Thursday, January 27, 2011

So, You Think You Had a Bad Day...

My adventure started when I drove half way to the ski resort and realized that I forgot one ski boot (I'm not going to try and explain). I should have just gone home then, but I had an excited 10 year old in the car ready for a day on the slopes. Since we were spending the night at my sister's (half way point) and my teenage son agreed to meet me half way with the other boot (in exchange for a tankful of gas), I decided to meet my son at Barnes & Noble (smart move as you will see). After about 30 minutes, when I called him to see where he was, I joked, "You did remember the boot?" Silence. Two hours later (he got lost, too) and after reading my third novel, I had the boot.

Next day: It's snowing..yippee; should be some great skiing. Got to the ski resort to be faced with dense fog and sleet, but we were skiing! Took two runs and my son was begging me to leave...at that point we were living ice sculptures.

After a cup of hot cocoa and a quick pep talk, we were back braving the elements and skiing. The snow was great, but getting pelted by ice balls, not being able to see because of the one inch coating of ice on our goggles wasn't. We decided to go back early.
Source: Montreal Gazette

By now the sleet had turned into a blizzard...complete white out. I put my car in four wheel drive and was determined to at least get to my sister's. I won't bore you with all the details, but my 50 minute drive turned into 4 1/2 hours, my windshield wipers froze at one point causing me to drive off an exit blind, passed one overturned car, about 20 cars in ditches, and two jack-knifed tractor trailers. As was driving, my 10-year old was giving me a pep talk, bless his soul.
I made it to a neighborhood about a mile from my sister's house and just abandoned my car there. And, both of us (feeling very much like Bear Grylls from Man vs. Wild) began to trek the mile to my sister's in blinding snow. At one point we heard a thunderous noise...a tree had fallen and just missed us!!!
Happy ending...my sister's neighbor ventured out to pick us up before we had to climb a steep hill (thanks Brian) and we got to hang out with my sis one more night. The snow is beautiful...I bet the skiing is great...

8 comments:

A Vintage Vine said...

Great post! What did you say in the pep talk, it must have been good! He went back out which is awesome! I love to ski, except on days like that! I am glad you are safe and enjoyed another day with sis.!

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

What a story! Just glad you guys are safe!!!
Sherry

" SHABBY JUNK" said...

omg how crazy! Sorry about your day. I guess Texas isn't so bad after all. No more hot weather complaints. stay warm

Andi said...

WOW! That is one crazy story! I'm just glad everyone is safe.

Cassie Bustamante said...

yep, i don't even know what to say to that one. you guys are safe and warm and that is what matters!

Allison said...

We didn't think you'd ever make it to the neighborhood! Glad Bry could help...!
Hope you are enjoying the extra day with sis...!

Carmen said...

Ooh boy! I hate days like that. Kudos to you for making it as far as you did. That's definitely a story for the grandkids someday. Crazy!

Luis y Ton said...

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