Retiring to Colorado, western slope (Grand Junction, Ridgway: refrigerator, to live, move)

[jim9251]

The dust storm is kinda sucking the oxygen out of the air and it's a bit difficult to breathe without getting a mouthful of dirt, but I haven't had allergy problems since I moved here. I expected wind since this is the windy season, but wasn't told about the dust storms. Utah can have their dirt back. But I know it will be back to fresh, crisp mountain air in a day or two.

[CosmicWizard]

Get used to it Jim...it happens from time to time. Last summer, when it rained, the rain was full of dust, and it did a real number on the windows and cars. Before I lived in the desert, I experienced rain as something that cleaned my car, not something that splatterd it with mud drops. I'm sure you'll soon have a chance to experience first hand what I'm talking about.

This morning in Grand Junction reminds me of the good ole days in southeatern PA when I was growing up. Yesterday the temp was almost 80, and this morning it's snowing hard enough to coat the grass and rooftops with a nice white dusting.

[jim9251]

Already did that, rained mud here last week. That was different.

And now it's snowing.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by jim9251

I discovered something I do not like about living here. The dust storms. Everything is brown, the sky, the air, and there's this dirt taste in my mouth. Yecch.

Unfortunately we live on the Western slope. To the west of us is nothing but hundreds of miles of open, unprotected deserts of Utah. Nothing to hold down the sand.

[CosmicWizard]

80skeys wrote:

Unfortunately we live on the Western slope

Just curious, what do you find unfortuante about living on the western slope? I've always considered it my good fortune to be living on the western slope!

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

80skeys wrote:

Unfortunately we live on the Western slope

Just curious, what do you find unfortuante about living on the western slope? I've always considered it my good fortune to be living on the western slope!

I meant in the context of the dust storms and wind.

[mrgoodwx]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

Not just a Colorado phenomenon. That type of thing happens in AZ and NM too.

It's the last day of April. We had several snow showers this morning on the eastern edge of Albuquerque, where I live up against the Sandia Mountains. This is much better than watching pieces of western New Mexico and Arizona fly by overhead...driven by wind gusts to 70 mph.

[jim9251]

It has snowed, heavy here the past two days. No more dust or winds. Just snow. I'm a Ham Radio operator and when I tell guys in Cuba, or South America it's snowing here I always get a "IT'S WHAT?" Hopefully it's nice for the big hot air balloon festival and car show next weekend here!

[jim9251]

Well after a dust storm, winds clocked at 100mph, snow, snow and a blizzard Sunday evening, MOnday May 3rd was clear, crisp, bright sunshine and deep blue sky.

Here is a photo of Mt Lamborn over Paonia Monday and again today. How fast the snow melts in the sunshine. The San Juans by my town are still snowpacked.

[CALIFRE]

Beautiful Jim, Always enjoy your pics. I have a similar view of Mt. Lamborn from property in the area, I'm planning to build and settle in a few years.

Maybe spring has finally sprung on the Western slope??