This winter has been particularly bad all across the USA. As I was driving back from a shop, I thought it might be fun to share one of my recent adventures and ask others to share theirs. My first adventure was a trip to Idaho. I live in Oregon so I flew to Idaho and rented a car. Idaho had a significant snowfall in the several days before my arrival. The town I was in had 3 snow plows but only 1 was working. The streets were very slushy so traction was a problem. I checked into my hotel and drove to a Denny's to eat (although Denny's was close, the slush was too deep to walk). The food was lousy and so was the service. I started to drive back to the hotel and got stuck trying to drive out the driveway. I was in a rental car so I was not familiar with its operational features. Two women (I am also female) pushed my car back and forth until I was able to get out thru the driveway. I did not have appropriate boots so my feet were soaking wet when I got back to the hotel.

The second incident was a shop that required photographing accident damage to a car. I picked up the owner at a Chevron station. I should have suspected something since the owner was not at home. I drove to his apartment building which was down a steep hill. I had no trouble getting down as I have studded shows on my Chrysler Town and Country van. As you might have guessed, I couldn't get back up. I called a tow company and was told there would be a three hour wait. The owner didn't know the address as he has moved into the apartments recently so I had to give the towing company an approximation. The owner's brother came over with his pickup and tried to push me up the hill. The only result of that effort was dents in the rear of my van even though we had foam rubber between the cars. The brother had to put chains on his pickup to get the owner's compact up a smaller incline. Luckily I had a book in the car so I waited. Due to the position of my van, it was difficult for other residents to get around me. I was totally embarrassed. Finally the tow truck came and got me up the hill. I got to stay in the car and even took a picture out my front window of riding up to the top of the hill. Towing bill: $150. Needless to say, I didn't make any money on this transaction.

I can laugh about these now, but at the time it was not funny. Perhaps others have stories of their winter adventures to share with us. It would be nice to know I was not the only one trying to ignore the weather.