I was a little worried today...most of Washington has been blasted by WAY cold temperatures and most of the lowlands have received the 2 inches of snow that is required to lock down the Western part of the state. The Tri-Cities had received about 7-10 inches over the past day and a half, so I was very worried about the conditions in Snoqualmie Pass affecting my ability to get home in a timely manner after work today.
It was a very anti-climatic drive. The worst roads I encountered in the whole trip was the parking lot trying to get out of my apartment complex, and then Gage Blvd in Richland. The Pass had been relatively free of new snow for at least 12 hours, and the roads where in pretty good shape...a few patches of compressed snow, and most folks were driving very safe and sane...average speed between Easton and North Bend was about 45MPH. All total in my 255 mile drive, I think I saw 9 cars on the side of the road...and 6 of them were after making it across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Folks CAN NOT drive out here.
Offering a small defence of the drivers(because East Coast folks get a kick out of the way things fall apart so quickly out here)...it is a different situation than in the Mid-West or the East Coast. Usually we don't get a lot of snow...we get the freezing rain first...which combined with the hilly nature of the terrain can lead to some slick situations. Plus, you get a lot of people who think the all-wheel drive in their Audi or Volvo is going to save them, not realizing that Zero Traction is Zero traction...it doesn't matter how many wheels have power to them.
Anyway...home safe and sound...total travel time a little over 5 hours, so about 20% more time that is took me last time. Made it home in time to read the girls their bed-time story, and then give them kisses and lay them down. Now to snuggle with the wife, and figure out what we are doing tomorrow.
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