Bless me Father......

It has been two weeks since my last blog entry.

Kidding aside there is not much to report other than Snow. Not complaining, snow has it's place....just somewhere else.

I have been driving semi off and on since about 1978 and every year it is like being a rookie when the snow arrives. They always say adjust for the conditions but until you scare yourself a couple of times you really brush it off.

I had a couple of instances this year that really makes you stop and wonder why you never listen to "They" who ever that is. For me the worst fear is traction breaks. Whether it is climbing to a peak or rounding a corner it is always a bad feeling for me when the tandems begin to spin or slide out from under you.

A couple of times this year that feeling of impending doom has begun to creep in and you just hold on, no throttle, no brakes.....just keep it steady and wish you had listened to "They". Then once you have gotten below the snow line and are feeling fat you dismiss what "They" said and thank Christ you are a wicked driver.

I actually never think that and continue to respect the rocks for all their splendor and treachery.

This week we got over 40 cm of snow over the Coquihalla and at that elevation it tends to build on the road. For the most part all went well but I have added more grey to my poor balding head (already bald). It is not so much that I am not careful, it is that sometimes others spin out ahead of you or worse opt to stop in your lane.....some things are just out of your control.

I have added some pics as sometimes you feel like the tail and others the dog. Although the elements ultimately rule, at times, you get to enjoy them...all in all if you are still able to dump in your blog....you have had a decent week.

Only had one breakdown in the last two weeks and after moaning and groaning about how bad I have it you reassess and realize that items that fail are often items that are time expired. For example:

Driver who read this: Always do your brake/air checks especially in BC. If I did not subscribe to this rule my week may have been much worse.

I found a small hole in my rear left brake pod (maxi), the hole was large enough to lose air but small enough to keep the spring brake from engaging. If I had not found this and in the rocks my spring brake engaged on that wheel it may have been enough of an incident to kick my back end out from under me.

So again.....do the brake checks and listen often. Perhaps now I am one of "They".

So off for the weekend and back out on Sunday.

Later

Decent Week

After a few weeks of pain, last week renewed my passion for the rocks. Great roads, great full moon and a tractor that was humming along as good as it ever has.

Did my 2500 miles and home in no time. The moon was so bright that I was able to snap a couple of pics passing through Rogers Pass with my phone at night....a bit blurry but I thought it was cool.

Although beautiful the passes can bite you pretty quick if not careful....the cold comes on quick and can make the roads pretty slick. Fog begins to ice quickly as a one driver found out this week. When I passed the scene his trailer was keeping him from going down a steep cliff by one axle....not fun in my books.

What I do enjoy is coming home to this every week. Even after a decent week in the rocks. Simple pleasure like feeding the ducks on the bay....although overtaken by seagulls was great therapy.

We also took the time to get some pumpkin carving done....somewhat less that other years but Jess, our daughter, keeps the spirit alive and well.

Even ran with a couple of Brits this week one I had never met and one that was an old acquaintance. Had great discussion with both and started to gain a bit of an understanding where some of the other blogs are speaking from. I can't relate to the issues and will leave it at that.

So not much to report. Off again tomorrow probably Red Deer AB.

Later.