[Image]Yesterday Desert Boy had a checkup at the doctor's office, 100 miles away (have I written that we live in the remote desert?). I mentioned in a previous post we have been having some cold temperatures and a little snow. Most of the straight highway was snow-free and dry, but then we entered a mountain pass through a curvy canyon. I noticed the road was really icy, so I slowed from 65 mph to 25 mph. It was a good thing, too, because as I came around one curve, I saw a couple semis pulled over to the side of the road and one that had slid across both lanes.
[Image]I pulled over to the side and noticed another victim: this pickup truck, which had slid into one of the bigger trucks. Fortunately no one was hurt.
[Image]As we sat there, the road department truck came by. You can almost see the bright orange truck through my extremely dirty and cracked windshield.
[Image]I tried to get a picture of the driver because he's got a great smile (and I know him), but he told me I had to close my window, so I only got a shot of him spreading sand on the road. The extra traction really helped, and I was able to drive around the stranded truck on the shoulder of the road and continue.
[Image]But around the next curve I saw more trouble: two more semis off the road. A state patrol officer and a big tow truck were there trying to sort out the mess.
[Image]Desert Boy got to use his new word a lot: "crash."
[Image]The big road department truck hadn't been able to negotiate around those trucks, so the road was just a sheet of ice on the other side. Two semis had stopped, and I noticed the drivers were putting on chains.
[Image]I never had to put chains on my pickup truck until I moved out West. It's a pain in the butt, and semi trucks have to put on extra chains. I suppose it beats a towing bill.
[Image]In case you haven't seen what tire chains look like, here's a photo out my dirty side window. Someday I really should clean my truck windows.
[Image]So the moral of this post is be careful driving in icy conditions! They can sneak up on you fast. I carry a safety kit in the back of the truck with blankets, tire chains, cat litter (for extra traction), a tool kit, water, food, and the most important: a book, so I have something to read if I have to wait a long time for help.