We got more snow this week. It was quite a surprise as there was none in the forecast. I happened to be an hour west of home when I saw that it was snowing in the Gorge and would continue to snow for several hours.
I was a little wary of driving home in it - not because I'm afraid to drive in snow, but because we just don't get much snow here and keeping the roads drive-able is a challenge in these parts when it does snow. It was just raining when we started out and headed east. Normally it takes us 45 minutes to an hour to get home, but this time it took an hour and a half.
It didn't take long for the rain to change into snow and for us to slow down to 30 mph on the interstate. I gripped the steering wheel so hard at times, but we finally made it to our exit. I was so relieved. SO RELIEVED. Now I just had to drive one more mile, up hill to our house.
I made it 1/4 mile and then the car wouldn't go any farther. Thankfully, a tow truck driver was coming toward me and got out of his truck to help me back up so I could turn around. He literally walked next to me and calmly told me exactly what to do.
After turning around, I drove into town a bit and tried a different road. I got 1/4 mile up that one before stalling again. My courage was wearing thin and I decided it might be best to park the car and just walk home. I pulled into a hotel and went inside to ask if I could park in their lot over night. Of course it was ok, but the person working encouraged me to try "hospital hill" - probably the steepest hill in town, but the one they keep clear because it leads to the hospital.
I gave it a try, and there was just enough gravel to give me just enough traction to get up the hill and closer to home. I was so tired and so stressed out, but so grateful to be home.
The next morning the girls spent some time playing in the snow and I looked out to find this one lounging in her snow chair.
Also...this is a one-eyed snow blob named Michael.
Determined you certainly were! Glad you made it home and that there was delight for you the day after. :-)
ReplyDeleteIts the ice that makes it scary to drive in for sure! Glad you got home safely!!
ReplyDeleteThat’s stressful! But what a kind tow truck driver! You might want to budget for a set of snow tires. They should last several years if you only have them put on/taken off in winter. We use them Thanksgiving through February (mostly for our trips to central Oregon over the mountain) and it is such a relief to have good traction in winter weather—plus you don’t have to put on chains! Hugs to you. Glad you and your car are safely home.
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