Monday, January 2, 2012

Dangerous winds delay departure

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Today we were supposed to leave for home, but we were again alerted that dangerous winds were in the forecast starting Friday night, and all day Saturday. There was also a chance of snow and blowing snow. High profile vehicles were advised not to travel over high mountain passes or in the foothills. We decided, that meant the Mammoth needed to "stay put" one more day. Sure enough, we were awakened around 4AM with the winds already beginning to howl. At 5AM, the power went out! A typical RV electrical system is designed to run many items without AC power, instead running off the DC battery source. This DC power would typically run lights, furnace, fridge on gas, water pump, water heater on gas, slide outs and jacks, plus the new heating pads we added. When the rig is plugged into AC Power, the battery is continually charged, and everything works fine. With no AC power, the battery must sustain all these items, and many other items do not work: All 110- volt outlets, the microwave, water heater on electric, fridge on electric and the ceiling fan. We knew our battery was weak, but we didn't anticipate needing to run on battery alone, during this trip. Once the AC power was out, we knew we were in trouble.

Wind blowing snow. Looking this direction, you should see the ski slopes in the distance.


We tried very hard to use as little power as possible, and still run the furnace to keep warm. After a couple of hours, we realized our battery was getting too low, and soon may not run the furnace! Tony hooked up the trailer to the truck and started the truck up, using the truck's electrical connection to the trailer to charge the trailer battery. This worked, but we were using the new charge as soon as we got it, to run the heating pads and furnace. Also during this time, it began to snow and the winds were howling, shaking the trailer and causing white-out conditions with the blowing snow. About 11:00AM we realized we needed to be thinking about a plan B, in case the outage lasted through the evening or night. About 15 minutes later, POWER WAS RESTORED! Thank goodness, because plan B was going to cost us $$$! We ate lunch and took hot showers, and were so very thankful to have electricity. We found out later that a gust of 124mph was recorded in Summit County, were we were. Power was out to most of the town. Cell phone service was interrupted. We were also notified that I-70 was closed for a time due to an accident near Georgetown -- where winds were predicted to be especially bad -- so we were VERY glad we opted not to travel this day!

In the afternoon, we noticed the winds were not quite as bad as they had been in the morning. We also heard that the ski resort had nearly all their lifts closed most of the morning, and now most were back open. We decided to venture into town, and take a tour of Breckenridge Distillery. They make Bourbon, Vodka and a Spiced Rum at this distillery. It was fascinating to hear how much chemistry is involved, as well as time and a little luck, too. We got to taste a sample of their products, as well.

Us in front of the Breckenridge Distillery still.




After returning back to the Mammoth, we took it easy for a while and decided to see if our new friends Dan and Ruth Ann would like to join us for dinner out. We decided to go to a nice steakhouse in Frisco, not too far from Breckenridge. We figured the crowds wouldn't be as bad. Dan and Ruth Ann passed on the dinner, but said yes to getting together later. We drove to Frisco, but couldn't find the restaurant that we were looking for. We ended up at another steakhouse instead: The Blue Spruce Inn - Old Town Steakhouse. We walked in, and happened to get a table! (Reservations are recommended!) We ended up having a wonderful, intimate, delicious meal... I had surf and turf, and Tony had the prime rib. It was amazingly good! Since our wedding anniversary is Jan 1, we decided this was our "Anniversary Meal". It was one to remember.




After dinner, we got together with Dan and Ruth Ann,  played a game, and visited. We decided to call it a night about 9PM since we needed to get back to the rig to start packing up for leaving in the morning. We worked about an hour to store things we didn't need and start to get the rig ready, then hit the hay... remember, we'd been awakened at 4AM, and up since 5AM! Oh well, HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! It's midnight somewhere!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

This morning, we packed up and prepared Mammoth for the journey back. Tony even winterized the pipes (adding RV antifreeze), so we can be ready for any future freezing temps. Even though we left later than we'd like, we were hoping to make it to Amarillo today. We started down I-70 and had no issues, traffic was not too bad and the roads were 99% clear. Many of the areas still had snow on the ground they received the day before we started our journey to Breck!  We saw lots of great scenery along the way, I guess that  made the long-distance drive seem to go by faster. We had no problems during the entire drive to Amarillo, arriving about 10:15PM, at my Aunt and Uncle's house.

Capulin Volcano with snow

About the time we were getting ready to go to bed, Tony got the unfortunate news that his grandmother had passed away. We were not surprised as she had not been doing well before we left, but were under the impression she was doing better. I guess it was her time to finally go home to Heaven, and we are glad she is no longer in pain here on Earth.


Sunset as we drove through New Mexico



Monday, January 2, 2012

We headed out about 8AM, and returned home about 4:30PM. We unloaded Mammoth and crashed. Boy, what a fun time, I'm sad for it to end, but it's also nice to be welcomed home with a flood of meows, purrs and kitty lovin', from our precious cat. (He's 18, and doesn't  like to travel.)

We will definitely return to Tiger Run Resort and Breckenridge!

Now Mammoth needs a BATH!


(Whoops! Pic was to come of Mammoth needing a bath. But Tony gave her one!)


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