Arctic blast...

What a winter!  We have had one cold snap after another...high winds...rain...and cold, cold, cold.  Now in Louisiana we are having snow/sleet/rain mix with 1/4 to 1/2 inch ice.  WC forecasting the Arctic cold weather to stay around into February.  Spring can't get here too quickly.

Our
      day
           went
                   from
                           a
                             skiff
                                     of
                                         ice
                                               to
                                                   



             THIS

Slow going for motorists as here in Acadiana Parish all bridges and overpasses have been closed after over 100 wrecks and fender benders.  No salt...so, pea gravel is being used on the bridges and overpasses to help those stranded.  Rt. 90 beside us and  I-10 have been closed along with numerous other roads until this mess starts to melt.  One lady yesterday said this area gets this kind of weather about once every 10 years.  This must be the 10th year.  Tomorrow the DOT plans to apply pea gravel to the long 20 mile I-10 bridge over the Mississippi Delta.  Temps have been 27 degrees all day with wind chill 14 degrees and will be below freezing again tonight.  Our kitchen sink faucet has had a slow dribble of water going constantly since yesterday to keep the pipes from freezing.  I did forget after washing a few cooking items....turned the faucet off for about 15-20 min. while we ate lunch.  UT OH!  The water line started to freeze.  J caught it in time and with running a little hot water...it opened and started running again.  Whew!  That was an eye opener for sure!

Things should start thawing by mid morning Saturday.  J said there was an icicle about 14 inches hanging off one of our 5er gutters.  Let's hope it does not break the gutter before it melts. 

Hopefully we'll be able to pull out Sunday for Texas.  Lets hope the temps will moderate and get warmer.

A call to our hometown neighbors with "all is OK on the NC home front".  Nice to have good neighbors.  :)

On laundry day, we were converged upon by about 5 fire trucks and firefighters.  Appears one tag trailer had a propane leak or something wrong with the propane system.  Another camper two doors up came out to see what all the commotion was about and immediately lit up a cigarette.  What a DA!

Take care.  Safe travels to all our friends and family.  See you by the campfire.