I had to work today. There wasn't much traffic on the way there this morning, and the drive went pretty quick. I got up a little early to make my dish(s) for our Mexican-style Christmas pot luck. (I made queso and killer guacamole.) So, the morning goes fairly quick, because no one was really in the working spirit. Then, the bosses told us we could leave at noon. GREAT!! I love those special impromptu perks that happen from time to time. By 11 or so, there was a significant amount of freezing rain coming down and our car windows were frozen over. Some of the office guys went out and scraped for us, and by they time they were done they had frozen hair. It was funny. Another co-worker went to the Lowes (which is just about a quarter mile away) to get me some sand bags for the bed of my truck. So sweet, and I appreciated it so much. Once it was time to go, I drove across the street to the 7-11 to fill up with gas. When I went in to pay, I also bought an ice scraper and a can if De-Ice.
::::please insert you're own foreshadowing soundtrack music here::::
It's not like the snow/sleet/ice was unexpected. Practically the whole damn country has been dealing with it for a couple of weeks now. So, our streets and highways were treated with the salt trucks in preparation for the conditions. I don't think anyone expected this, though. This is not the kind of "winter storm" we Okies get. I mean, our snow comes in late February into March. Just what is this December snow situation? We don't know! We're not used to it!!!
It's 28 miles from the office to my house. Just 28. I left my office at noonish. It took nearly 7 hours to get home. 7 flippin hours y'all. The radio said to take the highways, because the traffic was keeping the snow melted and easier to drive. Pffffft. I've never in my life seen so many cars just stuck in snow drifts. The winds were gusting between 50 and 60 mph, causing snow drifts all over, and white-out conditions. Seriously scary stuff. (say that 5 times, fast!)
Anyway, there I am, trucking down I-35, trying to make my way from Edmond to Moore, driving in 3 gear. Then it just stops. About 10 miles (and 30 minutes) from where I started, I was on the bridge that merges to I-40, stopped in traffic. And I sat. And sat some more. I was there for 3 and a half hours in the same spot. Not moving. I took several opportunities to get out and face that piercing sting of freezing rain/snow on my face, to scrape the windshield and wiper blades. In the middle of I-35. I sprayed the De-Ice on all of the windows. It only sort of worked. And I continued to sit. And sit some more. Text some friends. Call mom. Worry mom. (thanks mom, for calling me in details!)
After about 2 hours, I really had to pee. I mean, the kind of pee where you think you'll burst if you don't go immediately. I didn't know what to do. Do I get out and bare my hiney to all of the neighbors stuck in traffic with me? There was no place discrete for me to go. I was stuck on a bridge. Over a mile to any exit. I was desperate. Then I had the idea. We did have that pot luck at work today. My empty crock pot was in the passenger seat. I really had to pee. I trust you all to use your imagination as to the next sequin of events. Imagine being in a single cab Chevy, and trying to position yourself to, well... you get the idea.
I'm listening to the talk radio station on the AM dial, trying to get some sort of idea as to what is going on. It's turned pretty serious at this point. Accidents everywhere, cars getting stuck in snow drifts everywhere. Nasty, nasty. They announce that the highway patrol has closed all metro highways and most turnpikes. Some highways were closed to state borders. UGH!!!!!
What the heck is supposed to happen to the people still ON the highway when they've been closed??? In some areas, the National Guard was called in to rescue people from their stuck cars. But not me and my fellow stuck drivers on I-35. We never saw 1 emergency crew of any kind come to help. I heard a continuing story of an accident on I-40 that started as a 9 vehicle incident. By the time I started moving again, it was up to 40+. Scary business.
Anyway, 4 o'clock rolls around, and traffic finally starts moving. Ah ha! There was an accident where the lanes merge to 1 and the cars were creating an impassible barrier. Well, by the time I finally made it passed the wreck, I remembered that all the highways were closed. This created some serious snow drifts on the highway since it was less traveled now. Well, around NE 29th street I get stuck in one, too. Pissed. Off. I finally get myself unstuck by reversing and low gearing over and over it and gassing as hard as I can. Slowly, but surely I make it down the highway closer to my neck of the woods. (I really hate people who drive fast in hazardous conditions. Just throwing that out there to the universe.)
I make to to Moore, finally, and exit at the 3rd exit to my normal route, because that is the only one that comes to mind without an overpass. Plus, the road is pretty flat, so I thought it would be a good decision, rather than to attempt icy hills and bridges. WRONG idea. I make my left turn to get on the street I exited for, get just passed the intersection and get stuck AGAIN. And this time there was nothing I could do to get free. I was spinning tires. This other little hot shot girl tries to pass me, and ends up getting stuck herself, at a weird angle right in front of me. SO, even if I could break free, I wouldn't be able to go anywhere thanks to idiot girl stuck in front of me. By this time it was around 5:30. I was so close to home, just around 8 miles. But I couldn't go anywhere. I was tired and cranky. My new work friend called to check on me, and I lost it. I broke down when I was on the phone with her, and cried and cried. I was so frustrated. I just wanted to be home. When I got off the phone, I just prayed. I asked God for help. To help me, and all of these other drivers who were stuck to get home safely and soon. I had passed so many wrecks, and people who had spun out and were stuck on the side of the road, much like I was. I kid you not, folks. 10 minutes later a police officer shows up on foot. I have no idea where he came from, his car wasn't anywhere I could see it. The policeman goes to the front of my truck to help push me free. Then, some other guys got out of their stuck cars to come assist the policeman. The 4 of them had me "free" in a matter of minutes. I thanked God, right then and there, because I knew He heard my cries for help.
I manage to make it down some not-so-back-roads (but not main roads, either) to my house. Then the real trick was parking in the driveway. I was stuck in a snow drift again when I tried to pull in. Husband came out to help me, and he managed to get the truck in the driveway. (well, I'm pretty sure part of it is in the yard, too.) Finally, finally, I made it home. Safe and sound. There were many others not as fortunate. Tonight, there are hundreds of people spending Christmas Eve stranded on the side of the road in their cars. Tonight, my prayers and thoughts are with them.
Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and your families. Be safe in your travles, and keep warm!