Blizzard Conditions and No Hot Water

Wilbur before the storm

Faywood Hot Springs, Faywood, NM
For the last week or so the temperatures here in New Mexico have been similar to those in our hometown in Maine.  And we had a snowstorm with very heavy snow and winds and frigid temperatures the day after Christmas.   The winds rocked the trailer so hard I worried we'd tip.  Temperatures have been low enough that the electric heater has been on non-stop.

Wilbur after the storm

We drove all the way across the country only to immerse ourselves in the same conditions we'd be in if we'd just stayed put at home?  Well, at least here we have the hot springs, right?  Well, er, actually, no.  At the same time that the storm rolled in, we lost the hot water supply to the tubs and showers.  The cold air and constant wind reduced the tub waters to tepid. 

But life went on.  We had a few get-togethers in the clubhouse with our rv neighbors, and enjoyed the warmth and glow of the fireplace, music and dancing, and meeting interesting people.  On Christmas Day, one of our neighbors organized a potluck.  The next evening there was a less formal gathering with music and dancing around the fireplace.  Our dog even joined in the dancing.  He, like us, was happy to have a little space to stretch out in, I imagine, after spending two days mostly confined to the trailer. 

Yesterday evening the hot water was back in one set of tubs and we returned to soaking ourselves.  The evening soak was fantastic--we got to the tubs just as the sun was going down.  We watched a flock of birds take one last wheel around in the sky before they settled down in the trees for the night.  On the way back to our trailer we climbed up and over the tufa dome (the mound of mineral materials deposited over the centuries from the flowing hot springs) and had a broad view of both the resort and the surrounding valley.  Most of the snow had already melted but the mountains at the horizon were still snow-covered and glowed pink in the light of the setting sun. 

Last night was the coldest yet.  Frost covered the ground and all exposed surfaces this morning.  But the sun is up and there's no wind, and the tubs are hot again.