Hiking (grass, ice, woods) 2:00:00 [2] 3.8 mi (31:35 / mi)
shoes: Hoka Kailua Trail #2
"Adventure drive" attempting to pick up kiddos. Left work early @ 4PM. Hwy D was already shut down from serious accidents so I took DD. Mega snail pace. Witnessed 4 cars sliding into ditches. Ended up abandoning my car w/ a controlled slide off the road in a safe-ish flat spot then went to check on stranded mini-van w/ mom & 4 kids huddled inside.
Roads were 100% undriveable so options were: 1. stay in cars all night until roads thawed - no way the salt trucks would be able to negotiate DD or; 2. hike home on foot (they lived close to me). Decided to hike.
They were poorly outfitted so I gave the 7th grader (in shorts) my jeans to wear, the 5 yr old a hat and other stuff, and passed out my car flashlights. I also had a stash of snacks and a bike bottle w/ not too old water. I was in great shape gear-wise wearing trail running stuff and long down coat. Phew.
These folks were not accustomed to winter cross-country travel @ night so I have to hand it to them for being brave. DD is quite rugged in spots w/ some wooded ravines and 'old field' sections. Crossing any type of pavement was treacherous - wished we all had Icebugs. Very slow going.
We were concerned about the 5 yr old getting hypothermic so we dropped her and mom off @ Sorenson Kennels (who were very welcoming). I continued on w/ older kids. Along the way there were @ least 20 other cars off the road, some flipped, some on their sides, 4WD trucks/jeeps, etc. Carnage! Wasn't able to get my kids - school was in quasi lockdown mode w/ nearly 200 students/teachers stranded. At least they were safe and having a ball w/ non-stop movies, pizza, etc. Hubby finally got home from Jeff. City @ 1AM and managed to get them.
Side note: hike took 3 hours, but I only logged 2 due to slow pace & stop @ Sorenson.