So…I have finally gotten over the shock of the record snow we received around Christmas time. The first day was exciting – after all, I thought I would be missing the beauty of a white Christmas, but now the snow was coming down, creating a beautiful “winter wonderland” in the Gorge – breath-takingly beautiful, actually, and just in time for Christmas – perfect! I was delighted with the frozen falls, the towering trees covered with snow, the white stillness. I laughed at the news cast that warned drivers that they needed chains on their cars even though the amount of snow at that time would have been considered inconsequential in Utah! However, I stopped singing Christmas carols and flitting about happily in our frozen surroundings when it snowed again – lots of snow. I soon stopped laughing about the Oregonian’s “over-reaction” to snow when the snow continued, and continued, and continued…. The power went out, the interstate was closed, food supplies began dwindling, no newspaper, no mail, no nothing but more snow. And, we could not get out out of our driveway even though both of us have four wheel drive. (Even with tire chains on Dave's car!) We both started getting cranky….growl…hiss….the white Christmas didn’t seem as charming all of the sudden.Dave, however, managed to get us to his sister’s house in Stevenson, Washington for the Christmas celebration, in spite of the amazing snow and the fact that there were only a handful of cars out on the road/interstate. It was a harrowing drive and I wondered if we would be unwrapping Christmas presents in the car while we waited to get “unstranded.” (Panic, did we have food and water in the car to tide us over?! I get really mean if I get hungry AND cold!) We made it without any problems, though, and I decided it was fitting to label Dave “The Animal” since he drove the car through the horrible road conditions without flinching (though he did have a much-deserved shot of tequila when we got to his sister’s house) while I sat in the back seat, my eyes as wide as saucers. If I had been responsible for the driving, I would have (a) been whimpering the entire time after (b) suffering a panic attack and (c) swearing to move to Arizona after all, and (d) polishing off a good bit of that bottle of tequila afterwards (and some before?) to calm my nerves! Actually, truth be known, I would have been a big chicken and not ventured out at all – I am reluctant to experience terrifying moments at my advanced age. One cannot underestimate the power of frightening moments and heart attacks, right? Right….
Okay, so we made it through the Christmas storm and had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with Dave’s family. Then, the snow stopped – woohoo! But, the rain began. At first it seemed wonderful to have warmer weather and rain. Once again, the good mood and high spirits returned. I was running into town to take advantage of remarkable after-Christmas sales and my food supply had been restocked. People were out in droves, happy to break free from the weather-related imprisonments. It was party time!
