The Portland Snowmegeddon

Unaccustomed to much snow, it doesn't take much to convert an Oregonian into a weather wimp.  We have neither the necessary equipment nor severe weather–driving expertise.  Western Oregon often hovers around 32 to 35 degrees in the winter, resulting in freezing rain.  If freezing rain coats a couple of inches of snow, we're screwed.  Unlike the flatter terrain east of the Cascade mountain range, the Portland Metro area and Willamette Valley have hills that add to navigation challenges.  But then, we also have our share of deniers (it's not going to happen... the kids will be home by then... how bad can it be?).  Spoiler alert: It was bad.

Snowmeggeddon commute
Having disabilities and inclement weather has advantages and disadvantages.  I was safe at home in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine, while Earl was stuck in the 'Snowmegeddon' traffic for six hours.  Once again, technology was beneficial. The good news: I knew he was safe, warm, and had enough gas in the car.  Thanks to our smart phones, we could stay in contact via text.  Earl could remain updated on the weather and traffic or listen to a book.

Not today,Skeeter
The bad news: Skeeter and I were dead in the water... no scooting for awhile.  It didn't look like much outside, but the coating of ice turned any type of travel into an injury waiting to happen.  Even as the non-mobility impaired people returned to normal life, I was still housebound. Getting out wasn't worth the risk to me.  As a person with disabilities, I became aware that even the last remnants of melting snow and ice remained major obstacles.  Parking lot plow trucks pile snow in handicapped spaces, making it particularly difficult to get out of a car and stand while a caregiver brings up a wheelchair.  Even when the roads cleared, Earl had to push the chair hard to get the wheels over snow bumps at the grocery store.  Apparently, the feeling is that people with handicaps are too smart to venture out.  Oh well...*
Snow in the hood
One would think we could simply appreciate the beauty of what snow does to the neighborhood.   We actually did... for about a day. Then the cancellations started and the novelty was over.  Schools, breakfast with my friends, appointments, Sandie** (oh my).

Kids always have fun in the snow
Many of us coped with the winter weather by resorting to the remedy of escape.  Fully realizing that going to Arizona, Hawaii, Mexico, or the Caribbean was a first world solution, we did it anyway because we could.  However, winter wasn't done with us yet.  We returned home from two weeks in Maui to round two of more snow, ice, and wind, proceeding to do what we do best... whine.  While we were gone, the city had plowed our street (yea!) and piled snow in front of the driveway (seriously?). Fortunately, the neighbor boys shoveled access into our driveway, allowing us to get home from the airport before the next storm hit.  Neither Skeeter nor my wheelchair could manage the snow depth, so with Earl on one side, Jason on the other, I 'walked' into the house.  Not pretty, but OK.  Oy!


*Previous post:  The Rest of Winter, paragraph four
**Previous post:  The Help, paragraph five

 The lesson:  Spring is coming...but not soon enough.

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