I-40 West Arizona, Snow Storm: Snugglin Up in the Mini Van
We were on cloud nine after being able to experience the Grand Canyon in it's cool blue mood! Leaving the park, the snow seemed to have lightened up and we were ready to coast back to Vegas. We stopped at the first gas station outside the park (that was still open) to fill up with gas, and I couldn't resist checking out some of the beautiful indian jewelry being sold inside. We browsed for a bit and then hit the road.
Paul took the second leg of the drive since Kevin drove on the way out, and ironically as we were leaving, the snow started to fall again! It actually started to come down so hard it was kind of like Star Trek's Warp Drive, moving in warp speed the way the snow was flying at us. The snow was sticking and the ground was getting soft and slippery.
We drove about a 100 miles through the snow and it was coming down hard when we started to come up on traffic. It wasn't too bad, we had completed about a third of the trip back, but no one wants to hit traffic! After rolling on and off for a little while, traffic came to a DEAD STOP! We had limited cell coverage, but of the six of us in our Dodge Caravan, the two iPhones had the best signal! ;) hehehe
We called 511 without much luck on what all was going on, and actually stepped out a couple times to talk to some of the truck drivers (cause they have the CV radios), to see if they had any information.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUdiINTxsGc&w=750&h=411]
So apparently there was a wreck with multiple tracker trailers (one including explosives) that were blocking us from getting through. It was around 8pm by this time, and we had a long drive ahead of us. We were checking news sites online, and calling the department of transportation to see when we might be able to move. It was at least another hour or so before they told us the road was closed without any definitive open time.
We had a feeling it was going to be a LONG night! It was time to snuggle up! We were stopped in the middle of the road, engine off waiting. Paul, Kevin and I played Monopoly on my phone until the battery started to die, it seemed to be a good way to pass the time (monopoly is the never ended game, and we ironically didn't finish it before we got back to Vegas!). We had no information about when we might move, but felt it was necessary to stay up just in case a miracle happened! Paul and I were in the front, so we took turns starting and stopping the engine to heat everyone in the car every so often. With no indication that we would be getting back to Vegas any time soon, we all gave in and slept on and off through the night.
Night fell and morning came with a snowy mountain-scape and wall of trucks! We were all getting hungry although we had packed plenty of water, snacks (chips) as well as alcoholic beverages that helped pass the time! The on-board ac-dc converter would not power the blender, but snow worked well for my skinny girl margaritas! Elaine and John wanted more to eat, so they traded a pack of cigarettes with a truck driver for some fajitas, rice, and some beef and gravy! MMMMM YUM! haha People were wandering around to just get out of their cars and trucks after being cooped up all night, some were even making snow men! You gotta make the most out of such a crappy situation right??
After a while, the police drove by checking to make sure everyone had enough water, but ironically did not have any news about when we would be able to start moving. Another hour or two had passed that morning, and finally we heard over the speaker of a police car that movement would begin and we were all to return to our vehicles! We were finally moving!
We could not believe that this had happened, getting stuck on I-40 for over 16 hours!!! What are the odds... you'd think we would have a better chance of winning in Vegas than that happening right?? Obviously not! It was a once in a lifetime experience that I hope will only happen once in my lifetime!
Related articles
- The Beautiful Grand Canyon In Blue (perdueosity.com)
10 Most Used Apps on My Phone
I have over 100 apps (non-standard issue) on my iPhone, and am continually finding more and more that I want and need. I don't know what I did before my iPhone and it's many wonderful apps! I have almost 40 different game apps, it's nice for entertaining myself and my niece and nephew who are always dying to play on my phone anytime they see me! There is seriously something to be said for the saying "there's an app for that!"
So here's my list of ten most used apps on MY iPhone.
1) My Fitness Pal: One of my close friends, Yarden, recommended this app to me! 
She's a droid person, but they have this app for everyone! It's a calorie counting and overall weight and fitness management application! It's very user-friendly and can help you attain your weight goals! Also, a nice (and new feature for iPhone) is that you can scan barcodes to find calorie counts! Not everything is in the system, but as people input info based on the barcodes, they are adding more and more to the database. It is wonderful and has been very helpful for Paul and I!
2) Facebook: I don't think an explanation is needed. The application really isn't near as 
good as being on Facebook on the computer, but it is definitely convenient when you aren't near your computer and want to check what people are posting on the wall, and viewing comments, etc.
3) MapQuest or Google Maps: Paul and I NEVER print out directions anymore! With 
the MapQuest App, we get voice command turn by turn directions, and the beauty of it is while you are listening to iTunes or Pandora, it will fade the music so you hear the directions! And it's FREE! It can be a little glitchy here and there, which is why we will generally use the standard issue Google Maps app as a backup.
4) Words With Friends: I think this is one of my favorite ga
mes to play on my iPhone, I've been somewhat bad about keeping up with my games, but it's because I have thirteen or more games going on at once. But it's definitely a nice way to exercise the mind, work on your vocab, and in some cases outshine your friends! 
5) Pandora: Who needs to purchase music anymore when you can listen to almost any artist and similar artists with variety! We LOVE Pandora! It has definitely broadened our music selection, turned us on to new artists, and in some cases prompted us to buy music. 
6) iTV: Paul and I are in the very small population that does not have DVR, so I actually will plan my evenings around TV shows, and this is my TV Guide! It will tell me when shows are new and notify me prior to the show, to make sure I don't miss it. I really do like this app, and I even think it may work with some DVRs to help you record, if you have the privileged of doing so...
7) Bank of America: Gotta keep those finances in order! I really love this app, granted 
I prefer to work with the computer log-in for Bank of America, but in short notice I can check my balance, set-up payments, transfer funds, and find a bank or atm near me. It's pretty wonderful!
8) Angry Birds: I have three different Angry Bird Apps on my phone, and all of them 
are very entertaining. At one point I had beaten all levels and was hanging on the whim of Angry Bird Developers to send out an update, but I have since gotten busy and have plenty of catching up to do on all of them, general Angry Birds, Angry Birds Seasons, and Angry Birds Rio.
9) Blockbuster: While Paul and I tried Netflix, it just didn't suit us. So we are back to 
Blockbuster, and the app helps me to be add new movies to the queue on the fly! I can check on when new movies will be mailed out to us and what new movies are releasing. And the beauty of the Blockbuster set-up is if we finish a movie we can exchange it immediately at the store! We like the instant gratification there...
10) Shazam: I love so much music, but overall I am a soundtrack girl. I watch shows and movies and hear music I love, and this app allows me to find out who the artist is or what song it is. I love it, cause then I could technically create a soundtrack for my life, based on what I pull up on Shazam at any given time. Love it!
Definitely let me know of any Apps you can't live without, I may not have them and would probably LOVE to check them out...
