ROLL OVER

I think it is more than just a bit rude to roll over someone else’s car. But sometimes these things can’t be avoided.

My own car, also a Volvo, has been rolled over three times, once before I bought it, the second time between Medicine Hat Alberta and Calgary, and the third time in the freeways of Vancouver. And each time, the owner was behind the wheel.

Between Fargo and Grand Forks North Dakota, I rolled over the Volvo in my charge. When a car rolls over 100,000 Km, I always give it a pat on the dash and a few good words of praise.

The Odometer on the Volvo rolls over the 100,000 Km mark approaching Grand Forks. OLYMPUS D500 PHOTO © KEITH MORISON/1999

Tuesday and Wednesday were days of driving. Both days served up overcast skies and flat, flat terrain. The spectacular pictures of the past few days were definitely behind me.

As I rolled through Colorado, and across Nebraska, I was happy to be back on the Prairies, and surprised that there was no snow. I hadn’t been this far south in the prairies before, but having grown up with white ground from Halloween through April, I just expected I’d be driving through it on the way home.

I drove from Sterling Colorado and was stopped by the weather in Sioux Falls. A long day’s drive, and still little snow. But Ice got in the way.

Freezing rain was on tap, and the cars and trucks in the ditch spoke clearly.

I’m quick to say that the road conditions won’t scare me. After all, I grew up in and worked in The Canadian Prairies. Snow … no problem, Lots of snow … HA! But ice scares the bejessus out of me.

Leaving Sioux Falls, heading north, finally, the snow started to cover the ground and I started to feel more and more at home with each mile. The road itself varied from 30 Mph ice to all steam ahead bare. Much of the route was ‘good winter driving’ condition. The mild weather made for liberal use of the wipers and washer fluid. But it is to be expected.

After a brief stop and visit with a photographer in Fargo, I returned to the road, which are more and more like home, a bit of snow, some slush but no Ice.

A quick stop in Grand Forks to file, and its off to the border and explaining that not only is the car not mine, but neither is most of the stuff filling the trunk and back seat. Hopefully I won’t have to repack the whole car when they’re done.