Yesterday we had medical and dental appointments in Prince George, so we had to make the two and a half hour drive up in the early morning, then make the two and a half hour drive back home starting at 3:00. The drive is always dangerous, with the curves and hills of the mountainous terrain. Highway 16 also full of big logging and freight trucks racing to get where they are going, but once fall arrives and winter approaches, things get even worse, as shortened daylight, darkness, and inclement weather are added to the experience.
I took the photo above of the interesting clouds as we began our drive home to McBride. It was the highlight of our return trip, and I didn’t realize it then, that the clouds were an indicator of problems ahead. As we proceeded, the clouds became thicker and darker. Soon it began to rain. Then the darkness intensified as night fell.
Night driving has become very problematic. The headlights of oncoming traffic have become much brighter, causing my eyes to pretty much blot out everything except the blinding headlights quickly advancing toward me. All I could do was to watch the white line on the side of the highway, in order to tell me where I was on the highway. Rain added to my stress, as each truck barreled toward me. I often started to brake until the trucks got past me.
As we got to the Robson Valley, we began to run into slush on Highway 16. Fortunately, it wasn’t thick enough to cause the car to swerve, but it was an indication of even worse driving conditions that we will have to face once winter arrives.
I always thank my lucky stars every time we arrive back home safely. We try to limit our trips to Prince George during the winter, but sometimes they can’t be avoided.
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