Cape Karen
I haven't got a clue what I want to write about today? I could write about the big snowstorm we had yesterday, but today it's sunny and the ground is clear again. More snow is predicted for the weekend, and around these parts that makes for news! The temperature is falling into the 20's at night now, so I guess winter is finally here. I was wondering if we'd ever see it arrive this year? All the schools shut down whenever there is a flake or two ~ I guess because these back mountain roads are too hazardous for the buses to drive on when slightly slippery.
Until you get used to them, the little roads winding through this area can be pretty hazardous anytime. They're narrow, with no guard rails, and have either big ditches along their sides or, in many cases, deep drop-offs down a mountainside. Just ask my son, Bob. He discovered that I am a white-knuckle passenger on these roads last summer ~ as he whipped along in his van at breakneck speeds through the National Park; causing his wife, Theresa, and I to "gasp" and clutch our seats in fear. (City driver! Lead-foot! )
I don't know when I last drove in a real snowstorm? I think it was back in 1989, on the Cape, when I was selling health insurance to small businesses. I went up to Hingham, MA in a snowstorm and was merrily riding along beside a lake, on my way to an appointment, when my tires hit black ice. Whirling around and around on the ice-covered road, I ended-up with the front of my car smashed into a snow-covered bank of trees on the other side. Luckily, no other cars were coming as I went into the tailspin, or I wouldn't be here writing about it today.
That was the end of that job! And, I think it was a deciding factor in my eventual decision to leave New England winters behind. I've never regretted that part of my decision ~ but, don't talk to me in the middle of August, or when I'm craving a Maine lobster dinner.
I look forward to the little snowstorms here, they "pretty-up" the area, and give me that down-home feeling. But, you won't catch me driving around on these back roads until the snow has melted away - which usually takes about 3 hours;
and Bob - please, don't ever come to visit in February!
Posted by Karen at February 10, 2006 2:29 PM