Finally the Challenge!
Dec. 22nd, 2008 09:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dolphins_logI've had my Subaru Sport since 2001, and I've been really itching for a chance to get a Winter Challenge. There has been snow in the past 7 years, but either I haven't had to go anywhere or there just hasn't been enough snow.
There is now doubt, we have enough snow. We have a cumulative total [unofficial] of 18 inches. Yesterday I shoveled out the driveway in preparation for the morning commute. I got up early, showered, shaved, and shined. Then I stepped out to the car. First I needed to remove the paltry 2 inches that had accumulated overnight, both from the car and the driveway. Then I climbed in and eagerly turned the key.
The car coughed once, then hummed to life. I let it run for a while, defrosting the windshield to a crystal clear perfection. It was time. I put the Subaru into reverse...
This time the car shuddered a bit, but easily scrambled up and out of the driveway into the street. I gleefully hopped out and closed the garage door. I left it open so I could put the sand and shovel away. Then back into the car, shift into reverse, and slowly shudder sideways to a stand still. 4 wheel drive does no good if you are high centered in the snow. My grand adventure, with power to spare, was defeated by low ground clearance.
I eventually got back out of bed at 9:30. I realized that my efforts had succeeded in releasing my car, but totally blocking Juli's.
More shoveling.
Another shower. Called in and found that they were really in need. So this time easily got the Subaru out and headed for Gig Harbor. As soon as I got out of the neighborhood the roads were fine. I got there and found that I was the one that came in from farthest out. Everyone else further out or in my neck of the woods had called off. I lost about 4 hours work. Got a good work "out". and now I know some of the limitations for the little Subaru that almost could.
There is now doubt, we have enough snow. We have a cumulative total [unofficial] of 18 inches. Yesterday I shoveled out the driveway in preparation for the morning commute. I got up early, showered, shaved, and shined. Then I stepped out to the car. First I needed to remove the paltry 2 inches that had accumulated overnight, both from the car and the driveway. Then I climbed in and eagerly turned the key.
The car coughed once, then hummed to life. I let it run for a while, defrosting the windshield to a crystal clear perfection. It was time. I put the Subaru into reverse...
... and spun my tires. All four. I hadn't thought it was unnecessary to remove the snow from beside the car since the pavement underneath was bare. Reluctantly I turned the engine off.
More shoveling. A little sand. And it was time again.
This time the car shuddered a bit, but easily scrambled up and out of the driveway into the street. I gleefully hopped out and closed the garage door. I left it open so I could put the sand and shovel away. Then back into the car, shift into reverse, and slowly shudder sideways to a stand still. 4 wheel drive does no good if you are high centered in the snow. My grand adventure, with power to spare, was defeated by low ground clearance.
More shoveling.
After an hour and a half I got her loose. but by now I was a half hour late for work. My work clothes were soaked and muddy, and I was in desperate need of another shower. ...and I was dead beat. I pulled the car back into the drive and called off for two hours.
I eventually got back out of bed at 9:30. I realized that my efforts had succeeded in releasing my car, but totally blocking Juli's.
More shoveling.
Another shower. Called in and found that they were really in need. So this time easily got the Subaru out and headed for Gig Harbor. As soon as I got out of the neighborhood the roads were fine. I got there and found that I was the one that came in from farthest out. Everyone else further out or in my neck of the woods had called off. I lost about 4 hours work. Got a good work "out". and now I know some of the limitations for the little Subaru that almost could.
