Yup. I got stuck in a blizzard.
Definitely not one of my proudest moments.
But given how long I’ve lived in the snow and how much time I spend behind the wheel, it was just a matter of time. Balance of probability. Or something like that. I hate math.
Little bit of background on me and my driving skills for context. I was born and raised in the sunshine, but attended college in Eastern Idaho and learned to drive in the winter on black ice and during whiteouts. I’ve lived in Salt Lake City since 2009. In total, that time adds up to over a dozen winters where the weather actually affects the driving conditions.
I’ve successfully navigated the Tetons in a winter storm, driven a U-haul pickup alongside a cliff in Hawaii, and survived driving in Eastern Europe and Interior Alaska (barely). I’ve slept in my car multiple times on the side of the road, at truck stops, and even once in Puerto Rico.
Now that you have a little more context and know that I’m not a terrible driver, let’s set the stage for the moment I realized I got stuck in a blizzard.
These last few winters in northern Utah have, well, for lack of a better description, been absolutely abysmal. The snowfall has been at a minimum, leaving the state of Utah in a near-constant drought. Nevertheless, I made a habit of checking the weather as often as I possibly could when planning anything in the winters.
Fast-forward to the eve of December 14, 2021. I was all set to head out for a local high school bands and choirs Christmas concert in my old neighborhood. I had been trying for years to make it to one of their performances to support one of the youth I used to work with.
Finally, it seemed, the stars had aligned.
Or, so I thought.
The concert was scheduled to begin at 7pm and last until about 8:30pm. Knowing the weather trends of my old neighborhood, I began to brace for the worst. I used to live in the mouth of a canyon that led up to Park City and beyond to Wyoming. The wind gusts were strong like a hurricane and it tended to become a snow pocket where the clouds got stuck and dumped like they had Delhi-belly.
To say that I was constantly checking my weather app was an understatement. Up until an hour before the concert, the weather predicted that the snow wasn’t going to start until at least 10pm, giving me over an hour of a buffer to get home.
With that in mind, I raced to the store to grab some flowers (because everyone who performs deserves flowers!!) and headed out to the concert.
I made it in time to find my friends and get a front row seat.
The concert was awesome and I was so happy that I got to see my little performer (I giggle as I write this because I’m shorter than she is), I forgot about the impending storm. That all came crashing back as I exited the concert hall and looked outside. After grabbing a quick hug and picture with her, I began to deal with the mess that is the rest of this story.
As I stared into the sheet of white flecks cascading down just outside the window of the hallway, I started to weigh my options.
Is it even safe to leave?
But I can’t just stand still. There were throngs of people pushing me towards the doors, and I decided to throw caution to the wind and head outside.
Big mistake.
It had been snowing for about an hour, based on the ground, so I slipped and slid as I crossed the sidewalk and made my way to my car, internally cursing myself for not grabbing my waterproof jacket. I opted for the insulated, warm one instead. Which was already soaking.
The parking lot was already a madhouse. Any time a school has a concert or event, the drivers forget how to be courteous. Students race around corners, barely avoiding pedestrians. Senior citizens who probably shouldn’t be driving anymore hug the sidewalks. The minivan/SUV brigade maneuvers around under the delusion that they have the right-of-way because you can support a 3rd world country with their fuel costs alone.
Add in some snow and you’ve got a full-on washing machine traffic pattern.
I carefully avoid the other drivers and as I slip across the now-white parking lot, and briefly consider waiting out the storm in my car.
I mean, how bad would it be to sleep in my car for a few hours? I’m off the street and in a familiar area. I could literally walk to my old ‘hood and crash at someone’s house.
But that fleeting moment passed as I saw every other car successfully make it to the street and out of the angled parking lot.
Remember how infrequently the snow plows made it to this neighborhood anyway? Even if I did stay, there’s no telling how long it would be before I could safely get my car out of here…
Plus, I don’t want to be stuck in a high school parking lot.
Stop being a chicken. You got this.
The snow brush and scraper in my car finally got put to use. And I wished I had a shovel. As soon as I successfully cleared my windshield, it filled up again, like an out-of-control snow cone machine. By this time, I was soaking wet and had to brush off my back, shoulders, and dust off my backpack. I was already freezing and didn’t need to have a soaking seat.
I haven’t even talked about my feet. Let’s just say that my trusty Vans were now soaked through, becoming an even deeper shade of grey. But that is the least of my problems.
