The 270 Minute Commute

That's 4 hours and 30 mins...to go 6 miles!  So the millionth winter storm this season moved into Nashville late this afternoon.  Seriously!  We've had a winter storm every week since the first week of January.  Shortly before 4pm we got the e-mail "if you feel you need to leave at this time you may do so."  Well, I always feel a bit guilty leaving early since I only live 6 miles down the road and many of my coworkers live much farther away.  Well today I paid for it.  I stuck around until 4:15 and by then there was a line to get out of the parking lot into the first intersection which was clogged with traffic.

See exhibit A (notice the daylight).

I was traveling about .4 miles an hour (yes that's point 4)!  I attempted to move off the side road onto the main road, but the main road traffic was not letting anybody on, so after 20 mins I bailed and went back to the side road.  Traffic was finally moving when it came to a halt again...road closed.  The cops tried to get me to turn around, but Taco Bell was right there and I had been in the car for 2 hours!  I needed food, drink, and a bathroom!  So I deliberately disobeyed them. :)  I made a run for the border!  That's huge for me...and I hate Taco Bell, but I was desperate.

After a quick stop, I jumped back on the road again.  I continued to occupy myself with Facebook, phone calls, and music.  The main road was brined earlier in the afternoon, but the snow came so fast, it didn't matter.  It was completely covered in snow and ice.

Exhibit B (don't be fooled by the lack of traffic)

Exhibit C: The traffic line (no end in sight)

It took all my patience to stay sane.  As I got closer to home, the number of stranded vehicles grew exponentially.  Drivers abandoned their vehicles in parking lots, boulevards, and along the side of the road.

Exhibit D

After 4 hours, 30 mins, 6 miles and several icy hills, I saw this.

Exhibit E

My garage door...a sight for sore eyes!

After today's awful commute, the next time a see an e-mail that says "if you feel you need to leave," I'm heading for the hills ASAP!!

Even though it was a trying 4 hours, I'm thankful that I made it home with my SUV and myself all in one piece.