Val Makes Her Escape

Val took advantage of her narrow window of opportunity on Thursday, to escape the confines of her hillbilly mansion and venture to civilization. In retrospect, it was a folly fraught with possible catastrophes.

Hick had been telling me since Sunday that I should stay home, that the parking lots were treacherous. He also said that the roads weren't too bad. With a new storm bearing a possible 3-5 inches of snow rolling in on Thursday night, I flew the coop.

Hick had mentioned that our road was the worst part. He was not a-woofin'! Here are some pictures from my drive home.

The county blacktop road wasn't too bad. Mostly clear. Just not clear enough for two vehicles to pass. Each had to get two tires off the pavement and onto the icy part. No indication of where the drop-off was from the road edge. No shoulders in Backroads. Just a ditch. At least I only met ONE truck during my time on this road.

Our gravel road was indeed the worst part. You wouldn't even know there was gravel.

That's down by the creek and Mailbox Row. Doesn't it look peaceful and serene? 

It's NOT! That road is a mile of packed ice from the county blacktop road to our house!

I would not have gone if I knew our gravel road was this bad. In town, the parking lot of the Gas Station Chicken Store was similar. I didn't park in my rightful handicap space, but instead pulled under the roof, thinking my footing would be more stable. WRONG! As I walked behind T-Hoe, hand on his hatch to steady myself, I had to trudge through slippery slush that had frozen. I suppose it fell off of cars parked at the gas pumps. AND my hand slipped in the dirty spray that had coated T-Hoe's rear. I hate to block the gas pumps for my brief trip inside for scratchers, but it was the safest option.

At 10Box, all five handicap spaces were taken. Three of them by cars with handicap plates or placards. The other two by ne'er-do-wells who felt entitled. I had to park across the drive, in a regular space. At least the lot was cleared, and a couple had come out and left their cart in front of the store for me to latch onto once I got that far.

After picking up a few foodstuffs to tide us over during the next storm, I headed over to Sis-Town to mail Genius's letter. The roads to there were pretty clear. But I got behind somebody overly-cautious who drove 20 mph in a 45 mph zone. 

I'm definitely not getting out on Friday. At least the snow will cover our ice, and give some traction on the gravel road. I think I can make it trapped at home another two or three days, to see how much clearing and melting occur. 

Be careful what you wish for. A trip to town is not always the escape you imagine.