How (not) to drive in the Snow... er Blizzard...

 

It was sometime in the middle of February.  I was barely 2 weeks in-country.  I have never experienced a snowfall before. Much less driven in one.

 

I was in a work location about 18 miles from home. We received word the day before that there will be a blizzard that day. So I was not really caught with my pants down.

 

At about 10 in the morning, snow began to fall. By 5 PM, about 4 inches have already fallen. And it still continued to fall like crazy

 

Fearful for our safety, the one in-charge gave us the option to stay in a hotel for the night at the Company's expense.

 

But I decided not to let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive in a full-blown blizzard slip by me in exchange for some fancy room in  a 4-star hotel. So I concocted this flimsy excuse that 18 miles is not really that far, and I am used to this driving condition... blah... blah... blah... (must have made all of them wonder from the hell where?).

 

The new guy, who only lives about 5 miles further than me, followed my cue and decided to make a go for it too.  At about 6 PM, the two of us were given permission to take off.

 

At the freeway entrance ramp, a totally unfamiliar landscape of endless white and swirling snow greeted me. Not a single vehicle was on the road. I decided to stop. Mr. New Guy just drove on. That is where we parted ways.

 

I have a simple plan. I will wait for the first big vehicle to pass by and tail it. Not only will it pack the snow ahead of me, I reckon that its more powerful headlights (and more experienced driver) will help me avoid trouble down the road. If it stops, I stop. If it rolls, I will still have to stop (of course, unless I want to roll too).

 

About three minutes passed before I saw the headlights of a big rig approaching. As soon as it passed in front of me, I went for its six. I was barely able to make out the letters "USPS" painted on the back of its 20-foot container. The mailman surely delivers the mail in this country.

 

And my plan worked. It was like having your own personal snow plow in front of you. All I have to watch out for the rest of the way was the truck's brake lights. Every time it glowed  red, I stepped on the brakes. But I never had to worry about sliding on the snow during the entire way.

Sure, the journey was grindingly slow (it took about a hour and a half instead of the usual 30 minutes). But I made it home in one piece.

Of course, there is no such thing as a free lunch (or a free ride through a blizzard for that matter).  Tailing a big rig has its down side too. My car was covered with dirty snow from bumper to bumper. 

Mr. New Guy was not as fortunate. His luck ran out at the exit ramp. He slid off the ramp and got buried in a big pile of snow. And ended up calling for towing service. He took a personal leave the following day...