A rather slow day today. Rain/snow were forecast. In this area dirt roads turn to gumbo when wet. In the morning I saw rain showers in the distant. It looked like I could make it to Jordan Crater and back before the rains started. Off I went.

Based on the lack of plant growth, scientist believe that some of the lava is only 100 years old. I find it intriguing that there is no human record of this recent lava flow. Hot lava was flowing out of the ground and no one knew. A middle of nowhere happening.

I made it back to the trailer mid afternoon. The sky had clouded over and rain surrounded me for a time being, then I was engulfed in rain, and then the snow started. I settled in reading a book. This would be a test for how my solar panels and trailer performed in winter weather. The forecast was for a low of 20 degrees. I turned on the heater, keeping the trailer at 65 and watched the battery monitor. At 5:00 the solar panels became covered in snow; there would be no more charging of the batteries today. At 9 o’clock I opened my cabinet doors to keep the pipes from freezing, turned the heater off and climbed into bed. At 2:00 am I woke as planned and turned the heater on for a bit. The lowest setting for my heater is about 50 degrees, too high to run it all night I felt. I woke in the morning and flipped the heater on warming up my cozy trailer. The trailer had passed the cozy test with the battery voltage still acceptable.

The Facts

• What to do with garbage can be a challenge when staying where there is no garbage collection. ODOT to the rescue along Hwy 95. They have a number of pull offs with garbage cans.