The Big Chill!

January 4, 2002- Friday- Day 70

4:00pm- I can't ever remember being cold like I was last night. I was really surprised that I was alive this morning. I thought it strange when I got up and my blanket didn't fold, but stuck straight out like a stick. I didn't want to get up but nature was calling. For twenty minutes I tried to get the zipper on the tent to move, but it was frozen solid. I came real close to taking my pocket knife and cutting a hole to get out. I came to my senses and didn't, but I was right there on the verge. I have never seen anything like what I was experiencing now. All I could think about was getting out of there. Find someplace warm. Me and Skil's just took off and headed for the laundry place. I am hoping that their driers are running and the hot air is blowing outside. Anything for some relief of this. It's not just cold, it is very painful, I thought ice killed the pain. What world is this? We are crossing the parking lot and Skil's is having problems with his feet, I thought they were freezing and I am really getting worried now. I had to get mad at him to make him move and I don't get mad at my dog, never! We did finally make it across the parking lot and the door to laundramat was open. We went inside and were all alone. So, that is where we stayed. Wonder why nobody is washing clothes this morning? I am siiting here and its warm and I can see the bank across the street. I am thinking now that I must be snow blind or something, because I can only read one number on the temp. sign. Then I realized it is only 3F. Holy Shit! We were warm and we'll stay here until someone throws us out. Another glance at the bank and now its 7F, well Skil's its getting hot out there now. After another hour I'm seeing double didgits on the temp. board, okay we can go now and put on our summer clothes. Walking back to the camp, I noticed all that soft snow was now hard blocks of ice, really big blocks of ice. We took a route back by the dumpster and lo-and-behold a pound of coffe was on top of all the gallons of milk that was discarded. So, we went to the camp and I made breakfast and coffee and had a good ole' time. Now that it was a warm 14 degrees. About noon, here comes Byron again, and he has his quart of beer. He just had to hang out by my fire and talk the usual nonsense that I have noticed he does quite easily. Skil's found a spot in the sun where there is no snow and enjoying the day. Maybe I am having a nightmare and this morning never happened! But I have to think about moving on, just have to wait until I can build ski's for my pull-along. It sure won't roll in the snow. Seems to me that this place will get pretty nasty when this snow does melt.