Sandstorms and Power Failures

In late May we had unexpected winter conditions at the Grand Canyon and weren't dressed for it. Our Winter in Arizona.

This time, over Thanksgiving weekend at Zion National Park we had winter conditions once more, but this time we brought parkas and boots. Still, it was awfully cold and snowy.

The snow had come the day before, so by the time we arrived the roads were clear, thank goodness. But everything was coated. The snow softened the massive rocks, and the green of pine trees clinging to sheer rock walls looked festive with the white all around.

Our travels in the west have been fraught with mishaps, but lately the weather gods have been good to us and our last few outings were uneventful. But on this trip they came back to mess with us. Trouble found us again.

First, on our way out to California to see family for Thanksgiving, we hit a horrible sandstorm on I 40 crossing the Mohave desert. White-out conditions, brutal winds, absolutely no visibility at all in places. Cars were off the road, we passed a few that got bumper clipped. We crawled along and managed to cross out of the storm without accident, but our windshield was etched from the blowing grit, and will need to be replaced.

But we were safe, and visits with family were fabulous, despite cold rain in southern CA on Thanksgiving. We got to see my sister and her son and family, and both my sons and my daughter in law, and her parents too.

And a new pupper.

After a great holiday we left for Zion, and found a winter wonderland. We stayed at a rustic lodge outside the park -- nothing fancy, but comfortable until in the middle of the night the power went off.

We froze. When we got up the temperature in the room was below 60, but the power had come back on and I just pretended we were winter camping. Sort of. Coffee and breakfast in the dining room helped.

We've had unseasonable snow and road washouts and high water and flat tires and crazy stuff on our trips around the west. Now we can add sandstorms and power outages.

But it was so worth it to see Zion in the snow and to see family in California. So worth it.