I sat rigid in the front passenger seat of our minivan. My face was pressed up against the window and I was struggling to make out the white line that indicated where the lane was. It was dark and the snow was coming down in horizontal sheets. It was blinding and beautiful at the same time. Every time we crossed over the line, I would warn my father. I don’t believe that he asked me to watch the line, but it seemed helpful and he seemed nervous. His white-knuckled grip of the steering wheel was a dead give away.
We crept through the canyon at an agonizingly slow pace. It felt as though it had been hours of this painstakingly slow progress. The van was completely silent, but for the occasional warnings. I watched the snow with fearful fascination. The windshield wipers were working at top speed, but I could still make out the shapes of a few snowflakes before they were quickly wiped away.
I closed my eyes for a second and sent up another quick prayer that we wouldn’t crash. Then I heard my sister warn my father from the backseat that he was crossing the yellow line. My eyes flew open and I continued my vigilant watch of the white line. I tried to peer out into the darkness to see something, anything else besides the snow. But there was nothing. It was a black and white world.
We continued to creep forward making our way through the blizzard. I was grateful when I noticed the brake lights of another vehicle up ahead. It seemed easier to follow someone else than to pave the way on our own. My father relaxed a bit, though we still watched the lines carefully. The darkness engulfed our small two-vehicle caravan and I began to wonder where the end of the canyon was. We had traveled this road so many times, but the terrain seemed unfamiliar in this wintery wonderland.
The snow began to let up and was no longer flying straight at the windshield. We continued to take it slow, but the roads were no longer covered in snow, they were merely wet. There began to be street lights, which made the whole driving experience much more bearable. My father relaxed even more. The road divided into four lanes and I knew we were nearing the end of the canyon. I slunk down into the chair and sent up a quick, “Thank-you”.
This week, I joined Mama Kat for her writer’s workshop. The writing prompt was “A long drive…”
That sounds scary – I would have been terrified to be driving in a blizzard through a canyon! I’m glad the journey ended well.
Stopped in from Mama Kat’s.. Thought I’d get a head start on reading the posts this week.
Okay, I can totally relate to this story. My husband likes to drive a little crazy and we once went through a snow storm. I was petrified. He wasn’t which made me more afraid. So glad you made it through the canyon to tell this tale!
stef´s last [type] ..So I Married a Deaf Man- Rearview Communication
Yikes! I hate drives like that!
Blissfully Jeanette´s last [type] ..The Hard Way Cafe table for one please
Oh that is scary! I have had a couple drives like that! Glad to hear it turned out all right!
Erin´s last [type] ..There is something about a pick up man
You wrote that so well! I would have died of anxiety. Not used to snow, you know.
Although scary for the driver, the snow might be scarier still for the passengers, because they have absolutely no control over the situation.
June Freaking Cleaver´s last [type] ..On Being a Practically Paid and Published Authorand Stuff
Blizzards are scary. And annoying. And bad. Glad you made it!
Dumb Mom´s last [type] ..Mom Tip Tuesday Work-Life Balance by Dummies
You described that beautifully. It recalled several of my own driving with my father in the snow memories. Glad you arrived safely.
Here from Mama Kat’s.
Kerri´s last [type] ..I Dare You To Send Me To Time Out!
That seems so scary…I probebly would have sletp through the whole thing. I love the way you wrote it.
Hey I just wanted to say how much I love your blog!! Thanks for your posts. I am now a follower here. I will be back for more updates.
I hate driving in snow storms! How scary must that have been for your dad, too!
Mothers’ Hideaway´s last [type] ..A Long Drive
That was beautifully written! It was great to see you and your cute kiddies yesterday!
Oh wow! That sounds like a scary experience! You are a very good writer! I could totally picture the scene in my head!
Stopping by from Mama Kat’s
Mandi´s last [type] ..My Kind of Time-Out
Very tense. I experienced that feeling many times while driving in a snowstorm. You described it perfectly.
Drives like that are terrifying! thank goodness they are few and far between!
liz´s last [type] ..Are Do-Overs Necessarily Bad
Ugh… I hate driving… that would just kill me!
HisBell´s last [type] ..BlogHer Who
Beautiful writing and message, Stacey!
Yes, that was scary. I remember it well. I am the father who was driving. Funny thing is that you remember it as a canyon. It was actually on the flat open highway in the middle of the Wyoming prairie just before we started up the long hill leading into Rawlins, Wyoming. I was so grateful you and your sister could watch the stripes on the road and help me stay between them. I don’t ever remember being more scared driving. Well written. Thanks for sharing your memory.
That’s funny. I really did remember it as a canyon. It is interesting what we remember and how we remember it!