Friday, March 23, 2018

Winter Lingers On....And A Very Close Call

All over blogland and Instagram I see lovely photos of flowers, sunshine, and spring. 

Meanwhile, here on the mountain top, we are still buried in snow and ice. 


I know I wrote a post a while back about embracing winter on the mountain top.....but this is ridiculous. 

We had snow on top of snow on top of more snow for the month of March and quite frankly, I'm tired of shoveling!

Thankfully, this last Nor'Easter skipped over us, because it's very possible either me or my deck may have collapsed in a heap!


The snow is melting off the roof from the warmth of the house, dripping onto the walkways, and freezing into a sheet of ice. 

Why did I ever throw away my ice skates? I could have used them right about now. 


Feeding the birds has become quite the adventure, as I must skirt this giant icicle and the ice rink beneath it to get to the feeders, which I do each morning. 


Seriously, that is one monster icicle!!!  

Can you see my deck swing off to the right in that photo? 

Yeah, me neither. Sigh. 


The poor pups haven't been able to go in the back garden for weeks. No doubt little Miss Molly misses running around in circles like a nut-job, doing her 'zoomies' - she's such a cute little crackpot!

Meanwhile, speaking of ice, we had a very close call on Monday when we were traveling back from Newport, Rhode Island for my special birthday getaway. 

We were behind a tractor trailer, and noticed ice flying off the top...so we switched lanes and tried to pass him in the left lane to get away from the ice. 

Next thing, a gigantic chunk of ice (2' x 2' and at least 3 inches thick) flew off the top and came right through our windshield. 


It was absolutely terrifying, and the driver of the truck was completely oblivious to what had happened!  We pulled up next to him, honking and screaming and gesturing for him to pull over. He ignored us, and kept going. 

We chased him for 5 miles with a shattered windshield, trying multiple times to get him to pull over. By this point he had seen our windshield, and no doubt he knew why we were signaling to him and honking our horn. The whole time I was on the phone with the state police, and eventually a trooper caught up with us and pulled him over. 


He told the trooper he couldn't find a place to pull over. 

Seriously? What about the breakdown lane? Or the rest stop we passed??

Amazingly, he was not even issued a ticket. Explain that one to me? 

Fortunately, Sweetie and I were ok....I had nothing but a few cuts from the glass, and Sweetie had some cuts and bruises. This story could have had a much more morbid ending, we were extremely lucky. Happy birthday to me, for sure!!

The point of the story? Make sure you clear the snow off the top of your vehicle before hitting the road! The trucking company did not, and we could have easily been killed as a result. 

Needless to say, I've seen enough ice for one year. 

Move over winter, I'm done with you. 

Bring on the spring.

58 comments:

  1. Wow!! That is so scary and totally terrifying. Thank goodness you are ok. What an ordeal. You think the guy would've pulled over, I mean what if you were injured?? I hope that the rest of this year is absolutely fabulous and that otherwise had a fabulous birthday!! xo

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    1. He was a real jerk not pulling over, Kim. He was clearly trying to ditch us - he signaled he was pulling into the rest stop so we signaled the same and then he changed his mind, funny enough, and kept going! Only that the traffic was so heavy he would have probably sped up and tried to make a run for it!

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  2. Oh Debbie, that is scary. We were just talking about that when we had the ice back in December. Saw it all the time. And that was nothing like what y'all get! Glad you are both okay.
    Here's praying spring weather is headed your way soon.

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    1. We should have some warm days this week, and hopefully it will melt some of this snow and ice!!

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  3. OH my word, so much snow and ice and the windshield is terrifying. That was such a bad accident. I can't imagine he didn't get a ticket. So glad you are both ok.

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  4. How frightening and how fortunate you were not hurt! Past that enough is ENOUGH for your snow and weather! I know you are more than ready for Spring!

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  5. I am always afraid of something like that happening when I am behind one of those huge trucks!!! I can't believe you only got a few cuts and I am so happy that you and your sweetie are okay. You have way more snow than we do and with these 30 and under degree days it will never melt!

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    1. Remember this when you see one of those trucks on your travels, AnnMarie, and stay FAR away!!!

