December 2, 2007
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Stranded!
Yeah, the well laid plans of mice and men.
We managed to get ourselves stranded in town.
It was NOT snowing when we got up, so we assumed we could do our massively busy day on Saturday. We did it. Trucked on through all the events, were tired, but coping.
About 3/4's of the way through the last one we looked out the window and saw a few stray snow flakes. We weren't super nervous we figured it would take quite a bit before we couldn't move...and it wasn't sticking yet.
So we wrapped up the potluck, headed out, and as we got west the snow got worse and worse. Visibility was nill. But it still wasn't sticking much, so we figured we would be fine.
We stopped at the Joyce church picked up my tree I won in the auction, and began to head home. By this time there's about a 1/2 inch on the road, and its still snowing HARD. Big fluffy blinding flakes, and its 6 pm so dark dark dark outside.
I was driving as its "my" van and I'm a bit more comfy with how it handles. I started having to drive slower and slower as the visability got worse, and the snow got deeper and deeper.
Just before we hit the first "big" hill otherwise known as Sumas pass I was doing about 25-30. Visibility was terrible, and the snow had turned into one big skating rink.
We do NOT have snow tires on the van--and the white van is an absolute pig in the snow. PIG! I looked at Rob, and we still figured we could handle it, I'd just take the pass at a nice steady pace.
Which was great until I started broad sliding. There was no trafffic--we were the only idiots still on the road, and we were going up the hill sideways. We did that for about a half a mile. It was mostly a controlled sideways, and I knew if I stopped we were utterly screwed. But then controlled went down hill, and I had to gently, gently put on the brakes, and we stopped about one foot from the guard rail.
The kids were very very scared, and started screaming while I was sliding sideways, but one quick and strong command they all shut up.
Once I got stopped, I had to get started. We tried and tried to get up the hill. But the van just absolutely couldn't do it. And sometime during that process we burned out our power steering.
*Gah*
So we opted to go down the hill instead. I eventually got us turned around. Put it in first gear, put the emergency brake half way down, and Rob got in the back to give us as much weight back there as we could. WE got down but even at two miles per hour the van was sliding all over the road.
TERRIFYING.
But the deal was we were 20 miles from the nearest house or any civilization. And we knew we couldn't get stranded there.
Its a long, long story, but eventually we got to the church where Awana was, and after much drama we finally called my dad who met us, and we very illegally piled into his car and went and spent the night at his house.
Its been a bunch of drama trying to get home to get our other van. But its finally on its way back to my moms...and we *might* try going home tonight.
We shall see when they report the road conditions now that its dark again.
Comments (10)
O.k. I don't want snow *that* bad. lol Of course we don't have many hills like that either, no mountains to worry about.
But yikes! Glad you were able to get to your dad's for the night.
Hi, your story scares me. We have about 7 inches of snow here in the Wenatchee area, 4 inches predicted before morning and I just looked out the window and no freezing rain/snow mix
I have a mid-morning appt with one of my oncologist and a CT scan......dread the drive there. I think my hubby would muzzle me and blind-fold me if he thought he could. Want to bet I have high blood pressure by the time my 10:30 appt rolls around? Even tho have lived here all my life, as this ole gets older, she doesn't like winter weather if there is any hint of having to drive on the roads. Weatherman says a high of 36, so hope that happens atleast by noon. Next day get to trek out again to take my mom to her many appts (she has 2 on Tues) at the medical center. I am already hopeing for an early spring 
. Just think, I may have this to put up with for 5 days a week for 6 1/2 weeks of treatment ! Will find out tomorrow (Mon) when I start.
Now will try to decide how to decorate for Christmas. I see GrannieDee took one of my suggestions and put up her Christmas Tree. Mine goes up by this coming weekend.
Hope you have gotten home safely.
oh my goodness. i'm so glad you are safe. praying the roads clear soon and you can go home.
Justin is laughing. Comments like "women drivers" or "these southern folk who don't know how to deal with snow!" I'm with you on this one. He just hasn't ever had to deal with slippery wet deep snow. It has been snowing here off and on for the past week yet from here to the city (40 minute drive and very straight) the road is clear. It is only in the city or towns that the roads are snow packed or ice covered.
Glad that you guys are safe.
That sounds very scary. I am praising God that you're all OK and praying for your safe return home.
well, I held my breath the whole way. Scary. I hope you are okay getting back if you haven't already gotten there. It is mid-50's here this morning but they promise us falling temps today. We are about 20" below normal in moisture for the year. We could use the wet stuff, but not the slippery stuff. Prayers with your trip and your family.
i would have freaked out if that happened to me, you dealt with it very well and it doesn't sound like you paniced at all!
Lucky the kids were all good and were quiet when you needed them to be.
Oh scary! Glad your all safe!
Oh, YUCK!!! You Poor Baby! So happy you are safe with all your little ones.
Hope things have dried out for you!! That certainly was some storm!
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