Well even at 11,000 feet winter is finally upon us in the High Country.
While there have been dustings and accumulation on the driveway in the past 6 weeks or so, last night's cold and inches ringed in the real "official" winter for me; the snows now will most likely be on the ground until spring as the foundation for this year's wintertide.
I decided it was time to do the full winterizing and get a fresh fill of RV anti-freeze in the TC; the dozen or so that I will do throughout the course of the winter will take only a little over a half gallon and take less than 5 minutes to do compared to today's full flush. I prefer the anti-freezer method over compressor because I like to insure that no water is left in the water pump. If I could insure that this component was free of water I would consider the air method, but the RVAF method is cheap insurance especially at only a half gallon a pop when needed.
Not only does the snow and 20's thermometer reading indicate winters appearance but also this mornings warnings of I-70 being closed momentarily due to folks forgetting what Colorado Septembers bring. Hearing this news of traveler accidents rang in the unwelcomed next season; I am not quite ready to welcome the next winter since last years remained well into late April.
All is not necessarily unpleasant with the season's changes. The crisp air and the turning aspen reinforce the distant bugling of harvesting anticipation. Camping in total comfort during third season's chills just make for camping in a different realm. I do not wish to return to the wall tent of my comrades who are more rugged than I; eating oatmeal and sipping coffee at 0430 in the warmth of the TC does not make me miss the relative comfort of arctic bags on a cot in the tent.
As much as I like camping up here in the High Country in the pleasant summer, the winter are just as enjoyable with hunting and camping slope-side for skiing. Winterizing is just as habit as cracking a beer when out in the wilderness. Ya' just gotta' be prepared. Old Man Winter... bring it on!
So in the spirit of getting my winter game face on for winter camping in the TC, I link this favorite by Dan Fogelberg.
And, as a reminder to myself to respect natures potential wrath, I keep this photo handy of a shot from the truck console when in the backwoods camping one January a few years ago to make sure all equipment is up to snuff!
While there have been dustings and accumulation on the driveway in the past 6 weeks or so, last night's cold and inches ringed in the real "official" winter for me; the snows now will most likely be on the ground until spring as the foundation for this year's wintertide.
I decided it was time to do the full winterizing and get a fresh fill of RV anti-freeze in the TC; the dozen or so that I will do throughout the course of the winter will take only a little over a half gallon and take less than 5 minutes to do compared to today's full flush. I prefer the anti-freezer method over compressor because I like to insure that no water is left in the water pump. If I could insure that this component was free of water I would consider the air method, but the RVAF method is cheap insurance especially at only a half gallon a pop when needed.
Not only does the snow and 20's thermometer reading indicate winters appearance but also this mornings warnings of I-70 being closed momentarily due to folks forgetting what Colorado Septembers bring. Hearing this news of traveler accidents rang in the unwelcomed next season; I am not quite ready to welcome the next winter since last years remained well into late April.
All is not necessarily unpleasant with the season's changes. The crisp air and the turning aspen reinforce the distant bugling of harvesting anticipation. Camping in total comfort during third season's chills just make for camping in a different realm. I do not wish to return to the wall tent of my comrades who are more rugged than I; eating oatmeal and sipping coffee at 0430 in the warmth of the TC does not make me miss the relative comfort of arctic bags on a cot in the tent.
As much as I like camping up here in the High Country in the pleasant summer, the winter are just as enjoyable with hunting and camping slope-side for skiing. Winterizing is just as habit as cracking a beer when out in the wilderness. Ya' just gotta' be prepared. Old Man Winter... bring it on!
So in the spirit of getting my winter game face on for winter camping in the TC, I link this favorite by Dan Fogelberg.
And, as a reminder to myself to respect natures potential wrath, I keep this photo handy of a shot from the truck console when in the backwoods camping one January a few years ago to make sure all equipment is up to snuff!
