Thanks for the comments!
I got up early the next morning. I don't know why I didn't think to look at the forecast and expected snowfall. I guess I love surprises!
I went out to the car to discover that a bit more snow had fallen, maybe two inches?
After taking the photo, I opened the trailer to grab my boots and snow removal tools. I didn't plan to take a second photo, as if it say "Look, I cleared my car all by myself!"
But I knew I wanted a second shot when I saw that mountain...
I can drive in the snow, but any amount of skill can be diced away by FWD on unmaintained roads, other drivers, and especially 1060 lbs behind the car. So, talked to the hotel front desk to get some intel. He assured me that the highways are very well maintained and that I'd be fine. So, I took my chances, first by seeing if I could even pull out of the parking spot. Sure enough, I still have a good "pull-out game."
The roads were okay, with a few wheel-slips from time to time. The interstate was clear, but not enough to drive the speed limit. I hung out around 50 mph with the big trucks. Some drivers still flew by, but I wasn't going to be the yahoo that shutdown an Interstate by crashing a trailer that some would argue shouldn't be there. Flagstaff sits at around 7000 feet. Google Maps seemed to indicate that normal speeds
(clear roads?) were just 30 miles away. I set out to get below the snow. I hadn't had breakfast, but I expected to just wait... until I discovered a problem: In my haste to get out of the frozen rain and into a hotel the previous evening, I hadn't refueled. Knowing how fast the bottom half of the tank disappears while pulling a trailer, I took the first exit I saw with my preferred fuel.
This fuel stop was in Williams, AZ. I had traveled 30 miles down the mountain, but the roads certainly were not clear. Williams appeared to be a sleepy town with only limited snow removal teams. There was a layer of ice under the snow; so, my traction control and ABS were certainly working and making plenty of noise here.
I went a little deeper into town to find breakfast. I was determined to keep the car moving to avoid getting stuck. Ordinarily, the GTI does well on snow. But the trailer presents more weight and friction for a FWD car to overcome. Thankfully, no one was on the roads... except my dumb ass!
But that wasn't entirely true since the grocery store was busy. I got breakfast and headed out of town... "No Cop, No Stop." Life was good on the interstate. It wasn't long before the roads and my surroundings looked as if it hadn't snowed at all.
I stopped in Seligman, this time during daylight. I was there before the town had opened for business. Still, I didn't see anything there to warrant a stop. I had already seen and photographed a cool mural in the town. Nothing else caught my eye. I might have felt different if I was traveling in an RV and had no timeline. I took this photo, just to say I was there...
I took off my boots while I was stopped. I then proceeded to Kingman. My only goal there was to reshoot the banner sign at the Locomotive Park. I looked for a coin-operated car wash so that I could make the car pretty for the next two photo locations. But I was out of luck... I think. Regardless, a dirty car says something about the miles of a trip...
This next shot was at a location that I had learned about last fall. I think someone may have shared it in my previous travel thread. I knew I had to visit since I was so close by...
My destination this evening was Pahrump, NV. It would set me up for the following day's cool visit. I attempted to get a decent car photo in Las Vegas. But the "Fabulous Las Vegas" sign was not as expected. Not wanting to prolong my stay in the crowded city with a trailer, I made a swift exit and continued west. I arrived in Pahrump plenty early enough to find a car wash, get a much needed haircut, and sit down for a meal. I had been itching for country-fried steak. I didn't go looking for a place that serves it, but I happened to have parked in front of a place that has it during my haircut...
Obviously, this is not a fine dining establishment. I'm pretty sure their "country-fried steak" came out of a box. I enjoyed it anyway. Eight years on ships has enabled me to develop a tolerance to mediocre foods. So, I was still satisfied by this meal.
Next, I enter the place that compelled me to bring extra fuel...
More to come...