Sunny Saturday, March 4th

[Colliemom]

Morning all. Besutiful morning out there. Temp is 26°. Heading to around 40. Love it when it gets that warm this time of year. Sun is so warm. Usually don’t even need my ski bibs on our walks, just my wind pants over fleece. No gloves either.

Thanks for all the reports of the weather from CA and elsewhere. Quite the mess in CA. Us northerners could laugh at that, but we know there’s way too much and the dangers associated with it, especially for areas not used to having it. It’s not unusual for Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula to get between 2-300 inches a year, but what CA is getting is way beyond that. Annie, sounds like you are going to have to keep that emergency bag handy. Thanks for the up date as I was wondering how things were up your way. Velda, natural gas lines are buried under ground, so they are much safer than propane tanks above ground. I have lived with natural gas my entire life. They can cause a fire if for some reason they get damaged by accident during an excavations or digging and not knowing the line is there, ora leak in the pipeline that reaches the surface or a gas leak at the meter. In CA’s case, earthquakes. But those can occur anywhere. Most times it just leaks and nofire, unless there’s a source to spark it. We are not supposed to dig here in Michigan until we notify whats called Miss Dig. They come out and identify and mark all of the utility, gas and water lines running through a piece of property before you do anything. I hear of water line breaks more than I hear of gas line issues.

Winter Storm Quest sailed on by us here in northern Michigan. They got it from the Central part of the lower on down. We didn’t even see a solitary flake. Now it’s on its way east to bother you gals out there. But the weather service said that they are monitoring another one for Sunday night into Monday. The problem we have here, is that when these storms come across they are shifting, and they never know for sure which way they’re going to go to till just before they get here. So we are aware that we may have one, we are prepared one way or other.

Thinking I might take a ride up to town today. I need a new stepladder and I should go get one, so if the weather is crappy on Monday I can work on some of my house cleaning stuff. What I have is beginning to make little snappy noises once in a while so I think maybe it’s time to replace it. I want to clean out my laundry area cupboards and my kitchen cupboards so I’m gonna need the ladder and I don’t wanna haul the big eight footer up here for that. I also need a couple new showerheads and a couple new toilet seats for the bathrooms. Time to upgrade a little.

Speaking of taxes. I had mine done a week ago and I saw on my bank statement, that my Fed refund will be deposited into my checking account next week. That was fast.

So, what’s the thought in mind I think I will get cleaned up and head up to Lowe’s and see what they have. Have a nice day all.

[Cudedog]

Annie, sounds like you are going to have to keep that emergency bag handy. Thanks for the up date as I was wondering how things were up your way.

Thanks, Sue.

Not too worried - yet. But I am putting together a go bag. Still a long way to go before Oroville Dam gets near to topping out - this morning lake level is at 834 feet, +/- , "full pool" is 900 feet, 66 feet left to go. Which sounds like a lot - and it is - but the lake has come up 124 feet in the last eight weeks or so (about 2 feet per day). Likely things will be just fine - but I do keep my eye on Oroville this time of year - especially since there is so much snow in the lake's watershed - and with more coming.

Here is a photo. I know exactly where this photo was taken, I have driven over the bridge in the picture many times. These photos are a tiny bit misleading - Oroville is a lake of tremendous size. These photos of the bridge are of a relatively tiny section of the lake.



Lake Oroville is the tallest dam (and it is an earth-fill dam, it is not concrete) in the United States. It has 167 miles of shoreline and more than 15,500 surface acres.

Should I feel a medium-ish earthquake (a 24/7 possibility here in California) I might just throw things in my van and head for the nearest high ground. Just in case.

