Let me start out by saying that I live in the desert. Yes, 120 degrees summer days desert. Our normal annual rainfall is less than 4″. Blowing sand is common when it’s windy. We do have days when main roads are closed due to blowing sand.
However….snow? What the heck is snow? Oh I know, it’s what I see when I look at the mountains!
A week or so ago we were taking a load from Minnesota to Lemore, California. We had about 34,000 pounds of empty glass bottles in the box behind us. I drive the night shift while my trainer drives the day shift (I get more driving hours this way). The weather wasn’t too bad. Our route is on I-80. The evening started out clear, but cold. Then the rain started, and then the snow.
At first it wasn’t sticking, just falling fast and hard. As I came closer to the Nebraska/Wyoming border, the snow started getting worse. Lucky for me it was beginning to get light. It makes it easier to see.
Just past the state line near Pine Bluffs the wind was blowing the snow so hard that I had a near white-out condition. Because the snow was so dry and the wind blowing so hard the snow wasn’t sticking to the road very well. I was able to make out the white line against the darker pavement and could see for 100 feet ahead of me. I woke my trainer up and said I needed advice. His advice: pull into the next truck stop.
We stopped at Pine Bluffs, Wyoming with over a hundred other trucks. What a pain! We were there almost 24 hours until the interstate was open and we could get out of the truck stop. What an introduction to driving in winter weather!
Some Lessons Learned
What did I learn from this? Always, always know where you are in relation to safe havens - truck stops, rest areas, etc. My company does not allow us to pull off on the side of the road or on freeway ramps so we must use large parking lots (thank you WalMart), rest stops, truck stops, or other places deemed safe. You can watch the Weather Channel for information or use your CB to see what is going on, but remember, nature will do what nature will do – no matter what the Weather Channel says.
Be prepared for everything and anything. Keep a warm jacket, boots, gloves, and a warm hat. If you are in your own truck I would keep an extra blanket, food that’s simple to eat, and some way to keep warm in case your truck will not run. I plan on using some earthquake supplies, and “Heater Meals” that are available in truck stops.
We made it safely through my first blizzard! Glad this is spring and it shouldn’t be a problem again. If only I knew the future I’d not be so sure of no more problems. But that’s for a later blog.
Keep the bugs off your glass and the bears off your … tail. God bless and drive safely. Farmer Bob.
About Author Farmer Bob
I live in the desert area of Southern California. I retired after a long career in the telecommunications industry. I have wanted to drive for a long time and now seemed to be the right time to start. I am married with three grandkids. My wife doesn't work and is looking forward to being with me when I am driving on my own. My personal creed is simple: "Do what you have promised and don't encroach upon others"
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Most Recent By Farmer Bob
So, you had your first blizzard & had a blast with it–OK, I’m kidding. Does this mean you will be moving to the northern states to experiance winter all the time???!!!! HAHAHA!!! I am from the north or was so I can tease you about this. I do not miss snow/blizzards at all.
Yes it is not a good thing to park on the shoulders/ramps and many companies do not allow that. Even some states have laws that there is no shoulder parking/ramp parking. Some are enforced and others are not.
You are rignt in knowing where you are in relationship to parking placed for the trucks. You never know when you will have to get off the road. Be safe.