Well we got here safely and loaded down for this two week adventure at our cabin as the whole immediate family will spend the day after Christmas through the day after New Year's with us. This is our first winter adventure here and so far its exciting to say the least. We made good time despite some back ups due to crashes along the way, but we fortunately stayed clear and safe from them. Many thanks to all who kept us in your thoughts and prayers for traveling mercies as we left at 4 AM and got her at 4 PM. We made several stops to walk, gas up at the lowest at 1.85, eat at Mickey D's for both breakfast and lunch and to stock up at Sam's Club in Columbia, S.C. The truck was packed to the above the full mark but everything made it in one piece as we stuffed items in between items and packages. We brought all of Christmas packages here for the kiddo's and that is what made the truck so fully loaded down.
When we got above the continental divide mark we began seeing patches of snow and ice in the woods and along side the road where the sunshine failed to reach. The temps were 45 at the lowest and of course the temps in the cabin were at 40 degrees, so we opened the doors while I turned on the water and cleared the tarp covering the compressor for the mini split to allow the warm 45 degrees to drive the chilled 40 degrees out before we started everything that would throw off some heat. We had every candle lit, oven on, light on, both portable fireplace and tower heater full blast as well as the mini split. It took about an hour to get the inside temps up to a balmy 60 degrees which felt like a heat wave. Eventually it reached the 70's but the basement was like an ice box. I think I'll see about having a mini split installed down there for heat as the kiddos are planning on sleeping down there as well as Tyler wants to work from there for a couple days. I can use it in the summer as a dehumidifier and if we make this a tradition as Bobby mentioned we will have heat in the basement.
We had daylight for an hour or so then dusk settled in and by nightfall the wind arrived. Much like a March wind that comes in like a lion. Wow, I mean it rattled the window screens and moved some porch items around all night long and we can hear the wind in the towers on top of the mountains. That wind drops the temps down considerably with the wind chill. We worked unto 9'ish and then it was a hot shower for me and I climbed into the bed with the warm flannel sheets which are fantastic on a cold bed.
Well we have our hands full today Tuesday with lots of getting the cabin ready for the kiddos. It will be fun no doubt if we aren't blow away before everyone gets here. We will meet up with the Luffman's for supper in town and then tomorrow with Jake and Katelyn for supper at their place. I'm hoping to get in a hike to the top of the mountain today for some added exercise, LATER