Here is an interesting article from University of California at Berkeley from a couple of years back (2017). Interestingly, the weather descriptions (rain and snow) are not too far off from what we are having this year:

https://seismo.berkeley.edu/blog/2017/02/16/oroville-dam-makes-its-own-earthquakes.html

Anne

[JudyJB]

I am stopped at a rest area on my way from Tucson to Rockhound State Park in NM. It was so nice yesterday, after fighting my way through the crowds at Atlanta Airport and walking at least a mile there, to arrive at Tucson airport. It is exactly the right size!! Enough restaurants and shopping, but with less walking needed. And then it was sunny and the air was clear when I stepped out. PLUS, they only charged me $5 per day for parking in the outdoor economy lot. It was paved and there was tons of room for big vehicles. The shuttle driver saw me pull in when I arrived on Friday, and followed me to my spot to pick me up. Can't beat that.

Had a good night's stay at Kartchner Caverns last night, other than the site was a bit unlevel, but it was clean, paved, and everything worked. Nice and quiet also. Now I need to find some propane on my way and pick up a few things at the Walmart in Deming on my way to Rockhound. Got plenty of meat and basics, just need some milk, and things like fruit. Also need a new protective cover for my phone, and i refused to pay the $28 for one at Best Buy!!

Sorry to hear about awful weather in some parts of the country, and while it is chilly here, it is supposed to warm up and the sun is shining very brightly today! Bunch of Californians from LA area headed up to the nearby mountains to see the snow there, and are now stuck so complaining about that. Even some of the locals in the mountains were unprepared and said they like snow, but just didn't expect so much of it. That would not happen where Sue lives in Michigan because people prepare for lots of snow. In fact, the hotels and restaurants are probably looking forward to throngs of snowmobilers!!

[OregonLuvr]

Good morning. It is chilly outside and rainy. Snow predicted above 500ft. I am at 546 so no worries here. They did have issues of jackknifed semi's in the passes to Medford. Glad I am not going that way. Going to make my chicken tortellini soup this morning. I was going to make it yesterday but had to make a Walmart run...yuck But I did find the ribs I was looking for. Lloyds and none of the stores had them except Walmart. I have looked before but I was looking in the wrong place apparently. I was looking in the meat and they were in the secition with premade salads, pulled pork, etc So I bought 2 packs and cooked one whole pack of the Lloyds baby back ribs. They come with a sauce and I like it so had that for lunch and dinner. Still have some left. Also had to buy some Goo Gone so I can get the stickers off my showers. I bought a couple of shower mats on Amazon and so far I really like them.

Sue before I put my chain link fence in we had to call also, just one number and they sent out who I needed to check it. They sent the cable and electric people out to mark so my fence guy didnt break anything important. We dont have gas here so that isnt an issue He is the one that called them. He always calls before he digs he said.

Henry was busy this morning so that is done. Guess I will dust later. I am going to organize my freezer tomorrow so I can get more stuff in it ha ha

[SoCalGalcas]

Very nice, sunny here. I know I didn’t post on the first. Was very tired when we got home from visiting the sun in AppleValley. They were doing construction on part of the freeway and traffic was horrendous.
Then I had appointments with Optometrist, Doctor and Lawyer. I get very tired when I have to leave my couch.
There was a picture of Big Bear City in this morning’s paper. I can understand why people can’t get out of their driveways! Also, a Hugh redbuliten telling people NOT to come up to big Bear! The locals love this, as the ski slopes aren’t as crowded!
Sandie gave excellent advice about GD and birthday present.
Very interesting pictures from Lake Orville Annie.
My taxes are done. Wee use Turbo Tax. It is still complicated for me. I could never do them without help.
Lyn

[OregonLuvr]

Anne I lived off I-80 in Colfax area and yes we got snow.....sometimes lots of snow. We were at around 2400 ft. But anyone who knows me knows I have a well stocked pantry and freezer. That has not changed LOL I like to stock up on stuff so I dont have to run to the store all the time if I want to make something usual. If it is a new recipe yup I might have to go get some supplies. I also had propane and a wood stove so I was actually all set.

