Driving home in the snow
Mom and I drove through a huge snowstorm in North
Carolina and Virginia. At times we drove 15-20 mph weaving
on the interstate between spun-out cars, jack-knifed
tractor trailers, toe trucks and flashing state troopers. At
other times we were the only vehicle on a stretch of road
and I stopped multiple times in the middle of the interstate
to scrape my windshield and clean the ice from the wipers.
Visibility was near zero. There were no motels and I was
afraid to exit for fear that I'd get stuck in the unplowed
snow on the exit ramps. We kept plugging along.
I was thrilled when I got off the highway and found my way
to a motel with a YES sign.
After being turned away at another place, we got the last
room here. Others were turned away as we registered.
Cars in the parking lot of our motel
Our motel is part of a complex that has a Chinese buffet in the middle
and a gas station with a store and Subway on the end. We are staying
two days so the storm has a chance to pass and the road crews have
a chance to do their thing. Three people have died and hundreds were
stranded along the Interstate. We don't want to push our luck any
farther.
Snow shoveled away from the side door of the motel the
next morning.
Mom is settled in for a day of watching TV and munching on
snacks (and a Subway sandwich or two) in the motel.
We could also order a pizza. Neither rain nor sleet nor
whatever can stop the pizza delivery guys.
I had to dig the van out of the snow using a plastic tray
from the room. Here I am ready to try backing up. (You can
see the bridge on I-77 on the top, left of the picture --
no cars or trucks on the road.)
I succeeded in getting out, and moved to a cleaned spot.
We should have no trouble getting away in the morning.