Daoust

So you may have heard about that ridiculously awful snowstorm that hit Eastern Quebec and New Brunswick?

Well I was in it. Right smack dab in the middle. On Sunday, Christmas, my wife and 2 year old daughter and I headed up, on our way to Ottawa to visit my folks.

There was no snow for the first 5-6 hours. Then it was my turn to drive. As soon as I got behind the wheel the snow started. We had to stay the night in Edmundston, NB because the roads were treacherous.

So the next day we got up, and because I was antsy and I heard it was going to clear up past Quebec City, we hit the road around noon. I drove for about an hour and a half. Once we got into Quebec the roads were okay, but the blowing snow started. I'd never driven in whiteout conditions before but they sure were blinding. I couldn't see 10 feet in front of me.

For about a half hour I knew there was an oil tanker in front of me. I could see him every now and again. The last time I seen him was when he for some reason put his brakes on and I slammed into him going about 80 kms (fully breaking from about 100, which was too fast, I know).

I drive (or drove, we'll see what the insurance adjuster says in an hour) a Toyota Echo. The front end slammed into the back of the oil tanker. The back end of the car shot up. My daughter let out a scared cry.

With the remaining forward momentum that I had, I tried to get off the road as best I could . My left back side was still a little on the road. In my panic I tried to get out of the car and push it off the road. Not a bright move, but fortunately no one came along at the time. We sat in the car, called 911 and got my daughter dressed warmly. Everyone was alright, by the way. A little dazed, as you might expect. My wife is 3 mos. pregnant and we were concerned for our unborn child. (She ended up being okay and the baby is fine)

A snowplow driver stopped behind us and called the police for us, which we already had done. Oh, by the way, we were in La Pocatiere, PQ. See if you can find that on a map!

Eventually the police came, and a towtruck driver that did not speak a word of english, except "ninety", the cost of the tow to a hotel called Cap Martin in La Pocatiere PQ. If you are ever travelling through Eastern PQ and you need a place to stay I highly recommend this place. Not for its elegance or pools, or anything like that, simply because the owners were so kind and generous to us. Very lovely people.

We stayed in the hotel for two nights, while we waited for my in-laws. They drove up from PEI with a hitch, and put the car on it and we drove back to PEI last night. The two days were long, and I just wanted to entertain my daughter. She thought the whole thing was a ball. New bedrooms, new places, king of the castle in snowdrifts! Quite a riot

So that was my story. Now I'm back in PEI for the rest of the holidays. I'm bummed about not gettign to see my family, but as everyone keeps reminding me, its a good thing to be safe and healthy and all in one piece.

__________________
I have faith in a few things - divinity and grace
But even when I'm on my knees I know the devil preys