It’s still cold outside…

Tuesday, February 25^th…  We are half way through the project, or at least our visit…  It continues to be cold, occasionally very cold, but we seem to be adapting, dressing appropriately, and staying productive.It would be comfortable outside if it wasn’t for the wind… But while not a constant, it is more commonly windy than not.

With it cold outside, life takes place indoors mostly… and less care is taken with the appearance of things outside… It gives the towns a tough look…  Of course this is a place where one works outdoors… this is farm and ranch country… the local Yellow pages have 39 listings under “Potato”… potato farms, potato brokers, potato seed, potato warehouses… Farm equipment dealers are much in evidence…

We have a portable heater… delivered on Monday… It burns diesel… We ran out of fuel on Wednesday but the C&TS crew delivered 5 gallons of red dyed fuel… we have to promise not to be seen on the highway with the heater, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue.

Yesterday we were pulled over by the Colorado Highway Patrol (or what ever they call their state police)... He was polite an professional... suggested we were speeding (we don't think so) but didn't give us a ticket... We suspect he wanted to see who those three guys with California plates (the rental from New Mexico has California plates) were... For we are strangers here... and a bit of a curiosity...

Just a hint... if you ever find yourself in the San Luis Valley... pay attention to the speed limit... 65 on the highway, but it drops down to 30 through town, and the State Police, the county sheriff and local authorities are much in evidence...  It seems posted speed limits are an absolute... not a suggestion...

Now Thursday… The ice broke on the Rio Grande yesterday…  but now today, it is cold, with a west wind, and clouds are gathering… a storm is due.  The heater ran out of fuel… we got more fuel… blessed fuel... Late today it started raining, then snowing, then snowing with intent…  Friday morning broke to clear skies… there is ice about but it is by our new standards warm… 

We have a single day to complete the project…We bug out tomorrow...  I think we will make it… Work continues…

It’s cold outside…

The thing I currently call “work”, occasional consulting projects has brought me to far southern Colorado… specifically to Alamosa and Antonito and the San Luis Valley.  We are at above 7,000… surrounded by the Rockies…

The Rio Grande is frozen... there is a bit of snow on the ground and much on the hills surrounding us...  It would be comfortable outside if it wasn’t for the wind… But while not a constant, it is more commonly windy than not.

With it cold outside, life takes place indoors mostly… and less care is taken with the apearence of things outside… It gives the town a tough look…

We arrived in Antonito at dusk, Last Wednesday in a snow storm...  Thursday was taken up by project meetings...   Friday the work began

Our work is outside, or in a unheated building…   There are three of us on the team… measuring, drawing, documenting and writing restoration plans for 4 19^th century wooden railroad passenger cars… 2 of which were built when Grant was president…

Around the project we eat (this is the land of food smothered in green chili....)  The steaks here are very good...  The local brew pub has a nice IPA

After eating we then return to our rooms to work, transcribing notes and writing up results on computers....

We have 6 more days to go...