A fun Christmas holiday so far … most of it, anyway.

Started out with a long trip to Utah to spend the holiday with Jared and Christine (daughter) and children (cute grandkids, all five of them). We started at 8am on the 24th after Stacy (daughter) got off her overnight shift at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital). I had been watching the weather for several days, with an incoming winter storm in our future.

I had hoped that we would be able to stay just ahead of the winter storm, but it was not to be. Chains were required over Donner summit (although four-wheel drive vehicles didn’t need chains then). The roads were a bit snow-packed, but all lanes were plowed. We got the cable chains on the car (actually, we helped the local economy by allowing a chain installer to do it for us), and trundled along at 25-30mph over the summit. It was a bit slippery, though: we watched a Subaru wagon (without chains, since they are all-wheel drive) do a nice 360 pirouette a bit in front of us. They were lucky; didn’t slam into the guardrails or any other cars.

We got over the summit OK, and were able to take the chains off at Truckee. The roads were wet but clear as we made our way into Nevada. Just past Fernley NV (east of Reno), the roads started to get a bit of snow-pack, with the right lane clear and slightly slushy, and the left lane snow-packed. Just a bit of snow flurries in the air, so I was thinking that we were going to be able to stay ahead of the storm.

By the time we got to Winnemucca (NV), the snow was starting to fall a bit heavier, and the roads were getting more snow-packed. I pulled into a gas station at the edge of town and got the snow chains on.

And we started rumbling across Nevada at 30mph. It was quite windy, with the snow blowing horizontally across the road at times. The road was snow-packed in places, but the four-wheel-drive trucks (lots of them in Nevada) were able to pass us. Even the big semis were swooshing by at 50-60mph; I assume they had snow tires, but it was quite exciting to have a big semi speed by you in a snow-packed lane as you are plodding along at 30mph.

The elevations across Nevada range from about 4000 feet to 7000 feet in the mountain passes. And it was snowing most of the way. The road crews were out with the snow plows, keeping at least one lane partly cleared. Although I’ve made the Sacramento to Salt Lake City trip many times, this was my first winter crossing in a snowstorm. I’m driving a Camry with good tires, although not snow treads. And since a snow storm over the Sierra Nevada mountains is always good for a few feet of snow, I’m figuring the same elevation mountain passes in Nevada are going to get similar amount of snow.

So the chains stayed on, perhaps a bit longer than needed. I finally got to take them off at Oasis NV. That’s about 200 miles (half of Nevada), normal driving time of under 3 hours. But a bit longer at 30mph max, with rumbling tire chains. The chains probably could have come off sooner, but I figured the mountain passes would have enough snow that chains would be needed. Apparently, it doesn’t snow as much in Nevada as I figured. It was mostly slushy snow in the right lane most of the way, with the left lane snow-packed.

Once free of the tire chains, the roads started to clear up, and we started making good time. We finally ended up in Syracuse UT (a bit north of SLC) at about 330am, after about 19 hours of driving (a trip that usually takes about 10 hours in good weather).

It was pretty cold outside (about 28 F), strong winds, so it was quite chilly (for this Californian) unloading the car (and about 6 trash bags full of presents). We tried to be quiet as presents were arranged under the tree (as I tried a short nap downstairs). The grandkids got up about 5am (or a bit earlier), and changed into their new pajamas (a family tradition). So the fun part started.

Lots of presents for everyone, and the good times started as everyone opened their treasures. A relaxing day at home while there was light snow outside. We stayed there until the following Monday, leaving at about 8am under clearing skies. The weather was partly to mostly sunny all the way home, roads dry and clear, even over the Sierras, so were able to get home at about 6pm.

It was a fun trip. This time of year is difficult for our family, as we miss Jason (and celebrate his birthday on Jan 3rd). So time spent with family over the holiday is nice. We may make this an annual trip, along with the several others we make to Utah during the year. (Pam is already planning for a March trip to coincide with a big scrapbook expo in March.)

Once at home, it’s pretty low-key and quiet. We managed to stay up until midnight last night, but were in bed sleeping a few minutes after the midnight New Year’s noise. Our plans for the rest of the week are similarly quiet.

Hope your holidays were enjoyable.