Everyone Has a Story

Last Tuesday, just at "rush hour" our area had an unpredicted and completely unexpected snowfall. Snow is not a common thing here in this part of the Northwest, and the kind of snow we get here is slippery and much more difficult to drive in than other parts of the country. As the snow started falling people left work early and hit the roads hoping to get home before there was any kind of accumulation. When you combine an extra-large rush hour with snow, the results are not going to be pretty.

Anyone who was on the road that day has a story. Their stories are about slipping and sliding and LONG commutes home. Six hours was heard often for people who had to cross town. An hour and a half to go around the block. Stopping somewhere warm to "wait it out". Stopping to get gas or use the bathroom somewhere. Those who were stuck on the freeways didn't have too many options. "Stop and Roll" was the driving technique on the major roads, and I've heard the event called "Snow-mageddon" more than once. It was a very difficult afternoon and evening!

Our story wasn't as truamatic as most. We headed to the Temple at our normal time just as the snow started falling, in Ken's smaller car without any traction aids. (Un-predicted snow, remember?) We did a fair amount of slipping around ourselves, but made it to the Temple safely and only a half hour late. Amazingly the Temple stayed open and we served with those few other people who were there, without complaint, because we KNEW what it was like outside those walls. We were happy to be safe and warm. We had food....and bathrooms!

It was 9:30 PM when we left the building and a light rain was falling. THIS was predicted. The worst of the traffic problems were past, but it still took us until 11:00 to get home (it usually takes 20 minutes). We listened to the news radio while rolling along and heard about how awful it had been throughout the afternoon and evening for everyone. Can you even imagine being stuck in a car, hardly moving, for 6 hours with small children and a newborn?

In the last week many people have shared their snow commute stories with me, and last night I was back at the Temple again. Every Temple Worker had a different experience to share about what happened when they were on the road that night. Preparedness was a key topic, too. I'm guessing a lot of people will have a few more emergency supplies in their car from now on. I know I will. :)