As soon as the engine started, the defrosters were on and windows down. Although the snow immediately started to blow in through the few exposed inches, I couldn’t see. Clearly, the sound brush-down my car got before I climbed in did nothing. Ugh, no time for this. I needed to get out of there and onto flat ground.
Ah, to be one of the young students running about without a care in the world, throwing snow at each other, laughing and playing. Oblivious to the now blizzard that was surely weighing on their parents’ minds.
The moment had come.
Quick prayer.
My engine was warm enough and I threw it into gear. Well, 3rd gear as I crept forward, having to avoid the students and instruments they were carrying.
Crap, there goes the indicator light. Yes, I do realize it’s slippery outside and my tires aren’t catching the ground!
But I’m making it. Slowly and surely I’m following the tire grooves in the snow towards the exit.
Okay, which direction am I going to go? If I go left, I’ll have to deal with 3300 South, which is the WORST in the snow! It’s steep and gets iced over from the sheer amount of cars and semis. But it’s also closer to friends, in case I need to park and crash for the night.
If I go right, I’ll have to climb a bit higher to get to the freeway onramp. Surely the freeway will be plowed by now. Plus, there are bound to be more cars on the freeway, naturally clearing some of the snow.
I finally reached the exit to the parking lot and my decision was made for me. I wasn’t able to turn left, so I guess I’ll turn right. The most direct way home is the freeway. Hopefully the 215 is clear-ish, but we’ll see.
Oh, please. You’ve heard all the nightmare stories of I-215 in the snow. It’s terrible. Didn’t your boss flip her car on this road during a storm?
Okay, I got this. First 4-way stop. Rolling to a creep, checking the road…don’t have to stop! Keep rolling through for some traction. Ugh, come on back tires, GRIP! Get me under the overpass so I can get some speed for the last little hill to turn onto Wasatch.
White knuckles. Cold sweat. Dude, I’m still next to the school! Get a grip. You can do this.
I must have the worst timing. Why did this light turn red? Why do I have to stop? Keep creeping slowly, trust the oncoming driver in his beefy truck to see me and recognize that hey, she needs to keep the momentum going.
Oh good, I don’t have to stop again. Wide turn to the right…and there goes the rear swinging out a little too wide. Time to employ my secret – turn right to go left (any Cars fans out there?).
Got it! Okay, this road is terrible and now I’m wondering if I did the right thing by leaving the safety of the parking lot.
Snap decision – turn into the bus park and ride lot on the right. I need to think.
Uh-oh. Not a good decision. This lot is full and hasn’t had any real traffic through it, so the snow is super deep and slushy. Time to keep going.
Circle back around to the only entrance, which is now up a little bump. Seriously? Where did these cars behind me come from?
Dang it, have to come to another stop before turning right.
Hm. Foot pressing the gas, not going anywhere.
Don’t panic.
Why are those cars so close behind me? You’re in an SUV. Back off my tail and let me figure this out. Can’t you see me fishtailing? Where did you even come from?
Sing to me, Bing! I’m also dreaming of a White Christmas, not a White December 14th!
Got it. Thanks for finally backing up and giving me some space! Seriously. Just a bit of space did it. Okay, now to get onto the freeway. Thank goodness I have to go under the overpass as I turn, which should give me enough momentum to get up onto the freeway.
YAAAASSSSS!!!
Whew! Okay, now I’m on the freeway, let’s turn this Christmas music up and throw it into 2nd gear. Sure, I’ll go 20mph on the freeway.
Haha I love that there’s a single file of cars on the freeway, all with the understanding that lanes don’t really exist in the snow. We can all just follow the car in front of us, giving them enough of a gap…just in case.
(OMG quick flashback – Aly and I driving down 21st into Sugarhouse, hitting a patch of black ice, spinning out, and the car behind us not leaving enough space between us, sending her careening into the side of a restaurant as she swerved to avoid hitting us…since…you know…we slowed down a bit as we were spiraling out of control!)
The first noel, the angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay…
Nat King Cole
Sing to me, Nat!
Wow, must be nice to have a heavy truck to just barrel down this freeway and carve your own path! Good thing I’m doing just fine. Still gripping the steering wheel tighter than usual, but that’s alright.
I think the cars in front of me disappeared. I don’t see their tail lights anymore. I’m not in a rush. Just chugging along.
