Kenny and I are leaving early tomorrow morning for Syracuse, NY, then on to Ohio. We'll be driving. Anyone live either there or along the way and can tell me what the weather's like today and for the next few days? Kenny's mostly concerned with ice. I, on the other hand, have never seen snow deep enough to make a snow angel in, so I'm mostly concerned with the white stuff! I'm excited! (Yeah, I've read the "A Texan Goes North" joke. *grin!*) So, anyone along the way getting any snow? Ice?

We'll be hauling a couple of classic trucks up there and hauling a couple back ~ stopping for hotel rooms each night. We're figuring (if all goes well with no inclement weather) we'll be in Nashville Wednesday night, NY Thursday night or early Friday, Ohio late Friday, Monticello Saturday, then on to Graceland (we'll be driving through Memphis, so might as well visit the King!:-) and then on home by Monday or Tuesday.

I imagine Kenny will be doing most of the driving (he's lived in Montana and I've never been north of Central Texas in the winter). He's also well versed in hauling big loads. We're not really worried ~ we've packed stuff for every eventuality, I think. Besides the normal clothes, tools and things we've got blankets, a little food, couple gallons of water, chain saw, heavy jacks, spare tires, CELL PHONE *grin*. If needed, Kenny said we'll stop and buy snow chains or just stop and stay in a hotel 'til the conditions are better. Anyone notice anything we may need that we're forgetting?

Also, we're going to Monticello! We've only got about two hours for it, so has anyone been and can tell me something we just SHOULD NOT miss when we go? I can't wait to see the vegetable garden, Mulberry Row, the plantation, and get my copy of Thomas Jefferson's Garden Jounal! Or maybe I should get his Farm Journal? I KNOW I'm going to be on the lookout to buy seeds from plants he grew there. If the digi-cam works okay, I'll post a couple of the best pictures when we get back.

Thanks, y'all!

-- Wingnut in Spicewood, TX (wingnut@moment.net), March 05, 2002

Answers

Don't think there is much snow coming to NY.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), March 05, 2002.

Wingnut, in your general provisions, don't forget a 4" candle and matches. If you ever get stopped in a snowstorm sometimes you can't keep the vehicle running (various reasons, like running out of gas?!) a lit 4" candle can heat the inside of a car. Remember to open a window a crack so you replenish the oxygen the candle will use.

I don't know if it's snowy down there yet or not. However, Syracuse can be pretty bad for weather sometimes. I lived in Kingston Ontario for 6 years or so - just across the lake from Syracuse. They got wicked storms and ice that we didn't get on our side of the lake - further north! But I can't remember whether that was usually over with by March or not. You are very wise to be checking things out before you leave! Safe journey.

-- Bernie from Northern Ontario (bernadette_kerr@hotmail.com), March 05, 2002.

Thanks, Patty! Bernie, got my candle and matches packed. THanks for the tip! And the compliments...

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), March 05, 2002.

Weather is supposed to hit nearly 60F in SYR on Saturday. Looks like you'll be fine. :) Gets cold again after that.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), March 05, 2002.

Wingnut, if you will go to www.weatherbug.com you can download a free weather channel. Then you can type in any city and state and get current and 5 day forcast for that region. We use it all time makes it easy to keep up with the weather.

-- ruby (rubyfmc@cs.com), March 05, 2002.

Wingnut, North central Pa. is just fine, Roads should be good all the way, warmer spell setting in thru rest of the week. Have a safe and pleasent trip. My drive time to n.c. Pa from Houston Tx was always about 23 hours.

-- woodsbilly N.C. Pa. (coleenl@penn.com), March 05, 2002.

Wingnut, we lived in Spicewood, TX. years ago. Whereabouts are you?

-- Terran in VT (homefire@sover.net), March 05, 2002.

We live in NE Ohio and have some snow, but not enough to worry about. I think it's supposed to get warmer, too, so the snow might melt. I would check the weather channel though. I'm guessing there isn't any snow in Southern Ohio.

-- Mary (kmfraley@orwell.net), March 05, 2002.

