Today, I had the biggest scare of my life. I was at the point of leaving the hair salon in Newark to head home (which is approx 30 miles due south on Garden State Parkway) when all of a sudden and ferocious flurry & wind storm swept through. In 5 mins, the streets were practically undriveable due to the gale winds and blinding snow flurries. Thankfully, in NJ/NYC area, winter has been extremely mild but not this afternoon. The day started off chilly as I made my way to work at 2:15 am. I know that's early but I had to get my OT in early so I could get other things down today like my hair.
Anyway, while I was paying for my salon services, I looked out the windows because the sun was gone and dark clouds had replaced it. It was obviously windy and flurries started to fall sideways and you could tell a big storm was about to happen. All I kept thinking was hurry up lady and finish up with my credit card so I can get the hell out of here! Boy was I scared because I haven't seen winds like this since my last trip to Shy Town (aka the Windy City - Chicago). Few people were walking and from what I saw as I walked sideways and backwards to my smart with my new hair do flying everywhere, those people couldn't see either. I could see several drivers were doing their best to keep control of their cars as they headed to their destinations on the city streets.
When I finally got to my car, I made a quick U-turn to head straight to the highway. Before I could get past the three blocks, I was practically assaulted by one of those roadway striped orange and white barrels. Two were headed straight for me from my passenger side as they glided on invisible feet. One decided to quickly change course and it stopped within inches in front of an oncoming SUV. While the other seemed to stop to let me pass instead of striking my smartie. Thankfully, I made it to the hwy without inquiry to either of us.
However, the highway was like driving inside a working dryer. I felt like I was all over the place and at any moment, the smart would have taken flight just like Dorothy's house in the Wizard of Oz. It was really that bad the whole way home. Winds continually slammed up against my side walls. I was never so happy to travel through "straight on heavy winds". The side winds were desperately trying to either knock me off the highway or into another car to my left or right. If any of you have traveled down GSP, it is a whindy highway so the winds had plenty of opportunity to play with me and to scare me straight. Somehow I made good time but better yet, the flurries never turned into snow fall. It was almost like I was in a movie. A storm rushed in for 40 long minutes and then sunshine and lesser winds took its place. At the end of my hwy trip, I have to cross a 10 lane bridge called the Raritan Bridge over a bay which leads to open water which you can clearly see is the ocean. Even driving slow (40mph) I was still being whipped from here to there. My arms were so tired and shakey afterwards I felt like I just came back from combat.
I don't mean to say it but I really missed my boat of a car (the Acura TL) during those terrifying moments. But happily, those thoughts were fleeting because I made it safely home. That was 4 hours ago and the wind is still kicking it up out there.
My advice to new drivers who happen upon gale winds or a snow storm, take it slow and play some good music to keep your nerves calm.
I'm now ready for bed and glad my first wind adventure is over.
Thanks,
Regina
Today
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