Still Another Weather Experience - Blizzard Near Flagstaff Arizona...The Move East

Date: January 19, 2017 to January 22, 2017

Location: California to Missouri

Personal Reflections: 

I am destined to experience the worst weather when I am with Dirk, but before we get to that...

Born and raised in California, I never planned on moving away. Never thought I would ever consider it. Then I met Dirk. We saw each other off and on, traveling here and there. I even stayed in Branson Missouri about 4 1/2 months, but move? Nah...

Once we seriously started talking about it, I started making pro/con lists. Too many of them really, but I wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into.

My 3 top reasons for not moving to Missouri were:

• Missing my boys
• The weather
• Fresh fruit & vegetables

I'm sure the first 2 times are self explanatory but let me mention the third. Californians are spoiled when it comes to fresh fruit and vegetables. I've traveled enough around the US to see that, really, nothing compares. Over my life, I have often told other Californians that we are so willing to cement over farmlands to build more or bigger cities and that we don't appreciate what we really have. I still feel that way.

But in the end, the decision is relatively simple. I officially retired early in 2016 but continued working as a retired annuitant for most of the year.  It was time to quit working and make the biggest change I could possibly make.

The move date was set for January 19^th. Dirk flew in a few days before to help me finish packing and our friend, Michael, flew in on the 17^th to help us move back. The plan was to hitch a U-Haul trailer to my CRV and Michael and I would take turns driving. Well, to be truthful, Michael would probably be doing most, if not all, the driving.

As the guys packed the trailer, it soon became obvious that I had too much stuff. At first I started culling things out, but then I finally had to admit we needed something bigger. I called U-Haul and told them the situation. Luckily, they had a small truck available so the next morning...yes, the morning we were set to leave, we had to haul the trailer back and transfer the stuff in it to a truck. And of course, it was raining but we got stuff situated and went back to my apartment to finish the packing.

So with Michael driving the truck and me driving the CRV, we finally left Roseville around 11am. I started crying at the Sacramento/Placer county line and didn't stop until we hit the San Joaquin county line. Still couldn't believe I was leaving everything I know. And yes, the doubts were there.

We made it to beautiful Barstow that night and delayed leaving in the morning so Michael could watch Trump's inauguration. A big day for so many Americans who are tired of the "politics as usual" politicians we have in Washington.

We stopped for gas in Lake Havasu and checked the weather. There was snow and lots of it around Flagstaff. Dirk's sister was on her way there for vacation and told us to avoid the area, so we headed south. The idea was to hook up to Interstate 10 and eventually work our way north again, missing the snow storm. Everything was going as planned. After a while, looking at a map, it was decided if we changed course and headed north, we'd be ahead of the storm, so off we went.

It was dark when we hit the mountainous area of Arizona. What we didn't realize is that we had driven into the heart of the storm. I was suspicious when a few "splats" hit the windshield, but it was short-lived and I was relieved. Then we started really climbing and the "splats" came more and more.

I should state that I have NEVER driven in snow of any sort and really never wanted to. I had asked Michael that once we got to Missouri could he give me some lessons on driving in snow. What I meant was driving when the snow stopped, the roads were clear and I HAD to get out for some reason.

Now, here we are and I'm going to get my lesson under fire. The snow started coming down very hard. We called Michael in the truck behind us and I told the guys I wanted to stop. They told me we couldn't or we'd get stuck. This was not just snow...it was a blizzard. I started crying, sobbing really, and didn't stop for the next 3 hours.

Michael and Dirk spent the 3 hours talking to me; telling me exactly how to drive..."go slower"..."speed up a little bit"..."don't worry about anyone going around you"..."you have to move over, the snow plow is coming"..."don't hit your breaks hard"..."apply steady pressure to your breaks" and so on....

I was gripping that steering wheel so hard and my jaw was clenched so tight. I just wanted to stop and barring that, I could picture myself going off the side of the road. Later Michael told me how lucky we were the downgrade was so gradual. He was really worried.