[Shirlv]

Afternoon All, rain all day yesterday and into the night. Today sunny so sat on the balcony for awhile. Wind was not blowing from the south and it got too hot to stay out there. I’m still pouting about the bird lady above me. Seed shells is a real mess so thought I won’t plant anything. Sitting in the sun shine looking at empty pots thought “you know no one cares that you won’t plant the pots except you”. It was like the kid who held their breath because they couldn’t get their way. Lol So will plant the pots and clean the balcony everyday. The exercise will do me good and having plants to take care of. Hope the birds poop all over her floor. Am I still being a bratty kid? Lol. I made shrimp Creole in the crockpot yesterday. It was pretty good but today I tweeked it some. Karen, I have a full freezer and pantry too so am ready for emergencies or new recipes.Judy, I’m always amazed at how well you plan trips. Glad it went without a hitch. Be safe

[Colliemom]

Actually Judy, the snowmobilers are very absent this weekend. I don’t think I even saw a dozen today. I think the storm downstate kept them from coming up here. Most are fron southern Michigan, northern OH and IN. We did not get a flake from that storm. We have had snow from the past three, but only about 4-6 inches at the most from any of them. And with temps into the 30’s, it has melted that down. Conditions are not good. No base on the trails, the paved roads are bare, so getting in and out of the hotels can be hard as well as second homes if they are on paved roads and right now the trails are soft snow with mushy spots. Definitely spring riding conditions. The past two weekends were really good and probably the best of the entire season. But there are only about 27 days left of the season as trails close March 31. And as March goes on, it’s pretty much quiet as people get into other things, school spring breaks, etc. But we can still get dumped on as it’s not over yet.

We were walking the snowmobile trail this afternoon as part of our walk and you can see it’s looking a bit mushy. When it starts to look a bit brown, they call it snirt, Snow with dirt starting to mix in.

[Shirlv]

Snert.

[Colliemom]

Hey Shirl, had to fix that word, supposed to be Snirt. Found out I misspelled it. Looked it up to see and whoops, wrong spelling.

[Shirlv]

Sue, it’s funny no matter how you spell it. Lol

[Cudedog]

Anne I lived off I-80 in Colfax area and yes we got snow.....sometimes lots of snow. We were at around 2400 ft. But anyone who knows me knows I have a well stocked pantry and freezer. That has not changed LOL I like to stock up on stuff so I dont have to run to the store all the time if I want to make something usual. If it is a new recipe yup I might have to go get some supplies. I also had propane and a wood stove so I was actually all set.

LOL, Karen.

Looks like you may have read my post about the snow. . . before I deleted it. It seemed a bit grumpy, even for me.

But I am absolutely with you on being prepared - my years in the Sierra foothills taught me that.

Anne

[JudyJB]

Sorry to hear about the lack of snowmobilers. Businesses up there always depend on them, so they will not be happy to lose the money.

Arrived at Rockhound SP. It has been several years since I was here, and I had forgotten how terrific the view is. Very large, nice, gravel campsites with water and electric for only $14 per night with a $6.50 reservation fee. I am only here for three nights because I had to cancel some to go to Atlanta, but I am sorry I can not spend more time here--very quiet small campground.

[Bethers]

I can't get to sleep. Not sure why, but some nights it happens. The weather was gorgeous today and Ty and I did the longer walk I like around the canals early.

I, too cracked up with the snirt word. It's great and I don't care how it's spelled. Thanks, Sue. And, Sue, I posted something on FB and asked anyone who sees it that has you as a friend to tag you. I could imagine you and your working skills doing what this post pictures. Hopefully someone saw it and sent it.

I can't believe in 3 weeks I'll be on my way to my volunteer gig. I'm hoping I'll like it as much as I think I will. Most I'm hoping there are some good trails for Ty and I to get our exercise. We'll figure it out once way or another.

I really need to try to sleep. Night folks.

[MandysMom]

Sue, I'm well aware about both propane and natural gas lines , as I have had each at various homes. The difference is, they can't dig gas lines in where it's big rock close to surface, so propane is used in mountains of northern CA! I'm aware the perils amd advantages of each. People in our area of Sierras, don't have natural gas lines, period! I was simply expressing surprise they were able to dig in natural gas lines in southern mountains. they must not have the rock obstruction we have in the northern Sierras. Both propane lines and tanks and natural gas lines can be damaged by snow load!
Velda