February 2012

Tomorrow is looking good

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Posted by Jim at 5:17 PM

I29 is no longer closed and the storm has abated enough for the snow plows to be out,
traffic looks to be moving along pretty well. I am sure there are still spots where
caution is in order, but the good part is the big winds are dying down so visibility
should not be a problem.

We are targeting 7AM for departure time...and are going to Council Bluffs Iowa
the first day...but staying across the river at the Best Western Kelly Inn in
Omaha, Nebraska.

My smartphone Sony Xperia Arc is all set...I bought a sim card from Ebay for Tmobile
for $7, so now I have to ability to put that card in rather than the one I use here
for Speakout. I now have a phone number with a 956 area code for Pharr Texas, and
I bought $100 worth of minutes which puts me in Gold Status with a 365 day expiry
on the minutes. After that I can keep it activated with a $10 purchase each year.
Sweet!

Unfortunately I am unable to get Live Services on my TomTom Gps as I did last year,
because they are only selling a year subscription now. Last year I was able to
buy a month for $9.95. It was very handy. That's ok though, I have another one
waiting for me in Texas which has a year subscription so it will be useful on the
way back for Live Traffic.

Last of the packing tonight to get everything in the vehicle...

We have a TON of stuff given to us by the sponsors and others, for the Mexican children...
They will be happy! We will be a lot lighter coming home...not kidding when I say we
have a lot.

Well here's to good travelling tomorrow...

more later

Thursday departure still a possibility

Posted by Jim at 6:37 AM

Looks like it was a decision well made and as it turned out we really wouldn't have had a choice anyway

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) have closed Interstate 29 from Fargo to the South Dakota border due to heavy snow, blowing snow, near zero visibility and icy conditions.

Motorists should be advised the Travel Alert remains in effect for central and eastern North Dakota. This Travel Alert includes the cities and surrounding areas of: Bismarck, Jamestown, Valley City, Grand Forks, Fargo and Wahpeton. A Travel Alert means motorists can still travel but may encounter areas of challenging winter weather driving conditions on roadways.

Also, Interstate 29 in South Dakota remains closed from Watertown to the North Dakota border.

oh oh....looks like Wednesday departure is out

Monday, February 27, 2012

Posted by Jim at 7:35 PM

Looking very much like we will be leaving Thursday rather than Wednesday and tacking 1 day on at the end.

Why?

Strength Severe
Threat Significant
Until Wed, Feb 29, 2012, 6:00 PM CST

Description

Major winter storm for parts of the region Tuesday evening into Wednesday. another storm system is targeting the northern plains for Tuesday night into Wednesday.

This appears to be a much stronger system with more snow and stronger winds than our previous weekend storm. At this time it appears that the southern red river valley into west central Minnesota would be hit with the worst of these conditions.

A foot or more of snow is possible across the southern red river valley tapering to around 6 inches along the highway 2 corridor. Gusty southeast winds are expected ahead of the system on Tuesday then winds should become more northerly by Wednesday as the system passes off to the east.

Significant reductions to visibility due to falling and blowing snow are possible. Unless something changes this storm would be the strongest so far this winter.

However there could still be some shifts in the track of the storm so later adjustments may be needed. Blizzard watch remains in effect from Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon.

* snow, heavy at times, should move into the southern red river valley Tuesday evening, spreading rapidly north Tuesday night and continue into Wednesday. * falling and blowing snow late Tuesday into Wednesday could result in near zero visibility at times in open country with wind gusts to 35 mph.

* snow accumulations of over a foot are possible along and south of the interstate 94 corridor, with lighter amounts to the north tapering off to around 6 inches along the highway 2 corridor. * this appears to be the strongest storm so far this winter so make plans now as travel will become difficult Tuesday night into Wednesday.

enough said...too bad when you've been counting down to a certain day...but when you think about it and other important things in life...means nothing!!!