A Lesson Learned the Hard Way

I was strolling through one of my old blogs yesterday. At one time, they were public, but I've since made them private - they were never my best writing, but I still enjoy going back and looking at what was going on in our lives at that point in time.  I found this story - which was originally published 5 years ago today.  I had completely forgotten about this until I read it - and then the memories came flooding back.  What a day that was....


We had a quick moving clipper move through our area and dump 4 inches of snow on us.  Normally, that's not a big deal.  Unfortunately, the storm was not predicted.  Our road crews were sent out on other assignments, and once the snow hit, they were stuck in the snow just like the rest of us and were unable to make it back to their home base and pick up the salt trucks.

This was the day that prompted my being more prepared for the snow in my car.  It's the reason why I keep a snow supply box - with food, blankets, water, and kitty litter in the trunk of my car.

I was stuck out in the snow.  I made it most of the way home with no incident, but then came the last mile.  No matter which road you travel to get into our neighborhood, you have to go down a steep hill, around a tight corner and up another steep hill.  The "back" way into our neighborhood goes through a ravine - the turns are even tighter and steeper on that road.

I came in the front way, and a school bus had spun out on the road and was blocking both lanes.  I backed up the hill and turned around to go the back way into our neighborhood.  That was where I made my mistake.  I crowned the hill at the top of the ravine, and my van began spinning out of control down the snowy roadway.  I did everything I was suppposed to do - and still, I kept spinning.  It felt as if the van was in danger of tipping and rolling over.  Finally, after three complete spins, I came to rest against a curb.  After I gathered my wits, I backed the van the rest of the way down the hill and made it up the next hill.  I finally got onto the road behind my house, only to find cars at a complete standstill.  There was a five car pile up, and two school buses full of children had spun out on the road, and were stopped, perpendicular to the roadway. 

I gave up all hope of getting home in my car.  There was an empty field off to my right.  I pulled my van into the field, and walked the rest of the way home.  I only had three blocks to go.  Because the road surface was so slippery, I walked through front yards.  I watched, horrified, as a motorist left his car and attempted to walk down the road.  Another car, attempting to get around the pile up had pulled to the side of the accident and lost control of his car.  He was headed toward the pedestrian, and there was no way the collision could be avoided.  Somehow, the pedestrian managed to get out of the way of the car, but it was enough to convince me to stay far away from the roadway. 

The kids usually get out of school at 2:30.  My daughter gave up on the bus and walked the mile and a half home.  The boys school is farther away from the house.  The buses did not deliver them home until 7:00 that night.

Now that I've had time to reflect on the incident, what lessons have I learned?

First, I have prepared a box of items in my trunk just in case if I am stranded again.  If I had been stuck in my car for any length of time, I would have been in some serious trouble.  My box has blankets, non-perishable food, water, kitty litter, hiking boots, a flashlight, kitty litter (for traction), and a small snow shovel.

Second, I put snow chains in the back of the car.  I have all weather radials on the van, but they were not enough to handle the slick snow that we had.  Even more important, I learned how to put the chains ON the tires.

Third, I make certain that I have my winter coat in the back of the car when I leave the house.  I don't wear my coat when I drive- I don't feel like I can handle the car well when I am all bulky in my coat.  However, walking home three blocks in my Keds and a sweatshirt through a snow storm was enough to convince me that NO MATTER WHAT, my coat is always in whatever car I am traveling in.

Stay warm this winter!

Getting the Cars Ready for Winter

The days are getting shorter and colder.  Parts of the United States saw snow over the weekend.  That was our reminder that we needed to get our cars ready for the winter.

We always get the oil in our cars changed every 3,000 miles.  It's how our Civic has lasted 14 years and well over 200,000 miles.  We had the oil changed in both cars just last week.

This is what we do to get our cars ready for the winter:

1) Make sure the windshield washer fluid is topped off.  We buy an extra gallon and keep it in the garage so we can add more on warmer days through the winter.

2) Replace the windshield wipers.

3) Check to make certain the jumper cables are accessible.

4) Add the collapsible snow shovel.  I tend to take this out of the trunk in the spring, because it gets in my way.  Husband leaves it in year round.

5) Change the batteries in the flashlight.

6) Add a bag of kitty gravel.  (Non-clumping).  We use this for traction in case if we get stuck in the snow.  It's happened more than once before, and that bag of litter has made a big difference in getting out.  I've seen other people use carpet remnants or gravel.  We use kitty litter.  I'm not certain, but I like to think it's easier on the environment.

7) Find wherever the ice scrapers have migrated to and move them into the pockets on the driver's side door.  Oh yeah, and clear out all of the affiliated junk in that pocket.

8) Clean out all of the loose stuff in the car, and vacuum it.  (Just because)

9) Check the tire pressure.

10) Check to make sure all of the bulbs are working - headlights, tail lights, and turn signals.  Replace as needed.  Really don't want a ticket for something we could have easily fixed for less than $5.

11) Add a blanket, and a seasonal change of clothes to the trunk.  I actually keep a suitcase in the trunk of the car year round, in case if something happens and I have to stay overnight somewhere unexpectedly.  For winter, this change includes underwear, socks, shoes, a long sleeved shirt and a sweatshirt.  (Remember, I used to teach.  You never knew what was going to happen in the course of a day, so having a change of clothing with you was always a good idea just in case.)  BTW, I also carry a large plastic bag to put a dirty change of clothing in.

12) Check the food and water supplies.  I have a big plastic box in the trunk that holds water bottles and snacks.  I can't tell you how many times I've hit up those supplies over the years.  Hungry kids, hungry me, running late, whatever the reason, I've always got fairly healthy snacks that won't melt in the trunk of my car.  If I do get stranded on a road in a snowstorm, or I am running late and starved, knowing I've got something to nosh on until I can get home and get real food is a nice feeling.

Have you gotten your car ready for winter?