Twas the night before Christmas and we were sitting about.
An unexpected snow storm had wiped the roads out.
We sat around huddling in our cars with no heat
Hoping that TXDot would soon clean the streets.
I have manage to go 19 years without a white Christmas. I thought that this year, as it would be spent in Texas, would make it a beautiful 20. Apparently Kenny's Christmas wish tromped mine as we sat marred in snow, on Christmas Eve, in our car for 13 hours waiting for the roads in Wichita Falls, TX to be cleared. We had "bravely" set out on the 23rd from Denver. The weather wasn't the best, but it was doable. Snow drifts here, a bit of traffic there, but all in all the snow wasn't bad enough to stop us. Raton Pass, the area that we imagined would harbour the worst part of the trip for us, was surprisingly clear. New Mexico was a snore. However, one of the worst, and unexpected, snowstorms to hit Texas was lurking 20 miles or so outside of Amarillo. This slowed us down, but did not stop us. As we pulled into our hotel in Amarillo, we praised Kenny for his travelling skills and made plans to make it to his grandparents house by the 24th. We were so incredibly optimistic. We were so incredibly wrong.
0830 on Christmas Eve started out the same as the 23rd – a bit of snow, not the best conditions, but doable. That became white-out conditions, but drivable as long as there was a car in front of us. Our goal that day was to make it o Wichita Falls – a 2 hour drive from Amarillo – take a "Kenny break", then continue the additional 1.5 hours to Dallas. The reality was that we made it to 15 miles outside of Amarillo, then stopped. For 7 hours. On 287. Our first clue should have been the fact that the winds were high and that the side roads and on ramps were littered with jacked-knifed semis. The next clue was the fact that we were driving on snow covered ice and had to slow down considerably.
Do you remember the Malcolm in the Middle episode where the family is stuck on the highway due to a rock slide? Well, it was a lot like that – only with high winds, snow, and no promised love affair with someone located a few cars over. Four semis had jacked-knifed across the highway in four different locations. unfortunately, due to all of the other accidents, there were not enough wreckers to remove them. So we sat. Occasionally a truck would try to make a run for it only to get stuck in the snow covered ditch running alongside the highway. By 1600 CST we had resigned ourselves to the fact that we would be spending the night in Wichita Falls. My family and some friends were able to locate a hotel for us just on the outskirts of Wichita Falls. Now, if we could just make it there.
2000 and we are starting to move – albeit at 3 – 6 miles per hour, but we are moving. 2005 and we are 12 miles from the hotel. 2103 and we make it to 7.2 miles from the hotel. We're getting closer. Kenny has been a trooper this whole time. I have managed to make successful diaper changes in the car, but all of us are looking forward to getting out of the car and, well, anywhere that is not the car. 2125, 6.4 miles from the hotel. All comes to a grinding halt. Strangely, the 287 South bound traffic, our side, is full of cars. The North bound side is mysteriously empty. Spooky movie empty. Occasionally we see cars creeping through on the North side in groups, but these are few and far between. Finally the Sara Lee truck in front of us informs us that they are sending out the National Guard to get us and to hold tight. Ok. Let Steve and Kenny sleep, and I will sleep in 30 minute increments. That way Steve will be refreshed and able to drive, Kenny won't be as cranky, and I can wake them when traffic begins to move or the National guard appears.
It turns out that the National Guard was for the North Bound traffic, and I discovered why after the South bound traffic was allowed to move again. For those who haven't seen the remake of The War of the Worlds, just think of any horror movie that involves people leaving town in a hurry. That's what the North bound side looked like. Cars, trucks, semis, and campers were abandoned everywhere. Some were parked diagonally across the road; others were in ditches; on occasion a few were even parked properly in the street. When they close a road in Colorado they put gates across it so no new traffic may enter. Colorado is prepared for bad weather, however. Wichita Falls is not. When they say that a road is closed there, it simply means that no one should be on the road. Unfortunately, there were a lot f people who didn't fully understand that shouldn't be driving. We saw them parked for miles and miles behind the empty cars.
At 0245 on Christmas morning we finally limped our way into the hotel. We wouldn't be the last ones in that morning. Kenny's first Christmas was not spent with his grandparents or with presents, but it was still a wonderful day because we got to spend it together. We spent the morning with all three of us snuggled up in the bed. Kenny spent it laughing and playing. Steve and I spent it laughing at him. For those who have had to deal with me on Christmas morning, I am insufferable. I love my presents and will drive everyone crazy until I am allowed to open them. This Christmas morning, however, was better than any present in the world.
Our friends in Wichita Falls were kind enough to let us invade on their Christmas tradition of trying new foods. The company and the meal were both wonderful. Brussel sprouts with bacon, potato soufflé, pepper encrusted prime rib, glazed ham, green beans, and homemade cheesecake adorned the table. I think that there was more, but my stomach was so full that it muddled with my memory. They gave Steve and me a thermos and travel mug set which was put to immediate use. They gave Kenny a pair of PJs which was also used immediately. Who knew that a baby would go through so many jammies?
My Grandmother's favourite flower is the sweet pea. Because of this our house will always have it in the garden. It is also one of my favourite scents as it reminds me of my Grandmother a well. The final present that we received from our friends was a gift set from Victoria's Secret – all in sweet pea! I love opening the jars one at a time and letting their aroma remind me of our trip.
Don't despair, kind reader. We finally made it to my parents house on the 26th and celebrated Christmas Part II. We were lucky. Military helicopters were used to retrieve people from their cars later on Christmas day. Cars still littered 287 when we left on Boxing Day morning. The aftermath of the storm was still apparent on our return trip on the 29th.
We owe a lot of people our gratitude for making Kenny's first Christmas successful. Thank you to my husband who had to do all of the driving allowing me to hang out with Kenny. Through sleet, snow, ice, and crying baby, he never gave up. Thank you to my son for sleeping through most of the trip. My sister, parents, friends, and relatives stayed up with us throughout the night in order to make sure that we were ok. My sister had to act as the relay – I would text her and she would pass on the information. This happened all the way up to 0245 Christmas Morning. My parents reserved and paid for our hotels. Our friends provided us with company and food. THANK YOU ALL. And to the hotel staff at the Candlewood Suites that worked through the night taking in wayward travellers, thank you for holding all of our reservations.
We lost and gained loved ones in 2009. The past and future years are filled with people that enrich our lives. Going forward, remember to laugh, love, and forgive. Life is to short to spend it with regrets. Smile, laugh, dance, roll down hills, and enjoy your 2010.
