| Above, snow on November 9, 2020. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Snow has started falling this afternoon in the Williams and Flagstaff areas of Arizona. That means it will reach here either tonight or tomorrow. Well, usually.
According to the National Weather Service the brunt of the storm will hit here on Thursday.
Here's their forecast:
| Above, last April at the KOA Kampground in Flagstaff. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
After RV camping over several years, I wondered why some campground have such late check-in times.
Naturally, campground/RV park operators have to make sure people have checked out of a campsite and it is left in a presentable state.
Generally, my driving days usually end around 2:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon (I am an early riser and like to get on the road before sunrise), so late check-in times have not been an issue. I have also checked into campgrounds earlier than the posted check-in time with no problem.
This is a topic of a Letter To The Editor at RV Travel.
They begin with:
We received this letter from Laura G. last week, and we think many of you can relate. How many times have you arrived at a campground early, only to find that you can’t park until your check-in time? How many times have you “killed time” to get to that hour of the day when you can check in?
Read on, and then please leave a comment for Laura.
To read more, go here.
| Above, the Navajo taco at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It is a long 200-mile stretch between Gallup, New Mexico and Flagstaff, Arizona on Interstate 40.
Sure, there are towns along the way with some having eateries available. But my choice along that stretch is the Four Elements Cafe at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort.
Four Elements Cafe is an attractive restaurant just off the main hotel lobby.
I stopped there while on my way to Flagstaff as I was craving a Navajo taco. If any place along the way has them, it would be there. Sure enough, they did.
One nice thing about the casino resort is that it has plenty of parking with a designated area for RVs.
The Navajo taco was very good and had me filled for most of the day. I highly recommend it.
| Above, The Beast at the Flagstaff KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Before things fade in memory, I added my review of the Flagstaff KOA Holiday to RV Life Campgrounds review website.
To access it and over 400 other reviews of the KOA, go here.
| Above, yours truly at the clampsite with a favorite beverage. |
The Spring Clampout of Lost Dutchman Chapter No. 5917 + 4 is now in the history books.
The clampout was held in Quartzsite, Arizona and the plaque dedication was for the Hagley Store, which is now in ruins (but somewhat protected).
| Above, the Hagley Store ruins. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The temperature was over 100° for the most part. We did get some relief on Saturday when a thick cloud cover moved into the area.
I left Jamestown on Wednesday and stayed Wednesday night at the Flagstaff KOA. This was the first time I stayed there since around 1987. I arrived at the clampsite about noon on Thursday.
| Above, the RV at the Flagstaff KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
For Friday night's dinner, we had jambalaya. It didn't look appetizing to some, but it actually was good and spicy hot.
| Above, the jambalaya dinner of Friday. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Saturday dinner was bar-b-que beef steak and all the trimmings.
On the way home Sunday, I met up with Mitch Geriminsky in Parker, Arizona's Blue Water Casino Hotel. While waiting for him, I managed to win a whopping fifty cents on an electronic version of roulette.
| Above, the Hagley Store plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
I stayed Sunday night at the Holbrook KOA as I got a late start on the road and I was tired. I also took advantage of the stay by emptying the motorhome's holding tanks.
| Above, clampers who were instrumental in erecting the plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The plaque dedication for the Hagley Store was well attended by clampers, local Quartzsite officials and townspeople.
| Above, the official clampout t-shirt. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
| Above, the front yard a few minutes ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
I took a look outside and the snow storm has arrived.
At present, we have about a half inch of snow on the ground. At least it isn't as bad (yet!) as Flagstaff, Arizona where they are getting pummeled. It is a light dusting, more or less. We can still use more.
Interstate 40, east and west bound lanes are closed from Winslow to Ash Fork due to snow and a bad accident near Williams involving semi trucks with some fatalities.
Here is a photo of Gallup a few hours ago from the New Mexico Dept. of Transportation camera:
| Above, the front yard on February 7, 2024. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It was nice to be able to wake up to having power to the house after two straight days of power outages. Both outages were due to downed power lines.
