Long Winter Journey To The West

Long Winter Journey To The West - Part 3

This is part 3 of this trip. For other parts use these links:

Part 1: http://www.barefootwalk.net/2023/06/long-winter-journey-to-west-part-1-al.html

Part 2: http://www.barefootwalk.net/2023/06/long-winter-journey-to-west-part-2.html

Part 4: http://www.barefootwalk.net/2023/06/long-winter-journey-to-west-part-4.html

Part 5: http://www.barefootwalk.net/2023/06/long-winter-journey-to-west-part-5.html

Part 6: http://www.barefootwalk.net/2023/06/long-winter-journey-to-west-part-6.html

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December 2022

A storm coming from California and heading east was all over the news but when I hit the road I thought I'll have enough time to drive through Gila wilderness and mountains from New Mexico to Arizona. It seemed far away from me but I was wrong. As soon as I hit the road, it started snowing. It was a nice snow in the beginning.

But it covered everywhere within minutes.

The main problem wasn't the snow itself, it was the sudden drop in temperature that turned the snow to ice. First I was following the tracks of other cars but after a while I was the only one driving the road. I slipped off the road many times and after an hour the slope increased dramatically so I wasn't moving under control either. It was constant struggling between me and all natural elements (icy snow, cold weather, wind and high slope).

Later I recalled I was so nervous, I didn't take any pictures. I managed to turn around in decent spot and head back to lower elevation. A few other cars that had stopped behind me long time ago, were sheltering in a small community at lower elevation, just next to the road. I decided I better head back and drive through I-10 to Arizona.

The southern road was much better, although it was windy and rainy but nothing compared to the pass I was trying to drive that morning.

But best of all was funny city names: Truth And Consequences! and a lot of Mexican style adobe, chili and food.

I ended up driving at night but the campsite I was heading to was one of my favorites and I knew that campsite very well.

It was late night when we arrived and I only managed to have some food and went straight to bed. I was surprised the next morning to see this usually warm campsite has hit by snow storm as well and there was iced snow on the ground. Twyla didn't seem very surprised.

The main reason I was kind of in hurry to be in a more stable campsite was my interview. Yes I had another interview, so I prepared myself and I had a very good internet connection as well.