December 02, 2006

Snowed In

Snowed In at the Hale (house) Bella Vista Arkansas

We were snowed in today. Now I know that most of you have winters so severe that what we experienced in the last two days was a mild spring storm. But my city of Bella Vista, which is higher in altitude and full of switchback curves becomes a dangerous place to drive in and out of once the roads ice up. Most of the community holes up till the ice melts and things get back to normal... Many homes have steep driveways, and some subdivisions, like ours are literally carved out of a hillside so while our lots are somewhat level, the roads in are a terror!

For Woody and I we have two ways to get to our street. One, where you have a series of rollercoaster ups and downs, then at the bottom of this carnival ride, you have a quick left and up a grade that has to be 12 percent. Straight up. I can only drive up it at 20 miles an hour on a regular day. The other way, off a less trecherous highway, decends down to our street. That would be ok, except that halfway along is a rather deep dip. During our unbelievable leaf drop this fall, the dip filled with mushy leaves, which neighbors were constantly blowing out. Well everytime a car went through it yesterday, more snow ice and leaves went down into it. The resulting mush looked like mashed potatoes with the skin on. It was as deadly to a car as quicksand and about as sticky.

I knew this so I tried route one... got up about thirty feet and began to slide down the hill faster and faster. I managed to get my van stopped before it went into Lake Avalon.... and went around to Mashed Potato Bowl and got through it, and felt darn lucky. Woody had managed to get up the hill but barely and he stayed home today as he left his car outside and it is literally frozen to the driveway. Since he has to go to work tomorrow... it will be interesting to see him try to get out. I think he'll be in the ditch for sure...

But even with the problems our neighborhood was stunningly beautiful. The ice clinging to the trees and the buildings and the fresh softsnow sparkled in the bight sunshine. The local animals left their prints like delicate lace on the surface of the snow. Birds intent on the remaining berries fluttered around the windows to the delight of the kitties.

I am constantly amazed at the everchanging beauty of this area of the country and am often heard as I drive around " See how beautiful this place is..." Everyday the seasonal change provides a new view... When asked "How could you leave Hawaii?" I can point to days like this, and what a surprise the beauty of this area has been to me.

And my Snowday was spent working, as I can do my new job pretty much at home. But Woody took our huge pile of filing in hand to get the office/ media room, cleaned up as I am buying three workstation type desks, two for the computer room and one for my little reading room, each equipped with two file cabinets that support the desks, where all of this paper will be going... I also got my laundry and other chores done... We were snug and warm and actually prepared to stay here for several days if needed...

I would have loved it.