A week into Spring 2023 so a belated “STELLAR WINTER 2022-23”!!

First Friday of Spring:

Although a late fall (early November) heavy, wet snowstorm did a LOT of damage in my woods … more on that recovery in a separate post … early November through now has been a wonderful winter for me, Emmett and Oscar!

There has been snow on the ground since early November and for the most part, it has been great for snowshoeing (me) and walking Emmett. The snow fell regularly but in manageable amounts, i.e. not a big deal to clear and not a big deal on our walk paths on the state land.

Close to Christmas, I bought new snowshoes which I LOVE. They are easy on and off and do very well on the game trails as well as on the various times we got 4-6 inches of new snow.

I snowshoed more this winter than I have in many years of winters’ past combined! And because the snowfall came in manageable amounts, it packed well on my property and the state land so Emmett was able to negotiate on and off trail. We were out nearly every day for 1/2-1-1.5 mile outings!

Meanwhile … workwise a new version/new tools … again. So, typical headache inducing learning of a new way of doing things. It is a combination of fun, aggravation and ultimately joy in successfully navigating a new paradigm … old dogs (me) CAN learn new tricks and I am convinced that it is good for an aging brain to soldier on!

Various life stuff, work stuff … etc. but when I could, I have been working on video: shooting technique and editing. I added 2 360 cameras to my shooting arsenal.

***For my viewers who have issues with spatial orientation … skip the below marketing video … lots of spins and swoops, etc.

The 360 cameras are a complete game changer. I had thought I wanted to add a drone to my camera pack, but the 360 cameras actually allow me to mimic drone shots in a way that is easier in my walk/keep an eye on Emmett scenario.

The 360 cameras have 2 180 degree lenses … one on each side. The camera software then stitches the 2 180 degree images together to make 360 video.

The 360 editing software allows me to reframe the 360 video however I’d like so ultimately it does not matter where I point the camera as it captures everything. After hours of tutorials and trying this and that, I am still at the newbie beginner stage, but also at the stage where I can SEE the incredible possibilities. The Insta360 marketing video above shows the extreme possibilities of the camera … and of the editing.

At any rate … after a lot of time watching tutorials, experimenting and understanding that it will take me a lot more time to get super creative with the cameras, I decided it was time to just post something! This video is a combination of clips from my Insta360 X3 as well as from my iPhone 14 Pro. The 360 video was reframed using the Insta360 mobile app. Clips were combined and final editing was done in Adobe Premiere Rush.

Finally, a favorite photo that did not make it to Instagram:

One of several Winter full moon nights … the moon, stars and snow made for many lovely night time walks this Stellar Winter.

Holy darn cow!!

Yes, we had the forecast super cold. December 22 started at -18F at my house. Per NOAA it was -32F on the valley floor.

Super cold!

And then at 7:15 a.m. the power went out at my house and approximately 3799 others in my vicinity (total homes in my area being 77000 approx …for perspective)

The local power company: Flathead Electric Co-operative did a pretty stellar job of keeping us informed. For most of us, the issue was a problem with Bonneville Power Authority feed to our specific area. (more to come on that).

So. The day before, knowing the forecast and with heavy snow, I took a look at the FEC outage map and saw that there was a 5 hour outage across the lake (Flathead Lake) due to equipment failure. Hmmm.

I typically do not run my woodstove overnight … fire concerns, etc. BUT. Given the forecast for extreme low temperatures and the potential for equipment failure … I ran the stove overnight.

Thankfully!!

So, when the power went out, the stove was full steam ahead and I had LOTS of firewood to hand to keep things going.

Additionally … last year … not sure exactly, but it was Winter, we had 2 morning power cuts that interfered with my ability to make coffee!!! In response, I purchased a 1 burner Butane stove thing as well as a large battery powered lantern.

AND … as time it is a changing re infrastructure … I also purchased several largish water containers.

So.

I was ready!!! (…ish)

Yea for my EcoFlow Max! It powered my electric fireplace for some helper heat in the sunroom. It is pointed towards the closet where the pressure tank lives. Pressure tank is 25 gallons of water and in the absence of power to run the well pump, that 25 gallons plus water heater water is my in house water. Additionally, the closet gets cold before the rest of the house and given the subzero temps I wanted to make sure to keep that closet warmish.

Yes! My butane 1 burner … Coffee!!! And later, I made my breakfast on it.

Thank you to last year’s wake up call.

The entry door … insulated curtain that is usually my “double entry” but I move right to the door when it is ultra cold…

Down throws at the base for draft stoppers.

Both make a HUGE difference in how much cold gets in via the entry door. Not noticable except when it is super cold!

-16.6 is super cold in my book!

And it was warming from -18.

The woodstove operating as a REAL woodstove, i.e. loaded full, locked down and running hot and radiant vs as a “fireplace”.

Ultimately, I was able to keep the house about 61F which in “all is relative world” was very comfortable. I ran the electric fireplace sporadically to give the closet extra heat while conserving battery backup.

My iPhone, iPads, laptop, internet MIFI … all kept topped up via other battery banks.

So.

The upshot from Flathead Electric Co-op and Bonneville Power Administration re the outage:

I would love to add to my EcoFlow system when budget allows but good grief!!! It did amazingly well on an ultra-cold day, and I am very happy. I had power to spare but will admit that I am VERY happy to have power restored before a 2nd very cold night.

Off to make my supper on the butane 1 burner … trying not to tax power supply more than absolutely necessary.

