A TOUCH OF SPRING WITH A HINT OF WINTER
Before turning to the topic of the day, weather, I would like to call your attention to the gift shop page (tab under heading photo). Utilizing the security of Paypal, we now have available autographed copies of all four of my travel guides. In the coming weeks we will be adding select prints.
I am not attempting to stampede anyone to ordering books. However, I would be remiss if it were not noted that I have only six copies of Ghost Towns of Route 66 remaining available and it could be a few weeks before my next order arrives. If your order is delayed, I will notify you immediately.
Now, the big news maker, our snow storm. Most of the last ten days were delightful with temperatures hovering around seventy degrees. On Friday we had one of our “breezy” spring days with winds whistling in gusts exceeding forty miles per hour.
On Saturday afternoon it began to rain and hail. That evening it snowed and then it cleared up, and snowed some more on Sunday.
For the uninitiated, that is situation normal as far as late winter and early spring goes here in Kingman. I have seen storms such as this occur as late as the first weekend in May. My wife’s grandfather, a born storyteller, claimed that when he was working in Chloride during the 1940s, they had 2 foot of snow in mid May.
Storms of any kind add stunning beauty to the vast landscapes. Winter storms with a dusting of snow on the mountains transforms everything into something truly awe inspiring.
The great thing about the snow in Kingman is that we usually get just enough to enjoy the stunning beauty of the stark desert frosted with snow framed by majestic snow covered mountains. It is also just enough to remind me why I choose to live here rather than Minnesota, or Michigan, or Montana, or Wisconsin.
With most snow storms it only stays on the ground for a day or so and seldom do accumulations exceed four or five inches. However, Hualapai Mountain Park 12 miles south of town, and everything 15 or more miles east of here, usually takes a pounding during these storms and as a result, I-40 and Route 66 are often closed.
The one exception was back in 1978. We had almost a foot of snow and temperatures stayed below freezing for a week. As luck would have it, I was care taking an unfinished house on Oatman Road (the pre 1952 alignment of Route 66) and working at a sawmill in McConnico at the time.
As the snow has a tendency to vanish rather quickly around these parts, my dearest friend and I rushed out shortly after sunrise to see what unique views we could capture. Specifically we wanted some photos of the old wagon road at White Cliffs with a rare dusting of snow. These will be submitted for the Mohave County exhibit being developed for the Powerhouse Visitor Center, a state centennial project.
I will post the results of our little expedition later this week. In addition, I will post a few others taken this morning at the site of Fort Beale and along segments of Route 66.
A couple of quick, unrelated notes. Does anyone out there know of any surviving Studebaker Scotsman models?
Last but not least, this bout of much needed moisture, and the expectation of warm temperatures in the next week or so, should result in a stunning display of wildflowers soon. You will have to be quick as they seldom survive long but I will keep you posted.