Potholes

February 19, 2024

As my family and I were preparing to move from Phoenix to a state with "real" winters, I was apprehensive about many things. But I was most nervous about driving in the snow and ice. After all, I hadn't had any practice with either in the "Valley of the Sun".

Oh, yeah. We were moving in the middle of December!

I was warned about wet snow, slushy snow and black ice. So I equipped my 1-ton 15-passenger van with snow tires, studs, and even had the tires siped.  I also carried four 25-pound bags of traction sand, chains and a shovel "just in case".

Then I began my adventure of learning how to drive in winter conditions. I started out very slowly and spent a lot of the time pulling to the side of the road letting others pass me.

After a week or so, I became confident and actually began driving the speed limit. "Wow", I thought, "driving in the snow is not as bad as I thought it would be."

However, as I was breezing along one day, the most incredible thing happened. I went over a section of the road I traveled daily. Only this time, I became airborne.

"What was that?!"

As I returned home along the same route, I saw little red flags and realized I had just encountered my very first frost heave.

Learning to drive in wet snow, slushy snow, black ice and even watching for frost heaves did not prepare me for my next driving hazard—potholes

I don't know why they call them potholes. They are definitely larger than any pots I've ever seen.

What is really amazing is how quickly they appear. One day the road is fine and after a day of "warm" temperatures (34-37 degrees is not "warm" to an Arizona gal), the roads are one giant pothole.

I've noticed places where the county has attempted to fill in the holes. But it doesn't make any difference. New holes appear quicker than old holes can be repaired.

Now I have become very adept at swerving to avoid these hazards. Swerve to the left; swerve to the right; swerve in both directions at once!

Happily, the sheriff never stops me for driving on the wrong side of the road!