dry, light fluffy snow with about 5-6" on the ground.

The clouds left around 1:30 PM and have blue sky with sunshine now and temp about 10 degrees w/light breeze of only 4 MPH.

Snow flurries in the forecast around noon tomorrow too.

Everything is blanketed in a beautiful white.

I"m not clearing the sidewalk or driveway until tomorrow afternoon since it might snow tomorrow before that.

Yep, Yep, About the same here with a little less snow and it warmed up to 20, but the clouds are back and it is snowing again. The forecast says snow flurries today, and snow Monday & Tuesday... However, it is all pretty and white OUTSIDE...

[APD]

The cooler winter weather has finally brought us a little RAIN!! Just not enough, we really need more.
We are in a terrible drought here in my part of the SE and the fire danger is extreme.

[Kansas newbie]

We had snow here the other day...a whoppin' 1/4" if that! LOL! I love snow, just don't like driving in it if there is ice underneath!❄️❄️❄️

[Michigantraveler]

Originally Posted by APD

The cooler winter weather has finally brought us a little RAIN!! Just not enough, we really need more.
We are in a terrible drought here in my part of the SE and the fire danger is extreme.

I've been following the TN fires. Such a terrible tragedy started by two punk kids. So many dead, injured and displaced. Over a hundred animals being cared for that no one has claimed. We live in a National Forest and fire is a constant worry. But we don't have mountains like down there. I hope you get that good old Georgia rain soon!

[Eagle]

I'll take snow over sub zero temperatures any day. We only received a few light flurries Sunday so today with a clear sky, will clear the drive/sidewalk even tho the temp is -14 degrees.

[Kafn8td]

Winter Bird Photography keeps me entertained.

[Michigantraveler]

Fourteen below!!! No,no,no... to heck with the driveway. They say highs of 13 degrees here Wednesday and Thursday. Stop sending this!!! More snow here today. 26 degrees! Balmy!

[Michigantraveler]

Originally Posted by Kafn8td

Winter Bird Photography keeps me entertained.

Great photos!! You are a pro!!!

[John_C]

Wow... Beautiful photos R. McDaniel!!!,
Did the bird water have a heater in it... We have been talking about getting one??

[Kafn8td]

Originally Posted by Michigantraveler

Great photos!! You are a pro!!!

Aww shucks, thanks. Far from a pro though. It's taken me a long time to get to this point.

Originally Posted by John_C

Wow... Beautiful photos R. McDaniel!!!,
Did the bird water have a heater in it... We have been talking about getting one??

Yes, you can pick one up at most feed stores that carries bird food. I've been told that it is harder for birds to find water than food during the winter where it freezes hard...i.e. MN. I don't know if it's true or not, but I always find birds where there is open water.
I use something like this because I have the metal bird bath. https://www.amazon.com/9000-Eliminat.../dp/B0006U2FJ8

[Kafn8td]

John, if you get down south of the cities and want to go on a hike, visit Black Dog power facility. If the river is frozen it will have some open areas because of the cooling towers discharging into the MN River. A cold day with a little wind and sunshine (like today) is perfect hunting weather for the Eagles. They are great to watch.

[Michigantraveler]

Originally Posted by Kafn8td

Aww shucks, thanks. Far from a pro though. It's taken me a long time to get to this point.




Yes, you can pick one up at most feed stores that carries bird food. I've been told that it is harder for birds to find water than food during the winter where it freezes hard...i.e. MN. I don't know if it's true or not, but I always find birds where there is open water.
I use something like this because I have the metal bird bath. https://www.amazon.com/9000-Eliminat.../dp/B0006U2FJ8

We have one just like that. It worked very well downstate. Unfortunately it is in a box somewhere up in the garage rafters with tons of yard sale stuff piled in front of it. We have a heated water bowl for Buster the feral cat who comes for food.

[Eagle]

Originally Posted by Michigantraveler

Fourteen below!!! No,no,no... to heck with the driveway. They say highs of 13 degrees here Wednesday and Thursday. Stop sending this!!! More snow here today. 26 degrees! Balmy!

We got some more snow late this AM ~ AFTER I had cleared the driveway and sidewalk naturally. Big flakes, lite and fluffy with hardly any breeze so all I had to do was fire up the Sthil blower/vac and blow it away.

It warmed up some too as only -13 this AM.

[Michigantraveler]

Originally Posted by Eagle

We got some more snow late this AM ~ AFTER I had cleared the driveway and sidewalk naturally. Big flakes, lite and fluffy with hardly any breeze so all I had to do was fire up the Sthil blower/vac and blow it away.

It warmed up some too as only -13 this AM.

Ugh! I love the snow, hate the cold!!

[Eagle]

Originally Posted by Michigantraveler

Ugh! I love the snow, hate the cold!!

Evening news just reported this winter is running 10 to 30 degrees COLDER than normal.

No idea where Al Gores "global warming scare" has gone.