On Tuesday December 6 we got our first measurable snow. It was in fact the first I had seen this season. By that I mean I had not even noticed a flake or anything until I got up about 2:30 a.m. and noticed in the lights there was a pretty serious amount of snow falling. It did end up being less than an inch, but it was hazardous.
We had school that day, but I think there were a few of us drivers who were probably thinking, “What are we doing out here?” I was probably one of them, yet we just did our job, picked up those kids, and brought them into school.
On the way into the bus the road did not seem slick. Driving was pretty normal. The snow seemed to be dry and blowing off the road as you drove over it; however it was packing under those wheels, I guess, and it became a sheet of ice on some roads.
When I pulled out from Wildcat Drive onto Business 37 by the Administration Building my bus went sideways, and into a sign, breaking out the right rear clearance light, and I noticed later a mark on the sign. I saw one driver in the ditch on his side on Highway 76 East of what is known as Bates Corner. I rarely am stressed about driving, but this morning was an exception to that. It is probably a good thing that I was.
Without further incident or accident every bus made it safely back into school with all the children who rode that morning.
Just to note: our people at the school who make the decisions concerning weather conditions do a good job, and this morning was no different; considering the time and conditions. It was not slick, then it was. There was many incidents/accidents that morning, but thankfully not many were too serious; that I know of anyway.
Now safe and warm on the banks of Flat Creek.
-Tim
Flat Creek Rolling 