A Texas Ice Storm: How We Spent an Unexpected Week at Home

The ice storm settled into Texas late Friday, and by Monday it was clear it was not going to be a quick event. Freezing rain, icy roads, and lingering cold led to school being cancelled as conditions continued to worsen. We did not really worry about it, because we were already prepared. Once the roads turned slick and travel slowed to a crawl, the plan was simply to stay home and let the storm run its course.

Our camper stood guard in the driveway the entire time, quietly keeping watch and making sure we had a warm, comfortable place to retreat to if the power went out. With a small space heater running inside, it stayed cozy throughout the storm. It was already warm, already comfortable, and ready to take care of us if we needed it, almost like it was watching over the house while the ice piled up outside.

Our camper stood watch in the driveway as ice covered everything around it, ready to give us a warm place to go if the power went out.

An Unexpected Week Off Due to Ice

Because I work in education, I was off work most of the week, returning on Friday. Campuses remained closed for safety reasons, even after most of the main roads began to clear. While highways and major roads improved fairly quickly, campus walkways were still covered in ice. Less traveled roads, especially shaded areas, held onto dangerous ice much longer than people realize making closures the safest option.

Having that unexpected time off slowed everything down in a good way. There was no rush to be anywhere and no reason to head out unless it was absolutely necessary. We focused on staying warm, checking conditions outside, and making the most of the extra time at home.

A Clear Interstate and a Trip to Dallas

After a few days, conditions improved enough that the interstate was finally clear. With very little traffic on the road, we made a quick trip to Dallas to pick up a new 3D printer. My old FlashForge had finally quit on me and the Bambu Lab P1S Combo with the AMS was on sale for $200 off which made the timing perfect. 

The drive itself was smooth and uneventful which was a welcome change after watching days of ice build up outside. The lighter than normal traffic made the trip feel easier than a typical run into Dallas and we were back home quicker than usual without any issues.

We picked up a Bambu Lab P1S Combo with the AMS while the roads were clear, taking advantage of a sale that made upgrading an easy decision.

Upgrading Camper Projects with the New Printer

Once the new printer was set up, I used the downtime to reprint every electronics enclosure I had previously made for the camper. The improvement was immediately noticeable. Switching filaments suddenly felt more like magic than a chore compared to the old printer. The prints were cleaner, the fit was better, and the overall quality was far beyond what I had been getting from the old printer. 

Reprinting those parts brought the camper electronics project to a new level. They were the same designs, but with better detail and consistency, making everything feel more finished and polished.

Reprinting our camper electronics enclosures on the new printer showed just how much the quality had improved compared to the old setup.

Homemade Bread and Comfort Food Inside

Spending so much time indoors felt like the perfect excuse to bake something comforting. While I was busy printing anything I could think of on our new printer Cerinia made homemade bread using our red Lodge cast iron Dutch oven. The loaf came out with a great oven spring, a solid hearty texture, and it made the whole house smell incredible.

There is something especially satisfying about baking bread during cold weather. While the ice lingered outside, we were inside enjoying fresh bread and warmth, which made the storm feel far less disruptive.

Homemade bread baked during the ice storm using our red Lodge cast iron Dutch oven, a simple project that made the cold week a little better.

Staying Warm and Taking It Easy

Not all of the week was spent working on projects. I also spent plenty of time chilling in front of the computer playing Guild Wars 2 while the ice slowly melted away. With nowhere to be and no reason to rush, it was easy to settle into a slower pace and enjoy the quiet.

With nowhere to be and roads still iced over, I spent part of the week unwinding in front of the computer and playing Guild Wars 2.

Not every ice storm story needs to be dramatic or stressful. Sometimes it is simply about already being prepared, staying comfortable, and letting the weather do its thing until life returns to normal.