{"id":314,"date":"2018-03-11T23:03:24","date_gmt":"2018-03-12T03:03:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.virtualmickey.com\/?p=314"},"modified":"2019-10-03T12:31:30","modified_gmt":"2019-10-03T16:31:30","slug":"snowmageddon-2018-how-we-spent-21-hours-taking-a-5-hour-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/virtualmickey.com\/?p=314","title":{"rendered":"Snowmageddon 2018. How we spent 21 hours taking a 5 hour drive"},"content":{"rendered":"

Having missed a flight from Syracuse to Punta Cana, we came up with an alternate plan. \u00a0We would rent a car, drive to JFK Airport stay overnight and catch a flight at 11AM the next day. \u00a0So at 2PM Friday March 2nd we rented a 4 wheel drive Jeep and headed south from Syracuse on Interstate 81 for what we expected to be a leisurely 5 hour drive. \u00a0The storm, having already dropped over 14 inches of snow left it’s mark in our path. However, once we passed the Tully Exit the roads cleared and it appeared the worst was already behind us. \u00a0However, reality would prove very different.<\/p>\n

As we approached the PA Line the snow returned and the roads began to cover. \u00a0Once we crossed into Pennsylvania it appeared the road maintenance stopped and so did the traffic. \"\"Apparently Pennsylvania had spent their entire winter maintenance budget and everyone was on their own. \u00a0We came to a stop and sat for over an hour waiting for any sign of movement. \u00a0Eventually traffic started to slowly crawl and we were directed off the highway onto Route 11. \u00a0An accident closed Route 81.\u00a0After a quick stop for food we continued our journey following the long stream of traffic heading south at 40 MPH. \u00a0It was 5PM.<\/p>\n

Eventually we needed to head East toward New York City and JFK Airport. \u00a0To reach Interstate 84, if it was open meant traversing local town roads that were unplowed. \u00a0Our sure-footed 4×4 would hopefully guide our way. \u00a0Unfortunately it wasn’t long before we discovered the flaw in our plan. \u00a0Our Jeep handled the snow well, but others did not have the same type of vehicle. \u00a0We came to a small group of cars all stopped in some form of organized chaos. \u00a0Some were stuck, some trying to help, some just waiting.<\/p>\n

Soon we discovered to true kindness of people as we watched everyone help each other. \u00a0First we saw the person we named shovel man. \u00a0He got out of his car, opened the rear hatch, removed an emergency kit and extracted a small portable shovel. \u00a0He then proceeded to help dig out car after car until in an effort to get everyone moving again and gain freedom for himself in the process. \u00a0Then a local with a plow arrived to help. \u00a0Plow Man proceeded to weave around the stopped traffic clearing enough snow to free the cars that couldn’t move. \u00a0We then learned the real problem: \u00a0A short distance down this narrow county road a tractor trailer had jack-knifed blocking the road completely. \u00a0 Everyone turned around and retreated back the way we came. \u00a0We executed a 15-point turn and headed back to try another road to reach the next interstate.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Plow Man<\/p><\/div>\n

We then planned a new route and back-tracked a few miles toward yet another snow covered road that lead to the highway. \u00a0This road was quickly blocked by cars right before our eyes. \u00a0Much to our surprise we again saw shovel man appear, extract his neatly packed shovel and again help those in need. \u00a0It appeared we have become part of a community. \u00a0Travelers, who were trying to make their way to the promised land. \u00a0Then the darker side of humanity emerged. \u00a0A pickup truck driver began yelling from behind, honking in anger at the drivers whose only mistake was getting stuck. \u00a0He furiously drove off the road through waist deep snow around the half dozen cars who were stuck or waiting for the road to clear. \u00a0At this point the pickup got stuck and his anger was boiling over. \u00a0Rocking forward and back the engine got louder and louder as he tried to free himself from the snowbank. \u00a0After a few minutes of engine revving he was able to free himself. \u00a0This was fortunate because it was apparent no-one would come to his aid. \u00a0Eventually everyone was free and able to turn around and retreat once again. \u00a0We were braver than many and continued down the road.<\/p>\n

\"\"

A fallen tree blocking the road along Abandon cars were commonplace<\/p><\/div>\n

A short distance down the road we encountered a single car stopped in the middle of the road for no apparent reason. \u00a0After a short wait my wife, Karen and sister in law, Robin decided to get out and see why the car was not moving. \u00a0They approached the car and knocked on the window. \u00a0The window lowered and a cloud of smoke poured out. \u00a0There we met a car full of people we named Cheech and Chong. \u00a0When they asked the problem they motioned to the cars down the road a short distance and indicated there was no chance of getting through. \u00a0We again executed a 15-point turn and searched for yet another route.<\/p>\n

Along the new route we passed a tractor trailer which was stuck half way through a right hand turn and was left abandoned. \u00a0Eventually we returned to this spot and managed to maneuver around this truck with our four wheel drive by driving along the shoulder in the 2 foot deep snow. \u00a0We would later learn a car would get stuck attempting this maneuver blocking this road completely. \u00a0This would be a one-way trip for us.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Shovel Man<\/p><\/div>\n

By 1AM we made it as close as two miles from the interstate but were once again blocked by a sea of cars littering the roadway. \u00a0At this location we could see over a half dozen cars scattered about all blocking our way in a scene reminiscent of the walking dead. \u00a0Once again we were surprised to again see shovel man make an appearance. \u00a0He made a familiar trip to the back hatch of his SUV, extract his emergency shovel and disappear into the distance. \u00a0I have no clue where he went since we never saw him return. \u00a0After believing we had exhausted all possible escape routes we stopped the car and decided to sleep while waiting for the road to be cleared, presumably by morning. \u00a0At this point we decided to start rationing gas since the gas gauge was at the 1\/4 tank level. \u00a0We turned the car off and started it periodically to warm us. \u00a0Each time we fell asleep we hoped we would wake from the nightmare.<\/p>\n

