Many of you knew I was making the trip from Oregon to Texas this stormy week so I want to reassure you that I made it through around the edges of the worst weather.
I left the Florence Fellowship after Sunday’s service and the class that followed, drove to my new little home in town, changed clothes, finished loading the car, refilled my water bottle – and was on the road by 1pm. I had checked the weather and it was clear I wouldn’t be going south on I-5 with the storm in the Siskiyous, or north to I-84, with the rain and snow there, so that meant going East.
First leg was across the Cascades after the first snowfall. Absolutely beautiful – though slow going, of course.
I left the Florence Fellowship after Sunday’s service and the class that followed, drove to my new little home in town, changed clothes, finished loading the car, refilled my water bottle – and was on the road by 1pm. I had checked the weather and it was clear I wouldn’t be going south on I-5 with the storm in the Siskiyous, or north to I-84, with the rain and snow there, so that meant going East.
First leg was across the Cascades after the first snowfall. Absolutely beautiful – though slow going, of course.
I did have a significant adventure that first night, however.
It took longer than anticipated to get through the mountains so I got into Central Oregon later, and the temperature plunged further, than expected. All that meant Hwy 97 was a ribbon of ice, with a long line of cars and trucks moving slowly and steadily along – until about 30 miles north of Klamath Falls when I came over a rise and there before me was a string of brake lights.
I tapped the brake gently … and spun around! Out of control! The first time in years of driving in all kinds of conditions. I ended up on the opposite shoulder, facing the other direction, stopped by the bank of snow created by the snowplow. Everything's working, not even really shook up – whew!
Then the driver of the truck that had been behind me came over to see if I was okay. I was fine, with lots of blankets and food and water, and told him so. He told me he wished he could help but the car was too far into the snow to get me out. Then he said something that I didn’t even really register until later: “yeah, that ice is something. It’s a good thing the truck that’s in front of me saw me coming and moved a bit or I would have hit him.” Oh my! My car would have been smashed between them if it hadn’t spun away! Thanks be to All That Is for taking care of me so well!
He got back in his truck and a few minutes later the line of traffic moved a bit and a few cars came the other direction. I turned on my flashing lights and called my insurance company, and they started trying to find a tow truck. At one point a woman asked if I would be okay spending the night there…. ??!! On the side of a major highway with cars and trucks sliding in 24degree weather?? – possible, but definitely not preferable!
I had just shut the phone off when there was another tap at the window. Another truck driver was asking if I was okay – such nice people! I reassured him and then he said “would you like it if I got a few guys to help you get out of here?” And of course I said, “That would be fantastic!”
The next thing I knew there were half a dozen men with shovels and garbage can lids clearing away the snow from under and around my car, then a guy showed up with a big tow rope, and another was in an SUV backing up in front of me… the line of cars and trucks had begun to move again but they stuck with me – wow.
I have no idea what they tied that big, thick rope to but they did, and soon I was gently accelerating, keeping that rope taught, spinning the wheels only a little … and then I was moving! Out of the snowbank and onto the road! Whoopee! Thank you! Thank you! I shouted my thanks to all involved – and to the divine Presence they had embodied for those powerful minutes in the dark and cold.
The guys were out of there in seconds, all back in their trucks and headed south. I drove north a few hundred feet and was able to turn around and head south, as well.
In a few minutes the road was clear and wet, then clear and dry. I drove into Klamath Falls around 7pm, refilled the gas tank and picked up a turkey wrap. I was feeling good so I thought maybe I might complete the planned distance even though I was nearly 3 hours behind schedule.
Heading south out of Klamath Falls was lovely – clear and dry. Then, suddenly I was in a blizzard, and the road was again icy. And the car wanted to slide. Nope – not happening again. I gingerly eased it around and headed back into town, where the Motel 6 was open and the guy at the desk said a lot of people were there who hadn’t planned to be.
Oh, by the way, the motel reservations I had made online for much further down the road that night (and hadn’t cancelled) had not gone through – the server had gone down just as I had hit “confirm” so I was not charged. The Universe really does take care of me.
