"Rain or shine, snow or sleet..."

I drove in rain, snow and sleet today. Or was it also freezing rain? Friend and I couldn't figure out what the difference between freezing rain and sleet were? She is from Mumbai and I am from Hyderabad where average temperature year round wavers around 80-90F, daily. So, this is like the story about Alaskan Inuit people having like 50+ variations of describing snow.

Well, whatever the difference, I know I am petrified and afraid of driving in it. But there I was, at my friend's home after a sleepover and snow was coming down. They weren't anticipating much snow. But they were anticipating sleet & freezing rain. And I had 22 miles facing us before getting home through the beltway and I66. The beltway is horribly unpredictable. Although, I shouldn't complain. I think I get more nervous, because I don't drive on it frequently enough. Ok, I don't drive frequently period.

Anyway, as I was heading back, the snow turned to sleet or freezing rain or whatever. And there on the highway I saw the postal service golf cart truck chugging along, faster than me (mind you, I was going the speed limit)! It was strange to see one on the highway and stranger still to see it on the beltway on a Sunday. Suddenly I was wondering if my calendar was all wrong.

But that truck gave me the confidence boost I needed and I relaxed my arms and chugged along home. We did leave before the "storm" moved south towards us. But got home just in time. The highways were fine. Our driveway was like an ice skating rink. D of course, thought it was great fun!

But hey, this season, I drove in snow, sleet & freezing rain! ;)