From fall to winter in three days . . .

Well. We woke up yesterday to our water in the RV completely frozen. The water hose was hard as rock. Thankfully, nothing busted. Weather's just a tad unseasonable here. We drove out in the country a ways, and there were inch thick icicles hanging from the fruit trees and the grass was frozen and looked like it was growing up in icey spikes from the ground. It was so bizarre. Beautiful, but very strange. This sudden cold has caused all the leaves to fall from the trees seemingly overnight, much to the boys delight. They have been disappearing in the piles they have made and quickly they'll pop up like 'Leaf Man' or something. Too much fun.

The hillsides are covered with this vine/tree kind of bush that is beginning to turn a deep, dark red. It is absolutely gorgeous. That, along with the brown of the barren land against the bright yellow of the cottonwood and the green of the pines; well, it's simply magnificent.

Can not believe the cold though. They already have a dusting of snow in the high hills around us. It is breathtaking, but gee whiz, it's not supposed to be this cold this early here. Sure is remarkable how wimpy we've already gotten being away from South Dakota. We're ready to head south. Way south. Like Arizona. But, we won't. We are headed a bit south the end of this week as India is taking her Calculus mid-term in the Tri-cities of Washington on Friday. (God willing) It will be a bit warmer there, but they are having a cold snap too. Oh, what was that? Al Gore groaning in confusion?? MMM.

We drove up to the Grand Coulee Dam yesterday. Wow. Pretty amazing. We were too late in getting there to take a tour, which was sad to everyone but me. The thing terrifies me. One guy told us that when he took the tour and stood on the top, he could feel it shake when the turbines were running. Okay, I do not need to experience that. That and the fact of it being 500 feet high and my being extremely afraid of heights, well, that just does not sound like an enjoyable afternoon. I mean, that's a loooong way down there. Can you say, 'gulp'? Come on, isn't there a video you can watch about it in the comforts of your own living room or something? It's got to be on youtube - right??

Well, better run. Making lentil soup today and chili tomorrow. Hey, we have to stay warm somehow!!!! You know, that's actually a pathetic thing to say when it's currently only 42 degrees, isn't it? I know. Maybe we're just getting soft out here listening to the natives. There was a lady from western Oregon complaining about the cold and their 'long' winters they have over there. She wasn't looking forward to it getting down to 50 degrees, she whined. Good grief. Well, I guess it's all in what you're used to.

Anyway, have a great week, everyone!

Blessings,
jill and all