That Imp of Perversity….

While the EC was getting pummeled yesterday afternoon, we had a rather balmy afternoon up here on the high altitude plain.

 

The sun appeared mid-morning and with 30+ degrees it felt "spring-like" by mid-afternoon.

Alas, spring-like weather isn’t due for another four to six months.

D.C. Friend JAK called while sitting in bumper to bumper traffic somewhere along Wisconsin Avenue. 

He saw a plow truck pushing cars up an icy patch along the avenue.

Said he had been sitting in traffic for nearly two hours—a ride that can normally take 25 to 40 minutes in regular rush hour traffic. 

He had to get off the phone because his wipers were sleeting up.

I love the irony of living at 7,200…

·       no traffic to contend with during the crazy wind blowing snowstorms

·       no run on the food stores whenever there’s mere mention of snow, which seems to be nearly everyday

·       no school—or town—closings due to inclement weather

·       no crazy drivers spinning out of control, or at least not in town—oh wait!  “I’m” out there…but I’m learning!)

The interstate and “all roads leading out-of-town” are, however,  another story.

 

Too often drivers don’t heed recommended speed reduction from 75 MPH to 40 MPH—or less.

Big Macs, without cargo to weigh them down, literally get caught up in wind gusts and jack knife, or worse.

Temporary road closings occur regularly.

This morning I had 10 WYDOT messages alerting me that sections of I-80 were closed late last evening and again this morning between Laramie and Cheyenne.

When the roads close food—and other—trucks ostensibly can’t get to town. 

To my knowledge this has happened just once since we’ve moved here—a meat truck didn’t make it to the Safeway.

But this can happen anywhere. 

I remember a storm in the D.C. metro area that kept supply trucks from reaching food stores and store shelves were bare for a day or two.

Besides, the roads here don’t say closed for days, only hours, which, admittedly, can wreak havoc with travel plans to DIA.   

Road closings here can make one feel kind of claustrophobic, at least newbies to this part of the universe.

Have you seen, on a map, where we live?

For now though, I’m content to keep any trekking between home, the food shops and downtown. 

That is, until the Legal Dude needs his Whole Foods or “big box” fix in Ft. Collins, CO.

Then I’ll look at the sky—sniff the air—hold a wet my finger up to the sky—watch the TWC—read those WYDOT messages more intently—and make certain the car is packed with  “just in case we get stuck” gear.

Be safe out there…