18°f this morning, a few snowflakes, then clearing.
Snowy Joe's Run. School has been in session all week, but busses don't run these back roads, so a lot of kids are unable to attend. I wonder if they have some kind of internet classes for them. Seems very unfair.
We had to go into town yesterday afternoon. This time I had to go too, not just Larry, because we had a time-sensitive document that had to be signed, notarized, and mailed. You can imagine how thrilled I was at the prospect! And poor Larry, who had already been up at the crack o'dawn for the 4-hour round trip to the VA wasn't thrilled either. But as is our way, we combined several necessary errands into one trip so in the end it was worthwhile.
Larry actually drove our van down to the house, which pretty much stunned me, but it did just fine on the way back out too. There really is nothing like all-wheel-drive. The tractor had done a decent job of clearing the snow but hoooweee the ice. Plenty of it still left.
A photojournal of our trip out and back:
The whole length of Joe's Run pretty much looks like this. It's a one-lane road, so getting out of someone's way can be tricky.
Our frozen watershed lake
but Joe's Run itself is still running, surprisingly.
Finally out to the highway, and only 10 miles to town.
And in town...
Mill Creek, which runs right through town, is frozen over.
Part of the main drag
Ripley is the county seat, and these photos were taken in the old part of town. The town spreads out a good bit to the west, where we have Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens, a bunch of fast foods and gas stations, etc., because I-77 passes over that way. The south part of town has some car repair and used car places, auto parts stores, another drug store, a feed store, hardware store, and funeral home along with a lot of smaller businesses. Not many businesses survive on the north end except a feed store and another hardware store. Population is about 3000 people, according to the 2020 census, down by 400 people from 2010. Which is odd because there is much more traffic.
And finally home, where you can see the ridge has done some thawing even though it only reached 26° today,
Just the adrenaline-inducing driveway to contend with. Which was fine, actually, just very slippery.
Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.
...you are living in a winter wonderland.
ReplyDeleteYes, and loving it. So far, anyway!
DeleteSo glad you all had a safe journey, while even taking pretty photos! Those roads do look scary, no guard rails and completely iced over. You are brave folks, no doubt in my mind. As to loss of people, perhaps the elders succumbed, and not enough babies were born to offset them...or all the high school kids moved elsewhere? Who knows!
ReplyDeleteI think we had more melting today, Barb, so the roads may be much better now. We have to go out tomorrow to pick up auction buys, so I am hoping for clear roads!
DeleteUnfortunately, we lose a lot of young people in West Virginia. There are just not the job opportunities here, unless you choose the right field and don't mind making less money than you can elsewhere. We are top-heavy population wise with the older generations too. I think that since the pandemic there has been a shift as I have met quite a few people who have moved here from other states, but unfortunately they seem to come because they are either survivalists, fundamental Christians, or far right wingers who like our backwards-looking lawmakers and our mostly white population. Sad but true. This is Trump country, no mistake.
I enjoyed your pictures. It gives a first hand look at what the general area looks like where I used to live. Seeing them means more than just hearing that the area got snow.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like driving and road conditions in winter are fairly challenging. Not for the faint-hearted.
ReplyDeleteWe almost got struck by a car running a red light this morning on our way to do the grocery shopping. It happened so fast I never got to scream!!
Nice scenery, but not the best time to drive. Thank goodness all we had to was look at it.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness. Is that a special hard winter or do you have that every time? It looks nice, though.
ReplyDeleteI always think living out in the country is the best, until I have to leave during bad weather, lol. Glad you all navigated your day well.
ReplyDeleteIs this your first time out since the snows started? Barb had found a Harvest Host in Ripley, a brewery I believe, that we were going to stay at before our plans changed.
ReplyDeleteWe call drives like your driveway a "ten ticket ride". Know them well. You need siped or studded tires and all wheel drive to be confident on them. Batsy in Idaho who still has no snow!
ReplyDeleteGulp. And I complain about our roads. At least we are not finagling the passing on a grade like that. Beautiful journey shots, however. Loved the virtual trip.
ReplyDeleteGlad that the trip was successful and that you returned home intact - both mentally and physically. Winter has its beauty but its challenges too. It’s a beautiful area you live in.
ReplyDelete