In the motel room I checked the weather and wondered if I was going to spend a couple days in K Falls… but in the morning, I was awakened by car doors slamming. I peaked out the window – no snow! no ice! And when I checked the forecast for various spots, there was clear and warm temperatures at all points Eastward. So I headed for Winnemucca and Salt Lake City.
It took longer than anticipated to get through the mountains so I got into Central Oregon later, and the temperature plunged further, than expected. All that meant Hwy 97 was a ribbon of ice, with a long line of cars and trucks moving slowly and steadily along – until about 30 miles north of Klamath Falls when I came over a rise and there before me was a string of brake lights.
I tapped the brake gently … and spun around! Out of control! The first time in years of driving in all kinds of conditions. I ended up on the opposite shoulder, facing the other direction, stopped by the bank of snow created by the snowplow. Everything's working, not even really shook up – whew!
Then the driver of the truck that had been behind me came over to see if I was okay. I was fine, with lots of blankets and food and water, and told him so. He told me he wished he could help but the car was too far into the snow to get me out. Then he said something that I didn’t even really register until later: “yeah, that ice is something. It’s a good thing the truck that’s in front of me saw me coming and moved a bit or I would have hit him.” Oh my! My car would have been smashed between them if it hadn’t spun away! Thanks be to All That Is for taking care of me so well!
He got back in his truck and a few minutes later the line of traffic moved a bit and a few cars came the other direction. I turned on my flashing lights and called my insurance company, and they started trying to find a tow truck. At one point a woman asked if I would be okay spending the night there…. ??!! On the side of a major highway with cars and trucks sliding in 24degree weather?? – possible, but definitely not preferable!
I had just shut the phone off when there was another tap at the window. Another truck driver was asking if I was okay – such nice people! I reassured him and then he said “would you like it if I got a few guys to help you get out of here?” And of course I said, “That would be fantastic!”
The next thing I knew there were half a dozen men with shovels and garbage can lids clearing away the snow from under and around my car, then a guy showed up with a big tow rope, and another was in an SUV backing up in front of me… the line of cars and trucks had begun to move again but they stuck with me – wow.
I have no idea what they tied that big, thick rope to but they did, and soon I was gently accelerating, keeping that rope taught, spinning the wheels only a little … and then I was moving! Out of the snowbank and onto the road! Whoopee! Thank you! Thank you! I shouted my thanks to all involved – and to the divine Presence they had embodied for those powerful minutes in the dark and cold.
The guys were out of there in seconds, all back in their trucks and headed south. I drove north a few hundred feet and was able to turn around and head south, as well.
In a few minutes the road was clear and wet, then clear and dry. I drove into Klamath Falls around 7pm, refilled the gas tank and picked up a turkey wrap. I was feeling good so I thought maybe I might complete the planned distance even though I was nearly 3 hours behind schedule.
Heading south out of Klamath Falls was lovely – clear and dry. Then, suddenly I was in a blizzard, and the road was again icy. And the car wanted to slide. Nope – not happening again. I gingerly eased it around and headed back into town, where the Motel 6 was open and the guy at the desk said a lot of people were there who hadn’t planned to be.
Oh, by the way, the motel reservations I had made online for much further down the road that night (and hadn’t cancelled) had not gone through – the server had gone down just as I had hit “confirm” so I was not charged. The Universe really does take care of me.
In the motel room I checked the weather and wondered if I was going to spend a couple days in K Falls… but in the morning, I was awakened by car doors slamming. I peaked out the window – no snow! no ice! And when I checked the forecast for various spots, there was clear and warm temperatures at all points Eastward. So I headed for Winnemucca and Salt Lake City.
I spent the next 2 days driving around the edges of the storms. On Monday, they were all along the western horizon covering the Cascades, and later the Sierras.
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Heavy winds kept me holding tight to the wheel all day, but once I got past that big ridge outside of Lakeview Oregon, the roads were clear all the way to Salt Lake.
