OvS 8 Posted December 20, 2009 (edited) Yes, I know... not the smartest move I've ever made, but the weather reports were not calling for 15+ inches. We left NY for Florida at about 1800 LT Firday night hoping to skate the brunt of the snow and beat it to Washington DC. We drove into Maryland before we met the "Beast of the East". Man... it was hell. I have driven my ahre of bad weather conditions, ice, snow... heavy rains... many contries around the world, in Alaska, Canada... etc. I've had my share of driving in the snow being from NY, but nothing prepared me for this. We drove in it from the 'Maryland House' rest stop on I-95 all the way to exit 9 just east of DC... stayed the night as it was so bad I could not keep the Oddessy straight on the 'lane'. Woke-up Saturday and continued into it from DC all the way to Richmond, Virginia. At about Fredrickburg, it was really bad. About 1/2 mile visability, I was driving in total white out. After Richmond, it changed to ice, then rain, and we broke out of it along the VA/NC state line. Needless to say, we made it, unharmed... white knuckled and a few years older... it made me realize for sure how precious life is and easy it would have been to loose it. But I am a slow driver in bad weather, and always drive with a sense of fear, as I did when I rode my motorcycle. Fear breeds respect, and respect this Beast I did. Wow.. Anyhow... the clan is frimly planted in the Sunshine state, all is good and we're on our way to Disney tomorrow. All the best, OvS PS... and the Jets just urinated another game away to a lesser team with the Jets' play-off possiblities on the line.. see... nothing changes. Edited December 20, 2009 by OvS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakai 2 Posted December 20, 2009 I just drove trough the Maine portion of this storm. Not as bad up here but still.... I just got home and it sure was interesting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rickitycrate 10 Posted December 20, 2009 Glad to hear you made it safe OvS. I hope your nerves have recovered. Good times for you and the family to be had now. The trip back should be better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shredward 12 Posted December 20, 2009 Glad you made it in one piece - I had hoped you had left early enough on Friday to beat it, but I guess not. Have fun in the sunny south - stop in at Fantasy of Flight if you get a chance. Merry Christmas, Ted Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Polovski 460 Posted December 20, 2009 Wow glad you made it safe James - I'm sure a few of us have been stuck in a storm crawling along wondering if we'll ever make it, and no it's not fun. Worse part was not being able to call home to say anything, but now you are all OK you can chill! Well maybe not much chill now the snow is no longe a problem ;) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted December 20, 2009 Your fear was out of reason, and quite healthy, like the fear of a fighter pilot. Good to hear, you are safe and warm there now. Found this pic in the web. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OvS 8 Posted December 20, 2009 Your fear was out of reason, and quite healthy, like the fear of a fighter pilot. Good to hear, you are safe and warm there now. Found this pic in the web. That's exactly what it looked it... it was insane. My wife said it best, it looked like one of those holocost movies when you see the main characters passing wreckage, death and all that, and they're hoping it doesn't happen to them. There were some like over 4,000 accidnets up the coast line on the roads. I told my wife to take pictures, but she was stiff as a board, and pretty useless while I was driving in the sh%t. LOL! Yes... I'm loose now.. a few whiskey sours and some good Italian food from Mom... all good! Thanks fellas. James OvS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted December 20, 2009 This sat picture shows the whole wide spread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaghorn 10 Posted December 20, 2009 glad you made it safely, OvS. just drove the two days ago threw a snowstorm like this. was visiting with my girlfriend some friends in a small village. when we arrived the way was already quite slippery and snowy, but when we left sometime during night, it was sheer horror. snow was falling for hours and fresh snow was falling on already wet frozen streets. trucks who put salt on the streets werent there yet, vision bad, windows dirty and i had to plan my steers several meters before, like in a motorboat. and additionally my stupid vagination, ahem navigation system sent me to a highway. no lanes visible. just driving through instinct. my girlfriend was telling stories etc. and i didn't have a clou what she was talking about. too concentrated to stay on the thing where i imagined should be the highway, and listen. i totally understand your need for a whiskey after that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted December 20, 2009 . Good to know you all made it safe and sound. Winter travel really can be nasty at times. Relax now and enjoy the season. Merry Christmas to you and yours! Lou . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zoomzoom 2 Posted December 20, 2009 Yes, most pleased you made it safe OVS! My wife and son drove through it as well that evening. Strangely enough, they avoided all of the stranded vehicles and hazardous conditions, only to be thrown into a skid heading down a hill 3 miles from home, and fishtailing towards a bridge because a six point buck leapt out in front of them, and all in the midst of the blizzard. Needless to say, she pulled it out ok and made it across safely, (after of course jumping out with the rifle, bagging that sucker and tying it onto the top of the GMC )....ok ok, everything happened BUT the part in parens, but it woulda been impressive!! Anyway, we're all ok, yet stuck here in the middle of it (middleVA) and after digging the cars out, I'd say we totalled close to 2.5 feet. Not too shabby,and quite beautiful. AND on the 20th, Jasta 6 actually let me fly a couple missions.....thanks OFF for keeping us from being overcome with Cabin Fever. I'll post some pics if I can. ZZ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barkhorn1x 14 Posted December 20, 2009 Anyhow... the clan is frimly planted in the Sunshine state, all is good and we're on our way to Disney tomorrow. Glad you are back safe and sound in FLA. I am a north Jersey native and I do not miss these storms at all! Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rickitycrate 10 Posted December 20, 2009 Creaghorn, in those conditions you needed to be silent and concentrate on your driving, the girlfriend needed to jabber all the way to control her nerves. If you guys didn't have a heck of a fight maybe this girl is the one to marry? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Von Paulus 8 Posted December 20, 2009 And to think that I have never seen real snow... Suppose that's the benefit of living near the sea in Portugal. On the other end a couple of days ago I felt a earthquake level 6 in the Richter scale. I was playing OFF and thought that was probably a effect of the new wind buffeting when I noticed that it wasn't only my monitor but my chair and desk who were also dancing around. The desk is sturdy but I've seen it shaking and thought it was made of cardboard. Nothing like mother nature to show us how fragile are we are. Glad to know everything is ok with you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted December 20, 2009 Von Paulus: ... a couple of days ago I felt a earthquake level 6 in the Richter scale. I was playing OFF and thought that was probably a effect of the new wind buffeting... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bullethead 12 Posted December 21, 2009 OvS- EEK! I was watching the weather channel and thanking my lucky stars I no longer drive 18-wheelers. I saw enough of your yankee weather and lake effect snow to last me my life. Von Paulus: Magnitude 6?!?!?!?!? Ouch, that's enough to break stuff and kill people, at least if they're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hope you and yours came through OK. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sitting_duck 3 Posted December 21, 2009 damn,,,,i hope my xmas present wasnt in that truck.... ovs..cant belive u drove thru that storm,,,, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OvS 8 Posted December 21, 2009 damn,,,,i hope my xmas present wasnt in that truck.... ovs..cant belive u drove thru that storm,,,, neither can I ... never again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sitting_duck 3 Posted December 21, 2009 olham,,,where did you go to for that sat pic,,,its pretty cool Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ConradB 0 Posted December 21, 2009 Driving through the rough stuff is always a good humbler. The level of respect gained is always equal to the ammount of pucker you have. The ice can be just as bad if not worse though. Darn icestorms off the big lakes can really suck sometimes. Although they look beautiful if the clouds clear off quick, and the sunlight reflects off the branches of the trees, but it can get very dangerous too. Even walking can be hazzardous to your health. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flyby PC 23 Posted December 21, 2009 (edited) damn,,,,i hope my xmas present wasnt in that truck.... ovs..cant belive u drove thru that storm,,,, I hope Pink Panther's OFF DVD wasn't in it either.... My worst snow drive was driving from Edinburgh to Stirling after a good hogmanay. Being hogmanay, I didn't see any ploughs or gritters anywhere. I was sober, but still tired, and all I could see was 100% white. It was snowing hard, and there was a mound of snow or ground to the left and right, (couldn't tell which), and I tried to just stay in the middle all the way home. I knew the road pretty well, and that helped a lot. Only amusement was the girlfriend beside me, who was trying her best to stay awake but still falling asleep, and giving it the 'nodding donkey'. (That's not a euphimism for anything kinky - she was falling asleep). She'd also start mumbling a sentence but then just lose it as she drifted off. I suppose you had to be there, but it was funny at the time. It was only 30 miles thankfully, but took me an hour and a half. Felt like the only soul on the motorway, and for the most part we probably were. Forget the year, 86 - 89 or thereabouts. Edited December 21, 2009 by Flyby PC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SirMike1983 3 Posted December 21, 2009 We took a pretty good beating here in MD. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flyby PC 23 Posted December 21, 2009 It's off topic, but thinking about having the right girl beside you, I read last night about Squadron Leader Tom Gleave, shot down 4 Me109's on 30th August 1940, but shot down himself on 31st, and very badly burned. When his wife came to see him for the first time in hospital, her first words were "I don't know! Playing with matches again?" Sounds like quite a lady. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Von Paulus 8 Posted December 21, 2009 (edited) Von Paulus: Magnitude 6?!?!?!?!? Ouch, that's enough to break stuff and kill people, at least if they're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hope you and yours came through OK. Thanks for your care Bullethead, but it was only for 3/4 seconds. If it last longer, you folks would new in the worst way, in the news. The last big one was in 1969, 7.5 in the Ritcher scale, I was a kid, and remembering awaking with mother and the maid praying at my side. We had one back in 1755, 8.5, in which Lisbon was practically destroyed. The specialists predicted that it will happen again for sure, in fact by their calculations it should already have happen. It sounds like Yellowstone. Edited December 21, 2009 by Von Paulus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted December 21, 2009 Sitting Duck, I mostly go the easy way for pics: Google picture search. I typed "snow storm virginia" or "snow storm east coast", and there I got it amongst many others. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
