The Blizzard of ‘93
I was talking the other night with some women from our church about snow in the south vs snow in the north and how we southerners are just plain scared of anything white falling from the sky. We were laughing that school has been canceled simply because there was mention of snow in the forecast. Part of growing up in the mountains was that we did get snow…and real snow. Not snow like our northern states enjoy, but snow compared to other regions of North Carolina. We had one storm that we always talk about…The Blizzard of ‘93. It was mid-March and we were gearing up for the months where nothing really turned green because it was too cold, but it was also too warm to snow…Then suddenly we got hit with this huge amount of snow. It was a snow that crippled the town for a good week or more. We didn’t have school for over two weeks and we were loving it.
It was the kind of storm where people had to write in the snow with kool-aid because they couldn’t get out to get food and medicine that was necessary. Helicopters would fly around looking for those in need and drop the food or medicine to them. Of course, we had the time of our lives…No school and different activities to explore. We decided to make igloos…the kind mom would always tell us they made in Michigan growing up. We had forts of snow that we would hide snow balls in for a later snowball fight. We created this huge sled run down a neighbors steep yard. The snow was so great that it packed down and we were able to create little walls to ramp up on. We invited people that could walk to our house over and they would come and have a grand ole time sledding and having snowball fights. Then we would go inside for some hot chocolate and mom’s home made chili…YUM! At night we would take the sleds to the top of our road (we had a big winding road that was one big hill) and start at the top and sled down on the road (oh so safe…).
We had such a good time with each other. It is one of my fondest memories…playing in the snow, digging and sledding until we were so cold we could hardly stand it. Then we would gather in the family room where the wood stove is and watch a movie or t.v.
What are some of your favorite snow moments or moments where you were stranded that could have been scary but instead turned out to be great times?
Technorati Tags: snow, stranded, weather, family stories, mountains
In the late 70’s, I attended college in the mountains and was at my parent’s home (in K’ville) visiting one winter weekend. My dad woke me up early Sunday morning telling me that there was a major winter storm coming from the west and I needed to get on the road before the storm hit that evening. So I said my goodbyes, got into my little red Volkswagon, and headed back to the mountains. By the time I got to Hickory 2 hours later, I had to stop and have a gas station attendant put chains on my tires because snow was coming down quickly. “A piece of cake,” I thought to myself, “I’ve driven in snow before!” So I continued on and by the time I got to Black Mountain, snow was really coming down hard. I stubbornly continued on. Now mind you, that was before highway improvements; Black Mountain only had two lanes going up and two lanes going down.
As I started up the steep grade, I noticed that my car was the only one that was moving; all of the other cars were stuck by the side of the road-on both sides of the highway. Visiblity was very low and my windshield wipers were going furiously. I got nervous and began praying that God would get me on top of that mountain! Sudddenly, the windshield wipers stopped moving-it was frozen with ice! I immediately rolled down the window, stuck my head out, and continued driving in the blinding snow. My heater stopped working. I did not have my gloves or hat on and soon I was freezing. I really, really began praying; there were no cars in front of me or behind me. I kept driving and would you know, I was practically the only one that made it to the top?? I made the decision to turn right and head to Montreat-Anderson college where my old high school friend had a dorm there.
The staff & students were so welcoming; they let me stay in my friend’s dorm room (she had decided to stay back home with her folks to avoid the storm-smart girl). I was able to warm myself by the big crackling fire, eat hot dogs, drink hot chocolate, and fellowship with the others. I felt so warm and safe there, and I thanked God for His faithfulness. When I woke up the next morning, my little Volkswagon was almost completely covered in snow; I could just the little red dome peeking out! It turned out that the entire school system and universities in the western mountains were closed because of the storm. It was two full days before I could return to my college town of Cullowhee. My Volkswagon earned quite a reputation as a trusty little car after that trip. And to this day, I still tease my dad about sending me into that raging storm.
Posted on October 11th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
A few years after that, there was another storm. It wasn’t nearly as bad, but the University canceled classes, which never happens. A few of our friends decided to get snowed in together, the girls at one apartment and the guys at another one down the road. It was great fun at first. We made big meals, played in the snow, watched movies. We also ran out of hot water every morning, and started to get on each other’s nerves after a few days. You can imagine 7 college girls together 24/7!
Then there was the time Judd and I had the power go out for 4 days. We tried to put some of our refrigerator food in the snow, but a dog found it! Ah! All I can say is thank God for generators. We have one now, so we can keep our food, and even watch a little TV when the power goes out.
Posted on October 12th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Great story, Debbie. It is amazing how God put his protection around that little car. I am glad he kept you safe and you have a good story to tell!
Sarah, I think I remember you guys doing that. That is funny…I remember it seeming so much fun! I guess days of being snowed in would start getting old after awhile :) And I was laughing so hard about the dog stealing your food! Great story.
Posted on October 12th, 2007 at 11:52 am