Creeping through the fog, white knuckles on the wheel,

[Fluffysmom]

Getting lost on the way home!!!!

Sure to be a new Christmas classic.  :o)

I went to visit family yesterday (had a very nice time), then drove home around 9 pm.  It was clear and beautiful; I could see Orion's belt as I went to get in my car.  Driving down the freeway, I saw the fog ahead.  It wasn't bad, I know how to drive in fog; watch the white line and slow down if it get thick, and never hit your high beams.

I got to my exit that takes me a quick route home, part of the way through a narrow and somewhat winding wooded area, but should have been no problem.  I could barely see the exit, as the fog became SO thick.  I got to the traffic circle that not long ago replaced a three-way stop that got very congested due to it's proximity to the freeway and a mega-church.

I confidently swung around the circle, took the road home ( I thought), and watched the white line, kept myself on the road going about 25 mph.  Suddenly, there was a road branching off where there shouldn't be, and then I was going uphill.  Wrong!

I was on a narrow road with no place to pull out except narrow private driveways that I wouldn't have been able to turn around on.  I drove on, trying to see landmarks through the thick fog.  I wished I had a digital compass in my car.  I passed Oswego Pioneer Cemetary and knew I was WAY out of my way.  Then came plenty of on-coming traffic; nothing like getting the fog all lit up to make it more difficult to see through.

Finally, I found a nicely lighted Thriftway parking lot, pulled over.  I called my roommate, who is blessed with and amazing sense of direction and several decades of driving experience around the area, loving alternate routes.  I told her where I was, and she was amazed.  She didn't laugh (much), and offered to drive over and have me follow her back if I wasn't comfortable with her talking me through it.  I had my headset on, so I decided I could do it.  

Oh, by the way, the Thriftway was above the fog, and I could see the ice forming on everything.  Not exactly comfortable knowing that all that thick fog could be freezing on the road and making it slick...

She talked me down the hill, back to the traffic circle, and on the RIGHT road.  The fog soon cleared after I was on that road, and I made it home quickly, shaken, but luckily not stirred!

Home sure is a beautiful place to be.  Fluffy was glad to see me, I gave him his dinner and meds, and he was ready to curl up and keep me warm.  It took me a while to unwind, but I used the time to think of all the things I have to appreciate in my life.  My half sisters and "mom" who love me unconditionally and gave me sweet little gifts and all the extended family that are affected by that same love and welcome strays with hugs and non-judgemental acceptance.

My roommate, who is aces in a crisis and has a heart as big as a small planet.  Fluffy, my dear feline son of more than 15 years.  My sweet little car that stayed on that narrow winding, climbing road!  

My forum family, that is always here and so dear to me; you've made my life better and I really appreciate you.

Love and hugs,

Kathy

[Fluffysmom]

It's been windy down here, which makes the cold seem even colder.  Don't you blow away up there!

[Quixotic1]

It's hard to believe anyone has fog in the valley when we are having such horrendous winds in from the gorge.  My heavens, I'm glad our house is nailed down!

Q

[Fluffysmom]

I could laugh about it all once I was home safe and sound.  I know that route like the back of my hand; I guess I wouldn't know the back of my hand if it was blanketed in fog, lol.

I did look at a Garmin when I was in Costco today; it had a "where am I?" function for moments like mine.  I wouldn't have programmed a GPS for a known route, but a "where am I?!" would have helped a lot.  I don't think I can afford a Garmin right now, though.

Christmas dinner was at home and was lots of fun; three young boys, lots of presents, two adults drinking wine and beer (the dad fell asleep), and everyone had a good time.  Fluffy even came down in the middle of the bedlam and accepted petting and posed for pictures!

One of the nine year olds got a small video camera, so I'm in some home movies, ha ha!

Kathy

[tarter]

Hi Kathy what a wonderful ending that got back home safe and fluffy got his supper.
Animals give us the strenth to keep going you knew you had to get back for him and like Lulu said the fog is the worst thing my balance is all wrong when I drive through it.

Hope today you are indoors with fluffy keeping warm!

tarter

[LLWB]

For those of us who are directionally challenged, me included, that's where a GPS system comes in handy. If you make a wrong turn it will start telling you immediatly!!! Thurn around! Make a U-turn in 1/4 mi, or whatever is appropriate. I would never drive in Portland without one!!  Glad everything turned out all right.

Maggie

[Lulu54]

Kathy,
Driving in fog is my least favorite .... it sounds like  a harrowing drive, to say the least.  I'm so glad that you came off that hill and got home safely.

as always,
Lulu