Early Tuesday morning, listening to the radio as I was heading south out of Salt Lake, I heard the warnings of more winds and heavy snows, and as I drove, I could see the great storm clouds to the south, with rain and snow flowing from them into the hills. So I let the GPS take me through Colorado, passing through Gunnison town, canyon, and lake – a place I don’t recall being before, and gorgeous!
Then down into New Mexico on yet another road new to me. I made it into Santa Fe later than planned, but not too late for dinner with a good friend, and just as the first drops from the storm I had been avoiding all afternoon arrived while I was unloading the car.
Just before dawn the next morning my phone made a raucous sound, telling me that blizzard conditions and high winds were making local roads impassable. When I got up, an hour or so later, a layer of frozen snow covered everything, including my car. By the time I had shared a morning coffee with folks, though, the skies were clear and the temperature was once more approaching 50.
You may have seen some of the online pictures of the tumbleweeds along the New Mexico Interstates Wednesday. I’ve had to pull pieces of the prickly plants out of the grill work and other crevasses in the car every time I’ve stopped.
Just before dawn the next morning my phone made a raucous sound, telling me that blizzard conditions and high winds were making local roads impassable. When I got up, an hour or so later, a layer of frozen snow covered everything, including my car. By the time I had shared a morning coffee with folks, though, the skies were clear and the temperature was once more approaching 50.
You may have seen some of the online pictures of the tumbleweeds along the New Mexico Interstates Wednesday. I’ve had to pull pieces of the prickly plants out of the grill work and other crevasses in the car every time I’ve stopped.
When I stopped for gas in Santa Rosa, near the border with Texas, I had to hold on to the gas pump to remain standing, the wind was so strong… and for a while the pump didn’t work, apparently confused by the effects of the wind on its electronics?? Fortunately, it was a tail wind for most of the way, so I got 10% better mileage on that leg of the journey – and didn’t have to hold on quite so hard!
The drive through west Texas was uneventful – becoming familiar, even, on this, my fourth trip. Clear roads, not so much wind, and no threat of storm. But, oh my! It was 80 degrees! I was peeling off layers of clothing and opening windows even after the sun had set and things usually cool down.
Got in after dark and it was still warm, but the wind caught up with me this morning and now it's cool and gray - quite comfortable for me, and for the malamuit who lives here too. :)
The drive through west Texas was uneventful – becoming familiar, even, on this, my fourth trip. Clear roads, not so much wind, and no threat of storm. But, oh my! It was 80 degrees! I was peeling off layers of clothing and opening windows even after the sun had set and things usually cool down.
Got in after dark and it was still warm, but the wind caught up with me this morning and now it's cool and gray - quite comfortable for me, and for the malamuit who lives here too. :)
PONDERINGS
I was traveling between Dec 12 and Dec 15 - a few days after the record-breaking, catastrophic tornadoes ploughed up the edge of the Ohio valley in the midwest, and while some of the strongest winds on record were charging across the southwestern U.S. And a time when, according to many prophetic voices, our country - our culture - is undergoing a massive transformative process.
The winds were, as I've indicated, amazing. I've lived in many windy places, from Chicago to Albuquerque to the Oregon Coast, but I don't think I've experienced such a sustained powerful flow before.
The support I received - both divine and human - along the way was nothing less than miraculous. A higher level of both process and outcome than anyone could expect.
So I'm wondering... is it possible that these are cleansing winds? Not just a process in the natural world, but a metaphysical process as well? Are we, individually and collectively, being cleansed and purged in preparation for a shift to a new way of being on the planet? Is this Mother Earth's way of helping us get ready for what is to come? ... I wonder...
The winds were, as I've indicated, amazing. I've lived in many windy places, from Chicago to Albuquerque to the Oregon Coast, but I don't think I've experienced such a sustained powerful flow before.
The support I received - both divine and human - along the way was nothing less than miraculous. A higher level of both process and outcome than anyone could expect.
So I'm wondering... is it possible that these are cleansing winds? Not just a process in the natural world, but a metaphysical process as well? Are we, individually and collectively, being cleansed and purged in preparation for a shift to a new way of being on the planet? Is this Mother Earth's way of helping us get ready for what is to come? ... I wonder...
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