Friday January 7, 2011

Friday January 7, 2011

This years sailing trip started today in a snow storm. After a hug and kiss from Sandy, it was time to start the 2011 winter adventure. I drove out of Brighton just after 11:00am. Gigantic snow flakes were falling. The windshield wipers were flapping. Brighton looked like a snow globe. As I merged onto the freeway to head south I hoped the snow would stop by the time I got to Toledo. Sand and palm trees flashed through my head. (The snow did not stop until I got south of Chattanooga, TN)

Terry Harder longtime friend and neighbor plowed the driveway just before I left. I took him less than five minutes as I watched in awe. I shoveled the drive the pervious day and it almost killed me after taking three breaks. The plowed drive made it easy to get up the hill onto the main road. (Thanks Terry!!) The main roads were thankfully salted. Traffic was moving at posted speeds. The Alberta Clipper producing the snow in Michigan followed me all day! It followed me all the way through Ohio. It followed me through Kentucky. My goal was to drive out of the snow today. I failed!! It snowed all day and the snow seems to be following me. It was white knuckle driving on black ice from Cincinnati to Lexington, KY. The posted speed is on I-75 through Kentucky is 70 mph. For over two hours my top speed was 10 mph! I’m not complaining as I am closer to sun tonight than I was this morning, just not as close.

Once into Kentucky, one of my favorite stops for food is the Skyline Chilly Restaurant in Covington. This in austere establishment is located off the first Kentucky exit as you head south. Skyline chilly dogs are delicious and inexpensive. They have a mini hot dog covered in chilly sauce and onions topped with 3 inches of graded cheddar cheese. These epicurean delights are not available in Michigan. Any Coney Dog connoisseur would rate these dogs as unique. These are a must if you have your favorite Coney Restaurant. If you don’t the Montgomery Inn is probable more suitable for dinner.

I spent the night in a Red Roof Inn in Southern Kentucky. It was still snowing at 10:30 PM. And it was 18 degrees. I had driven over 400 miles and was tired. This day the snow won.