Public Relations

   I love winter.  I'm sure almost everyone on this site concurs with that.  We're not alone either.  Today I saw a LOT of people out, skinning, skiing, boarding, sledding...you name it.  It was awesome to see so many people out enjoying the foot to 18" of light powder at Snoqualmie.  I couldn't believe how much snow they had and how light it was!  So, as the gf and I retreated to the car after a good day of sledding, I didn't need to explain why I missed the exit to 90 and started the drive to Alpental.

   After living here my first couple years, I quickly learned how the Alpy road turns into a circus in winter, and we made it for the main event!  We turned the first bend and watched as people tried to plod their way through the tightly packed cars and across the icy roads.  We started counting the number of people we saw slip and fall while trying to work their way across the road for whatever reason.  We lost count.

   As we headed further down the road, there were cars and trucks alike side slipped all over the road, requiring everyone to slow and carefully weave a pattern of quick wheel turning to pass.  Some tight squeezes, but the Subaru is a champ.  As Beth and I try to carefully dodge people, dogs, and cars, a slightly older forest green Outback with the gray trim comes up to hover precariously close to my derriere. 

   After tailing me for a while, the slightly balding, middle age man angrily honks and gestures that he will be passing me.  As he flies by me, we catch a glimpse of the disgusted look he throws at us.  I guess he's probably right, 20mph is a pretty ridiculous speed to drive on that road.  No sooner does the thought pass through my head, we watch him swerve and fishtail in front of us to narrowly avoid hitting a couple dogs and their owners. 

   Completely flabbergasted, we watch as again he fishes into the Alpy lot, missing a group of snowboarders posted on the corner by microns.  As we pull in, we begin to turn around to head back.  The slightly balding, somewhat tall middle age Subaru driver takes a couple of steps toward the car.  "Serious!?" inquired Beth.  I roll down my window and begin to slow...maybe not a good idea?  It seemed his blueish green long sleeve and gray vest were not keeping him warm, or maybe he was just squirmy. 

"Yeah, sorry to honk at you, but you can't go that slow on that hill." 

Not quite sure how to tactfully say that he could still make it to Alpental in a decent amount of time without needing to rally his car, I opted for a more direct retort, "Well, you should probably start with learning how to drive." 

Apparently the caring message I was meaning to relay was lost in translation.  The conversation was ended with a angrily sputtered, "Well, I've worked here for over 30 years so I think I know how to drive."  The logic was supposedly irrefutable. 

We're guessing he has a job in Public Relations.  Here's to a great season and safe driving!



_{Modified to hopefully put some emphasis on sarcasm I'm trying to relay. You can also insert some more sarcasm here ____.}

Not to excuse the person in question or his driving,
however I fail to see how "you should probably start with learning how to drive" could be considered "a caring message".

I'm driving up to Crystal at 6 A.m. this morning its snowing and the roads are covered in Ice . What do I see 3 cars in ditches throughout the drive so I thought I would put up this Public Service announcement

Yes we live in Washington and it doesn't snow that much in the lowlands but people become dumbfounded when as little as 1 inch of snow falls on the ground here are a few tips to help you deal with it.

1. USE YOUR BRAKES AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. if you do pump them instead of slamming on them
If you slam on your brakes they will lock up and chances are you will go into a uncontrolled slide
2. GIVE THE PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU SPACE. If your tailgating someone and they have to take a quick turn you my friend are screwed (please refer to step 1)
3. DO NOT MAKE SHARP TURNS. Have your turn as gradual as possible as you will have less of a chance of sliding out of control
4.DO NOT DRIVE 20 ON A 60 MPH ROAD. I know your trying to be safe but unless visibility is 5 feet your going a little bit overboard
5. DO NOT ABANDON YOUR CAR ON A BUSY ROAD BECAUSE OF A FEW INCHES
why do people do this.

Laughs, that was actually very funny, and I needed a good laugh tonight! I lived in MN. People there know how to drive in snow. It never ceases to amaze me what happens when people who don't drive in snow end up driving in snow. I spent a Christmas in Albuquerque in 2000. The city got a record dump - the most since 1974. ( The year I was born! ) Apparently, in 24 hours, there were 1500 car accidents. My sister and I were driving up to Tijeras in the snow that night, and there were people pulled over in the lowlands, really panicking, because of all the snow on the roads. Gosh. We just laughed.

The conversation was ended with a angrily sputtered, "Well, I've worked here for over 30 years so I think I know how to drive."  The logic was irrefutable. 

We're guessing he has a job in Public Relations.  Here's to a great season and safe driving!

If he had shown up to work on time he wouldn't have a problem with traffic on Alpental Rd.

Not to excuse the person in question or his driving,
however I fail to see how "you should probably start with learning how to drive" could be considered "a caring message".

I wasn't. I was laying some sarcasm into this pretty thick. It wasn't the kindest thing for me to say.

Kyle, you crack me up.

Laughs, that was actually very funny, and I needed a good laugh tonight! I lived in MN. People there know how to drive in snow.

Hells bells, MN rocks! I'm from Fargo/Moorhead area, family in the Iron Range. Yeah, we drive in da snoow a lot...uff da. I'll slam some lefsa to that! Going back for christmas and I'm excited! Another thing the PNW seems to lack is hockey skills...

If he had shown up to work on time he wouldn't have a problem with traffic on Alpental Rd.

LOL...please don't fire him. I was just in the mood to write some kind of satirical piece and I'm sure everyone has a sh** day like that. Hope people are getting some good powdery face shots up there!