seasons,  Transportation,  winter scenes

Still Heading West

Freezing Rain

I’m bedding down tonight  just west of St. Louis at small place called Foristell, MO. I left Columbus early this morning and got in about 9 hours of weaving around semi’s along I70 before the weather became a problem. The first 4 hours I was enjoying clear blue skies then things began to change. I decided it was time to stop and get a hotel when the slick-as-snot freezing rain was building up on my wipers and making visibility almost impossible. I stopped twice to clean them off. The bad news is it’s suppose to turn to snow later and continue on throughout tomorrow. I may be here a while and still have about 850 miles to go. The above image is the grill of the car parked next to mine when I checked in. Needless to say, my car looked the same. What amazes me are the vehicles still on the road. Of course I will admit those going west are probably commuting home while those going east are trying to keep ahead of the weather.

After checking in to the room I “skated” next door to the truck stop and scarfed down some cajun grilled catfish, the perfect truckers meal. Now I’m stuffed. I have a clean bed, warm room and will soak in a hot tub of water before slipping between the sheets to read. Hopefully, tomorrow I can safely keep moving west, closer to home. 🙂

Retired. Having fun with photography. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku/poetry. Have a love for fountain pens.

12 Comments

  • QPB (Mary Ann)

    Nice to hear from you–while watching the storm approaching (which is now here), I couldn’t help but wonder if your path took you through the pink and blue clouds on my weather channel screen. Be cautious, drive safely!

    • Monte Stevens

      Snow started to fall during the night and is expected to get heavier as the day moves on. In second guessing myself, I wish I’d tried to get to KC. Oh well, that is not living in the moment.

  • Earl

    Monte, I didn’t see this post until this morning. I hope you had a good nights sleep and that the weather will cooperate with your travels today. Be safe!

  • pj

    Sounds like it may be wise to stay put for awhile if you can. It looks like a real mess out there. I hope it breaks soon so you can continue your journey home.

    • Monte Stevens

      Yes, not going anywhere for awhile. I was in the lobby talking to a couple of gentlemen from Lincoln, NE and are in the same predicament. I went ahead and paid for another night. All the reports I’m seeing on local news is that the worst is yet to come. 🙁 How is your journey?

  • Anita Jesse

    What a shame to be interrupted when homeward bound. On the other hand, perhaps the day of rest will make the trip better. Perhaps a couple more long soaks in that tub, another tummy full of good ol’ trucker’s food, and a few naps will fortify you for a relaxed drive during the remainder of the trip.

    Take care of yourself. I join the rest of the crowd in wishing you a safe and pleasant journey.

    • Monte Stevens

      I like the way you think, Anita! The hotel has a continental breakfast so I indulged in one biscuit and sausage gravy. Not healthy but again something a trucker would eat. There is a large water tower across the interstate that I no longer can see due to the snowfall. Maybe I need to write a few posts for future use.

    • Monte Stevens

      LOL Actually I ain’t driving anywhere! Here I sit in hotel next to a truck stop. sure not what I expected when I left yesterday morning. And, you are right about the cold. I hear is is not getting above zero today in Colorado. Where’s Hobbs when I need a roommate?

  • Ken

    Make the most of this bad situation, Monte. A creative person like yourself can find something to distract himself while waiting for the weather to cooperate.