After reading the comments to my last blog post, one really stood out to me. Ben's Aunt Cheryl, who I think really should be blood-related to me instead (and on top of that we share a birthday!) asked me the question: "I don't understand why you had to stay another night at your parent's house because of the snow??? Doesn't Benjamin remember how to drive in snow?"
This made me realize something important: although I update our blog frequently (I think so anyway), there is no possible way for me to cram every detail of our lives into a blog. There's no way, and I wouldn't want it that way even if I could.
But, the key thing here is that I have realized that I have never talked about North Carolina. This is where I grew up, so everything seems so normal to me. I totally spaced it that "all y'all" don't know the details of this wonderful place.
So allow me to take you on a tour.
Welcome to North Carolina, one of the 13 original colonies! *cue the 13 original colonies song.... wait, no don't. It's pretty annoying*
Home of the Biltmore Estate
Cape Hatteras lighthouse
Appalachian Mountains
YOU most likely pronounce this word "App-uh-lay-shun"
WE NC folk pronounce it "App-uh-latch-in"
Potato, Potahto
Raleigh, aka my hometown
Wasn't that awesome?! Great place to live right? Are you already packing your bags????
No?
Didn't think so.
But back to Aunt Cheryl's great question. Why were we stuck at my parents' house for an extra night when 6 inches of snow collected on the ground?
Here's why:
We witnessed a perfect example of this on Boxing Day. We were all looking out at the snow in our front yard when a 4-wheel drive truck drove up our street..... SIDEWAYS. Then he got stuck right in front of us. (It was actually quite hilarious) He thought it was best to floor it on the accelerator instead of rocking it out. He went nowhere for a while. Then miraculously he started moving again..... still sideways. Sigh.
When the weatherman predicts snow, go grocery shopping early. Don't wait until the night before. You'll hit crowds. BIG crowds. Besides, there won't be any bread, eggs, or milk left anyway. People always feel the need to stock up big-time when just a mere inch is predicted.
Why? Because the whole city shuts down. 1 inch of snow means a few days out of school. I was out of school for over 2 weeks when we got 18+ inches one year.
This place is CRAZY!
So if you have never been here and are planning a trip during the winter, come prepared with lots of clean clothes should your power go out, make sure you have a kerosene heater and/or generator, and please, stay off the roads. We wouldn't want anything to happen to you, even if you ARE a wonderful snow driver.
9 comments:
Thanks Heather! So it isn't good enough for one to know how to drive in snowy conditions...the masses need to know how to drive in the snow. I guess it's a little like how the British Isles shut down during their snow storm recently.
Thanks for the photo tour. :)
We enjoyed your photo tour, too! You can be sure that if we were to ever travel to your part of the world it would be when the weather is fabulous...why would we want to miss any of our own snow woes?
By the way we are suppose to be in the 60's on Saturday. Yes, from snow to shorts.
Ben
Glad you guys had a good Christmas and we would love to come and visit sometimes. If only I could remember where I planted my money tree, we'd be there next week! Thanks for the tour!
I'm still laughing! You really got my funny bone. tee hee
It sounds just like Seattle in the snow, only without the history, cool sights, and the warm weather.
i laughed the first winter we were here. But the shopping is really great on those days!
Plus, you need to mention that it's not the same KIND of snow as ID or UT. One is light and powdery, the other is dense and wet. We have the same snow as NC here in WA. I thought I'd be able to drive in the snow just fine. I lived in UT for 9 years (not counting my childhood), and the road conditions really are NOT the same at all. I got stuck on our road, and we only had abt. 2 inches! It really shocked me.
BTW, my bags are packed, and I would LOVE to come home to NC!
We fell in love with NC when we were there! You have a beautiful state. Have you ever been to the Biltmore Mansion? I really want to go there. And Dixie Belle's BBQ. Yummy.
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