Home stretch!

March 7 - 8:15 AM

Very very cold!

I have lassoed the sun and we're taking it home... 

Sorry there is no way to capture the warmer weather but the good news is, spring is coming.

Home for dinner!

Clear skies and a crisp 1 degree

10:00 AM - Roads appear to be clear driving should be fine. One more night, we should be home on Saturday. Oops! Spoke to soon only 2 miles and someone spun out and is in the median. Have to take it slow still patchy ice spots. Only going 3 hrs away today so we have plenty of time. 
17 degrees - getting warmer! 
Wow! We are seeing the results of yesterday's nasty travel conditions. We have passed more than a dozen cars, trucks, and big rigs off the road. They are in the median, break down lanes and in some cases down in a gully or up an embankment. Why do people drive in bad weather? There was plenty of warning that the storm was coming and would be really nasty. 
Another really cold night, this should be the last one. 

March 5: THOR has us snowed-in!

5:30 AM - Work up to rain in Salem. We had breakfast and quickly decided to pack up and see if we could make it further up to RT 81. Our goal was to make it to Staunton before the rain changed over to snow and ice.

We made it - Just in time! As we were getting close the temps began to drop fast from 39 to 32. Went to check in - 15 min. later temps dropped again, now it was sleet and freezing rain with snow to follow by the time were were unpacking the car.

Humm! Lunchtime - 3 places nearby: 11:30 - first choice already closed, 2nd choice just a short walk up the hill - a few cars (2 parties inside, one waitress) just made it - enjoyed a quick lunch (it appeared that they were going to close right after we left). We bundled up and began our trek back down the hill.

5:00 PM storm is winding down but pretty nasty out there. Good thing I planned ahead. Dinner for two is served. 

11:00 PM - crisp and clear, moon is bright. - should be able to travel in the morning. Not planning on going to far. Going to wait until mid morning no need to hurry. 

Still heading east...

March 3 - 9:30 AM

Another basic travel day, Arkansas to Tennessee. No snow... Yeah! But skies are overcast and we had to wait for the fog to clear. Rain is threatening at any time, wondering how far we will get before it starts. Looks like we will be in and out of the fog, low visibility but roads are still dry and clear.

We have been staying at La Quinta's, Bailey is always free (other places have been up to $50 for her). The last few have been nice. This one had 5:30-6:00 social with a snack, popcorn, bear and wine coolers (not wine and cheese but made Russ happy). We were able to wash clothes, go for a swim, enjoy breakfast and leave with a snack bag including a bottle of water for the road.

March 4 - 8:00 AM On the road early

We are just past Nashville. We had thoughts about staying another night but not this time. THOR is closing in on us! About 60 degrees now going to be in the 30's by tomorrow morning. We are out of here! Heading for Virginia. We should make it before the weather changes to snow/wintry mix, about 5 hrs. away. In and out of drizzle to heavy rain we'll just have to take it slow.
*****Noontime: Passed the rain, roads were dry and traffic moving at a steady flow. Temps going up (60's-70's) so we decided to go an extra 100 miles. Should make it to Salem/Roanoke. Tomorrow's forecast is messy, guess we will be staying put tomorrow.

Uneventful 2 days of travel

March 1 - 9:30 AM 

On the road... Overcast skies, 35 degrees and dry roads. Looks like we are in good shape today going to try to cover 300 miles today. Going to drive right through Texas and stay in Oklahoma.

March 2 - 10:00 AM

Still overcast skies, 32 degrees but dry roads and no snow. We should be in Arkansas tonight. We are between the two storms right now. Sparta is out ahead of us ready to go up to the east and Thor is closing in on our heels. 

No pictures, Nothing interesting just open road and winter fields.

February 28 - 11:30AM

Finally leaving Albuquerque, after a delayed start. We woke up to 6 inches of snow and icy highways. We had planned a short driving day today to make sure we stay behind the storms. Tucumcari, NM about 200 miles is our destination for tonight.

We are a little disappointed that we did not have a chance to explore Albuquerque. We put it on the list for next time along with Santa Fe.