Seattle & Snow: "A No Go"

             

The northwest corner of the state of Washington is known for many things, one of which is its weather. For a good nine months out of the year you can expect it to rain at least once every week. Natives to the area are so used to the precipitation it does not seem to bother most of them… until the temperature starts to plummet, conditions are just right, and a rare occurrence takes place creating absolute mayhem: snow starts falling. Because snow is so rare in this part of the country Seattle and most of the surrounding cities are very ill prepared for this type of weather. Worst of all are the roads which, after a good hour or two of snowy conditions, become indistinguishable from a demolition derby event.

                I witnessed one of these destructive events first hand as a missionary for the LDS church. Two other missionaries and I were driving a van and attempting to drive up an unplowed snow covered hill, which rounded around the bend to top it all off. Cars were literally stacked bumper to bumper, the brave (and yet ignorant) continued to try and make their way through the mess of cars, completely ignoring any sensible driving laws and painted lines on the road. We were jumping out of the van attempting to brace our van as it slid down the hill, nearly hitting a woman’s car. To top the day off a semi came and jack knifed down the middle of the hill, proceeding cars falling suite like a life size game of Tetris with cars as the building blocks.

 

                No longer do I ever complain about traffic laws, or other roadway authorities. Without them driving would be… well… not driving.