Cider Press Hill

Pulse pounding drive

So, we woke up this morning to a moderately white world. Snow drifted out of the sky with no particular aim, though it was steady and accumulated rather quickly. I didn’t expect school to be closed today, but checked anyway. Nope. There were a lot of other schools closed, but nothing much along the coast. We weren’t supposed to receive much snow. But, much to everyone’s surprise, there was a slick layer of ice under the snow and man did that make driving horrible this morning. It was so slippery that turning corners was almost out of the question. Even from a dead stop, the very act of turning a corner—very slowly—gave the car just enough momentum to want to bypass the turn altogether and head straight for the house on the corner.

On the way to school there were several fender benders. Police cars dotted the streets, with their blue lights flashing, while the afflicted parties stood around looking at each other and the damage. No happy faces there. The police were busy people this morning. The last accident we passed was right by the school. A school van crashed into a student’s car. And it wasn’t the student’s fault. He was parked when the van slid into his rear end and crumpled his fender and smashed his tail light. Makes me think the school may have cause to rethink their cancellation and delay policy a little bit after all the accident reports are in today.

This storm was not billed as much more than a sloppy wet mess with an inch or two of snow and rain forecast. The ice was a surprise, but still it must have been noted by someone responsible for school closings and delays. Since the road crews didn’t turn out this morning, the roads were treacherous. Nevertheless, there are always some who drive as if it’s a summer’s day. And I’m sorry if it seems like I pick on SUV drivers a lot, but the summer’s day drivers were in big SUVs. They’re great in the snow, but they don’t stop on ice any better than the rest of us.

Seeing one come perilously close to taking out a couple of kids in a cross walk made me more convinced this morning was a bad mistake. The driver slammed on the brakes and kept on going. The crossing guard saw it coming and frantically yanked the kids back out of the way, just in the nick of time. By a hair. Scared the living daylights out of me and probably took a year or two off the crossing guard’s life as well.

I don’t ordinarily complain, seriously, about snowy days when the schools don’t close, but this morning was awful judgment on someone’s part.

Posted on 01/23/06 at 08:37 AM
 




cyn

You aren’t kidding Kate!  I just got back home--took husband to the train cause his car does not play in the snow (that was well documented on my former blog!!), then decided to go get gas--something I should have done yesterday while I was out and about.  But, I, like many others, actually believed the forecast that clearly said “perhaps” an inch or two of the wet stuff........Hmmmmm, we have over 2” already and it is wet AND heavy.  I think I drove looking in the rear view mirror more than looking out the windshield this morning as those lovely people in their SUV’s truly have no idea what the heck they are doing.  They do drive like it is a summer’s day and are arrogant to boot.  Just heard the Dan’l Webster is CLOSED cause of accidents....amazing how we all live in NE and yet so many haven’t a clue from one storm to the other.

Oh well, I have decided to stay home today, catch up on emails, make a BIG pot of sauce (gravy??!!), maybe clean, maybe read--most likely read, do all the things I never stay home long enough to do!!  Maybe make snow angels.............;)

United States   Posted by cyn on 01/23/06  at  08:52 AM





Kate

Well, we’ve had our couple of inches and are working on a few more now. It’s coming down pretty hard. I do hope it turns to rain this afternoon. Lots of stuff to do and I really don’t want to go cruising around in this. Still haven’t seen a single plow or sand truck. I guess they’re holding out for rain, too.

The Dan’l Webster must have been a skating rink this morning. Can’t imagine what it must look like for them to have closed it! Do we have enough auto body shops??

Cyn, you inspired me. Think I’ll whip up some crock pot chili and let it simmer today. That’ll hit the spot tonight.

United States   Posted by Kate on 01/23/06  at  09:35 AM





Joann

I remember as a kid that the determination for a school day was if the superintendent could drive his truck over a small hill in his backyard.  If he couldn’t make it over he would call a school day.

The school district always padded the school year schedule with 2 plus weeks just for that situation.  We didn’t live in the boonies as much as some of the other schools, so it was rarely canceled for us.

I’m surpised the road crews weren’t out - that should have been a #1 priority.

United States   Posted by Joann on 01/23/06  at  01:14 PM





Kate

I like that story, Joann. Can’t you just picture the guy trudging out to his truck to make the run over the hill? I wonder what our superintendent does. Probably picks up the phone or something.

We’re supposed to have built in snow days, too, but they’re really stingy about using them. It’s killing the lad this year. Being a senior, he doesn’t have to make up any snow days. Naturally, he’s wishing for lots of them. So far, no such luck.

I think the road crews believed it was going to be a tiny storm with more rain than snow. The ice and snow took them by surprise, too. By mid-afternoon they finally rolled out so that rush hour travelers would have a fighting chance.

It never did rain or warm up.

United States   Posted by Kate on 01/23/06  at  09:17 PM





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