When the news guessers predict 10 inches of snow this weekend for southern Virginia, we immediately go into denial. No way! It is not even winter yet. We are in the South for goodness sake! My name is Sunny Weathers, not Wintry Weathers or worse, Snow White. Why are the weather Gods so angry with us?
Snow Prep
Of course we make marginal preparations. We fill and/or empty the appropriate RV tanks. At the grocery, we join the multitudes fighting for the last loaf of bread at the grocery. We cancel our plans to join our friends in the NC mountains where 24″ of snow is predicted to fall.
Before we go to bed Saturday night, Storm reminds me to pull in our RV step so it does not create an icy, snow covered exit hazard. I even go back outside into the cold to toss our doormat under our rig so it might actually be useful once the snow abates. But we don’t implement the heart of our emergency weather plan which is to avoid snow at ALL COSTS!!
Snow Alarm
At 4:30am I awaken when my inner blizzard alarm sounds. Suddenly I picture wet, heavy snow on top of our slide-outs. I peek out the window to assess the situation. I don’t see any snow on the ground yet, but I can’t really tell if it is snowing because it is so dark out. Storm, unable to sleep while I am rambling about, looks out and declares it is “really coming down.” I mention my concerns about 10″ of wet snow on tops of our slides.
Last time we were caught in a blizzard (Good Lord, I hope I never have to say that again) we pulled our slides in before the snowfall began. Watching our neighbors hang from ladders after the storm attacking the snow drifts on their roofs, we felt good that our slides were snow-free. After all our waterproofing efforts this fall, I don’t want melting snow from this storm to find creative ways to drip inside the RV from extended slide roofs.
Storm is not happy that I did not think of this earlier. He is especially perturbed that our bedroom topper is covered with oak leaves. Someone must go outside and clean that topper before we retract that slide… at 4:30am… in the freezing cold snowstorm. Fearful that I will do more damage than good, Storm “volunteers” for this mission. I hustle to move all the inside furniture our of our way for retraction.
Exhausted by our efforts, we return to bed and fall instantly to sleep. I must have successfully put my blizzard alarm on snooze after that because when we next awaken an 8″ blanket covers the ground. Maybe we should just give up on winter warmth and head to Alaska next November. Perhaps we could cause a weather reversal there that makes Alaska the new Florida!
At least we are not alone in this worrisome weather. With lots of friends and family in this storm’s lingering path, we hope everyone stays safe and warm!
One of the nice parts about being RETIRED. ;>) We do not have to fight dummies on the road going to and from work. Just get a nice warm cup of cider sit back and look at it outside and enjoy the day. This is the first day that I have been outside since Saturday and it has been nice watching old movies and just enjoying time together. If it keeps this up let us know where you well be in Florida and we just might join you. :>)) GOD BLESS
JD
Jim
So true about not fighting dummies on the road! I agree about Florida – just hope we don’t drag bad weather there with us. Merry Christmas!
I was wondering how you made out in the snow. Look at the bright side at least it wasn’t ice. I hope your roads are clear by now and the snow has melted from the top of the RV.
The only hard part was when we had the slides pulled in for a day – hard to live inside with such limited space. Thank goodness we could visit with Mom right across the street.
PS were headed for the Peach Bowl in Atlanta from the 28th through the 30th.