[T3] type 3s in the snow

[Brian <vwfye@frontiernet.net>]

<x-flowed>January 1st 1990, I decided to have another go in college.  So I loaded 
up my 61 Notch to the window line, and both trunks, with all my worldy 
possessions and took off at 3am from Oak Harbor, Wa (up above Seattle) 
to Nampa, Idaho.  There are 2 major passes to go over.  The weather 
report was for rain, in the Puget Sound area and light snow in the 
mountains.

I get exactly 25 miles into my 500 mile trip and hit SNOW!  And not the 
typical dusting, but 5-8 inches of it on the roadway!  So, I pull out 
the old credit card (for the inside of the windshield) and put a blanket 
over my legs and keep driving.  When I finally get through Seattle and 
start making my way up the hill to Snoqualamie Summit the sky really 
lets loose!  It is still dark, and i get flagged over by a State Trooper 
in the chain up area.  He and I are the only cars...

He comes up, asks where I am going, then asks if I have chains with me, 
because they are required from here on up the mountain.  I get out and 
show him set in the spare tire well,  he says, "put them on"  and then 
leaves on a call.  This is where it gets fun...  I get out and realize 
that with my fully loaded notch, I cannot even get my hands into the 
rear wheel well arches to put the chains on!  Well, I think to myself, 
"I am not turning around!"  I get up, look, don't see a police car 
anywhere, throw the chains back in the car and drive!

50mph in the non used lane and the car never hiccupped!  Not once! 
Everyone else, with their chains, was in the right lane making compound 
ice and snow and doing 15-20mph,  I just drove anywhere that other tires 
had not been and scooted up over the hill!  Other than no heat, and 
scrapping off the inside of the windshield constantly, the car was 
fantastic in the snow!   I do have to admit, it was a surreal feeling in 
the dark, with a white out of snow in the headlights, to be driving 
along at that speed.  But, it was a time to remember for a lifetime of 
Type 3 love.  

And as an aside, if I had turned back that morning, I would never have 
met my wonderful, beautiful bride!

--
Brian Fye
1964 Notch Speedster 2332cc http://www.geocities.com/menacefye/
1964 Notchback 1500cc http://www.geocities.com/menacefye/64.html
1973 Squareback 1904cc http://www.geocities.com/menacefye/73.html




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