It can be your sworn enemy or your best friend. It can add hours to a drive, brighten or ruin your mood, or ensure a good night’s sleep.<\/p>\n
\nThe first stretch of my planned cross-country venture gave me a taste of just how unpredictable and unforgiving the weather can be. Just as the time arrived and my car was packed sufficiently the snow began, with reports calling for a foot or more. I understood it was coming from the south, and not likely to hit as high north in New York as Albany. Since I was heading to Rochester, I thought maybe I could outrun it. <\/p>\n
\nBut to outrun the storm, I had to get through it, and this proved more difficult than I could have imagined. Through Rhinebeck and Kingston it only got more and more intense, until I could barely see the road and was limited to following the taillights of the care in front of me, and struggling to catch a glimpse of the road’s lines. I feared that my trip may begin trapped 30 miles from my house, with winter’s revenge coming down all around me. My fear was solidified when I entered the New York Thruway, and could not break a speed of 30 mph.<\/p>\n
\nThankfully, I was correct, and the storm broke before I entered Albany. But it left me with an important message: weather is not a thing to be trifled with. It has the power to destroy my vacation, or to give me the best six weeks of my life.<\/p>\n
\nI should find a way to appease it. Sacrifice perhaps.<\/p>\n