From: wolverine01@charter.net   
      
   On 5/1/2025 8:51 PM, Carol wrote:   
   > sticks wrote:   
   >   
   >> On 4/30/2025 9:25 AM, Ralph E Lindberg wrote:   
   >>> On 2025-04-29 20:47:31 +0000, sticks said:   
   >>   
   >> One thing is for sure, I will never again plan going over the   
   >> mountains in cold conditions again.  Too much stress.  I will take   
   >> the southern route getting to Utah or AZ next time.  If that means 4   
   >> days, so be it.   
   >   
   > I remember the transfer from San Diego to Norfolk VA.  Don can't drive   
   > due to medical issues.  We packed the car with everything critical and   
   > Charlotte's bed/playpen.  Something told us we'd need it.   
   >   
   > I planned the southern route as far as possible with only 2 planned   
   > diversions.  Don wanted to see the Alamo so we stopped there.  In   
   > Birmingham I wanted to meet an old friend so we stopped there.  Rest   
   > was 10-14 hours driving for the most part.  Frequent stops to change   
   > Charlotte's diapers.   
   >   
   > The first motel had a loaner crib that fell apart as soon as we put her   
   > in it so we rearranged the back of the car and used the Grayco   
   > pack-n-play.  We kept it on top of the various bags and boxes after   
   > that.   
   >   
   > Not knowing what to expect, I'd snagged snow chains (didn't need but   
   > had incase) and had winter tires put on the car.  We escaped all the   
   > snow and only saw it as we were entering Norfolk and it was snowing   
   > fairly heavy as we pulled up to the inlaws.   
   >   
   > The final stint was almost 18 hours driving with minimal breaks as we   
   > knew snow was headed in and I was determined to get there first.  Yes,   
   > alternative plan was hole up in Richmond but fortunately it held up   
   > just long enough.  Norfolk got 10inches of snow in the end but less   
   > than an inch before I got us to Don's parents who were housing us until   
   > we could get into our apartment (pre-rented when in San Diego with help   
   > of Fleet and Family Services, a military associated assistance to us   
   > Navy as we transfer.   
   >   
   > If not familiar with Norfolk/Virginia beach/'Hampton Roads' area, we   
   > are the east coast 'snow line'.  Most years we get only a dusting of   
   > snow but we have odd years with a foot or more.  We are only funded for   
   > snow gear for the average.  That means almost nothing.  I knew enough   
   > to scoot home before it or wait 3 days for melt off.   
      
      
   Mostly pretty good weather there, but when it snows big, man it is hell.   
     I was there once when all the pines were leaning over from the heavy   
   wet snow.  My one boy is a cop just up the road in Richmond.   
      
   His mom moved them there against my wishes when he and his brother were   
   young.  I was "allowed" to see them one time at Christmas.  I left our   
   home in northern Illinois at 9PM leaving a house full of Christmas   
   guests with my wife.  Drove straight to Richmond and picked them up, and   
   then took off and drove straight to Cape Coral Florida.  That was one   
   hell of a drive at a little over 1800 miles, but seeing my boys allowed   
   me to stay awake I guess.  Probably kill me if I tried that now.   
      
      
      
      
   --   
   Better Days Ahead!   
   Darwinism Is Junk Science!!   
      
   --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)