Oregonian In Winter

I am greatly enjoying driving the back roads of Yamhill County. Seeing the nooks where creeks flow from the hillsides, into rushing current of rivers. Mushy gravel roads shared with log trucks. Trees sleep above waiting for spring, catkins slowing swelling. I am savoring my last winter as a school bus driver for a while.

BarkClay Loves Snow!

Then nature takes a turn and Old Man Winter comes sweeping thru.  Just grey skies in the morning change to blowing sideways powder snow by midday.

With snow starting to build I leave McMinnville in my little truck for Yamhill to take the kids home early on the school bus. Snow is falling. I fish tail several times in front of larger pickup trucks and decide to chain up in Carlton – Thank goodness for insulated Carhart bib overalls!!!  - Only to find that my chains are tooo small to fit… I KNOW I read the box right when I got them from the garage… these MIGHT fit the Miata…  Climbing back in the truck, cold and a bit wet, I head to Yamhill only to spin out on the corner/hill in front of the school… ½ mile to go!

MADE IT!!!  Boss wants drop off times for the snow route kids…  Uhu – When we get there?...   My guess, around 2:00pm…   Pre-tripped busses, ready to roll.  On to the school to load older kids and wait for shuttle busses from the grade school. Uhoh, trouble in Carlton… Waiting… snowing…waiting…Snowing… Snowing More… Waiting… Load ‘em all up!  We’re off!!!  … and sliding…  

“Are we sliding?”  -  “Nope, not now” -  Children sitting safely. Excitedly talking about the snow.  “Can I move to that seat?” – “No stay put today, please”. 

First stop, second stop, third stop… “Why are we stopping here?”  -  “It’s a snow route stop!”  … “ He has to WALK home?”  -  “Yes” -   “Are you taking me to my house?”  - “Yes!”   Onward and further up into the boonies we go…  Wipers caking with ice make it hard to see out the windshield… Amazingly children still sit safely. Snowing harder.  Last stop! – As the kids disembark they sink almost to their knees! They step back on the bus… Off with you now!  They trudge across the park to their bridge that will take them home.  And now for my turn around?  We’re all good this time! NO CHAINS!   Windshield is still streaking with ice.  On the way back to town I stop to clear the wipers.  Wonder if Boss would let me take bus home for the weekend? Probably NOT!  Safe into the first port!

Can you see the ski tips?

Now! Back to McMinnville ~ Arg!  Throw two bags of bus chains in on top of the 150 lbs of sand already there. Deep Breath… I’m DOING this NOW!  Deep Breath Again! I take the main highway back into town, No sweat!  One hill I see a cute (expensive) sports car with fat tires spinning wheels to a stop as a line of trucks wish they could just push him up to the top!  In my lane, at the bottom of said hill, is the STOP sign onto Hwy 99W… Breeeeath – slide… Slide, SLIDE… Traffic clear  - YES GO! Town is just across the bridge!  I’ll make it!!!  Red light - good!  Red Light two – good!  Les Schawbie ahead…  Time for new tires to replace the bald ones on the back!  I walk the several blocks home ready to relax…  The snow is beautiful, now that I am not driving, I can fully enjoy… HEY!  I’m gonna get my Cross Country skis out and ski back to Schwabie!  What a great idea!  The snow is just perfect to ski an hour later when I get the call my truck is ready!  I get sideways glances from drivers as I head back. Glide, slide, kick, hey not bad after 6 years I do remember how!  Truck home. I can’t wait till tomorrow to ski again!  I love snow!