It's actually been pretty nice here the last week - very spring like, but that's not the point. I know there are many more feet of snow to fall (and shovel), and months of sub-freezing temperatures yet to endure.
And another potential change of plans! I was not planning to go down Baja this year, for the first time in three years, because my new truck needs ultra low sulphur diesel fuel, which they do not yet guarantee to supply in Mexico. I had resigned myself to staying in the sunny states of America for the next while. But, ... I had a chat with a service guy at the GM dealer today and he said there should not be a problem with the truck or the warranty as long as most of the driving was highway driving. So that opens up the possibilities again. Hmmm ... :-)
Okay, so what's been happening around home? Well, one of my friends and neighbors just moved out.
While I was sorry to see them leave, they had to leave behind their winter firewood supply, much of which is now stacked in my back yard! Don't worry, I paid him for it.
I think it will easily last me till departure date.
I've been out driving the roads of late, and came across these artistic snowballs rolling down the hills at the edge of the road.
Workwise, there has been a lot of coverage on the avalanche situation this year, with many fatalities involving snowmobilers primarily. The ski areas control avalanche terrain inside their boundaries. Normally, no avalanche control work is done in the back country, but we do control paths that affect the roads and highways in the park. Last week I was involved in closing the Trans Canada Highway, so we could safely control slide paths threatening the highway and the CPR railroad. A helicopter was used to place explosives in the start zones. One of our staff took some video and you can see it and several others on YouTube.Back at home, both the camper and the 5th wheel are vying for the chance to head south, but I think the camper will win once again, for economic reasons, and the ease of re-winterizing if necessary, when I have to come back in late April.
Also at work, I have been doing a number of roadside wildlife surveys, and track surveys. Usually don't see too much, but I did manage to get this shot of a cow moose along the road,
and also this bull moose at a distance.
I also found time to play tourist and check our some of the displays at roadside pullouts - at least at the one that isn't barricaded for the winter. I think you can read the display info if you click on each photo?
I am always intrigued to see how people happen onto my blog. In one case recently, someone googled 'razor wire, cape lookout' and found my blog as I (and many others it turns out!) had commented on a particular house on the coast that looks more like a fortress than a residence, with a high fence and razor wire, more suited to Guantanamo bay, it would seem? Then, I got caught up in another blog (perhaps the searchers?) of cyclers who had passed by there a couple years ago. You can check out that blog HERE!Or you can look at my surreptitious photos of the house in my archives at, well, here!
I read their blog for quite a while as they passed through some of my favourite travel and camping areas.
And then someone from Portland looked at a whole big bunch of my photos and links! Maybe it was the bicycle blogger?
Another Googler found my blog by searching for 'wreck scene photos of 5th wheel campers', but only because I had used those words in another context and order. Not sure just why they were looking for that kind of pic?
But I really like the ones that search for 'Harley,' 'Roadtrip', 'Baja' etc, because you know it is actually your blog they are looking for, and just lost the link!
So I have been reading lots of other travel blogs, some of which you can find on my blog list, getting in the mood for the coming adventures. I hope to track down some of the other writers this year to compare notes and share travel information.
It will be a different trip this year without my long-time co-pilot Harley, who was always great company;
and entertainment! I'll miss ya buddy!Speaking of attitude; I guess I could always open up the passenger seat to girlfriends (past or future!), but that could spell nothing but trouble - or fun!
Till next time.
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