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Thursday, December 9, 2010

I turned on the news this morning and heard the weather guy from the national show, Good Morning America, talking about the 10-12 inches of snow that Cleveland got pounded with during the rush hour drive home last night.


It had snowed pretty steadily all day but by 2:00, it was snowing so hard that I couldn’t even see the building that sits 500 feet behind mine. Since I had been in early for a 7AM meeting and was ready to go home at noon anyway, I decided to head out by 4:00, foolishly thinking that I could beat some of the traffic. I peeked my head into the office across the hall and told the remaining secretaries to finish up what they were doing and head out as well.

As I made my way through the hospital, I glanced out the windows at the snow covering the trees and blanketing the courtyard like a Christmas card. It was so beautiful that I was kicking myself for not having my ever present camera in my purse because I wanted to take pictures to share with you guys. No worries. I figured that I would be home before dark and I could take some then.

The minute I walked outside, the charming winter wonderland became an annoying winter storm as I walked to my parking garage. The wind whipped sideways, up and down, making the rapidly falling snow feel like pellets against your face. As I walked out of the pathway that leads to my garage, I saw cars in both directions just sitting in the road and still others backed up inside the parking garage. It took me 50 minutes to drive down 3 levels to the street and once I got there, I wasn't going anywhere anyway. The traffic was gridlocked in both directions

I guess I wasn’t the only one who had the bright idea to leave early.

It took me another 35 minutes to get up the hill through Little Italy. The city usually does a great job of plowing the hill but, understandably, in this weather it was a mess. I prayed that my little car would make it up okay but I was encouraged to see a truck behind me because I thought he could just push me if I got stuck. I recited this all the way:

I think I can


I think I can


I think I can


I think I can


And I did!

The roads weren’t much better at the top of the hill and I was fortunate enough to end up behind some loser in a mid-sized car who didn’t remember the primary rules of what to do when your car slides on ice or snow.

Take your foot off the brake and turn into it. That's Cleveland Driving 101, buddy.

Somehow, I managed to drive the 5 miles to my house in just over two hours. Luckily, I had a full tank of gas because people were just abandoning their cars in the middle of the road when they ran out. One of my clinic employees called me at 6:00 to say that they weren’t letting any staff leave the hospital because ambulances couldn’t get through the streets. She didn’t get home until 10:00 last night so I guess I didn’t fare too badly. Only it was dark by the time I got home so these were the only pics I took for you.





I stole these from one of the local news websites.








Today, it’s just another winter day in Cleveland. The roads are clear, the sun is shining and the only evidence that last night ever happened is all the huge snow piles.

8 comments

  1. *looking at those photos*

    OH. MY. GOD!!!!!

    I cannot believe how much snow you're getting already!!! We had a sprinkle on Thanksgiving day, which lasted about 10 mins. and then it was over.

    "Somehow, I managed to drive the 5 miles to my house in just over two hours."

    WOW!!!!

    Glad you got home safe and sound, girl!

    And please send of that snow to Philly, ok?

    X to you, Bern, and Vinny!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nope, no snow here in the Capitol City. HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!!! Sorry. God doesn't like you anymore, now that LeBron left. Well, at least the river isn't burning anymore.

    Lots of real estate for sale down here, and some damned good hospitals.... I'm just sayin'. HeeHee!

    I know, shut the eff up.

    ReplyDelete
  3. If that 2nd picture was taken by you,....well I think it's beautiful!!!!!

    I am also jealous of you getting all the snow. On the other hand, I don't have to drive in it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad you made it home! I'm also jealous of the snow... snowless here in New England, but again, I wasn't out driving in it. It's always prettier when you're looking at it through a window :)

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  5. Look so beautiful, those snow landscapes of yours! And your description was great, as always. But hey, you think you got it bad? Then never come to Paris in winter. We've had ridiculous 5-10 cm of snow (1,97 to 3,94 inches) Wednesday, and Wednesday turned into Doom's Day. There has been that guy I saw on telly who said he had left his office at 2 p.m. and had driven 10 km – in eight hours! Now, it's Friday, most of the snow has melted, but the pavements still ressemble skating rinks because nothing has been done. You literally slide to work on ice.
    Best to you, have an excellent winter week-end!

    Dieter

    http://dietermoitzi.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Glad you made it home safe. I have to agree that 2nd pic is gorgeous.

    I feel for ya. I am stuck in a hotel in Phoenix this weekend. The pool is a bit to cool to take a dip in. Not sure I can take anymore of this. LOL

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  7. Holy guacamole! That's why I live in the South. Tried a brief stint in Denver, just couldn't do it. Sweet Home Alabama!

    ReplyDelete
  8. @Ron,
    I know! We never get hit this hard, this early. Sending it your way, my friend!

    @.end transmission,
    You know, I liked you until you brought up the damn river. Let it go, man!

    Hey, you don't get named the Worst Weather City in the country for nothing.

    @middle child,
    I did take that pic. Thanks!

    @Geeta,
    Yes, SO much prettier when you're looking out the window.

    @Dieter Moitzi,
    Wow, EIGHT hours? That's crazy. More snow on the way here!

    @Simply Suthern,
    I did take the pic, thanks. And you suck.

    @Comet Girl,
    I used to think that I would miss it if I moved away but I'm beginning to question that. :-)

    ReplyDelete

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