Driving in a wintry mix of snow and icy rain
I’m quite sure I wouldn’t have ventured forth if I hadn’t had a volunteer stint at the local English-language library, where I was going to be the (only) librarian from 3-5:30 pm, absent the lovely staff member who is hopefully in New Mexico with her family by now, celebrating her father’s 80th birthday.
Thursdays are currently “tea time” for discussions about whatever in English. This afternoon, we had a couple from St. Fabien (Filipino and Quebecois) — the Quebec partipicant grew up here. We were joined by a new Heritage St. Lawrence staff member from Rimouski (from Singapore), who’s been here over ten years. They all spoke excellent colloquial English, albeit with accents. I had a great time talking with all of them — my improbable story of why we’re here probably amused them.
But, the driving there and back, with freezing rain over snow forecasts, was a bit unnerving. Going was fine, as it turned out, with temperatures at 28°F, the snowy conditions are fine for winter tires.
But coming back, hmm, I was glad to be driving a heavy car with AWD with winter tires (which aren’t so effective in icy conditions). The snow/icy slush made my tires sound quite loud, and I was grateful that the temperature hadn’t dropped to make it icy — the icy slush was plenty challenging for me, especially since you can’t really see the markings on the road in snow or icy slush.
But I made it home without incident, and have chalked it up to another “being brave” experience.
A good thing.
Thursdays are currently “tea time” for discussions about whatever in English. This afternoon, we had a couple from St. Fabien (Filipino and Quebecois) — the Quebec partipicant grew up here. We were joined by a new Heritage St. Lawrence staff member from Rimouski (from Singapore), who’s been here over ten years. They all spoke excellent colloquial English, albeit with accents. I had a great time talking with all of them — my improbable story of why we’re here probably amused them.
But, the driving there and back, with freezing rain over snow forecasts, was a bit unnerving. Going was fine, as it turned out, with temperatures at 28°F, the snowy conditions are fine for winter tires.
But coming back, hmm, I was glad to be driving a heavy car with AWD with winter tires (which aren’t so effective in icy conditions). The snow/icy slush made my tires sound quite loud, and I was grateful that the temperature hadn’t dropped to make it icy — the icy slush was plenty challenging for me, especially since you can’t really see the markings on the road in snow or icy slush.
But I made it home without incident, and have chalked it up to another “being brave” experience.
A good thing.
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| Crossing the frozen Rimouski river yesterday |
So amazed at your travels and experiences in the snow. The activities while at the library sound lovely. The traveling to and fro sound frightening to me.
ReplyDeleteWell, it was basically un-nerving, but I’m trying to reframe as experiencing winter here. Yikes!
DeleteOh, I do not envy you that drive, but the discussion at the library sounds delightful. What a great idea to be a volunteer.
ReplyDelete