So, i get an email from my good friend John in Pueblo CO (we are so close to CO that we drove there today) who tells me it was 80F there today. They are at 6000 feet. Chama is in the 7000’s. The signal strength on my satellite connection had been slowly dropping all evening (as I answered the 45 emails sitting in my inbox, and no, I didn’t have merely 45 but 45 that needed a response) and finally in dropped below 30 and I lost my connection. I wondered if Germantown (the NOC; don’t worry, if you don’t “do” satellite internet, just go “la la la” when you read this gibberish) was having weather trouble as I had noticed the sound of rain had stopped. I waited and played a few games of Spider Solitaire and finally, when the numbers kept to the single digits, figured the tipod had settled in the rain and was no longer plumb. I found my jeans (.50 at the recent yard sale in El Dorado and they fit like a DREAM) and pulled them on, couldn’t find my shoes so I stole Jamie’s (I better hurry as the signal strength is dropping again) and headed outside, my trusty laptop relaying the modem’s signal. As I stepped down, I crunched. Got a flashlight and saw frost? snow? Walked further, crunching, and found the dish was completely covered with SNOW! It is snowing here in Chama and we are tucked in tight! I wiped the snow from the dish and immediately the signal strength climbed 55 points! It has dropped 2 points since I started typing so I’d better hurry.
The boys are so jazzed about the snow and hope it will stay for the morning. I just want to try to get a picture, so I’ll post and then see what I can get. Can you believe? Snow in mid September?
Hi I have been following your wonderings for some time and aplaud you for your corage with traveling with 4 children. I guess I missed where Micheal comes into your family. I read were you went and got him and that he has his problems but is he your older son??? It is very difficult to help someone whom does not want to help themselves. I applaud you efforts but well you tried and shit happens. From a Canadian reader Marg
Hey if you all pass through Pueblo on the way to C. Springs we could hook up? Or you are welcome to park out here at Rancho Calypso – I am trying to get over a case of bronchitis (first illness in five years – ugh Maybe exposing the kids to me isn’t a good idea? But we are here to help if you have ANY problems. We are about 15 miles west of Pueblo and 60 miles from the Springs.
John
Wow, your heading for Colorado Springs and we left there a few weeks ago. Glad I am not there in the snow!! We are in Oregon headed for New Mexico. First we have to stop in Albuq. at the Sandia Casino so chuck can buy more cartons of cigarettes. Gee, I am so glad I quite smoking a few months ago!! Kathy, dont respond back to this e-mail. It is just to say howdy to you and your family. Poor Jamie, he can not save the world. Yeap, now you know why michaels other friends did not want to step in. However, you all tried, HE IS a grown man, and that is life. You, Jamie and your family is what matters. Besides, it is a very poor example he is setting for the children, and THAT itself should concern HIM. Anyway, my two pennies worth.
Glad I am not there in the cold with you all, it is way to cold here. Heading south seems to take so long when you want to get there does it not!!
I really enjoy that train in the snow, and keep up the thoughtful writing.