After getting up this morning, I fired up the heater to take the morning chill out. It sure beats sitting in a cold house covered in blankets and waiting for the power to come on.
The temperature is currently 21° outside.
I may have to invest in either a wood-burning or pellet-burning stove for future winters. I have a propane heating system, but that relies on electricity to fire it up.
This week brought two days of rain and snow. The snow total was around two inches altogether. Even though it is meager compared to past year's, at least the ground looks saturated. It sure is a fall cry compared to last winter. We're definitely in a drought.
This has been a dry winter, so far. Even Flagstaff, Arizona hasn't seen much snow this season. Until this past week, Flagstaff saw only just 5.9 inches since Oct. 1. Jamestown, New Mexico is at roughly the same elevation as Flagstaff.
Our next chance for rain/snow is on Tuesday (30% chance).
| Above, a nice roaring fire at the El Rancho Hotel on Sunday. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
On their opening page:
A slow moving storm is pushing east from Southern California into the Southwest bringing light, but continuous snow.
Already Prescott, Flagstaff and Sedona in Arizona had been getting snow. Jack Rabbit Trading Post in St. Joseph, Arizona reports none, so far.
The forecast now stands for Gallup/Jamestown, New Mexico:
Today
Merry Christmas to all!
Tomorrow is going to be possibly tricky when I head home. There is a chance (about 20%) of snow showers when I drive through the Flagstaff area on I-40. Well, I'll deal with that when the time comes.
| Above, ah, morning coffee! |
After a shave and shower in the motorhome, I had my usual orange juice and oatmeal breakfast so I could take my meds.
Now I am relaxing with some fresh brewed coffee.
Today, I will be doing a little shopping for this evening's "Secret Santa" game at Mitch and Holly Geriminsky's. It is a Christmas Eve tradition there.
It was a long drive from Jamestown, New Mexico to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. My stamina isn't what it used to be so I took some coffee and other rest breaks along the way. The first was at the main gate to Petrified Forest National Park. At around 200 miles, Flagstaff is the mid point of the drive.
The weather along the way wasn't bad.
I did notice that the Meteor City Trading Post looked cleaned up with the structures having a fresh coat of paint. The new owners are making progress. Maybe it will be opening for business again in the coming year.
In case I forget, Merry Christmas!
| Above, snow in Jamestown in 2020. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
I just checked the National Weather Service website for the week's weather in Jamestown, New Mexico.
They forecast a 50% chance of snow showers on Christmas Day. That's fine with me as I will be in Lake Havasu during that time with friends.
At present, my only concern is my return trip home. I have to drive through Flagstaff, Arizona on Interstate 40 and they could see snow during that time.
| Above, I-40 near Williams on December 28, 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
From the National Weather Service for Flagstaff:
Fortunately for me, I will have driven past Flagstaff before the storm arrives and will already be in Lake Havasu.
I checked Jamestown, New Mexico's weather for next week first and noted that a 30% chance of snow showers is forecast for Christmas Day.
The weather should be okay for the drive home after Christmas.
| Above, this made me wait out in Ehrenberg and Kingman two extra nights. |
So far, it looks like the weather for Christmas week will be sunny with no snow in the Flagstaff, Arizona area.
As of now, this is what Monday and Tuesday looks like for Flagstaff according to the National Weather Service:
Flagstaff is midway to Lake Havasu from Jamestown, New Mexico. I will be heading to Lake Havasu for Christmas.
A few years ago, I had a heck of a time getting home from Lake Elsinore, California after spending Christmas at my cousin's. I had to wait it out a little in Ehrenberg and Kingman, Arizona for Interstate 40 to thaw out from a heavy snow storm. The above photo from the Arizona Transportation Department shows what Interstate 40 in Flagstaff looked like then.
As usual, the first snow of the autumn season has fallen overnight in Jamestown, New Mexico.
