Icy Hell

Today we decided to make a break for it. We had approximately one day of dry weather to get through Oregon before another snowstorm ruined the city again. Before leaving, we checked all of the necessary websites, walked over to the interstate, and talked over our options. We both agreed that the road looked a lot better than yesterday and if we could make it past Salem before dusk we'd be in the clear.

The 44 miles between Portland and Salem was a nightmare. We drove an average of 3 mph in ruts created by cars over the course of two days. In between the ruts were 6" mounds of ice and snow that were impassible unless you were driving a dump truck or a Hummer. Turning around was not really an option, given that we were stuck in the rut and the thought of driving in it again to get home made me want to die.

Literally 3 minutes south of Salem the roads were bone dry and there was not a spot of snow in sight. It was smooth sailing to Eugene where we stopped for dinner and picked up beer for a toast later -- a toast to making it through and to remember that we never want to do this again. We were feeling so good about the conditions that we decided to push ahead until Medford and make the Siskiyou Pass in the morning after sunrise. Perhaps our celebration was a little premature.

Exactly 3 miles north of Grants Pass we got a flat tire. We immediately called AAA, but J was able to put on our spare and we didn't need to be towed. Good thing too, because we would have waited at least 90 minutes for a truck. AAA was great and gave us the name of a tire shop in Grants Pass and a list of hotels just down the street. So now, we're kicking up our feet at a Comfort Inn with our beer. I'm glad to be on firm ground and the free wi-fi is a bonus.

Actually, I'm not really feeling like getting in a car ever again, so we might just live at the Comfort Inn until the March thaw. I mean, Grants Pass is not nearly as hip as Portland, but they have a McDonalds and a local motel/grill/bar. What more could a young couple want from a home? The hotel room has a mini-fridge and continental breakfast, so we're set. I'm sure I could learn to cook with the iron and hairdryer.

Too bad they don't serve sedatives in the morning with the stale bagels.