When four inches feels like a foot
Out the garage door and in to snowflakes, abrupt u-turn in my power chair to collect my golf umbrella.
First 100 yards foot paths are clear - almost. Just how much snow can fall in the next half mile to the Elementary School for my volunteer appointment in the Read Today program?
Blizzard.
A crossing Guard waves me over as I try to shed snow from my umbrella, forget about the rest of me that looks like a Christmas scene without the lights.
School yard totally white, but I can follow the tiny footprints. Major shaking job once in the foyer. My machine had attracted snow all over, my bag at the front was full of it (zip had stopped working long ago).
I might say that my classes provided respite from stress. Not entirely so. There was the interruption of the earthquake drill. My "duck and cover" was against an interior wall with a large book on my head. Must have been the longest, loudest "earthquake" I have ever been through. Here is me, emergency trained, with my green helmet, vest, and pack still at home.
Out the door again. Nature had enjoyed my respite by continuing to unleash snow, and it continued. Was I on the ramp? Somewhere were the steps - what steps? Snow, excessively white snow! Where is the path to the school gate? Just aim for the opening and hope I remembered the turns.
On the roads - I had to use the roadway as the footpaths were mostly unpredictable - it looked like no car had ever been there. How deep? My chair's front wheels were covered; the footplate where I carry my bag was acting as a mini snow plow. Speed down to a creep. Only traffic slushed across the front of me. " Hey, I'm on a pedestrian crossing..."
Around one more corner and I'm home, but the snow is deeper. and progress is faltering. Time for a full speed push. Oops, missed the driveway. Back up, forward and home at last.
Wife ensuring that no snow entered the garage by brooming me down from hat to wheels. Adrenaline subsiding, exhaustion taking over... Snow continued, but I was not part of it Another Utah adventure over.
Sure to be a great day in Paradise tomorrow.
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