I hate winter, especially snow. The last time I wintered in Oregon, it was along the Pacific Coast — no snow all winter. But where I am now was somewhat shocking. I'm in ski country, 3200 feet above sea level. And so I faced something I never thought I would again — winter storms.
Thursday, November 13, 2014 – 3 p.m.
“The first significant winter storm for the Pacific Northwest is now
Unfolding and is forecast to last into Friday, and winter storm
warnings
And winter weather advisories are in effect, with Oregon likely seeing
the greatest impacts. With plenty
of moisture being lifted above the cold arctic airmass near the surface with a
mid-level disturbance moving overhead, widespread snow is likely, with some
areas receiving in excess of eight inches of snow before the event is over. Some sleet and freezing rain is a good
possibility for the lower elevations near the Cascades and western Oregon.” --
National Weather Service 11-13-14.
As winters go, I’ve been through much worse. But this time
it’s a little different. I’m at the western base of the Cascade Mountain Range
in Oregon. I’m at Tumalo State Park volunteering as a caretaker.
The park is closed for the winter due to reconstruction of
almost all of its buildings. I have very little to do here except be a
presence. There’s lots of construction equipment around and the fact that I
have my lights on at night is supposed to discourage theft. I open the day use
area gate around 7:30 a.m. and close it around 6 p.m., well after sunset. But
it’s my day off so I’ll let someone else deal with it. Otherwise, I’m here by
myself and I sort of like it that way since I’m using the time to catch up on
my writing and some other digital projects. I’ve met a couple of people, but
the winter weather has added to the isolation, as I am now unable to travel.
While the road has been plowed this morning, more snow has
made the road impassible for me as my non-snow tires need replacing and I don’t
dare risk the hill to the entrance.
It has been fairly moderate compared to many of the winters
I’ve experienced in the New York metropolitan area. There’s only about seven
inches on the ground since it began snowing around 3 a.m. The wind is light, so
there is no drifting. And though it’s early compared to the winters where I was
raised, it is nothing I won’t survive.
The initial snowfall was almost six inches, but another two
inches of a mix of snow and sleet fell adding 2” of treacherous ice.
But circumstances are different because I’m living in a
trailer and am none too bright about winter RVing. And it is very inconvenient.
The early (for me) winter has been in the forecast for some
time now. And I have prepared myself for it. The water line has frozen several
times, so I spent about $200 to have a heated hose. I also purchased a small
space heater to place under my holding tanks to prevent freezing and cracking.
Earlier this year, I purchased a new space heater to replace the two-year old
unit I had that was breaking down. It generally keeps the trailer warm and it
is one of those heaters with a fireplace simulation. I have missed a fireplace
for a long time. I had one when I lived with my family in New Jersey during the
1950s, but not since then. My son and his wife have one in their house and they
make the most of it.
When the space heater can’t keep up, usually when the
weather drops below 20º, I also have propane heat as a back up. I am comforted
by the fact I survive a massive blizzard in South Dakota about a year ago.
Power went out and the propane kept me warm, cooked my food and ran the
refrigerator.
So I am comfortable, but I also have a few problems,
especially since last night as I prepared for the storm. After I had purchased
the heated hose, I discovered the water supply was frozen. This required me to
plug in its heater. After connecting everything, I turned on the water in the
bathtub to let me know when the line defrosted. Alas, I fell asleep and woke up
to find the tub halfway full and the drain plug not there. Now this may mean
that “grey” water tank is full to capacity (I drained it the day before) or that
something is frozen under the trailer. I suspect it is both. Last night, I
attempted to drain the tank and the valve is frozen. It has been cold, with the
high temperatures not exceeding freezing for several days. It’s been as cold as
10º F at night. I don’t foresee temperatures exceeding 32º until Sunday, four
days away. So I’m stuck with a sink full of dishes until then. The other
holding tank, called “black water” is for sewage. It was also drained the day
before and it is viable until its frozen valve is also loosened on Sunday.
And so, while I have plenty of food, it will have to be
cooked on paper plates, as the sink is full of dirty dishes. This will mostly
be convenience food such as chicken potpies, chicken bakes, and canned meals. Fortunately,
I remembered to purchase paper plates the night before as there were only a few
left.