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  6. Holy cow!! That must have been terrifying! You won't forget this birthday, that's for sure. I'm glad you are ok and it didn't result in you getting into an accident. (I would totally be out there knocking that icicle down! :) ) -Jenn

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    1. So true, Jenn, this one will stay in the memories for a long, long time!! I think of you every morning I walk by that icicle now, by the way, and I smile thinking of you out there trying to knock it down - it's about twice the size it was when I took this photo, it might give you a run for your money!!

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  7. Thank God you and your sweetie are safe. I am praying that as your
    snow melts, your gardens will show signs of spring reawakening on the mountain and these scary events of this winter will fade.

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    1. I'm saying the same prayer, MJ!! There must be little daffodils under all that snow wondering just what's going on, isn't it spring?

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  8. That must have been terrifying. So glad that neither one of you were seriously hurt. Here in Pennsylvania, you can be fined for not (completely) cleaning off your vehicle......$200.00 -$1,000.
    Stay safe and warm.

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    1. As it should be, Jean!! I don't know how he didn't get any sort of a fine, I think that's completely bogus!!

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  9. A close and awful call indeed!! Glad that you were ok and not injured and how scary that was , ugh :(

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  10. Oh my God, Debbie, I'm so very thankful you two are okay. Unbelievable that the guy didn't get a ticket for anything. And those snow banks around your home and deck are also unbelievable. No wonder you're threw with winter. Happy Belated Birthday....certainly one to celebrate.

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    1. Thank you, Rita! I know, amazing, no ticket, no fine, just go on about your merry way and never mind about us!!

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  11. Wow Deb that was a very close call. I am so glad you are ok and no one was hurt. Here in Illinois the trucks have to clear off the ice and debris from the top of the trucks. It is a state law I believe. There have been too many accidents like yours that ended up in tragedy with flying debris. I hope that guy driving the truck has insurance to pay for your damage so you do not have to put it through your insurance. What an adventure for your birthday. We have not gotten the Nor Easters like you guys but I am with you, enough is enough. I want the tug of war between Winter and Spring to stop. We get a few hints of spring and then cold and snow again. Old man winter needs to leave and let Spring come and stay. Have a good weekend.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. It really was a very close call, Kris, way TOO close!! We have abundant sunshine today and I'm praying some of this snow and ice will melt and STAY AWAY until next winter!! :)

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  12. Wow, that was terribly scary just to read! I'm so glad you're okay. I know you want spring to hit your mountain. Soon, my friend. Soon.
    Brenda

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  13. Oh dear Lord,I got the chills just reading this. It is a wonder that the two of you were not killed. I am thankful that God was looking out for you and your husband. A Birthday you will remember forever. Spring is coming, hang in there!!! Till then, stay safe.

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    1. Thank you so much, Bonnie - no doubt we were protected, and I will remember this birthday always!

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  14. You and yours were truly blessed that day......can't believe the big rig driver wasn't even fined..you must of been terrified.....it's enough to give you the shakes for days afterwards.........Happy belated birthday Deb

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    1. I shook for hours after that, Chris, it was truly terrifying! I was never so glad to get home as I was that day!

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  15. HAPPY BELATED LUCKY and Blessed Birthday Deb......Big hugs to you and yours

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  16. Oh Debbie! That is just SO scary! I can't even imagine that happening! I often worry about that here, because we have that issue to worry about as well. I always try to clean my vehicle off top and bottom, but even still if it is snowing while you are driving, that is an issue as well. So scary! I'm so thankful you and Sweetie are okay!!! And we are getting snow here today today. Yesterday it was spring, today... it is winter, ha! Hoping that winter leaves and spring takes up residence soon!

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    1. Try to remember this post when you are out and about in the winter months, Marilyn - stay far away from trucks on the highway if at all possible!

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  17. So glad you two are ok, just shook up with cuts and bruises. Quite the birthday happening. What day was your birthday? Mine was the 20th, 69 years young.

