HAPPY NEW YEAR

----------
> From: Ruth Sullivan <GODWIT at worldnet.att.net>
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: Re: WWCB bonanza... WARNING!!
> Date: Wednesday, December 31, 1997 8:36 PM
>
> Hello Richard,
> Thank you for given us warning about our planned trip. only in case the
> weather getting real severe, we are ready to go.When I remember you left
> real late in the evening to twisp, where the temperature drops low and
the
> road getting icy.I maybe contact you on some details If you dont mind?
> Onother subject:The Slaty-backed Gull in Everett MARINE VIEW DRIVE.If you
> not already saw this Bird, i think you should go and take a look.You
might
> see this Bird on the Web-site after the 5th of January.
> PS: WE ARE ALL EXITED TO SEE ALL THI BIRDS you had. I be happy, this
to
> see the White winged Crossbills real close for a photo.Common Redpool for
> my list.
> Wishen you a Healty and Happy NEW YEAR for 1998,also my deepest SYMPATHY
> for you Brother.
> Ruth
> GODWIT at worldnet.att.net
>
>
> ----------
> > From: PAGODROMA <PAGODROMA at aol.com>
> > To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> > Subject: Re: WWCB bonanza... WARNING!!
> > Date: Wednesday, December 31, 1997 10:21 AM
> >
> > Those of you rushing off from the We't side to the Okanogan for the
> White-
> > winged Crossbills and other winter birds, and if via U.S. 97 / Blewett
> Pass,
> > BEWARE!!
> >
> > **WARNING!!** The north-side down slope winter roadway can be and IS
> > extremely treacherous and dangerous! I nearly lost it on that stretch
in
> snow
> > during my rush to Twisp and the winter birding gold mines of the
Okanogan
> on
> > the 26th. Compact snow and ice, good ol' and reliable "ICEBIRD" (my
AWD
> > Subaru) went'a fish-tailing on the down slope, then completely out of
> control.
> > Tapped the breaks ever so slightly at first sign of trouble -- even
that
> was
> > too much, and I was off on a thrill ride that lasted a full mile at the
> very
> > least. Sliding sideways, facing one way then the other, then a slow
360,
> and
> > still sliding, and just trying to keep the car in the road and not hit
> > anything, never touching the brakes again. I was remarkably calm
through
> this
> > whole thing -- to panic was pointless! -- car sliding all the way down
> and all
> > over the road, miraculously making all the twisty winding curves.
> Finally, I
> > did another 360 plus 180 more and was then going backward as I saw the
> > shoulder approaching over my shoulder. At that point, I just kind of
> calmly
> > shrugged thinking to myself, "Well, this is it, I guess"...and started
> off the
> > road backward. The instant the rear wheels hit the fresh plowed powder
> on the
> > shoulder, the car came to a sudden but gentle stop, "poof" -- almost as
> if
> > caught by someone or maybe it was 'my guardian angel'. I never hit a
> thing --
> > extremely lucky!!! Then, I just pointed "ICEBIRD" north and drove away
> -- a
> > lot more slowly and cautious!
> >
> > Having owned AWD and 4WD Subaru since 1978 and accumulated lots of
> experience
> > driving snowy icy roads, this was the FIRST time *ever* that I had ever
> so
> > much as slipped or skidded at all and have never gotten stuck.
> Overconfidence
> > maybe? Maybe. Just be careful! The north-side down slope of winding
> Blewett
> > is a notorious trap for unsuspecting, poorly equipped, or just plain
over
> > confident and careless motorists. I've encountered more winter-related
> > accidents along that stretch than anywhere else in the state. If you
> have one
> > of those big and powerful 4WD SUVs, don't think for a second that you
are
> > invincible. It is those exactly that I routinely see more often than
any
> > other crashed in the ditch and overturned. The 4WD SUV's can be
> especially
> > unstable and hard to control, especially so if you're already out of
> control.
> > If you lose it on a slippery down-slope there (or anywhere), just keep
> your
> > foot OFF the brake, keep the wheels pointed in the direction of the
skid
> as
> > best you can, and just hope for the best, and stay calm.
> >
> > I prefer to drive Washington's mainline winter routes (EXCEPT I-90
> > Snoqualme!!) at night / early dark wee hours, even when it's raining or
> > snowing since there is usually little or no traffic meaning fewer
> vehicles to
> > be bothered with, or have to be worrying all the time about the other
> driver,
> > or deal with the heavier travel volume constant splatter of dirty mist,
> slush,
> > or snow. Also, other vehicle's distant headlights give you an early
> warning
> > of a shared roadway which you don't get by day until suddenly being
> confronted
> > in rounding the curve. If it's snowing and not a full-blown blinding
> > downburst, often there is a layer of powder on the roadway to provide
> better
> > traction, at least until you catch up to the snowplow which has scraped
> it off
> > often leaving an exposed layer of slick compact snow & ice. Then I'll
> > carefully try to pass and thus back on the unplowed fresh snow again.
> >
> > So, just be careful, be safe, wear your seatbelts (at least for the
> transit)
> > and have a great Washington winter birding experience!
> >
> > Oh... Here's another tip. Stop in for gas and coffee at the Conoco
> station
> > and mini-mart on the right as you enter Tonasket. The coffee is the
best
> > bargain in the state... it's free with fill-up, and FREE for all on
> Sundays
> > regardless! And a gas fill-up there, even to just 'top off' is a good
> idea
> > before launching forth to explore the Okanogan Highlands where you
won't
> find
> > another gas station until you return to Tonasket (or Oroville). Don't
> count
> > on Wauconda (Rt.20), the 'Wauconda Cafe'; sometimes they have it,
> sometimes
> > they don't. But the 'cafe' there is a Highlands classic; local,
> colorful, and
> > friendly, and great food.
> >
> > Richard Rowlett (Pagodroma at aol.com)
> > 47.56N, 122.13W
> > (Seattle/Bellevue, WA USA)