While the area directly in front of my entrance was clear because I left the awning out, I could barely emerge as it weighed down the awning, blocking the door. When I did get outside, I spent about an hour clearing it off and dumping it. I then put the awning up to prevent more problems. But frozen rain made my walk a sheet of ice.
As I emerged from the trailer around noon, I was barely able
to do so. I had not closed my awning and there was about six inches of snow on
it. The awning had sagged blocking the door. I wedged myself and Pup the dog
out and was unable to go anywhere he considered respectful. He prefers grass.
So he hid under the trailer and did his business as I spent nearly an hour
clearing the snow off the awning. It took several times to bring the awning
down, shake out the snow, and pushing it over the awning. I finally got the
snow cleared and put up the awning. I then had to put things such as firewood
under the trailer that the awning had been protecting.
I then turned my attention to the rest of the area. I
discovered I had left the truck’s tailgate down after emptying the firewood I
had purchased the night before. So that was one more thing to clean. I then
took a few photos, though I just wanted to document the storm for this article.
I was beginning to get chills and had no interest in shooting “beauty”
snowscapes.
Dumb Move: I stocked up and got extra firewood in anticipation of the storm. I forgot to put the tailgate up after unloading.
A small issue is garbage disposal. The nearby dumpsters are
also covered with snow and so that shall also require some cleaning off before
being used. Fortunately, I emptied the trash in anticipation of the snow.
The road by my campsite was plowed earlier in the day,
probably around 8 a.m. This was to enable the park’s construction workers into
their work area. But we’ve had another four inches since then so it is of
little use to me. I will also have to shovel the driveway even though my truck
was practically on the road as the plow gave it much leeway. Since I’m at the
top of a hill, I’m not moving. When I bought the current pickup, I purchased a
larger engine but sacrificed four-wheel capability. I also need new tires soon
and I don’t want to chance the hill until the ground is clear, which isn’t
likely for a while.
Dumb Move #2: After attaching $200 heated hose and plugging in water source heater, I opened up the tub to let me know when water was running. I fell asleep and didn't hear it start. Water filled to the middle of the tub and since it was frozen in the discharge area, I couldn't wash dishes or shower for a week.
As the construction workers are gone over the next few days
(they only work Monday- to-Thursdays) I suspect a time of blissful isolation. I
will use it to work on my projects and Harry Potter and NCIS marathons are
definitely part of the agenda. Naps certainly are also a prime consideration.
So please excuse me while I take one.
By the way, it’s still snowing.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
The snow ended yesterday afternoon, but I am still
snowbound. At the moment, it is -4º and -10º with the wind chill. I am safe and
warm as Pup and I have excellent heat with a high-wattage fireplace/space
heater that is supplemented by gas heat. The floor of my trailer is cool to the
touch and that is due to the open space under the trailer.
And that is the crucial problem at this time. I had placed a
small space heater directly under the wastewater valve, and it finally thawed
today. But when opening it, I discovered that at least part of the grey water
holding tank’s water is frozen. Nothing will flow out. And with the partially
filled bathtub water in place, I am worried that the tank will burst. I will
not know for several days, as the temperature will not rise above freezing for
some time, probably Tuesday. In the meantime, I am not bathing or washing
dishes. Most of the food I am eating is of the convenience type. But other than
a slight cold, I’m OK.
The release valve on the tank dump was frozen, despite having a space heater right under it. It wasn't until the rear of the trailer was surrounded by cement blankets that it defrosted the tanks. The valve handle broke, but fortunately it only cost $1.98 to replace.
But this is the coldest weather I can remember enduring. I
mean in my entire lifetime. In the New York Metro Area suburbs, where I have
lived most of my life, there have been many violent snowstorms due to
Nor’easters. But within a day or too, the snow melts on the road. If anything,
the below-zero temperatures have solidified all the ice on the road. I’m not
afraid of draining my propane as I filled both tanks just before arriving here.
But if the electric goes out, I’m not sure about what to do. But it probably
involves calling for help and several nights in a motel.
