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On our first full day, we went
up to 8,000 feet where we would find 5' feet of snow and temperatures
below freezing.
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After passing through terrorist
security, we boarded with about 50 other people.
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The ride to the top takes over
10 minutes.
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The floor of the tram is a revolving
platform, making 2 revolutions during the 10 minute trip.
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We experienced clear views until
the very top when we rose into and above the clouds.
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At the top it was just below
freezing and 5 feet of accumualted snow.
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It wasn't all that cold, but
for me the elevation makes the air too thin.
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Some people brought toboggans
and sleds. It was the first time some kids had seen snow.
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As the clouds came and went,
some of the views were very dramatic.
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Gregg was also impressed by hoarst
frost. He took several pictures to show his students when he teaches
weather.
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This is all frost; not snow.
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Looking to the north.
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Gregg standing on a rickety chair,
as he is over a 100 foot drop. He is getting a picture of the tram coming
up.
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This is the old, non-revolving
tram. (Ask Gregg about the Tram-Scam-Shuttle-Van.)
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As we dropped from 8,000 feet
to about 500 feet our empty water collapsed under in the increasing
air pressure.
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The windmills are just a little
ways up the valley from the tram entrance.
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There are more and more wind
mills installed every time I visit Palm Springs.
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Gregg is setting up the tripod
and self-timer for some pictures.
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Notice our relections in the
hood of the rental mini-van.
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There is a tour of the wind mills
available, but we didn't take it.
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Each wind mill is called a "tower
of power".
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