I read yesterday that Flagstaff, Arizona got snow. I figured that it won't be long before we do also. Jamestown and Flagstaff are roughly at the same elevation. Sure enough, I took a look outside and there was a couple of inches or so of it on the ground.
The forecast for the rest of today, according to the National Weather Service:
| Above, Tee Pee Trading Post is about three miles from the derailment. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Given the fiery train derailment of yesterday, perhaps this will come as good news for the firefighters at the scene near Lupton, Arizona.
According to the National Weather Service, we're to get rain and possible snow showers overnight and today.
It is currently snowing in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The forecast:
Overnight
According to the New Mexico State Police, no time has been given for when it will reopen:
Train Derailment and Interstate 40 Closure Update: Westbound Interstate 40 will be closed to all westbound traffic at milepost 126 and diverted onto State Road 6 South. All Commercial Motor Vehicles and non-local residents traveling west on Interstate 40 are instructed to take Interstate 25 south at Albuquerque to Interstate 10 in Las Cruces to continue to travel west.Local residents of Laguna, Acoma, Grants, Gallup, etc., will be allowed to continue west past the road closure on Interstate 40 with proof of local residency.There is currently no projected end to this closure. Check NMRoads.com for the latest road conditions and follow NMStatePolice on social media for updates. NMDOT Arizona Department of Public Safety
This derailment has made the news around the country. Even Breitbart has an article on it.
Our group will be having our Saturday coffee/breakfast at Denny's in the Flying J Travel Center in Jamestown. I am curious if travelers will pack it while waiting for the reopening.
I saw that Flagstaff got some heavy snow overnight.
Thanks to westbound Interstate 40 being closed from Flagstaff, Arizona to Gallup, New Mexico, many trucks and cars had been diverted into Gallup, where they sat for hours causing a massive traffic jam at Exit 26.
As things turned out, my cardiologist could not make it into Gallup due to the above. He comes in from Albuquerque on Wednesdays. It was a good thing I didn't go into Gallup. We re-scheduled my appointment to May, but if something opens up sooner, they will call me.
No wonder Interstate 40 was closed, the snow amounts in Arizona as of this morning:
Buckle up!
The above indicates that rain and snow will be hitting northern Arizona this weekend, when I am supposed be going to Lake Havasu for Christmas. It is from the Flagstaff office of the National Weather Service.
I am keeping a close watch. I am most concerned about driving conditions in the Flagstaff area. Its elevation is 7,000 feet. High elevations snow is expected there on Friday.
According to the National Weather Service:
I may go a day earlier which the above indicates a "dry period".
Lake Havasu itself may see showers over the weekend.
| Above, the gun range bag is all packed up. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
However, that was before I checked the ten-day weather forecast with the National Weather Service last evening.
The route to Lake Havasu is on Interstate 40 which goes through Flagstaff. Therein lies the problem.
According to the National Weather Service, snow showers and rain are forecast in Flagstaff starting Tuesday through Saturday. Along with that, gusty winds are also forecast. The plan is to get on the road Friday in the motorhome, which appears to be the worst day with precipitation at 70%.
The Flagstaff forecast as of this morning:
If the forecast holds, then I would have to spend Christmas at home. What is most concerning are semi-trucks in the Flagstaff area. There's a history of major snow-related accidents involving semi-trucks in the Flagstaff area.
It is expected to snow on Friday in Jamestown.
According to the National Weather Service:
I will be following the forecast over the next several days to see if there are any changes.
The three storms this past week dumped a significant amount of snow in New Mexico. But those storms also dumped so much in Flagstaff, Arizona that it has reached number 4 in the National Weather Bureau's record books for January.
They posted:
The latest January snowfall for Flagstaff ranks as the 4th highest on record, beating the infamous January of 2010. We have 11 days left this month to see if we climb any higher - 3rd place is within reach.
Flagstaff has the most robust snowfall record we have for northern AZ with records reaching back to 1898. As it stands, January hasn't seen this much snow since 1980, 43 years ago!
It is interesting that 1949 is number one. That's the same year that Los Angeles got an extremely rare snowstorm.