Cap’n Jim’s Logbook

Okay so maybe it wasn’t a real blizzard but it was the worst weather I’ve experienced in 11 years of driving to the Antelope Valley. It was the first time I’ve ever had to put on tire chains (only had to pay 100% markup at the Union 76 station in the pass -  shoulda gone to the Wal Mart the night before.) I would have turned around and gone home but I’d already used a “snow day” on Monday when the road (hwy 138 through Cajon Pass) was closed, so I bought the chains and pressed on. This is what my drive to work  looked like once the sun came up.

So, 3 1/2 hours later I make into to work, only to find out that Cal Trans has closed the pass behind me, great. As the morning passes the weather moves in and rain turns to sleet, turns to snow. Then at 2:30 the word is passed that due to inclement weather the base is closed and we are all released. Go home?! How? The roads are all closed. Who thinks that putting several thousand people on icy roads without tire chains (remember, it was only raining when they came to work)  all at the same time is a good idea? Did I mention that this is So Cal? In the dessert? They don’t DO snow. It was ugly.

Well I made a valiant effort to return to hearth and home only to be stymied after 3 hrs because Cal Trans closed EVERY road over the mountains. Thank you to Kirk and Rhonda for letting me stay at their house in Lancaster. They were very gracious hosts. BTW I will say this for residents of the AV, every time I stopped to remove or install the chains, it wasn’t long before someone would pull over and ask if I was okay. Kindness is alive in the AV.

What a difference 24 hrs makes! This is what my drive home looked like the next day, it still took me 4 hours to get home due to the snow on the roads but I finally made it back to the I.E.