Weather forecast improves for my area after tomorrow.

The rest of the U.S. has challenges upcoming…

YIKES!

Prayers for the wild animals and livestock and pets.

A couple hours ago … official Solstice.

Shortest day of 2022.

And Holy Cow!!! This year we are so far having a real as in an old time Winter … or late Autumn Montana thing…

The last several years we could not count on a White Christmas.

This year it is a given!

After a very warm and dry October we had the crazy early November snow which did a lot of damage.

But, then … a segue into an old time Montana late Autumn/early Winter weather pattern.

Red and very cool easy on/off bindings and flexible poly ‘shoes.

As of this writing, I have snowshoed more so far this year than the last 3 years combined!

The snow is perfect.

Today, 12/21/2022, Winter Solstice … we are on the cusp of an extremely cold … maybe record breaking cold weather event.

Yesterday through this morning we got a foot of new powder snow.

Snow part of the event is likely done, but the cold-super cold has a day or so to go.

Meanwhile…

Stay tuned for more :)

YIKES … kind of redish sunrise but then…

And ultimately the day turned sunny!

We all got outside – YEA!!

I am not cooking a big, traditional dinner today … maybe on Saturday :)

So, today was a day to enjoy the sunshine and relax and be incredibly thankful for:

Emmett and Oscar and me all in good health,

Work and fun stuff and a wonderful home and property to enjoy all,

Holy Cow!! I am beyond thankful for all :)

While it was sunny and not too cold (33F), I replenished firewood close at hand … it is supposed to get very cold and more snow Fri-Sat-Sun ???

Meanwhile, though … sun (this is 11:30 a.m. and at 48 North, the sun is making a low pass vs Summer’s high overhead arc). Still … SUN!

Throw WUBBA!!

It was a lovely time outside.

Inside.

Turkey dinner will be had on Saturday.

Today is an Italian Garlic Pepper (black pepper) beef stew and some prep for Saturday: cranberry sauce, brioche for a leek bread pudding …

As in past years I have devolved into a lazy-relaxed long weekend with the “traditional” dinner being when convenient and otherwise enjoying time without work constraints.

***to note … if you follow my Instagram … early November after a very warm October, we got 8 inches of very wet and heavy snow. That resulted in a significant amount of damage to trees in my woods … mostly the young Western Larch. It means a hefty and expensive cleanup this Spring … no use doing much now as the trees were very stressed and more are likely to break/come down between now and late Spring.

So … I am in “frugal mode” so as to be able to pay for the cleanup (heavy equipment, hauling away, etc., etc.) That translates into no RV trip … probably. I will see how things go. I have some local folks scheduled to give me advice on cleanup.

RATS.

BUT!! When I think about Florida post Ian and other disasters. All in all, I have it easy. My home is intact and my work is good, my health and pets health is good. Tally ho!!!

The motorhome and Jeep maintenance issues continue!

The motorhome has new tires – YEA!

The Jeep had its Lube-Oil-Filter (LOF) and then a follow up maintenance thing.

The motorhome is in the shop for its LOF, generator oil change and general all-around service.

The shops are all about 22 miles one way from my home … nearly an hour round trip … and gas. Although a neighbor would help me, it is a HUGE ask particularly as I had multiple appointments at various shops.

So. Motorhome takes Jeep for Jeep appts and or to provide a way home from dropping the motorhome.

Lots of to and fro and back and forth!

Good exercise for the vehicles AND for me … I definitely felt the up and down of the hooking up, unhooking procedure. But that is good!

Meanwhile…

We have had a record warm October which is due to end tonight through the weekend.

It has been several weeks of upper 60F-low 70F daytime and 40F overnight. Kind of perfect. We enjoyed!

Lots of walks, lots of outside play.

We’ll see what next week looks like. I hope to have the motorhome home with all systems good. The Jeep is good. Weather … it will likely bluster and then stabilize.

I still hope to take a short miles trip for maybe a week or 2 or ??? but all up in the air at this writing.

One day at a time!

Wild Thing is back in her spot and NOT on the road.

BUT!!!

The good news is that I found tires for her, and she should have her new “shoes” on Thursday – YEA!

I thought tires would be the challenging thing, but turns out the LOF and general engine service is proving more difficult to arrange.

I had a tentative appointment for all some weeks ago, but it was cancelled by service company … too many “Fleet” vehicles backlogged, and RVs are “not necessary”. All exacerbated by lack of personnel. I won’t even go there as it is beyond my comprehension.

Again, BUT!!! Tires were the most crucial impediment to hitting the road. I knew when I finished my last trip in 2015 that I was at the legal age limit for my tires, but knowing I would be off the road for some time due to Bear not being able to get in the RV … I did nothing. And then Emmett and then COVID and now scrambling. When I had issues getting any appointment, I decided to split the issues and try for tires.

Success.

I have a few more thoughts for the other service, but we’ll get the tires, get our work week in and regroup.

Meanwhile, the front porch plants are winding down…

Pretty!

This “side” had a run in with some critter(s) overnight, but have mostly recovered.

This side was not disturbed!

The mint (upper right) is doing well considering it started the season as sprigs after a challenging over-Wintering inside! I am not going to over-Winter anything this year. As soon as a hard frost is forecast, I will harvest what herbs I can and let Nature take her course.

As of this writing, we have two days of upper 70’s F forecast and then a cool front. The nights are wonderfully cool.

We are enjoying as much time outside as we can.

Maybe “not from the road” as I’d hoped, but making progress towards that :) !!