WILD WEST SNOW

WILD WEST SNOW!
I toured through Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota and Utah, a little over two months ago. We lucked out and had very nice weather. It was hard for me to visualize the treacherous weather that they experienced in those areas last week.
I flew into Denver in August, in nice weather, to catch the Tour. I couldn’t believe that the beautiful airport was closed last week, due to snow. Transportation officials also closed Interstate 25 (which we traveled) from Wellington, Colorado to Cheyenne - a stretch of 35 miles. That section re-opened later in the week, We took Highway 85, north of Cheyenne, on our way to Rapid City, It remained closed at week end. No snow in sight when our bus drove through this area!
Gusts of 50 mph blew through our tour area, and it received 3 feet of snow, with higher drifts across the whole area. The wind and snow reduced visibility to zero. When I was there, I could see forever across those prairies. Many main routes through the area were closed, they were too treacherous to drive on. Apparently, those miles and miles of snow fences that I saw, were overwhelmed by the blizzard.
Deadwood, S.D. (where Kevin Costner owns the “Costner Poker Parlor”) got about 15 inches of snow! Officials shut down nearby Mount Rushmore National Memorial. I am thankful that it was “Open’ when I was there. At last week -end, winter-weather advisories remained in effect for southeast Wyoming.
When you are on vacation, you are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Luck and timing are critical.
RCL - 11/3/09.