Driving Over the Pass

Last night we made a drive that we have made probably 100 times. T least, I have probably made it at least 100 times in my life. Only this time, it was totally different.

The dive from Spokane to Seattle, across the state of Washington, typically takes about four or four and a half hours depending on traffic an potty breaks. On this trip we decided to make a stop for fuel in Moses Lake and since we were there decided to also grab a quick bite to eat.

After our stop, we got back on the road and made it to about Cle Elum when the snow started. Ugh... I hate seeing snow in April. At the top of Snoqualmie Pass, which is the pass over the Cascades, we witnessed a slide off and a truck hit cut of a car, which in turn hit a car that was stopped by a State Patrol officer on the side of the road. That parked car nearly ran over the officer standing next to it, but luckily he jumped out of the way. Within 2 miles if that accident, the freeway was closed because of severe snow, several slide offs, and avalanche control.

We sat in the middle of the freeway for a little more than three hours waiting to move again.

Our typical four hour trip ended up taking us nearly nine hours. If we hadn't stopped for dinner we would have missed that closure. But like all things in life, hind-sight is twenty-twenty.

More tomorrow on our visit to the Skagit County Tulip Festival. It was gorgeous. Tulips as far as you can see.