In which we are never "cleared for launch" without weather-checking the pass

Here's the weather forecast summary for Washtucna on ride day for Home on the Range, according to NOAA.gov:
Saturday: Rain. High near 55. East wind between 6 and 9 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

That's not bad.  I like a high near 60 degrees better, but 55 and a quarter-inch of rain is fine.

The problem isn't the ride site.  

The problem is the mountain pass between home and the ride site.   Here's the Dept of Transportation photo of the pass this morning:

Here's THAT summary:

Restrictions EastBound: Traffic stopped for avalanche control

Conditions: Compact snow, slush and ice on the roadway. Avalanche control work is complete. Westbound traffic has been released and is now moving. Eastbound traffic remains stopped at milepost 47, near Denny Creek, and milepost 56, near Gold Creek, while clean up continues.

Weather:Snowing, hard at time with poor visibility

We aren't giving up.  The sn*w is heavy and wet, which means it's clear-able...we just need to give the DOT some time to do the job, and hope that the weather gives up and goes away. 

We have "delayed launch" for a few hours, perhaps a full day.  Stay tuned, I guess. 

While we're waiting for the weather to settle down, here's a song to sing.  I wrote it in 2005, because the weather in the pass was scary, and I thought we weren't going to be able to get to Home on the Range.  Some things in my life stay steady.

The H-O-T-R   with apologies to the Village People

Ponies, there's no need to feel down.
(I say): Ponies, if there’s mud on the ground.
(I say): Ponies, get yourself out of town
There's no need—to—be--unhappy.

Ponies, there's a place you can go.
(I say):  Ponies, when you’re tired of snow.
You can go there, and I'm sure you will find
Many ways to have a good time.

It's fun to play at the H-O-T-R.
There’s lots of hay at the H-O-T-R

They have trails and food for you all to enjoy,
You can hang out and make some noise ...

It's fun to play  at the H-O-T-R
There’s lots of hay at the H-O-T-R

You can drink in the tanks, you can have a good meal,
You can do whatever you feel ...

It's fun to play  at the H-O-T-R
There’s lots of hay at the H-O-T-R

Ponies, I once worried about sn*w.
(I was) Scared to load up and go.
Passes were too scary to drive
I stayed home trying to survive

That's when someone not very big,
(She said):  “Pony, get your butt in the rig!”
It's a place we call the H.O.T. R.
They can get you out on the trails…!

It's fun to play at the H-O-T-R.
There’s lots of hay at the H-O-T-R.

They have trails and food for you all to enjoy,
You can hang out and make some noise ...

It's fun to play  at the H-O-T-R
There’s lots of hay at the H-O-T-R