Bogus Weather Hype

Colin W Kingsbury wrote:

Chains!? Where do they get them? I grew up in upstate NY, on a steep dirt
road that often iced over, and I don't think we even owned a set of chains,
let alone put them on cars.

I've been told that they're illegal in New Jersey - that may also be the case in
New York. I have at least two sets I acquired in Georgia and Tennessee. I
stumble across them in the garage every so often.

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
...


Colin W Kingsbury wrote:

Chains!? Where do they get them? I grew up in upstate NY, on a steep
dirt
road that often iced over, and I don't think we even owned a set of
chains,
let alone put them on cars.

I've been told that they're illegal in New Jersey - that may also be the
case in
New York. I have at least two sets I acquired in Georgia and Tennessee. I
stumble across them in the garage every so often.

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble
enterprise.

With some combinations of wet snow over ice, like we get more often than not
in NC, with a 2 wheel drive truck or van (light in the back) you will not go
anywhere without chains. I carry mine all winter long. (full sized Chevy
work van)

I drove for many years in Ohio snow with little problems in the snow, but I
have discovered that "all snow is not created equal". It is really wicked,
most of the time, around here. Some of the problem also lies in the fact
that since we get less snow, it is not economical to have mega tons of salt
on hand, and not a plethora of snow plow trucks in the sheds.
--
Jim in NC

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

I drove for many years in Ohio snow with little problems in the snow, but
I
have discovered that "all snow is not created equal". It is really
wicked,
most of the time, around here.

Amen. Forgive me while I get something off my chest....

I get irritated with folks who move here (NC) from more snow ridden areas
and make fun of the local population's ability to cope with the "wintery
mix". They make fun until we get snow and they realize that the roads don't
get plowed around here. They don't get salted in a timely manner either.
Then the snow turns to ice and, I don't care where you came from, you can't
drive safely on ice. Winter storms in NC really are something to take
seriously. Many times, we only get the ice. Ice storms REALLY suck because
we usually lose power and the roads are simply impassable.

Admittedly, lots of times, we don't get a lot of snow and it is really easy
to get around in what does fall. But you would be amazed at how many people
wreck around here in light snow and ice. Most of the wrecks are
multi-vehicle accidents so you have to reason that if you go driving, you
stand a chance of getting nailed through no fault of your own. That's the
point that I try to drive home to the folks who like to make fun. *You* may
be able to drive in the snow, but it's not much help when your on-coming
traffic is a conversion van that's careening out of control (personal
experience here).

Many of my friends, neighbors, and co-workers are from up north. After a
couple of winters here, NONE of them make fun anymore.

The key to dealing with winter in NC is to treat snow as a good thing. We
don't get it often, it's pretty, and it doesn't stay long. If work isn't
cancelled, I tell my boss that I'll be in late (after all the wrecks are
cleared out).

A good snow in NC is God's way of telling everyone to chill, sit by the fire
and have a hot chocolate.

-Trent
PP-ASEL

P.S. Ice storms come from Satan

Reporting from the northern reaches of California's Mojave Desert,
35°48' N by 117°41' W. Local airport is IYK (Inyokern).
The snow started about 7AM local, this morning. It is 10:30 and we have
accumulated 1.75 inches, as measured on my courtyard. Temperature has risen
from 33.2F (at 7AM) to 35.4F just now. Visibility is more than two miles.
So far, the schools have closed and the children all sent home. The
Naval Air Warfare Center has declared administrative leave for all but
critical infrastructure personnel. My cat absolutely refuses to go outside.
The weather forecasters are predicting perhaps five inches. And, I just
watched one intrepid motorist rumbling by with chains on all four tires.

I understand and agree with Trent's trepidation -- for his area. But I also
think the people who express hyper-anxiety need to get a grip. Chains, for
crying out loud! By mid-afternoon here, the streets will be clear. The sun
will be shining. The kids will have had a great time. The government
employees can kick back and watch the soaps. Me, I'm gonna brew another pot
of coffee.

Trent Moorehead wrote:

I get irritated with folks who move here (NC) from more snow ridden areas
and make fun of the local population's ability to cope with the "wintery
mix".

Agree. I grew up in East Tennessee and learned to drive there. I drove more in
snow when I lived there than a typical New Jersey native will drive in his
entire life. If the plows aren't on the road shortly after the first flake hits
up here, everybody starts complaining.

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

On Fri, 07 Jan 2005 00:53:01 GMT, "G.R. Patterson III"
wrote:



Colin W Kingsbury wrote:

Chains!? Where do they get them? I grew up in upstate NY, on a steep dirt
road that often iced over, and I don't think we even owned a set of chains,
let alone put them on cars.

I've been told that they're illegal in New Jersey - that may also be the case in
New York. I have at least two sets I acquired in Georgia and Tennessee. I
stumble across them in the garage every so often.

George Patterson

I have a set for my Tacoma that I only rarely use, and only then when
I need to plow out the driveway. They are a PITA to install but can
make the difference between managing to plow out some heavy slippery
slush and getting stuck.

I hate putting them on because I only use them for about 45 minutes,
then have to remove them because I use the truck to commute to work.

It takes a lot of time to install them because if you don't do it
properly, they can rip off things like your brake caliper bleed screw.
Ask me how I know this...

Corky Scott

"Corky Scott" wrote

It takes a lot of time to install them because if you don't do it
properly, they can rip off things like your brake caliper bleed screw.
Ask me how I know this...

Corky Scott

The chains' best friends are 4 (per wheel) heavy short black rubber bungee
cords. Added to properly adjusted chains, they make all the difference.
--
Jim in NC