Yes, I know, so dramatic! But every trip over this road is harrowing (to me) at this time of year. I haven’t driven on the road in two weeks, not since the most recent seemingly neverending snow started. It’s been covered by a foot of snow for two weeks. The snow is melting, in some parts of the road–and the creeks in the road are high as a result. The river–the only access out to a hard road without going over two miles on our dirt/rock road–is high, too. That means it’s the road or nothing if you want out. High creeks, slippery mud, slushy snow, and patchy ice. Some parts of the road that don’t get any sun are still snow-covered. (Steep drop-offs to the side of the narrow road and no guard rails are an extra bonus.)
I made it out yesterday, but more snow is on the way……..
Harrowing Journey
Feb
23
23
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Hallie says:
Just think like a little donkey and stick to the trail. You’ll make it just fine.
On February 23, 2010 at 2:12 am
CindyP says:
Snowmobile……..when we got our snowmobiles, the snow went to nil, and we couldn’t even ride……..just sayin’, it might be something worth investing in just so you can drive your vehicle! 8)
On February 23, 2010 at 5:51 am
carsek says:
You are so much braver than me. Yes, I think a donkey ride would be better!! They are so sure footed.
On February 23, 2010 at 6:04 am
Tracey In Paradise,Pa. says:
more snow?? oh no!!
On February 23, 2010 at 6:33 am
Leah says:
That drop off looks scary even without the ice/snow!
On February 23, 2010 at 6:39 am
kerri says:
How are you at building bridges? Suzanne the engineer!
There’s certainly a price to pay for living in your beautiful neck of the woods. I’d hate to have to deal with those roads. Be very careful out there! :hug:
On February 23, 2010 at 6:44 am
Shelley (eastern Roane County) says:
Oh how I feel your pain Suzanne. I finally put chains on all 4 wheels of our truck so I could get in and out safely and be able to deal with the snow and ice on our 2 miles of mountain road. I leave my subaru at the “hard road” and transfer vehicles. I won’t be able to get the subaru back to the house until summer at this rate.
On February 23, 2010 at 7:05 am
NorthCountryGirl says:
Too bad you couldn’t have someone widen those narrow spots, especially where it’s steep. That and about umpteen tons of coarse gravel to make the road less muddy and give more traction. That’s the downside of living far off the main roads. But, it’s a small price for having your wonderful farm and living the country life.
On February 23, 2010 at 7:11 am
Carol Langille says:
But that’s what makes life interesting in the winter, right? The drama of ‘am I going to make it out to town alive today???’
By the way, Suzanne…I found a cover-less Ball Canning recipe book at an Estate sale this weekend. It was in rough shape but was dated 1932 inside. I thought about getting it and thought too long…lady snatched it out from under me but I’ll keep looking.
You could always ride Jack to town.
Carol
On February 23, 2010 at 8:18 am
Debnfla3 says:
That road would truly scare the crap out of me!!!
On February 23, 2010 at 9:22 am
rain says:
Well I think anyone should be nervous about that road-over the edges there-whoa– :dancingmonster: not liking the loo of that. THINK SPRING!!!!!!!………. :smilerabbit: rain
On February 23, 2010 at 9:35 am
Laura says:
I admire you for even attempting that feat!! I’m afraid I would just have to plan on spending my entire winter in isolation if I had to drive on that road!
On February 23, 2010 at 9:48 am
Nancy says:
I often wonder how in the world you ever got your house built??!! Cement trucks, lumber yard deliveries! Was it all air lifted??? lol
On February 23, 2010 at 10:04 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Nancy, a cement truck did get up here! Most of the materials, however, were brought up by the builder himself, one pickup-truckload at a time!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:23 am
Celia says:
What about leaving a vehicle on the other side of the creek and get a boat to cross the creek when it’s too high to drive through…or high wading boots, lol? There is absolutely NO WAY I would attempt the road in this picture! :bugeyed: I agree with one poster…you need a bridge, big time! I don’t mind being snowed in but you never know when an emergency might come up…I had seen other pics of your road but none looked as scary or hazardous as this one. Take care (I know you do, but I had to say it anyway)!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:09 am
brenda harmon says:
That second picture did it for me, there is no way I would attempt that. The only way I would even try it would be a dire emergency. You are one brave woman.
On February 23, 2010 at 10:28 am
Cindy says:
I’d never EVER be able to drive on that road! I’d poop my pants in fear!!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:57 am
lavenderblue says:
Okay, that second picture. How does your truck thing-y fit in there? Are there any places where you can pull off. I hope you don’t get a lot of company ’cause if someone is coming to see you while you are going out to see them…..Oh My!
On February 23, 2010 at 10:58 am
Sue says:
I think the snowmobile idea is tops! I wouldn’t drive on that itty bitty sliver of road either. :no:
On February 23, 2010 at 10:59 am
Arlene says:
Road in WV can be horrible!! I used to wonder why we never went over a cliff and found in the Spring!! :help: Guess we are the Wild and Wonderful Ones!!! :yes: I love your stories!!
On February 23, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Debbie in PA says:
Scary! How stable is the hiiiside? With all the wet weather, i would be worried less about driving off the road and more about the road washing out.
On February 23, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Grace Reynolds says:
You call that a road?? Oh my, I thought ours were narrow in places! You are braver than I. 🙂
On February 23, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Chic says:
In a couple of years you’ll be an ‘old pro’ at driving these mountain roads Suzanne…you’ve got GUMPTION!!! :hungry2:
On February 23, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Nancy says:
I think you should just stay home and knit.
On February 23, 2010 at 3:36 pm
scorwin says:
No way!! That second picture is really scary!! I’d use the donkey : ))
On February 23, 2010 at 4:06 pm
maryann says:
Not sure how much of that is still your property but I would be renting a bulldozer and widening the road, otherwise you wouldn’t get me to go down it. I still hate crossing bridges even though I have been doing it for over 30 yrs.
On February 23, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Barbara says:
OMG, that drop off just made me shiver. I’m with you. <>
On February 23, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Sandy says:
Ok, I am a transplanted flatlander – Iowa born, Minnesota raised. So I have a respect for deep snow and icy roads, but flat icy roads. Beyond that I have lived on a farm in WV for 18 years and this is the worst winter weather I have seen here. That being said – there is NO WAY I am driving on that road – even in the best of weather! If nothing else FabHub would be out with a bulldozer tilting it to the Inside instead of the Outside. You are one crazy woman. Crazy!
On February 23, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Amy says:
hehe, sometimes Suzanne, … I don’t envy you.
On February 23, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Michele Messier says:
I couldn’t do it. 😕 😕 😕 😕 😕
On February 23, 2010 at 10:17 pm