Sunday November 26, 2006 - Ellensburg, Washington I am halfway back to LA but have been trapped in a snow storm! Last night I arrived in Ellensburg, WA after making a wrong turn that headed me toward Seattle instead of Portland. This folly not only cost me time, but has me stuck here waiting out the storm. Since early this morning there has been nearly a half foot of snow. Snow has been chasing me ever since I left Canada. Each day I drive out into clear roads and skies, only to find the next morning with snow on the ground.

Having been driving in snow for some time now, I thought that I could drive out of Ellensburg, but as I got on the highway I realized that I was not going to make it. The roads go through a mountain pass with many turns and inclines and were not cleared and were very icy. I only made it a few miles from town to the first major incline where I lost traction and simply could not beat gravity. Turning around was no option and I could make no progress up the hill, so I pulled my car to the side and turned on my hazards, looking for help.

Some nice people stopped and lent me their cell phone so that I could call AAA, which proved to be unhelpful. Despite me having received my new membership card, they said that my auto-renewal didn't go through and my membership expired 17 days ago. After being on hold for quite a while, a state trouper came to my aid and called a tow truck for me, and I let fate run its course.

I waited at the side of the road for about 45 minutes until the tow truck came. The driver, Dean, owns a small tow truck and auto repair place just across the street from the motel where I started. Looking at my tires it was obvious that the front tires were very worn-down and had little traction, while the back tires looked pretty good. Dean brought the car back to his shop and switched the front and back tires for me. Already I can tell my car is handling considerably better.

I had thought of getting chains for my car while I was in Canada, as Richard had recommended, but my friends in Edmonton really didn't see how I would need them as long as I was on or near main highways. And sure enough that was the case. Even while it was snowing the roads were in pretty good condition and regularly cleared. I had not counted on being stuck in snow in the US. I now have the option of buying chains for my tires, however Dean thought that there may not be enough clearance with my low profile wheels. In any case, I have decided to stay at the hotel for a day or two until the roads are clear and the weather gets better. I'm also going to look into getting chains/cables just in case.

In total, this mistake cost me a couple hundred dollars, plus more with my extended motel stay. The cost does not matter to me so much, but I do feel silly for having been stuck and kick myself for having made the wrong turn. I can't help but think in the time it took me to get here last night, I could have been in Portland in rain instead of snow... but what use is it now to think these things? With traveling I must take the good with the bad and enjoy the ups and downs, or otherwise I will just unnecessarily make myself miserable. C'est la vie. Being here isn't so bad and is giving me some much needed time to catch up with my writing.