The weather report says blizzard conditions north of Cheyenne and the roads will most likely be closing..."
I hate saying 'I told you so'
"Bah, it can't be that bad. Besides we can always stop somewhere if it does get bad". Turning into his 'weatherman' mode he predicts, "Look its going to head east more, I just know it"
"I really think we should just stay here in Denver for one more night." But he cuts me off with more of his macho predictions and how we have to be at work Friday night so we
HAVE to leave Thursday. I tire of being stubborn about it and finish putting our stuff in the car, say my goodbyes to everyone and hit the road heading north to make the trip back to South Dakota. Or so I thought...
Everything seemed ok of course until we get near Cheyenne. Snow, blowing snow and visibility is getting worse. My speed drops from 75mph to 35 mph before I even get to the city limits.
Let me take that back somewhat, I ENJOY it immensely to point out I was right and gloat about it
"Maybe we should stop here and get a room?" I try watching his reaction and he blurts out, "watch the road!"
So I ask again, "Should we stop or turn back?"
He thinks here for a moment and I am not sure if he is about to agree, when a blast of snow slows me down to a crawl because I can't see 2 feet in front of me. It finally clears enough to get back up to 30 mph and he speaks up, "We haven't really gotten that far, lets try to get to Wheatland so we are closer to home before we really have to stop."
Is he stupid? No I must be because I don't pull off in Cheyenne and like some sheep, I just plod along I-25 with speeds varying from 40mph down to nearly a dead stop. The WHOLE TIME he is directing my driving with, "oh oh watch it" or "wow its icy!" and lets not forget "Are your hazard lights on?" and "Don't you think you should slow down?"
I can't even gloat as I vehemently reiterate how I was right and his only defense is its
MY FAULT for not
MAKING HIM STAY IN DENVER!
With many near misses and a few 'oh ****' events, I crawl into the town of Wheatland. I am exhausted from fighting the road and it will be dark soonish. All I can think about is a hot shower and a warm bed...
"No rooms"
I stare at my husband blankly for a moment. "Did they check other hotels for you?" I watch him scratch his head and for one of the few times in our 26 years of marriage that have had me asking myself; WHY did I marry him? I ask myself that question again.
"No, but there are more hotels, lets just go check ourselves"
So for the next hour or so, in a blinding blizzard, I am driving from one end of this 2-horse town to another. Not one room is available.
Its getting dark, I am hungry, tired, cold and a nervous wreck from driving in a blizzard for more hours than anyone with half a brain would have. My anger has finally taken over the 'I told you so' gloat and I am thinking even Jail sounds good! At least I would have a warm bed?
"Oh the hotel lady said they shut down all roads in and out of here. Not just northbound, we can't even go back south."
He is looking at me and the reaction I see in his face to
MY reaction of his statement... Yep, I must be pissed, the man actually has fear in his eyes and blurts out, "You were right! I am sorry, I should have listened to you."
Now in most circumstances I would have smiled and told him its okay and downplayed my smug attitude, but I didn't care that I was right, I just wanted to take my anger out on something or someone.
Then my anger just turned to tears. We pulled to the side of the road and parked. I cried most of the night, sitting in my cold car on the side of the road. Watching him sleep, made me cry more because it seemed so unfair that he could sleep like he hadn't a care in the world while I was terrified I was going to die from carbon monoxide poisoning. The blizzard howled around me with temps dropping to -8 with the wind-chill. I was afraid to sleep with the car running and kept 'watch' until exhaustion set in and a fitful sleep ensued.
I awoke with a start, wondering if we were still alive and stared up at the stars! The skies were clear and the moon shone brightly and I wanted to just head home. It was 3:00 am...
... 6 hours later, at 9:00 am, they
FINALLY opened I-25 and I drove cautiously through slush, ice and the odd snowdrift to highway 20 and cut over to highway 85 at the town of Lusk. They had their own problems digging out of the foot or more of snow they got but had plowed enough for traffic heading north, to get through. I-25 was closed past Casper so it was the only route north for anyone to take and let me tell you, it was a busy!
After being in my car for 25 straight hours, I made it home at 2:30 pm this afternoon. What is normally a 5 1/2 hour drive for me, took 25 hours. I slept, but kept waking with that feeling that I was still driving! I am going to be one tired lady at work tonight. Have I forgiven my husband? I am to blame somewhat for not putting my foot down and stopping when I knew what was going to be treacherous driving. But for what its worth, I'll milk his guilt for the next few days and see what it gets me!
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