Driving in a Winter Wonderland

So...I just happen to have my camera with me on out little outing today, and I thought I would share with some of you (southerners) what it is like to drive in the winter up here.  Don't worry, I wasn't driving, JT was.  We have different driving styles, but in the winter weather like this, we are both extra cautious and take our time.  

Today, it was snowing.  Normally, we don't get out in the snow.  Because snow makes people drive crazy...the same way rain in the south brings out the crazy's in people.

It was very hard to see.  You can actually see better in the pictures than you could in real life.

I almost never switch lanes when it is this bad, simply because I don't want to hit a patch of ice...but if I do...I am extra careful.  For the most part the Glen Hwy is good to drive...meaning it stays pretty clear because it is well traveled.

This winter has been crazy!  It has heated up and melted things which in turn have turned to ice.  Under the snow is a layer of ice.  I almost took a tumble with Campbell in the parking lot.  I stepped in a rock of ice that was buried under all the snow.

Do you see the off ramp?  It is there, I promise.

It was bad here.  The struggle is turning slightly, slowing down, and ice.  It was rough on the off ramp.

This is a neighborhood.  While the main  hwy is clear most of the time, the side roads are mostly snow.  There is usually a thin layer for all of winter.  Just stop sooner than you would before snow and most of the time....most of the time...you will not slide through the stop sign.  Also, don't step on the gas too hard when coming out of a stop...can we say fishtail?

See the brown stuff?  It is sand.  Road crews sand the intersections to provide extra traction and it helps.

The best is traveling behind a snow plow. :)

But be careful...they have the right away, and they may not always see you.  And they move fast.  

Those people get paid well.  

If I didn't have kids...

I use to ride in the cotton picker with my dad...it is the same, right?

After awhile of driving in the snow, ice forms to your windshield wipers, and then it smears on your windshield.  I have special winter wipers, but it still happens.

I have learned a lot driving up here in the winter.  I won't ever freak out because of snow and ice anymore in the south.  While in Alaska we are better prepared for this weather, there are days that it is really bad and you are driving on a sheet of ice.  And some days you have to get out in the mess and road crews haven't made it easier for you yet because they are backed up.

I am planning on taking my camera out with me more, so you all can get more of an idea of what it is like up here.  And just so you know...we have a guest room if you want to see for yourself (this applies to those I personally know).

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This is a sneak peak for all our parents.

Your Christmas presents are in the mail and it will be late.  

I was waiting for a sunny day, and we haven't had many.  Ironically, this was the shortest day of the year. (Yay, for gaining sunlight!!!)

Mom or Grandmama, do you recognize what Olivia is wearing????

Also, I think she looks like an Indian Princess in this picture. :)

I am taking the weekend off to spend Christmas with my family...relaxing and enjoying them.

I hope you do the same.

Merry Christmas!!