When we finally came out of the mountains, there was still plenty of snow but the highway had been plowed well. We finally stopped and when Dirk and I got to our room, I totally fell apart. They both promised me I would NEVER have to drive in snow again. Exhausted, I fell asleep.

The next morning, I awoke tired and sore from the ordeal. I looked out the window and you could hear the wind come out of my sails...snow. It felt like a huge weight just settled on me. I fell apart...tears falling anew. I told Dirk I wouldn't leave but he said we had to. I told them they could go ahead and I'd stay at the hotel until the weather cleared. I mean, I'm used to driving alone but they wouldn't leave me there. Michael said we had to leave and get a head of the storm that was right behind us. "Never" had arrived sooner than I ever thought it would.

Off we went and we seemed to stay just ahead of it. Stopping for gas at the border of Arizona & New Mexico, the owner of the station told me how New Mexico only has a couple of plows and doesn't maintain the highway. That scared me. There was snow across the desert but somehow we stayed just out of reach. Another gas stop in New Mexico and the snow started coming down. I felt like that damn storm was chasing us until finally we headed a little south and the storm a little north.

I have to admit, I've never seen snow in the desert and it really is beautiful. I didn't mind it when I was able to look out and see it on the landscape. The rest of our trip home to Missouri was uneventful, but I sure was glad to get there and be done with this trip.

Maybe January isn't the best time to move. Michael joked about me wanting to learn how to drive in snow. Truly, I had no business driving but was put in the situation and got through it. But I also know I would not have gotten through it without Dirk and Michael. Michael spent 3 hours directing a hysterical person through a blizzard while Dirk spent 3 hours getting me to hold on and not totally fall apart. Thank you both...you really are the best and I love you both!

So as I was saying at the beginning of this blog, I seem destined to experience the extremes of weather with Dirk. We had the April 2016 tornado scare in Missouri, the October 2016 hurricane in Florida and now, the January 2017 blizzard in Arizona. What's next?...*knocks on wood*

Southern Pacific Engine 2252 & Snowplow - Roseville, California

DATE VISITED:  03/28/2015

HISTORICAL SITE:  The Mighty 2252 & Snowplow

LOCATION:  Atlantic St. & Vernon St., Roseville, Placer Co., CA

DEDICATED:  October 13, 2004

"In the early 1900's a decision by Southern Pacific Railroad to relocate its regional operations to this helped turn a small town once known as Junction into the City of Roseville. Locomotive 2252 is a symbol of this history and of the social and economic impact of the railroad on Roseville.

The 2252 was manufactured by Cooks Locomotive & Machine Company of Patterson, New Jersey, in March 1897, as one of 38 identical T-1 class locomotives built that year. Only 2, the 2252 and the 2248 located in Texas, remain.

A locomotive is traditionally classified by wheel configuration. The SP 2252 is considered a 4-6-0 because the engine has 10 wheels consisting of four lead carry wheels, six large drive wheels, and no trailing carry wheels.

Originally numbered SP 1838, the engine became the 2252 when Southern Pacific's numbering system was changed in 1901. The locomotive was first used for freight service along the Donner Pass Line. On May 27, 1929, it was selected and equipped to fight snow-shed, brush, and forest fires along the Donner Pass route in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

 After nearly three decades as a firefighting locomotive, the 2252 was officially retired on February 27, 1956 and subsequently donated to Roseville through the efforts of the Roseville Junior Chamber of Commerce. On April 25, 1956, as part of the "Cinderama" celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of Southern Pacific's relocation to Roseville, it was placed on display at the Placer County Fairgrounds.

In 2001, the Community Coalition for the Relocation of the 2252 was formed when a planned expansion at the Fairgrounds made it necessary to consider options for relocating the locomotive. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Coalition, Roseville Historical Society, City of Roseville, Placer County Fair Board of Directors and the community an agreement was reached to place the 2252 on permanent display at this site.

On October 13, 2004, after a ceremony that featured a "bon voyage" christening by Roseville City officials and a train whistle salute by local students, the 70 ton locomotive was transported across the city. Today, the "Mighty 2252" steam locomotive stands as a vivid testament to Roseville's proud railroad heritage."

