Tired of ice. Headed to San Diego

**woodard** · 13th December 07, 05:46 PM

Got home Saturday in time to enjoy our little ice storm. Every tree in my neighborhood has collapsed under the weight. Several cars and a couple of houses on my street were damaged by falling branches/trees.
Then, about 2:30am Monday morning, I couldn't sleep, afraid one of the collapsing in my back or front yard would come crashing through my house. I looked out back, just in time to see and hear this amazingly brilliant blue explosion as my neighborhood went dark.
I run outside to start my truck and discovered that my batteries are dead. Guess the cold got to them even though I had them hooked to a charger. I figure, "OK. I'll use the pick-up to jump the truck." Wrong. It refused to start as well.
Finally, I was able to borrow a battery from a neighbor(he keeps a couple, in the garage, on a battery tender), start the pick-up and jump-start my truck.
In the interim, I've been on the phone with OG&E, trying to report the outage and get some kind of time frame re: restoration of power. They finally say 24 to 48 hours. Good. Now I have something I can work with.
It takes me until 6pm to convince my mother and sister that we can't stay and we need to find somewhere else to be. I get hold of my niece and she has power. "Good. Your mother, grandmother and I are coming for a short, extended visit. Have coffee and hot chocolate ready. Do you have any Jameson's? I'll bring my own."
Well, we were told yesterday not to expect power to be restored until early next week. I asked why such a great disparity between this and what was said before. I was told that after I spoke with them Monday morning, an additional 600,000 homes and businesses lost power and, since there are fewer than 100 homes in my neighborhood were affected, we were at the bottom of the repair list.
Damnit. Lost revenue, unexpected down time and unexpected expenses are totaling around $2,500. I hate to leave my family like this but if I don't get back to work, I'm going to lose my truck.
So, I booked a load to San Diego. It takes too long and it pays crap but, at least, I won't be losing more money.

**Arizona Scot** · 13th December 07, 05:50 PM

Well best of luck I hope your family is safe, and your trip is with Godspeed.

**ccga3359** · 13th December 07, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by woodard

...are coming for a short, extended visit...

Bad news but at least you're getting away from the storm. Hey why not get an impromptu kilt night going in San Diego.

**Bugbear** · 13th December 07, 06:07 PM

Good luck and drive safe.

**James MacMillan** · 13th December 07, 06:43 PM

PM me when you get close..... and we'll set up a Hooters night!

I'll bring the camera.

**woodard** · 13th December 07, 08:31 PM

Thanks all. Sounds good James. I don't have a kilt yet(2 X-Kilt marked up and ready to stitch. Power went down before I could finish.), but I'd appreciate a chance to meet and shake your hand.
I deliver Albuquerque tomorrow(Friday), Phoenix Monday and San Diego Tuesday. Should hit town early Tuesday evening, if I can find somewhere to park. Otherwise, I'll have to hang back and wait until Tuesday to come in to town.

**kiltedinUSMC** · 13th December 07, 09:00 PM

I'll be with James @ Hooters Ohh Triva Tuesday!!!

**James MacMillan** · 13th December 07, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by woodard

Thanks all. Sounds good James. I don't have a kilt yet(2 X-Kilt marked up and ready to stitch. Power went down before I could finish.), but I'd appreciate a chance to meet and shake your hand.
I deliver Albuquerque tomorrow(Friday), Phoenix Monday and San Diego Tuesday. Should hit town early Tuesday evening, if I can find somewhere to park. Otherwise, I'll have to hang back and wait until Tuesday to come in to town.

PM sent!

**CactusJack** · 14th December 07, 09:13 AM

Best of luck to you and your family sir.

**Riverkilt** · 14th December 07, 07:13 PM

Hey Woodard, there's a great free soak in a 'hot spring' that's actually a geothermal well tap right next to I-8 on the north side.

Right when you come out of the California desert and hit green farmland there's an exit Van Der Linde Road. You'll see the hot springs and miles of motorhomes about a mile before the exit.

Exit Van Der Linde Rd, turn north and take the access road (two way) back along the north side of the Interstate eastbound for about a mile. You can't miss the hot tub area. Lots of parking.

Take a break and you can soak away the miles then hit the road refreshed. Think its Desert Hot Springs state park.

Used to live in Phx and make many trips to Sandy Eggo. Always stopped there in the cool weather for a refreshing soak.

Ron