Does This Particular Cloud Have a Silver Lining?
By Keiti | March 21, 2008
So, I haven’t quite made it to Wisconsin as of yet.
“Why?” you ask.
Because I’m freakin’ snowed in in North Chicago, that’s why!
This snow storm has the potential to be the worst spring snow fall in 60 years.
…60 years!
And it had to happen while I was driving up to Wisconsin.
I kind of feel like I’ve got this cloud following me around. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing; it’s just that weird things constantly happen to me.
At any rate, the drive was pretty uneventful until I hit Chicago this morning, which is where the snow started. At which point the windshield wipers I’d meant to get looked at before I left Florida decided to go haywire. The wipers themselves are fine, but the mechanism on the steering column that powers them up is pretty much on its last leg. When I first turned them on, I heard a “snap” and the windshield wipers automatically went to super fast mode. It took a while for me to figure out how to be nice to them and get them adjusted to a more appropriate speed (while trying to navigate the freeway and snowy / icy roads - that was fun). The storm got progressively worse the further north I drove and I finally decided to pull off to gas up and figure out where the nearest hotel was.
In Chicago, they’ve got rest stops along 294 / 94 they call an oasis. So, I stopped, gassed up the car and went over to the food building to chill out for a while, call my dad to check in, and figure out how much further I was going to have to drive to find a hotel. I was there about 30 minutes before I got back on the road again - by that time, my car was completely covered in snow, and the parking lot was a sea of white.
I sucked it up and inched my way back to the interstate where, just as I was ready to pull on to the road, a snowplow went flying by throwing icky, icy slush all over my car. Then no one would let me pull on to the interstate; bad weather certainly brings out the best in people. I finally got driving and made it a couple of miles up the road to an exit where I knew there were hotels.
I should have stayed on the interstate.
See, I haven’t seen snow like this since I was 15 and still living in Germany. Seriously. So, I don’t stop to think about the fact that the interstate is probably clearer than the surface roads.
Yeah, I know…it’s common sense, but still…
Anyway, I inch my way off the interstate and realize that the surface roads haven’t been cleared. At all. So, I’m stuck driving in 2-3 inches of snow and slush.
Well, “driving” is probably not the best word to use. “Sliding” is more to the point.
And slid I did. Of course life couldn’t be easy and have a hotel or two sitting right off the interstate so I slid about a mile down the road until I came upon a hotel. I made it into the parking lot and went in to see about a room.
Only to be told that they were booked up.
The guy was nice and directed me to another hotel down the road a couple of blocks. So off I go. Slid out of the parking lot, slid down the road and slid (sideways) into the turn in for the hotel. The guy behind me laid on his horn thinking that was going to tell me that I was an idiot about driving in the snow.
I can’t repeat what I said, but it all came down to my inquiring as to whether he couldn’t see the fact that I had Florida plates.
It. Does. Not. Snow. In. Florida.
Now who’s the idiot?
Anyway, I made it into the hotel, asked about a room, and in that split second before the desk guy gave me an answer I decided that if he told me they were booked I was going to throw a world-class tantrum as only a 36-year-old can do.
Luckily for all involved I was able to book a room for the night.
And that’s where I find myself. Snowed in in North Chicago, with the only open restaurant within walking distance that doesn’t require me to walk across four lanes of traffic (I think it’s four lanes - it’s hard to tell with all the snow!) is Mickey D’s. I never eat McD’s because it always makes me feel sick. No getting around that tonight.
I have managed to snap a few pictures - they’re not great; it’s still snowing too hard to get decent shots - but it’ll give you an idea of how crazy it is around here.
And remember - I have never driven in snow until today.
I do love me a good adventure.
The first two pictures were taken beneath the drive-up overhang at the hotel. The other two are of my car.
Topics: Life in General |
March 21st, 2008 at 10:21 pm
oh my gosh I cannot belive the pictures is that really snow cool I haven’t seen it up close for a long time hope you feel better by the way oh and play in the snow for me when you have a chance!
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:44 am
Hey Veon!
Yep, that’s really snow - and lots of it! It’s finally started to slow down a bit (it’s now 20 til 8pm Central time). Hopefully it’ll stop completely by morning and I can get back on the road.
Haven’t been out playing in the snow at all. Can’t seem to muster up the motivation at the moment.
I am feeling better, thank you, but I still have the damn cough.
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Hey K,
Don’t forget what I said about kitty litter! Also, the best way to slow down on snow is to downshift and use the engine to slow you down. Brakes are the last thing you use to actually stop. Also, when you get there, put a blanket, water, food and flares and first aid kit in the car for emergencies. All tips that I picked up when I was stationed in Alaska.
CII
Your Big Bro.
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:29 am
I haven’t forgotten. I think the snow is pretty much over for the year (I hope). There’s a bit on the ground here in Wisconsin, but nothing like in Chicago.
It was a good learning experience, that’s for sure, and what I learned is that I don’t like driving in snow and would rather not repeat the experience any time soon.
Thank God it very rarely snows in Stirling. And thank God I won’t have a car, anyway.
Love you!
K~