Turning off El Net today

We'll get a blogging break for at least a couple of days when we turn off our cable modem about lunchtime today. We will switch to Twitter for updates to the account embedded at left. Our prepaid Wal-Mart phone service includes 1000 free texts a month so we'll let the SMS fly.

Good News. Bad News.

First, the Good News: We finished the leaves yesterday. The yard and street were spotless by late afternoon. Nary a leaf in sight on our lots.

Now, the Bad News: Winds are expected to rock and roar today so a lot of Kenyon's and Chuck & Lynn's leaves will carpet our place once again. Dang, we almost made it. The city shows up tomorrow, a day late and lots of leaves short. Oh, well, there's nothing we can do about it now. Onward & southward!

Here's this morning's Pocatello NWS AFD. Check out the wind part of it. We're real happy we're not traveling today.

EXPECT 35 TO 45 MPH SUSTAINED WINDS IN THE WARNING AREA WITH GUSTS OVER 60 MPH AND 30 TO 40 MPH WINDS IN THE ADVISORY AREA WITH GUSTS OVER 50 MPH. SNOW HAS TAPERED OFF EARLY THIS MORNING IN THE EASTERN HIGHLANDS BUT SHOULD REDEVELOP AS THE MAIN SYSTEM PUSHES EAST. EXPECT SNOW TOTALS IN THE 3 TO 7 INCH RANGE WITH WINDS CAUSING BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW. HEAVIEST AMOUNTS SHOULD BE ABOVE 6000 FEET. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM. EXPECT A RAPID DECREASE IN WINDS AND PRECIPITATION WITH SUNSET THIS EVENING WITH MAINLY DRY WEATHER WEDNESDAY.

Wednesday will be a nice clear day and those high winds will have cleaned out the inversion smog in the Salt Lake Basin. The new snow on the Wasatch Front should be spectacular and visually quite crisp. The graphic tells the tale of wither our weather down at Montezuma Well.

The big truck is totally packed and there's not much left to cram into the little truck.  Our water gets turned off mid-afternoon and we'll spend the remainder of the day blowing pipes and winterizing drains and traps.  The power gets turned off tomorrow after we depart.

Danielle and Jared and their children Cody and Brooke surprised us at sundown yesterday with a wonderful card and a bottle of real nice wine in a beautiful box.  What an awesome gift!  THANK YOU!  We will lift a toast in your honor upon our safe arrival in Ol' Airy Zonie.

We have a New Comment Record to report this morning.  Since we started this blog 01/01/10, we've received 268 comments tacked below various posts.  Interestingly, no post has ever received more than 4 comments.  The number 4 has been like a wall.  Lots of posts have rec'd four comments but none more until yesterday when the old mark fell like a leaf in the wind.  The Straw Bale House photo album now has SEVEN comments.  Thanks to all who commented. Undoubtedly, that's a mark that will stand the test of time for a LOOOONG time.

Stasea had a mini vacation this past weekend.  She flew from Kauai to The Big Island's Kona Coast to visit two of her closest friends.  The photo shows Stasea and Chandra at the Four Seasons Resort there.  Stasea worked several years at that resort.  When the Staff discovered two Four Seasons alumna were present, they went all out to provide special treatment for them.  The Chef even came out to greet and visit with them.  Obviously, a good time was had by all.  Thanks for sending the photo, Stasea, and welcome back home.

Maybe we will post up something else today before we pull the plug.  Chances are good this thing will fall silent for awhile about lunchtime.

Have a great day & Many Cheers!  jp