Trailer Park Snow Story - [A Furtak Family Winter Adventure]

[Note: Any references to known stereo-types are not purposeful and every attempt has been made to recount the facts of the story without stereo-typical references.]

One evening after Jason returns from work, the Furtak family decides to adventure out to go assist Santa with a certain limited supply toy at Walmart. It had begun to snow but the Furtak's thought nothing of the light snow fall since they were informed that this area of Washington rarely gets snow. By the time the disappointment of not finding the toy wears off and the Furtak family heads out to the car, it is plain to see that a small blizzard had set in. So bad so, it was difficult to sweep the snow from the car fast enough to be effective.

The Furtak's manage to get the snow cleared and headed down the road. As they approached the first hill of the typical route home it was clear that the area that the Furtak's lived in called, "The Highlands", was going to take on a new meaning. What is a typically easy route for a V-8 Grand Marquis is now a giant parent sized slip and slide made of ice. Jason made an attempt to climb the hill but quickly found out that power behind rear wheel drive means more than nothing in these conditions. Somehow Jason slipped and slid his way back down the hill and suggested to Debra a different route.

With several different routes home the Furtak's headed for the route less traveled. The route was nice because it winded it's way up the Highlands slowly and made the grade that much easier to traverse in this weather. It would also put them closer home if they had to abandon the car on the road side. There was only one major hill to conquer in this route but if the Furtak's could crest this hill they would be home free.

Luck was on their side with the route recently plowed but luck would run out as they reached the hill of hope. Jason sped up and got a good start up the hill, but as the way of Murphy would have it, Jason got behind a truck which lost grip on the road just short of the top of the hill. Jason was forced to stop and any attempts to start again was only met with slippage. One ounce of hope was the fact that a few cars were passing into the on coming lane of the two lane road and making it past us, past the disabled truck and past the crest of the hill. Jason backed down to the bottom of the hill and backed out far enough to get a good running start.

Before getting started Jason hashed out the plan with Debra. Jason would get a running start while at the same time watching diligently for the lights of on-coming traffic from the other side of the hill. He would then speed up the hill until just before the broken down truck, pass into the oncoming traffic lane and then speed over the hill. Jason sat in place for a bit to watch the flow of traffic and any patterns he could notice. At that moment, Debra pointed out the residence of the mobile home park at the bottom of the hill had brought out their lawn chairs, their portable grills and various hot beverages (some in shiny cans) to watch the cars going up the hill. This was a bit entertaining but Jason quickly got back to the concentration of getting the family safely up the hill. Jason drummed up the courage, found an opportunity and applied heavily on the gas and began the charge up the hill. At the same time, Joshua wanted to see the snow for some reason and let the window down in the back seat. Debra said to Jason, "Do you hear that?" Jason deep in concentration made an annoying glance over to Debra and said, "No honey, what are you talking about?" Debra said, "The residence from the mobile home park are cheering for us. I heard them say, 'They're going for it again!' and then they began chanting, 'go... go... go... go... woohoo!'" Sure enough, Jason could hear them and got the extra courage needed to swing over into the oncoming lane and make it over the hill.

It wasn't long after that the Furtak family found themselves snuggled in front of the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa in honor of their of their new found fans and watching in fascination of the news reports of the record snow fall. This was sure to be an adventure that the Furtak family would never forget.