Obstacle Course

We are still digging out from record-breaking snowfalls. Government offices, schools, and many businesses have been closed for the better part of a week (or more) due to the snow.

Today is President's Day and I have to work. No liberal leave or administrative leave has been declared, so I will be driving into the city for my meetings.

I had been out on the streets around our house a couple of times in the last few days. Even as late as Friday, most areas were plowed, but that does not indicate to what level of safety they had. In numerous places, the banks of snow (and ice) were higher than my line of sight while driving in my four-wheel-drive vehicle. With the added wind, several places had blowing snow over the road and in the shade, leaving patches of snowy and icy roadway. Driving around was possible, but I wouldn't have recommended it if avoidable.

And I *love* my four-wheel drive vehicle.

By Sunday evening, more had been done to clear the tall piles of snow blocking visibility. At a traffic circle near our house, the road crews had managed to clear the center of the circle and reduce the height of the side snow banks down to two feet tall or so. This was a vast improvement. Things are getting safer on the roads, but that's no reason not to continue to be careful.

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE my 4W drive vehicle?!!

This morning, as I headed to work, I paid attention to the condition of the roads as I approached the city.

As soon as I crossed the city line, the roads got worse. No exaggerating. As. soon. as. I. crossed. the. city. line.

Normally an undivided, four lane street was suddenly a two and a half lane street, with tall snow banks in the lane I typically use. Snow banks higher than my vehicle roof were everywhere. Normal right turn lanes were not cleared, backing up traffic worse that usual. Divided streets with two lanes in each direction *and* on-street parking were suddenly transformed into one lane of traffic, with cars buried in normal parking spots covered with snow, cars stopped or parked in the right most traffic lane, and chairs in the street. The chairs, of every type imaginable, were there to save parking spots in shoveled areas of the right most traffic lane. Plastic deck chairs. Wood dining chairs. Vinyl kitchen chairs.

There is never any warning when coming around a curve, you find the lane you are in is filled with snow and/or stranded/parked cars!

When in doubt, stay to the left.

Talk about needed to pay attention while driving! This is no joke of an obstacle course! This is dangerous!

Too bad the drivers don't seem to know how to drive cautiously.

I arrived at work safely and not too much later than usual. I'm sure the speed of my arrival had less to do with the condition of the roads, and more to do with the fact that today is a holiday. For some.

And as of 1pm today, more snow is expected. That's in 7 minutes....

If I had wanted a multi-faceted obstacle course, I would have signed up for boot camp.

Be safe.