Snow Day in Menomonie

It happens every year at the first snowfall. Social media this morning is full of questions about how the roads are in the Chippewa Valley. And full of wildly inconsistent answers. The same roads may be described as "just fine" by one person, and "almost impassible" by another. I guess traction is in the eye of the beholder. 

Some of us have lived with this Wisconsin weather our whole lives. Some of us are transplants. Some of us are more skilled at driving than others. Some of us have brand new Blizzaks on our cars. Some of us have almost bald tires we bought on special because nobody can resist $40 tires. I think the main thing to keep in mind is that anyone can get in trouble in the snow. Some of us are more prepared to cope than others, and we all need to know our own boundaries. And it is better to be safe than sorry.

I am lucky in that I can almost always make my own decisions, being semi-retired. And I luckily got the snow tires put on my car yesterday. The one outside appointment I had today has been canceled. So I am sitting in a nice warm house, at least until I decide it is time to fire up the snowblower. I wish we all had that luxury, and I understand a lot of you do not. 

In any case, stay safe. If you need help from your neighbors, ask. Wisconsin is not for the faint of heart, but we all understand that and we all want everyone to be safe. Let's take care of each other.