Well, let me start off by saying that I am not a nervous, paranoid, or easily scared person. I just spent the day freaked out. I have Angels. I’m trying to de-compress in my hotel room in Boise ID, but my heart won’t stop beating into my throat, and my stomach is still in knots. Today’s weather was horrible for driving and I was in the thick of it.
Less than 20 miles after my journey began at 9am, I was nearly (inches/moments) pancaked between 2 semi trucks. We were coming over a hill and heading down, I was in the left lane following a Red Expedition, we’re next to 2 semi’s in the right lane. The front semi starts to brake and swerve a couple feet side to side, barely missing the Red Expedition, the semi behind it and directly next to me started to do the same. I start to brake, trying not to loose control and slow enough for the semi next to me get just enough ahead of me, cut me off by inches as he swerves to the left to not run into the semi in front of it. Next thing I know the 2 semis are flying all over back and forth somewhat side by side about 50 feet ahead of me until the front one starts to jack knife, the second one slams into the first cab, bounces off and flys into the left guard rail coming to an immediate stop in a jackknifed position across the highway. As I’m watching this happen directly in front of me, I’m in sheer panic as I simultaneously realize that I’m actually about to be in the middle of all of it. It is so surreal! It was like watching in slow motion! I come to a stop about 20 feet behind the truck that is now spread across the highway. I take a deep breath, look in my rear view mirror only to see another double trailer semi barreling down the hill swerving trying to stop. I pull my car as far to the right as possible, turn it off, and jump out running in 2 ft of snow to the median on the right – all I could think was… if that truck hits my car, I don’t want to be in it.
Turns out that truck actually stops a couple feet to the right from the others (Watkins – see pic above). The road was a sheet of ice – you couldn’t see it at all – in fact, when I jumped out of my car, I nearly fell b/c it was so slick. Incredibly no one was hurt – one semi was totaled and no-one else coming over the hill crashed – had they been any closer behind us it would have been a major vehicle pile up. The Red Expedition wasn’t hit – they got away!! – but I imagine that they were looking in their rear view mirror saying “holy shit” that was close. I thought for sure they were screwed! We sat there for a hour while waiting for the police to come and clear the roads – I was in shock!
Gosh I look horrible - but .... how could i possibly smile for this shot???I called my friend Ben – I needed to tell someone, but not someone who would freak me out more by being worried. I’m glad he answered (thank you ben my weather man and cheer team). I am glad I was alone. I got pictures. Everyone that walked up to see closely said I was super lucky…. I know… I saw the whole thing. I have Angels. By now, I owe them big time. I’m still here for a reason, I guess this was quite a reminder – something I can’t shake.
At that point, I’m thinking – “okay, game over, I’ll go home now” F*** this! But then I remind myself that I am in the middle of the mountains and the only way to “end the game” is to continue on. Meanwhile the weather is getting worse, white outs, tons more snow, and more mountains. I was so shaken up by the accident I was even more tense, gripping the steering wheel so tight, my nerves nearly shot (my body hurts right now)……….. and this continued for HOURS. 6 to be exact. I saw many other semis in ditches, ambulances, heard of vehicle pile ups on the radio, blah blah blah.
This is how 6 hours of driving looked - sometimes worse... if you can beleive that. Today I learned how far I can push myself and keep it together. So many times I just wanted to stop the car, get out, and pretend it was over. I knew that if I let myself cry or get overwhelmed with fear I could end up in that paralyzed state not able to do anything... not an option. Holy Shit. I learned a lot about myself today – part of what this trip was for. I also think I got myself into something over my head – no surprise. Dorothy – you’re not in Kansas anymore! If someone had told me today would be this way – I wouldn’t have come this north – maybe not come at all. But then again, I might not have listened.
I’ve never experienced any feelings like this continuously for 9 hours straight. I wonder what my breaking point is?? Despite all the horrible parts, I know myself as being courageous today – action despite fear. J I also got to see how gorgeous the Rocky Mountains are in the winter – see pictures in below post! This is toward the later afternoon when it cleared up further into Utah/Idaho – a relief - my last couple hours weren’t so bad.
I kept going. I did over 400 miles today. About 399 more than I wanted to.
I am a Strong Girl.
I am alive.
I have Angels.
I said I wanted an adventure ; )
We’ll see what tomorrow brings – another storm is coming through – straight along my path in the morning. Will I get to Seattle?
***I’m adding Truck Driver’s to my list of “Dangerous Professions for Men that I will NEVER date or marry because it will worry me sick”. Others on that list include: armed forces, cops, fire fighters, FBI, etc