Had lake effect snows hit yesterday that closed the NYS thruway between Ripley and Hamburg. They picked up about two feet or so in a few hours but it should be all cleaned up by now. Can't tell if you'll see much snow, it's been a weird winter. 55 one day, 15 the next, heavy snow then gone the next day or so. Have a safe trip, remembers if us New yorkers can handle it you Texans should do OK.

-- JJ Grandits (JJGBDF@aol.com), March 05, 2002.

Hey, Wingnut, y'all wouldn't mind swinging by Ernest's place in Arkansas and grabbing his 21 foot motorhome for me? You can just drop it off here in NW North Carolina as you zip by...appreciate it. :*} Oh, if you could just leave him my 69 Dodge as you head back south it would sure smooth things along. (Teehee.) Seriously, now, as my grandma always says, "Y'all drive safe, now, y'hear?" We are never allowed to leave her place without those magical words to protect us. Have a great trip!

-- gilly (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), March 05, 2002.

I'm in the Syracuse/Binghamton area. Weather projections for Wed. are cold temps (20's)in the am with light snow but warming up to 40. On Thursday snow flurries tapering off mid-morning with temps reaching 45 degrees. We have no accumulation here and don't expect to get any this week. YOu might hit a few flurries but that will be it. Very strange winter this year. 55 degrees Sun morning then 10 on monday. No real snow. Afraid we will be looking at a drought this summer. Good luck on your trip.

-- teresa (teresam@ascent.net), March 05, 2002.

Having lived in western NYS, born and raised there, I would strongly suggest keeping agood eye for weather along Lake Erie. Many times the weather will be nice, sun shining in one spot and Lake Effect snow in another.

I just love Charlotsville, great town. I miss living near there. Take care and have a safe trip.

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), March 05, 2002.

Thanks, everybody, for the weather reports AND well wishes! I really appreciate it. And I'm relieved and dissappointed at the same time about no snow. LOL! Thanks, Woodsbilly, for the time frame ~ we figured more than that, total time behind the wheel. Nice to hear that it'll probably be less! And thanks, Ruby, for the weatherbug.com tip. I'll check it out over coffee and before leaving in the morning.

Terran, really?! Where did y'all live? What's your family's name or anyone else I might know? We live in the part of Spicewood west of the Pedernales out by the Exxon store and the post office, right close to downtown "Old Spicewood" and due south, just across the fence, from Krause's Springs. Did you ever see the "____ & Shirley Ranch" gate? That's our place. I keep wanting to take the gate down, but all Mom's friends like it. Some of the newer people do, too ~ a couple women have told me that they elbow their husbands as they drive by and say, "See, Honey? SHE got the ranch." ;-)

Yeah, JJ, I think we can, but if DH hadn't had any experience with it, I'd really be worried! Us Texans are sometimes longer on bravado than we are on ability. *grin*

Sure, Gilly! We'll just winch that camper right up in the bed of the '58 Chevy. It'll fit! And if it won't, well, what's another twenty feet hooked onto the rear end when we've already got 60? ;-) And thanks for the magic words...I remember them...

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), March 05, 2002.

Wing, you going to New York in the Winter? Where do you go in the Summer, Arizona?

For the rest of you Dudes and Dudettes, Wing lives across from Krause Springs. For some Texans Krause Springs is more sacred than the Alamo. There are some magnificent 700 to 800 year old Cypress trees which are the oldest living things in Texas. Carve your initials in one of those trees and see how many steps you can take.

-- paul (primrose@centex.net), March 06, 2002.

Yah-ha-ha-ha, Paul! As a matter of fact, we ARE going to Arizona next summer! LOL! There's another truck out there we'll go get.

Yep, Krause's is one of our favorite places ~ here's why... pic url~ http://www.randybrewer.net/images/Photos/Krause-Springs-1.jpg another pic url ~ http://www.randybrewer.net/images/Photos/Krause- Springs-2.jpg How did you know, Paul? Been here or live nearby?

Well, we're off! Thanks everyone, for the help!

Wingnut and Skinny Kenny

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), March 06, 2002.