FREEZING in Valley of the Gods: BRRRRRRR

When we decided to stay in the Valley of the Gods for Thanksgiving the weather forecast looked great!  Highs in the mid 60s (perfect for hiking) and lows in the 30s & 40s (perfect for sleeping).

But then the forecast changed, and we were supposed to have three days in the 50s and three nights in the low 20s. brrrrrrrrrrrr.

So we had a decision to make.  Stay and tough it out or drive south a day to warmer weather.

We decided to stick it out.  We really wanted to be here for Thanksgiving.  Such a beautiful place and such a perfect camping spot.  We are 1/2 mile off of the main road, on a spur that goes into the middle of the valley.

We are about 100 yards off of this spur on another spur. 

We have been here a week now and had only three vehicles come up the main spur.  Only one made it the entire way to the end (we walked the entire road and found there was a camping spot at the end of it).  Another went 1/4 mile or so past our side spur and turned around.

The third got stuck, and we spent a very hard hour digging them out.  They had driven their rented AWD BMW SUV (I'm running out of capital letters) into a sandy spot, tried to turn around, and high centered.

Fortunately, we carry two shovels and our good natures.  We also carry a towing strap and if worse came to worse we could have pulled them out, but that would have meant completely closing up the camper and then starting over again to set up camp).

We don't take any spurs unless we walk them first.

This is the second time we have dug someone out.  We also had to once in Big Bend National Park.  Someday we'll need help, and we are confident someone else will return the favor. 

So we had to prepare for the cold nights.  The cooler days were not going to be difficult because we can hike or dance to warm up.

Vicky was ready.  She has knitted several wool blankets.  We also had cotton caps that she had knitted.

Last night was supposed to be the coldest of the three, and we slept well.  It was an adventure. 

Our second camp site in Valley of the Gods.  You can see why we were reluctant to give it up, and why we wanted to be here for Thanksgiving.  Wish all of our family could be here with us is all:

Our site looks good from the other direction too.

Temperature in our camper in the morning. 

Outside temperature in the morning.  This thermometer is off a few degrees, so it was probably closer to 15 degrees than 10 degrees.....as if that makes a difference.

Frost on the windows:

Me bundled up:

Vicky bundled up making breakfast:



Some photos of our hikes from this site the past week:

I'm in this photo.  

Earlier this week we took a "rest day," and danced instead of hiked.  Nice place to dance, isn't it?  Generally, after hiking five days we take one day off, and either dance or use the day to travel to a new spot.