    Belated Happy Birthday to you ~ Hope spring comes soon for you ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Belated happy birthday to you as well, Lorraine - mine was the day before yours!! :)

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  18. I am glad that you were safe. We had something similar happen following a trash truck. I think we are all more than ready for nice weather! Nancy

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    1. How scary, Nancy - now I'm going to be afraid of trash trucks also, thinking of you!

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    1. As am I, Linda, I am thanking my lucky stars every single night!!

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  20. God was watching over you for sure. That is just terrifying. Talk about a close call. I am so glad y'all are okay and safe. I get chills just looking at your windsheild, goodness gracious how in the world y'all were not seriously injured!!??---God sent angels. I missed your b/day, so happy birthday my friend and just so glad you are still here with us to celebrate many more! Your monster icicle is gorgeous!!--been YEARS since I've seen anything like that! I know you're sick and tired of snow and cold and ice, but try to see how pretty it is and hang in there.....your spring is on the way!

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    1. It is still beautiful that's for sure, Debbi - when I drive through town it's so cute to see all the houses with the icicles hanging off - it almost looks like a little village in the swiss alps!! :)

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  21. So glad you both are okay! That was definitely a hair-raising experience. xoxo

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    1. It sure was, Donna - without a doubt. I'll be glad to stay off the highways for a long time after that!

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  22. I saw the pics on IG, but seeing them larger here on your blog and reading the specifics of what happened just gave me goosebumps! So terrifying. I'm sorry you and your BF got cut from the glass, but I'm glad it wasn't much worse. I absolutely cannot believe that guy didn't get a ticket! And yes, all your mountains of snow and ice to be be gone ASAP - that's nuts! We are still very cold here in IL (winter-like temps), but we've actually had a lot of sunshine - and no snow!

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    1. I'm over the snow at this point, Melanie - I want to get out and get some spring cleanup done and get this season started already!!

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  23. PS - Please tell me that the trucking company is going to pay for a new windshield for your car.

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    1. Their insurance will have to pay for the damages but it still doesn't excuse the fact that they got off without additional fines - what's to stop them from sending out more trucks with ice on the top? The next time could be fatal for someone!!

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  24. Oh Debbie, you really are still covered in snow. I had no idea, and to think I've been complaining. It was snowing here at bedtime last night, but melted quickly this morning. Sure hope your's melts soon. We all need a little warm weather now. So glad you two were not badly hurt with that ice. That is so scary!!

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    1. Very scary, Henny, and we were very blessed and lucky to escape with only minor injuries!!

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  25. Thats just crazy! Im glad you guys are ok! I was hoping you would say “NO” cuts or bruises. Boy that was a close call! It makes me mad when people do not clean ice of their cars. THey have no Idea (or maybe they do and dont care).I hope you post this photo on other social media to promote awareness!
    Lisa

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    1. I posted it on Instagram but yes, it would be nice to raise more awareness that people will be sure to clean off their vehicles completely!

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  26. OMG how scary! So glad you guys are okay! Truck drivers and ice scare me sooo much it's my biggest fear when it comes to driving on highways in the winter time.

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    1. Please promise me you'll stay far away from trucks in the winter time, Ellen! I'd hate to see this happen to someone else!!

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  27. Oh Mountain Sister!!! You guys have taken a pounding. I'm so glad no one was hurt from that chunk of ice. I see 18-wheelers all the time losing ice from the tops of their trailers. So scary! I sure hope spring will come soon. Although we haven't had that much snow, these cold temperatures can't seem to rise on our mountain either. Happy Belated Birthday!! Sending warming spring thoughts.

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    1. We saw the ice start to fly off and tried to get away from him, Debbie, but that giant chunk got us before we could escape! It was terrifying, and we are both still having a little PTSD and flashbacks....uggghhhh. Bring on spring!!

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  28. Om my goodness, that is truly terrifying. Many states have laws about cleaning ice and snow off the roof of your car. I'm glad you are okay. xo Laura

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    1. I'm glad we're ok also, Laura!! I'm not sure what the law is in Massachusetts, where it happened, or if it applies to where he picked up the trailer? Who knows, but apparently there was some loophole that meant he got off scott free!!

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    2. Oops!
      Happy belated birthday!!!!!

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