For the first time since the winter of '84/'85...

[Camino LS6]

...I will not be plowing a snowstorm.

The ROPOS made it through the last massive snowfall, and a second day of cleanup plowing, just fine. But yesterday when I went to move it, reverse was gone from the trans.

After a mad dash to find the right trans, all efforts have failed - so for the first time ever, I will not be able to meet my obligations as far as plowing goes.

I guess 25 years of not missing a single storm is a pretty good record, but it still makes me feel like $h! to have to admit defeat and bring that streak to a close. Up until today, I had been out there pushing snow in every single snowstorm since '85, and driven in every one since '79.

I guess it had to end sometime.

[PurdueGuy]

Awe, c'mon, sounds like you have a reputation to uphold!

[Camino LS6]

If there ever was a single image of pain, that would be it.

[Drew Dowdell]

Still wanna talk to you sometime about how you set rates and what going rates seem to be.

[Camino LS6]

Be happy to, Drew.

[Camino LS6]

Ugh.

Sitting here looking out at all this snow and not being able to fight it really sucks!

I just don't know how to act.

[ocnblu]

Bleh, and I'm stir crazy because work is closed today and I have no 4X4 to go cruising around in. I can imagine what it's like for a guy who always got keyed up to go out and work in this weather... torture. Sorry to hear, Camino.

[Camino LS6]

Thanks Ocn.

It's already pretty bad out there, but I may try to escape in the Tahoe - just because.

[ocnblu]

It's an essential part of being a man, being able to travel in any weather... just because. I'd give anything to be able to enjoy my day off by going out driving in a 4X4 pickup truck, heading to the diner for breakfast, surveying the countryside... sigh. Be careful out there if you go, watch out for lunatics.

[Camino LS6]

It's my driveway that concerns me, the roads are no biggie.

I need my Wawa coffee!

Edited February 10, 2010 by Camino LS6

[Drew Dowdell]

It's an essential part of being a man, being able to travel in any weather... just because. I'd give anything to be able to enjoy my day off by going out driving in a 4X4 pickup truck, heading to the diner for breakfast, surveying the countryside... sigh. Be careful out there if you go, watch out for lunatics.

Like men who feel they should be able to travel in any weather?

[ocnblu]

I've been waiting for the word "Wawa" to appear in this thread. I'm sure the place will be populated with plenty of guys in 4X4s, with and without plows, getting their java jones satiated.

[ocnblu]

Like men who feel they should be able to travel in any weather?

Traveling is one thing, flying and forgetting that even a 4X4 cannot stop in this weather is another. Just a leisurely jaunt around the local area is a great way to spend a snowy day like this. Of course, a CR-V might not help a man fully realize this goal. AVALANCHE, baybee!

EDIT: OMG Drew, were you unable to fly out?

Edited February 10, 2010 by ocnblu

[Camino LS6]

My dad used to take us out as a family after big snowstorms - just to see the sights.

So yeah, travel in any weather is important to me - it is part of who I am.

Let the fearful stay home.

[Drew Dowdell]

Traveling is one thing, flying and forgetting that even a 4X4 cannot stop in this weather is another. Just a leisurely jaunt around the local area is a great way to spend a snowy day like this. Of course, a CR-V might not help a man fully realize this goal. AVALANCHE, baybee!

EDIT: OMG Drew, were you unable to fly out?

My original flight got canceled, but because I travel so much I am one of those "elite" members or something so I get priority rebooking. I arrived in Chicago around 1pm yesterday.

The CR-V actually does very well. I'm rather impressed with that little Civic Wagon on Stilts' capabilities.

yeah, still want to get an Avalanche.... not there yet.

[Camino LS6]

Well, time to let the dogs out and attempt my nasty driveway - should be interesting.

[ocnblu]

Ah, glad you made it to Chicago, Drew. Have fun, and we'll be waiting for your coverage!

And Camino... yupper, same here, we always used to travel on snowy days... so fun, challenging and relaxing at the same time.

[Drew Dowdell]

Happy to provide coverage, but don't get your hopes up for this show. I've seen the schedule and it looks like a bust.

[ocnblu]

A photo of your reflection in the massive chromium steel bumper of a 2011 2500HD, a closeup shot of the 2011 Ford Edge Sport's aluminum wheel, and several pictures of the hole in the wall from the Avalon's runaway will be sufficient.

[Camino LS6]

Well, that adventure was interesting!

The Tahoe plowed right through the 8-10" of snow and I met the plow guy I found to handle the job at the end of the lane. So I left the Tahoe with Arkus there and jumped into his truck. After a successful pass, he backed-up too fast and went off the edge. So, I trudged up the lane to get the Tahoe, then to the barn for a chain, and pulled the plow truck out of the ditch. I guided him through the rest of the job and made it to Wawa and back just fine.

I feel a bit better about things now.

[ocnblu]

Any day you can pull out your chain and help a brotha out is a good day.

[Z-06]

See you did indeed fight the white monster with someone's help. Never say never.

How is Chicago, Drew?

[GMTruckGuy74]

Unlike some of you, when I was younger we were stuck at home in the snow (the downside of my parents owning two cars). I am use to going stir crazy at home when the snow strands me there from years of "practice"!! I remember when I had my 2001 GMC Sonoma SLS Highrider Extended Cab 4WD and the snow didn't stop me finally. Even with the '05 GMC Envoy SLT 4WD, snowy days were no longer a concern. Now, with the G6 sedan's crappy Hancook tires, and the '96 Caddy FWB's overactive traction control, I'm back to reliving my childhood days of being stuck inside the house, watching the snow fall outside of the window!!