Hm, those cars are stuck on the offramp. I wonder if I’m going to be able to make it off the freeway. Although I had to drive up an onramp earlier, the freeway became almost subterranean and I’ll have to climb up an offramp to get off…
Yeah, there’s no way. The snow hasn’t let up. The plows haven’t shown up yet and I’m about to be stuck in a blizzard.
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we’ve no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let –
Dean Martin
Oh, shut up Dean! Don’t “let it snow!”
Okay, moment of truth. One more offramp to go. How does this one look?
OMG, I’m not going to make that. It hasn’t been plowed either!
Better quick decision – there’s an overpass. If I can pull as far as possible to the right, I’ll be sheltered. But it’s still dark. Okay, hazard lights it is.
It’s freezing outside, but I don’t want to just sit here with the car running. Activate blanket! Good thing I keep a go-bag in the car with blankets, clothes, shoes, and some food/water. Thick blanket on the lap, change the shoes. Warmer.
Time to cut the engine, but leave on the hazards. I’m far enough off of the actual freeway that I feel safe, but it’s still dark. And what if a car hits black ice or slush and goes careening into me?
Do I really have a choice at this point?
Time to play on the phone and let the boss and coworker know I’ll be working remotely tomorrow. It’s still before 10pm. They should be up, right?
Now that’s out of the way, let’s see if I can relax.
(Can’t stop glancing out the rear windows every time headlights approach)
……..
…and since we’ve no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let –
Frank Sinatra
SHUT UP FRANK! UGH, WHY ARE THERE SO MANY VERSIONS OF THIS SONG?
……..
It’s cold. Time to turn the car back on and defrost the windows and bring my body temperature back up to normal.
……..
Am I going to be able to sleep in my car tonight on the freeway? I’ve slept in it many times, but usually at a truck stop or in the middle of the desert. Not a freeway.
……..
Where on earth are all of these cars going? Some of them are smaller than mine and I know don’t have 4-wheel drive. Wait, is that a plow?
Okay, the moment of truth. It’s the brigade of plows. Time to see how much they’ll be able to…wait…they’re pushing the snow towards me!
……..
Whew. I knew I pulled far enough up to avoid the spray, but hopefully those chunks of snow are soft enough for me to drive over them. When I finally leave. Which way are the plows going?
Are they plowing the offramp? No. Okay, time to settle in. No need to panic. Worst-case scenario…I can climb up the side of the hill to reach a road and walk home. I’m not too far away. Thank goodness it’s bright when it snows.
Wait, more plows? Ooh…there’s a rush of adrenaline. Feeling brave and ballsy. Turning the car on. Ugh, I need to nervous pee.
It’s happening. I’m following the plows, no matter where they head. I can take a long way home. I just want to get off of this freeway.
OMG they went up the offramp! Time to go!
Come on come on come oooonnnnnn…..YES!
*Cue the circus music in my head* as I follow the plows through the red light at the top of the offramp.
Finally made it off of the freeway and heading towards the shopping center. Wait, where are the plows going? Oh, back onto the freeway. Way to go, plows! So grateful for them right now, even though I have to ford through that buffer mountain of snow they just pushed aside.
I see my salvation up ahead – the glowing Walmart sign – as I slowly approach yet another major intersection, red light warning me to stop, but unwilling as I fishtail, trying to find some traction to propel me to my final destination.
Oh, I’m almost there. Please let me get to the parking lot!
Ahhhhhhh.
After about a 2 hour journey, I finally made it from the concert to the Walmart parking lot, close to an In n Out. When I drive, I carry my stress in my upper back and neck. Once I finally was safe in the parking lot and turned off my car, I was suddenly aware of how tense I had become.
Although I was now safe, it was still going to be a long night. However, my coworker called me and told me that he was going to come pick me up and take me home. He’s got a killer Jeep that he takes to climb mountains and stuff, so braving the terrible snowy roads wasn’t going to be an issue (thankfully).
Even though he was only a dozen blocks away, I knew it was going to take some time to get to me, so I walked over to In n Out for a quick snack and recorded a little something to help me remember this crazy night.
After hanging out with the other people stuck at In n Out, I made it home, took a really long, hot shower, and climbed into bed. The next day I took the bus to rescue my car. And after using my trusty snow brush to dig out my car, I vowed to never drive during a snow storm again.
And that’s how I got caught in a blizzard.
Have you ever been caught in a blizzard? How would you react?
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