photograph: prayers by johnny monahan

Sunday, January 22, 2017

This past weekend I drove down to Brian Head to meet Leta and snowboard. I didn't hear or know if snow was in the forecast but the roads seemed pretty clear and I wanted out of the valley of pollution. So I headed south and found smooth, clear roads. Going 80-85 mph I made it down a little before  9. When I turned off the Parowan exit I saw a Family Dollar store and stopped to pick up some snacks for the day on the mountain. The store was about to close so I found my time of arrival perfect. I spent a about 10 mins in the store, left and proceeded up the mountain to the resort. I passed signs that read snow chains required if lights are blinking. The signs remained unlit so I wasn't worried. As I continued to climb, snow was falling and less than 3 miles from my destination there was about an inch of snow on the ground. The cars ahead began to slow. Most pulled over with their hazard lights blinking . In my naivety and bravado I slowly passed the cars on my right and soon found my tires spinning with no traction. I was afraid and nervous that I'd be stuck or worse, start sliding. I pulled over the side of the road as the others had, turned on my hazards and called Leta. She quickly answered. I told her I was scared and stuck on the side of the mountain. She asked where I was and then said that she recognized my car ahead. "I'm gonna rescue you," she said. We made a plan to drive really slow down the mountain to park my car and then drive back up. I turned around cautiously, scared I'd slide off the side of the mountain but never did. I made my way down slowly and parked at the condos at the very bottom of the mountain. Two things were clear to me that evening. The distinct need/want to stop at the dollar store delaying my ascent and the fact that Leta had cell service at the time I called her. She had not had service most of the climb up. Those were tender mercies shown by the Lord.