icy
for the first time in history, fairbanks schools and a few roads are closed because it is too warm.
yesterday it was hanging out around 20°F - which is still a bit warm for thanksgiving. by this morning, it had warmed up to above 40°F and rained. the roads are the slickest ive ever seen in this town.
however, this is what winter is supposed to look like in homer: glaring ice.
alaskans are funny when it comes to driving in the winter. we scoff at ice- and snow-encrusted roads and blaze through anyway. when encountering a low-visibility blizzard, we slow down to the speed limit and curse anyone who drives slower.
looking this morning at the river of black ice where the road used to be, i never once considered staying home. even though i dont have 4 wheel drive. and even though i dont have winter (or all-weather, even) tires.
until i passed a school bus and saw it had on its chains. until i heard that the schools were closed.
im not proud i made it to work with only one fish-tail while numerous others made it into ditches - if i had actually stayed home, i would have enjoyed the day off to a certain extent, but i also would have been defeated by mother nature.
cant let that happen.