   

**closer look below

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS: I've gone by this monument several times knowing that at some point I'd make my way there. This monument is more of a local thing for Roseville although the history of the railroad in Roseville is well documented and has been recognized by both State and Federal historical designations.

The monument was so complete that I dont really have a lot to add. It must have cost them quite a bit! But to be honest, I really love one of the picture, I took and I can't just put some random picture, out there without an explanation, so I figured I'd just give the highlights in the life of the SP 2252. 

Next to the SP 2252, sat an older snowplow. It's history is also detailed on a plaque nearby, but it was the blades that I found so interesting.
 
But back to our SP 2252... 

1897 - built by Cooke, one of 38 identical locomotives built, given the designation as SP 1838...was used for freight on the Donner Pass line until something more powerful came along. 

1901 - SP changed their numbering system and the locomotive became SP 2252.

1929 - modified to become a "fire train". Was stationed at Cisco, Truckee, Summit or Blue Canyon. These trains were extremely important in fighting the wildfires started by other steam locomotives, particularly snow sheds at the higher elevations. They protected the route that was built in the 1860's by the Central Pacific Railroad as part of the Transcontinental Railroad. 

1950's - taken out of fire service with the introduction of diesel locomotives and modern firefighting methods.  

1956 - retired and put on display at the Placer County Fairgrounds. Only 2 survive to this day and only one, in Texas, is still in use.

2004 - moved to its current site at one of the entrances to old Roseville.

Once I was done, I checked to see what kind of restaurants were nearby and I saw a place called Chubby's. Remembering a friend at work had asked if I had ever been there...I figured it was time.

TripAdvisor review here.   

  

My First Outing...First Transcontinental Railroad - Roseville, California

DATE VISITED: 02/03/2015

HISTORICAL SITE: First Transcontinental Railroad - Roseville

LOCATION: Depot Park, Church St & Washington Blvd, Roseville, Placer Co.

MARKER #:  780.1

DEDICATED: May 9, 1969

"Central Pacific graders reached Junction, now Roseville, November 29, 1863, crossing the line of the California Central, which began building northward from Folsom in May 1858. That line was abandoned in 1868. CP's track reached Junction April 25, 1864, when trains began making daily runs 18 miles to and from Sacramento. Now Roseville is a major railroad distribution center."

**closer look below....

MARKER PLACED BY: State Department Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Conference of California Historical Societies and the Placer County Historical Society

RESTAURANT: Pacific Street Cafe - 301 Lincoln St., Roseville, CA

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS: 

First of all, no, it's not Monday.  

I had asked my sister to accompany me and she couldn't on Monday so I held off until Tuesday, only for her to tell me she couldn't that day either.  So off I went by myself.  I had decided to go somewhere close to home as my first adventure.  All I can say is thanks to Waze, a community based GPS application, that always seems to get me where I need to be, although sometimes in a circuitous path. 

After circling the block once, I parked my car in an old section of Roseville and walked to the monument.  I took my camera out and then felt very foolish.  I mean, this is basically my home territory and here I am taking pictures.  It was one of those..take a quick picture and then look around to see if anyone was watching.  Of course no one was and I'm sure I looked more silly acting like I did.   

Other than the monument, there really isn't anything to see.  This is a very busy area in Roseville. When I turned to leave, I saw this very detailed mural on the wall of a building.  This picture doesn't do it justice...you can't get the feeling of the horses and carriage coming out of the mural.  

Around the corner was the site of one of Roseville's original homes but the current building was built in 1927, the year my Dad was born.  After being a bank and a newspaper office, the building currently houses a nightclub.  Well, I should say it did...the doors are chained up.

 

Using a "near me" application on my phone, I was able to find several restaurants.  I picked the Pacific Street Cafe for breakfast and it was delicious.  Fun was watching the trains rumble by.  The food was good and I have to say I went home excited from my first outing.

 

 

TripAdvisor review here....