I guess I’ve become a real Albertan. I blogged about hockey, and now I’m talking about weather. But it’s weather worth noting.
See, it’s unseasonably warm. I mean warm warm. One day last week, it was 45°F in Edmonton — as warm as it was in Chehalis!
The problem is, the warm spell came after a slight snowfall. Slight enough that most people (including us) didn’t bother to plow their driveways. What’s an inch of snow, after all, when you have X-Ice tires? Then it poured rain. And every night it cooled back down, below freezing.
All of which equals ice. Thick rinks of ice on all surfaces.
This is the road in front of our house. It’s actually not too bad because it was plowed after the snow, and kept sanded. But in the sunshine, you can clearly see the sheen of ice.
The ice is everywhere.
Last week, I took Mad Scientist to the psychologist, and as I drove around the parking lot I realized I had absolutely no control over my vehicle. I was surprisingly calm about it.
Driveways are the worst. With a couple of exceptions, all the driveways in our development are thick sheets of ice, and many of them are very steep.
People are parking at the top (or the bottom) and walking to their homes, but walking is hazardous too. I spoke with one woman who keeps horses, and she’s having to keep the horses in the barn because the ice is too dangerous for them. She’s fallen three times this week, carrying feed to them.
This is our driveway. You can’t see the sheen as well as you can on the road because sunlight doesn’t hit our drive this time of year. But the ice is there, much, much worse than the road.
Ironically, I got a call on my cell phone this week. It was a little garbled at first, but I heard a guy clearly say, “The first truckload of deicer is on its way.” Then I lost the call before I could tell him he had a wrong number.
Now I’m thinking maybe I shouldn’t have called him back. I could have used a truckload of deicer!
Tomorrow morning, I have to walk down that sheet of ice to put my kids on the bus.
It’s a good metaphor for how I’m feeling about sending Mad Scientist back to school. It’s a slippery, treacherous world, and I’m not at all sure he will be safe.
But I’m a big believer in taking reasonable precautions — and reasonable risks.
So we’ll cover the driveway with sand this afternoon. We’re talking to the psychologist and the teachers. We’ve talked to Mad Scientist. He knows he can call home at any time, and I’ll come and get him.
And tomorrow morning, I’ll walk down that icy drive, placing each foot with care, and put him on the bus.
Tags: Ice, Icy roads, Taking risks
January 9, 2012 at 5:40 am |
I recommend yaktrax or crampons for walking in the winter. They’re a bit harsh indoors, so it’s good to get a kind that come off easily. We used them on our hill in Vermont where I went to college–the roads were plowed, but the unpaved goat paths between buildings were just icy hummocks of compressed snow for most of the winter. So was our gravel road at home, now that I think of it…the one I walked down to the bus stop!
Here’s a tip about walking on ice, if you haven’t gotten used to it yet. A gentle marching style of walking is much less slippery than the usual pushing off-type of step; just pick each foot up, place it down, transfer your weight, repeat. Take small steps. Do not push off with either foot–that’s what will make you slip.
Also, ask your local aikido, jujitsu or other martial arts school to teach you how to safely fall down. Seriously, they will, and it will save you broken wrists, etc.
You’ve got a good plan–take it easy out there!
January 9, 2012 at 7:27 am |
OK, today is the day. I’ll be eager (not anxious) to hear how the day went. Sure sounds like pretty scary walking. Maybe the 3 of you should take along a walking stick (I could loan you 3-4 canes). We’re rooting and pulling for you (but hopefully we don’t have to “pull you up” off the ground. How are the kids doing on all that ice? Maybe you should just get pairs of ice skates to get to the bus???
Hey, I’m trying!
January 10, 2012 at 11:19 am |
I second yak trax! Crampons can be dangerous when you go into a place with tile or lino until you get them off. Yak Trax are really the way to go!
I am having fun seeing you adapt to Alberta’s weather and winter, because I remember adapting to Alaska. So far, it’s pretty much the same! Have questions about dealing with winter weather, feel free to ask!
January 12, 2012 at 9:44 am |
I just read this, and came away thinking what a smart, brave woman you are! Someone I admire
Good luck with the ice and the school.