Snow Glorious Snow

On Monday morning when the snowflakes started falling, I decided that it was time to go out and get all of the food I needed to be prepared for the influx of family that are coming to our house for Thanksgiving. The lines for gas were a little long, but not terrible. I checked in with my office in the afternoon and reported on the weather in my area. About an hour later as I was leaving another store, the weather had turned and it seemed to me like this wasn't a snow is pretty much the same as rain situation. It was sticking and the traffic reports in the entire region were discouraging. Entire freeways and highways were blocked from collisions and spin outs. And the roads in my area were quickly deteriorating.

When we moved to our current home up a huge hill (at least a half mile of incline and then some leveling and then a little more incline), we didn't realize that 4 wheel drive was a prerequisite for living here. We were lucky to have such a vehicle and ended up shuttling many of our Christmas guests up our hill so they could spend the day with us. So, when we were in the market for another vehicle last year having 4x4 capabilities was high on our needs list.

Coming home on Monday, I gave the little car in front of me ample space and time to get up our hill. Sadly, he wasn't going to make it and joined about a dozen other cars parked at the bottom of the hill. My rowdy kids were fighting in the back and I threatened them to be quiet. We talked about these other vehicles. And that I needed to concentrate. I couldn't be thinking about them and the backseat drama. I passed that car and made it safely and easily up the hill and home.

Ah, the joys of having the right equipment at the right time! And the joys of being forced to take a snow break and slowing down. I haven't left the house in two days. I kind of want to get out. But then when I see the ill-equipped drivers and vehicles on the news who are sliding into each other I am grateful that I don't have to go out. Why is it that we can't drive in the snow? The Seattle Times has a great article that sums up several of the reasons. I think reasons 1 through 4 are valid. And number 5 is spot on. Our worst problems aren't lousy tires or  traction control, it's the drivers who start sliding and instead of looking at where they want to go, they focus on what not to hit and that big ditch. And where do we end up? Sliding into other cars on an otherwise empty street and going right off the road. If you are in a skid, look where you want to go and get both hands on the wheel and work to get there. Do not give up! You can still positively affect your outcome.