re:chains

[Zacharey Cox <v-ntxzco@domain.elided>]

When chains are required on I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass state troopers will be
standing in the middle of the freeway, ordering everyone to the shoulder to
chain up.  So basically you do as they say or try to sneak by behind a semi
truck.  The only time I snuck by I didn't get caught, but if you do get
caught you'll be dealing with a very unhappy trooper.  

It only takes a few inches of snow and I'll see countless rollovers in the
median.  It's usually right at the transition period going from slush to
actual snow.  Mix that with a base of ice and throttle happy 4WD owner will
be spinning in no time.  Reason I single out 4WDs is cause I usually see
them in the ditch, on the side, upside down, whatever.  They slide through a
couple inches of snow, then hit the median that has all kinds of plowed snow
& sand waiting for another vitctim.  One year my ski buddies and I noticed
an unusually high number of one specific model car wrecked in the ditch.
Late model Chrysler Lebarons.  "Sorry dude, you're drivin' a Lebaron, turn
around!"

I had to put chains on the 164 this season once so far due to the law, not
that I needed them myself.  I hate to put on chains, slopping around in
rivers of water & slush running down the shoulder 4 inches deep.  Hands numb
before you get to the first chair lift.  I wish we had an express train
going there.  Hmmm, what a concept!!

Cheers,
Zach
Redmond, WA

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