This dingleberry forgot her winter coat! Last week, I visited my family in Southern California for the Christmas holiday. It seemed strange to wake up to sunny blue skies on Christmas Day in Los Angeles. Although, there were no complaints from this Oregon Grandma! Not only did I enjoy seeing my grandbaby, children, and family, I also enjoyed taking in the natural rays of sunshine and Vitamin D... for free :)
However, my 10-hour trek back to Southern Oregon was not so sunny. I ran into a nasty winter storm on Interstate 5, just south of Shasta County. Unfortunately, Interstate 5 was shut down for the evening due to snow, so I found a nice motel to stay the night in Redding, CA.
Before heading for Southern Oregon this morning, I checked the road conditions at TripCheck.com. The roads were open but the storm warnings were still posted. I searched my trunk for snow chains... no problem. But after searching for my winter coat, I realized that I forgot to pack it. My mind raced to thoughts of putting on chains in freezing cold snow without a winter coat. What a dingleberry I was, to not pack a winter coat. What was I thinking!?!
Off I went. Lucky for me, I made it all the way to Grants Pass Oregon without having to put on chains. Yeah! Hopefully, this is the last time this dingleberry will forget her winter coat!
Evening Melinda, Considering the fate of those folks who trusted their " GPS " you were lucky things worked out for you. Happy 2010 to you !
I have to take my grandsons back to Ohio for school. I brought them down to the beach the day after Christmas. The weather is always carefully watched at various points along the trip. A few years ago a trip was delayed due to weather. As long as the roads are mostly clear we go, if not we stay at the beach until. No matter how well the trip is planned there is always a chance of the ugly stuff through the mountains. Prepare for the worst and be thankful it is not found!
Bill ~ So true. Fortunately, my daughter (in LA) kept checking conditions for me along the way!
John ~ Many years ago, I made the unfortunate mistake of taking Bear Camp Rd from Merlin, OR to the coast. When we left Merlin on a sunny summer day, it was 88 degrees. When we arrived in Gold Beach (3.5 hours later) it was 55 degrees. Incidentally, this was the road that the Kim Family was stranded on in a winter storm in Dec. 2006, which resulted in James Kim's death. I hear ya!
I'm glad you arrived safely. I always have a ton of extra coats in the car - but it is like me to forget my gloves or hat at home....Happy New Year Melinda!
Melinda -
It could have been worse....you could have been one of those many Duck fans not flying on their way to the Rose Bowl but being held up by snow in Northern California.
Happy New Year.
May it keep on RAINing. (Snow is so inconvenient.)
Great post! And great to remind people of "tripcheck.com" That is a handy website.
Glad you made it home without incident! My sister from Roseburg, OR was visiting me (Calgary, Alberta), and lucky for her, she remembered her winter coat! Even then, we had to supplement her outer wear!
Happy New Year!
Glad you made it safely home. Have a Happy New Year.
Thanks for the well wishes everyone. Happy New Year and Best Wishes in 2010 :)