The Heroes of the New Mexico Blizzard

On December 29, a major blizzard roared into New Mexico, shutting down all interstates and highways across the state for three days. Governor Bill Richardson called the snow "the worst ever" to hit New Mexico and issued a disaster declaration. National Guard troops were put on standby to help with emergency response.

In an isolated area of the state between Clayton and Springer, in the north east corner of the state, 44 stranded motorists became guests at the Triple M Cattle Ranch, owned by Randy and Christine Glover.

The Glover ranch house is small, just 1,200 square-feet, with one bathroom Yet when the storm raged outside leaving 30 inches of snow and drifts of 10 to 15 feet, the Glovers opened the doors to motorists who were stranded on U.S. 56, unable to go forward and unable to go back. Several of the motorists were rescued by snow plows and taken to the ranch while other stranded motorists linked arms and braved the blizzard to walk to the haven of the ranch.

For three days the stranded motorists, now house guests of the Glovers, read magazines, slept, watched TV, and played video games. Though they were in cramped conditions, nobody complained.

One of the stranded motorists was a man who had received a heart transplant years ago and was running low on medicine. The Glovers contacted the New Mexico Office of Emergency Management and that agency sent a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter to transport the man to the hospital in Santa Fe.

They were fortunate that one of the stranded motorists was driving a food truck so the kitchen pantry remained stocked. New Year's Eve was celebrated with macaroni and cheese. It was a New Year's Eve that they will always remember.

The motorists have gone now. As they made their way out onto the snowy highways, the motorists remained in contact with the Glovers, reassuring them that they were alright on the roads.