Remember the Blizzard of '78?
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
3 months ago
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prairiemoon2 z6b MA
3 months agoRelated Discussions
Road Trip
Comments (38)Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, October 1948 Duke was discharged, he was a happy fellow. The Army issued him a voucher for rail-transport from New Jersey to his home-state, California, but he had his discharge money and decided we should get a used car and drive West. He became the proud owner of a 1930�s Cadillac Touring Car, impressive, with running-board and back seating area as big as some living-rooms. I didn�t know anything about cars or actually what he spent on it, it was all new. I knew that Uncle Fritz, back in Frankfurt, always had big, impressive automobiles, so I took this for routine. So off we went, cruising around in that monster car, made it to Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where the car gave up the ghost. The bitter lesson: used car dealers setting up business adjacent to an Army base full of eager, na�ve brand-new civilians are predators. We had checked into a small hotel, trying to think what to do next. The people in the hotel were so nice, they fell in love with Joann, gave her balloons, and that evening the owner gave us two movie tickets and baby-sat Joann, so we could have at least a little relief from our worries. Next day, Duke went to the garage, the mechanic said the Caddy was definitely a basket case, but he had an old, 1934 Chevy, slated for the wrecking-yard, but operable, that he�d give us, it needed a quart of oil every hundred miles, but otherwise was running good. Duke took the deal, and we were off, going West. It was possible to get used oil by the gallons for maybe a quarter, sometimes it was free, so every hundred miles we pulled over and Duke put some oil in "Old Betsy". Motels and fast food joints were not available then, we stayed in "cabins", usually less than a dollar a night, they were not particularly nice, but gave us a chance to sleep, clean up, wash the diapers. Picked up bread and lunch-meat or cheese in grocery stores. Joann ate whatever we had, she was nine months old and a good eater. The memorable part of the trip got us to St. Louis and onto Route 66. One night, in the Ozarks, we had a cabin with a wood-stove. The proprietors invited us to have dinner with them, they made sure the stove was well stocked , wanted us to stay a couple more days, because they were going squirrel hunting and we should experience how good the stew would be, but we were in somewhat of a hurry to go and face Duke�s parents, so we declined. I remember a motel in New Mexico which had a roadside attraction: cages full of rattlesnakes, I didn�t sleep very well that night. That old Chevy kept chugging along, in retrospect I believe it was the ideal car for the trip, I didn�t know enough about Duke�s regular driving habits, this vehicle couldn�t be pushed too hard, we had to stop every hundred miles, had a chance to walk around, do diaper changes, look at the ever-changing scenery, I realized that this was a BIG country. People were friendly, we always had our evening meal in a diner, each was different, menus were more regional. Route 66 was a major highway, but it meandered, most of the time one lane each way, through little towns and villages. Scenery got more spectacular, the Desert of New Mexico and Arizona and then the winding mountain road to Flagstaff, awesome! Entered California late at night, at Needles and, money running short, decided to go on to Calimesa, where Duke�s parents lived. We hit a desert sand-storm, high wind pushing at the car, sand getting between one�s teeth, into one�s eyes, I put a clean cloth over Joann�s face to protect her a little. Duke kept apologizing, telling me California wasn�t always like this. I cherish the memory of that road-trip, it was a vacation before "real" life started, almost like eating dessert first, and it can�t ever be repeated the way it was then. Arrived at Duke�s parent�s place after midnight - and another story began....See Morea real bilzzard!
Comments (56)Now that is something! You are having a blizzrd, and we are having roller coaster temps here, not to mention mosnoon like rains, then sun. I did get a few nice pictures of the rainbows we had here. Then within a half an hour, it looked like a tornado was getting ready to hit. Just really bad winds, thank god! On a lighter note, the wife and I went to the Philly Flower Show yesterday. It was packed and the displayes were awesome! And like a good little WS'er, I got some neat seeds! Basically purple string beans, English Cukes and Dragon's Toungue bean. Can't wait to grow them and having the neighbor's wondering......See MoreBlizzard coming.
Comments (18)It was a deep snowstorm but not a blizzard here. We had about 14-15 inches. Now, it very sunny, not too windy, and melting well--roads are in surprisingly good conditions considering it just occurred. Did nt exect to have this wet, heavy, sticky snow. There was a bit of damage to some of the magnolias but too bad--really clinging snow type. Needle is covered in snow, Trachys look okay. Was expecting the finer snow--this stuff is heavy! Was not really too cold during the night--upper 20's, now, only 30f. but not too bad in the sun. Now, the next issue the heavy rain expected Moday. Rain and temps into the 40's mean a potential for flooding. Someone say 'uncle' please!...See MoreUPDATE: Sounds Of Summer Make New Friends Part 4
Comments (149)Well, I have gotten some e-mails from people dropping out. This is our new list. * designates I still need your address. Please do not use gardenweb e-mail, as I do not seem to be getting those e-mails. traceyvine* autumnfairy pixies* hermit fishy jennid* kalena* dirt debbya diene medontdo As soon as I have the rest of the addresses I will post partners! Also, just making sure with the ones above....are you still wanting to be in this swap, or should we postpone this one? Autumnfairy...See Moreprairiemoon2 z6b MA
3 months agolast modified: 3 months agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
2 months agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
2 months agodeanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5b
2 months agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA thanked deanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5bprairiemoon2 z6b MA
2 months agolast modified: 2 months ago
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