This morning I packed a crochet project in my craft bag (I have started crocheting a cowl hood in merino wool :) and headed out to meet friends, who are visiting the area from the East Coast. We planned to meet at Multnomah Falls Lodge to have lunch.
While the weather was fine at our house and I had checked the forecast on my phone before I left, I did not know the Columbia River Gorge had an ice storm last night!!!
Soon after I merged onto the roadway to the Falls, I came upon a very long line of trucks pulled off on the side of the road to put on chains. It confused me in that the sun was shining. But soon I found myself driving on thin ice. White knuckle driving. Reminding myself to breathe deeply. Praying without ceasing. Praying for whoever was in an overturned crushed black pickup, and others whose car had spun out and another vehicle whose right front bumper was smashed.
My friends called and I was able to poke my phone on speaker mode and tell them not to drive to the Lodge and that when I could stop to turn around I would call them back to make other plans. I ended up driving all the way to the Falls parking lot before I could safely stop.
I got some beautiful photos. I made it back to a restaurant near home to have lunch with my friends. We had a great visit. But oh how I wished I had called my friend, Teresa, before I left home to see if she was volunteering at the visitors center at the Falls today. She would have warned me not to try to drive to the Falls today; I am certain!
Being alive at home near our hearth typing to you prompts me to be sooooo grateful. I want to crochet and knit and stay cozy and warm and safe!!!
Are you safe?
I pray you are.
xx from Gracie
Are you safe?
I pray you are.
xx from Gracie