Today, I ventured into the park. It has a quiet beauty but
is quite desolate. The workers who are refurbishing the park are off from
Friday to Sunday and there is no trace of them. Yesterday, one of the rangers
dropped by to make sure I was OK and to tell me that the road had been plowed.
But there was no salt and sand and it is filled with ice from when the snow
turned into sleet. My truck, which is about 10 feet off the plowed area, would
not be able to get back up the hill by the park entrance even if I did decide
to drive it. My tires have 45K on them and are in need of replacement now and
unlike my previous truck, it is two, not four-wheel equipped.
The snow added a quiet beauty to the deserted park, which is closed for construction.
The “Gator,” a utility vehicle about the size of a golf
cart, has four-wheel drive and tires designed for mud and snow. I have taken it
over to the day use area a couple of times in order to open and close the gate.
The day use area is supposed to close at 6 p.m., but sunset was around 4:45
p.m. and I went over around 4:30 p.m. and chased a few visitors away by telling
them that it was too hazardous to drive there after dark. Indeed it is. The
road was plowed for one lane only and turning a car around could easily get it
stuck in the snow.
The Gator, a four-wheel vehicle with snow/mud tires, helped me around the park. Since it had no license plate, it couldn't be used on public roads.
I didn’t leave the trailer yesterday (Friday), as it was my
day off. However, this morning I found a pair of cars at the bottom of the hill
inside the campgrounds and the gate had been opened. I took pictures and sent
them to my ranger and they were gone by evening.
I also had misplaced my phone. On Wednesday night, the eve
of the storm, I had bought supplies and filled up my gas tank. I left the phone
in the car and when I discovered it under the driver’s seat, I was very
relieved. The battery was drained and it was going to voice mail with messages,
but at least was there. I had worried that it had fallen out of my pocket and
was under the snow. For a while, I was able to use it to go on line as it was
set to the hot spot. But when it lost power, so did my Internet connection.
I have not tried to work on my projects. I just don’t feel
like writing anything other than this missive. I was way too bored with the NCIS
and Harry Potter movie marathons I planned, but I watched some Batman and TNT’s
“The Librarian” movies. Other than that, I’ve been re-reading a Tom Clancy
novel on my Kindle.
I sort of imagine this is God’s way of telling me I was in
need of some down time. I remain bored and filled with thoughts of the next
nap. I am surprised that I am not depressed. Despite being alone, I don’t feel
lonely. I am often overcome with loneliness this time of year. The days are
short and depressing. I have an immense need for people and I do not have it at
the moment.
At the same time, I am gaining patience because I have no
choice. But then, how much choice do I have in my life?
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Facebook Post thanking Josie and FB friends who helped keep me in contact with the world.
At Last! The freeze has broken. And with it, assurance that
my system issues will not repeat. I owe much to the park ranger, Josie. Last
night was the first I dared to go into town to get supplies. Josie had sanded
the roads in the park and we had talked about other things. By the time I
returned, a path to the door had been shoveled, the rear was surrounded with
cement blankets (they are not made out of cement, they are designed to cover
cement), And with the small space heater located under the trailer, the holding
tanks finally melted.
After the storm, construction workers returned and removed cement blankets to continue working on rebuilding bath/shower/laundry building. In the foreground is a cement blanket, which the ranger used to insulate my tanks and defrost them.
I was able to open up the “grey” water tank – the tank
containing dishwater and bath water – and drained it onto the ground. It was
virtually all fresh water from the other day when I slept through the
defrosting of the water line. I can now have a shower. I also drained the
“black” water – sewage – into a holding tank and then poured it into a site
with a functional drainage. Later in the day, I again opened the grey water
tank after a shower, but the handle snapped off. Fearing the cost of a major
plumbing repair, I went to the local RV dealer and was relieved to discover the
handle screwed into the system and a replacement part was $1.98.
Between the heated hose and the portable holding tank, I
spent more than $300. But at least I won’t have to worry about winter issues
again.
A nearly-undectable leak created ice under much of the trailer
Footnote: The next week, I purchased a new set of tires. The
truck’s original ones were designed for a 50,000 mile tread life and I know
have about 48,000 miles on the truck. My next assignment starting on New Year’s
Day requires me to cross back over the mountains and I am quite relieved that I
will be able to handle the weather.
