Transition to BRRRR

This is a week that we fly home to visit the family, and to remind us why we enjoy going south for the winter.

We started the week still at Borrego Springs.  Almost daily we climb up the mountain behind us to look over the valley below.  The climb is not difficult, particularly if you take your time.  This area is very popular as trails lead in many directions so we follow a different one each day. 

This was also laundry week and as we walk around as the machines are doing their work, you often see some interesting things.  This week  we saw this motorcycle and side car with it's custom paint job.  This would definitely be more comfortable than riding behind someone. 


Mid-week we flew home which turned out to be quite the excursion.  Since the internet had been quite slow, I didn't check-in early so we got to stand in line.  One family in front of us - this should be quick and easy.  What a surprise!  After about a half hour wait, they finally opened up another counter.  We were checked in and on our way before the poor family before us - with two little ones.  Not sure what the problem was?  Then on to Vancouver.  They must have changed their system as it seemed to be the first time they put folks through customs and on to a connecting flight.  The signs apparently were in the wrong places because if you went to where they said, you were directed somewhere else.  Oh well, we had lots of time!  Next stop - Calgary, and then home.  It is getting late, we are on the plane and take-off, only about a half-hour late after we had to wait for some connecting passengers, and then to de-ice.  Oops, there is a fast moving blizzard when we get to Regina.  After attempting to land three times, and circling for forty minutes waiting for a break in the weather, back to Calgary we went.  We were treated very well - we had a new flight once we landed, and we each received vouchers for breakfast.  Finally we arrived home just before noon (only nine hours late) to a wind chill of -43C.  For those not familiar with centigrade temperatures, just remember -40 is equal to -40, regardless of whether it is centigrade or Fahrenheit.  The good news, our daughter Kyla was able to pick us up so we only had to experience those temps for approximately three seconds - easy to handle.

Here it is, three days later and the temperatures have warmed to a low of -15C.  The days are sunny and bright, with no wind, and a prediction of a January thaw this week.  That will be so nice for the folks that have been cooped up for the past couple of weeks because of the terribly frigid weather. 

We head back mid-week to enjoy the rest of the winter.  I hope you have a good week!