What a mess

Wow. I made a quick overnight trip to Atlanta on Saturday evening to meet up with some folks and unwind a bit. On Sunday, it was back home to beat the expected snow/ice that was coming.

I did beat it. Just barely. Ice pellets were falling as I came into town, and it only got worse from there. But, with my luck, I couldn't go straight home. Oh no, we had an event at work. I headed into the office, monitored the weather to provide updates for the folks at the event, then stayed afterward to make sure everything was secured and arrangements were made for any staff who couldn't get home.

By the time that was done, guess who was the only one who couldn't get home? Reports on the news were that bridges and overpasses were icy and slick; in a one-mile stretch on the interstate, 13 cars had spun/slid and slammed into the guardrails. Luckily, no one was hurt, but it was a mess.

I called the local hotel we use for emergencies like this and booked a room. I told them I would arrive between 8:30-9:00. When I went out to the car around 7:15 to go in search of dinner, it was bad. Really bad. I about fell twice just in the parking lot. I went back in, got my stuff and decided to go straight to the hotel after dinner.

It took more than 10 minutes to get the layer of ice off the windshield, then I was on my way.

I had called Papa John's. Closed. Pizza Hut? Closed. Domino's? Closed. Drove by Burger King. Closed. Finally, McDonald's was open. I had beat them closing by about 10 minutes.

Then it was on to the hotel. That required driving up a rather steep hill, and I could see the road was a smooth sheet of white - only it wasn't just snow, it was mainly ice. To add to the challenge was a traffic light, about halfway up the hill. I made up my mind that once I started, I wasn't stopping - even if the light was red. Fortunately, it turned green right before I got to it.

I reached the hotel, checked in and made it to my room. I consumed my delicious McDonald's dinner while flipping channels on the TV and trying to get connected to their wi-fi. It was about 8:30 now, and it was still coming down outside.

It was within the next hour that the noise started in the room next door. First it was the TV, then the voices. Lots of voices. I'd say there were at least 10 people in there - if not more. And that continued. Past 10:00. Past 11. On past midnight.

View from the hotel around midnight

It was still coming down outside when I finally fell asleep after midnight. I woke up occasionally during the night with the noise next door. I doubt those people ever went to sleep.

So this morning, around 10, I decided enough was enough. I was hungry (this hotel has no restaurant), and I wasn't going to continue with the noise. I packed my stuff (still carrying over from the Atlanta trip), checked out and headed out.

The sidewalks and roads were a mess. A little snow, but lots of ice. And slush. I slowly managed my way to Waffle House (kudos to them for being open), ate and made my way to the office.

Breakfast - and for the record, I hadn't eaten in more than 15 hours

We'll hit below freezing shortly after dark tonight. With all the water, slush and ice on the roads, when that stuff freezes solid, it will be even worse tonight and tomorrow morning.

Our road conditions, and temperatures will be back below freezing in a couple of hours. Can you say ICE?!?!?!!??

But, don't worry about me. Waffle House is just two blocks from the office (assuming I can walk there without breaking my neck), and I'll be sleeping on my couch tonight. It won't be as comfortable, but it will be much quieter than that hotel.