It is that time of year, and we are in the middle of a Nor’easter, but it is damp, wet, and miserable for most of us, but not cold enough to snow. Not so, along New Hampshire’s Kancamangus Highway where yesterday, they got the white stuff (Racist!).
“NHDOT Lincoln Patrol Shed was greeted by a snow-frosted Kancamagus this morning,” the New Hampshire Department of Transportation said in a tweet.
Transportation officials also urged Granite Staters to begin preparing their cars for winter by checking tire pressure, fluids, and windshield wipers.
Higher elevations get the joys of winter before the flatlanders, but with the leaf-peeping season over (or near enough) for most, a bit of snow on that scenic highway is no serious threat. But then, any snow is, right?
The first snow of the year, anywhere, works as a filter. People who you assume have been driving in the stuff for years find themselves in ditches and standing next to fender-benders. Quite often, there are a handful of more serious incidents. This year we might be raising banners for this phenomenon.
There are a lot of new people in New Hampshire.
Folks have been flocking here. Great for home prices if you own one and can sell, but many are from places that get snow but not on roads like these. And some are from areas with no snow. We have good roads, but many are winding, sloped, hilly, curvy, (some) unlit, and occasionally narrow. And some roads are good dirt roads.
And some of them drive better than the folks who have lived here for years. At least during the first few snows. It’s weird how people forget. Don’t be them.
Behave yourselves. And in this case, do what the government bureaucrats suggest. Be prepared. And hey, be safe out there.