At 3AM we noticed a 4×4 drive past us taking a significant risk attempting to pass the numerous stopped cars and chancing driving off the edge of the road. \u00a0After 15 minutes the SUV returned stopping to report on his travels. \u00a0Water Park Man informed us they attempted to get through but there are numerous cars blocking both lanes and most of the cars are abandoned. \u00a0Since we assumed all the stopped cars were occupied, this was a revelation to us. \u00a0He was attempting to reach Great Wolf Lodge which was apparently only a couple of miles away. \u00a0He drove off to continue his quest.<\/p>\n

At this point it became clear the rescue would not happen any time soon. \u00a0Since there were no occupants in many of the cars there was little chance we’d get through even if help arrived. \u00a0We decided to execute another 15 point turn and try another avenue. \u00a0As we fall back we stopped to ask each car behind us what their experiences and what route they have tried in hopes of discovering a secret escape route from the rat maze. \u00a0As fortune would have it, one of these people happened to be a local who had a suggestion that would lead to our escape.<\/p>\n

We returned to where we met Cheech and Chong. \u00a0They were gone, presumably transported to another dimension and only four cars were stuck on either side of the road leaving enough space for us to drive through the middle in a thread the needle maneuver. \u00a0By 6AM and 16 hours later we successfully made it to Mt Pocono, the first sign of civilization we saw in 10 hours. \u00a0The glowing fuel light added to the excitement of the moment as we attempted to find gas in a town which was in turmoil from Stormageddon. \u00a0Unfortunately most of the gas stations were without power and the one remaining had run out of gas.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Abandoned cars and tractor trailers were commonplace<\/p><\/div>\n

Finding a gas station with cars lined up all around stretching into the road we obediently pulled into the queue and waited. \u00a0After a 15 minute wait I heard a voice from the back seat. \u00a0Robin asked: “Why isn’t anyone pumping gas?” \u00a0An innocent yet telling question. As we surveyed the scene further we realized all the gas pumps had plasic bags over the nozzles to indicate no gas was available. \u00a0Yet cars were waiting for gas that might never come.<\/p>\n

As the fuel situation appeared more desperate my copilot Karen began calling gas stations to find the one we could reach with minimal fuel consumption.<\/p>\n

Adding to the excitement: the need to find a bathroom. \u00a0Deciding this was now more important than the limited gas supply we searched for a solution to this problem first. This town was only semi-paralyzed so there were possibilities to be found. \u00a0Our first attempt was the local Burger King. \u00a0Since it was now after 6am it should be open. \u00a0No such luck. We continued our journey and found a local grocery store. As I pulled up Robin and Karen hopped out and waved to the manager who was locked inside. \u00a0Without opening the door he motioned they are closed. \u00a0The duo danced around in front of the door pleading for help doing what could only be described as the best potty-dance I’ve ever seen performed by grown women. \u00a0I am not sure if he finished rotating the key in the lock when they flew past him toward the bathrooms. \u00a0I pity anyone else standing between them and the bathroom. One problem solved.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Although some villages were plowed abandoned cars were everywhere.<\/p><\/div>\n

Once again we ran into another traffic jam. \u00a0In what seemed like our final act of desperation my copilot suggested a risky plan. \u00a0We drove down a residential street, around a golf course and through a parking lot of a local hotel. \u00a0It appeared the hotel parking lot borders two streets so we might be able to cut through the parking lot and circumnavigate the latest road block. \u00a0This route, although passable, took us past another five cars that were in various stages of paralysis. \u00a0It was at this point I perfected my “I’m sorry, I cannot help” wave as I maneuvered around the stranded motorists while maintaining enough speed to avoid getting stuck myself.<\/p>\n

It seemed our plans were again dashed when we approached the hotel lobby entrance. Cars littered the parking lot with a Toyota Prius blocking any further advance. Now I needed to get personal. I exited the car and waded through knee deep snow and waist deep drifts in my “I’m traveling to a tropical destination” outfit in hopes of finding the owners of the car blocking our path. No-one at the front desk could help but they gave permission to continue my search. \u00a0I checked the public areas and asked each person I found if they owned the offending vehicle. Not having any luck I contemplated pulling or pushing the Prius to gain our freedom. \u00a0No need to resort to barbarism – yet.<\/p>\n

Refusing to accept defeat my copilot surveyed the hotel parking lot. \u00a0With the fresh snowfall it was difficult to discern walking paths from driveways. Nonetheless we were able to find coveted the back exit, take a back road around the latest backup.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Turkey Hill Gas Station – our salvation.<\/p><\/div>\n

Finally at 7:20AM after 18 hours we made it to the Turkey Hill Gas Station in Tannersville PA. \u00a0Coasting in on fumes we filled our gas tank and enjoyed all the luxuries the convenience store had to offer including Bathrooms,\u00a0Coffee and Devils Food Snack Cakes. \u00a0Here most passersby had no idea the chaos that was a short distance away. \u00a0We had returned to reality.<\/p>\n

Having finally reached our oasis in the desert, we were unable to reach JFK for our 11AM Flight so after yet another call to our guardian angels and travel agents Ronda & Mary Ann we were now booked on a flight leaving Philadelphia at 5PM. \u00a0We changed course and headed south.<\/p>\n

In total it is likely we saw hundreds of cars that were either stuck or abandoned. \u00a0The cars that remained were struggling to move and make any progress. \u00a0For us in our 4 wheel drive vehicle the scene that played out over and over was the same: \u00a0We could move but few others could.<\/p>\n

They say that getting there is half the fun. \u00a0Whoever said that never drove through Pennsylvania in a blizzard.<\/p>\n

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