Brrrrr! 19 degrees at 9 P.M.

Roads in southeast Wyoming are closed tonight because of the snowstorm. It is drifting and the temperature is to get down to 16 tonight. The day actually started out in the 40's with some sunshine. I decided to run to Torrington to top off the propane bottle that I'd used part of since filling on Tuesday. I had used about 4 gallons since Tuesday I found out when they topped it off at Panhandle Co-op. Our nights have been in the 20's this week with some wind. Tonight the winds are approx. 30 mph. Also filled up the gas can and bought a bottle of 2 cycle oil for my trusty 1000 watt generator should the power fail. We could run the furnace with it if need be. After picking up mail and filling the propane bottle I stopped at the grocery store and restocked the comfort food. Donuts with sprinkles are definitely called for on a snowy morning. When we arrived back south of Hawk Springs the weather was still nice with a little sunshine and only a few snowflakes. After stowing the propane bottle and groceries I took the 4 bigger doggies for walkies about 1:30. We walked a couple of miles with snowflakes falling and not much wind so it was a wonderful walk down the unmaintained road. I heard the girgling call of Sandhill Cranes and saw them overhead heading south ahead of the storm. Their footprints were all over the road as well. We got back to the 5th wheel just as the storm clouds burst with snow, wind and cold. In a period of about 5 minutes the temperature went from 42 down to 27. You can see the view above through our window. The mountains are completely socked in as you can see from the picture with my truck in it. You'd never guess there are mountains out there. Spent the rest of the afternoon doing computer work. Tonight we are snug as bugs in a rug with the furnace set to about 72. Linda brought over some of Larry's terrific hot chili! Perfect on a night like tonight. Time to have some hot tea and cuddle up with the kids and read my book. Linda just called on the radio to tell me it's already 19 degrees and it's only 9 p.m.! It can only get colder. We are still cozy.