Winter Storm and Epic Traffic of 2014 [X-E2, XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 6400, 1/12, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 27)]

Note: All photos were shot on the Fuji X-E2 and while I was sitting still I would use the Wifi connection and upload these to my Facebook page.

While many people want to judge the south as not knowing how to handle snow, this was not just a snow storm. The main reason for the traffic standing still in the south is the ice.

In the photo above you can see the ice all over this semi-truck and on the road. this is on Georgia 400 around exit 7a.  The truck continued to spin its wheels and slide toward me.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/5.6, 1/15

The guy in the red KIA Sportage was spinning his wheels so much that if he did get traction would have rammed the people in front of him.  Most of the cars with front wheel drive and good tires were moving slowly and taking their time. The front wheels had enough weight from the engines to keep traction.

My trip started with excitement.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 320, ƒ/5, 1/500 TIME 12:51 pm

I was doing some work down at Chick-fil-A’s corporate office. As I went out the door at 12:50 pm I took a photo of their billboard that is on their tour. Many people get up on the platform and get their photo taken with the cows.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 800, ƒ/5, 1/500 TIME 12:51 pm

Many people also like to have their photo taken with Truett Cathy, the statue that is. If he is at the office he will meet with folks in his office. Well as you can see the cows and Truett had a light dusting of snow.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 1000, ƒ/5.6, 1/500 TIME 12:54 pm

As soon as I drove out the the parking deck and got on the road I called the office and told them to leave now.  The roads already were slick. I could tell the snow was melting and turning to ice almost instantaneous.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/5.6, 1/80 TIME 15:03 pm

This firetruck is going in the opposite direction to get to wrecks.  This was about halfway through my 11 hour commute.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/5.6, 1/8 TIME 8:48 pm

I am assuming the sign had some lights burned out, but this should say:

JACKKNIFED TRUCK  

PAST HAYNES BRIDGE 

ALL LANES BLOCKED

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/5.6, 1/8 TIME 10:45 pm

This photo here is on Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell between Old Roswell Road and Warsaw Road at 10:45 pm or less than 1.5 miles from my house. It would take me another hour and half to drive that. When I approached Alpharetta Hwy I knew the road would go down a hill and back up. Knowing this was where most problems would be for vehicles, I turned right and no traffic at all for me to go north to Houze Way and take that road through the back of our neighborhood.

I got home at 12:05 am today. There is now color back in my knuckles from them gripping the steering wheel for 11 hours.  Seeing a semi-truck sliding towards you and you cannot do anything is enough to give someone a cardiac arrest.  Thankfully all those trips to the gym are paying off.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/8, 1/500 TIME 9:10 am

Sitting at home now enjoying my coffee and I can say relaxing as I see this out my front door. There are still many people still on the road stuck until the ice either melts away or DOT clears the roads.

Keep those affected in your prayers until the roads are all cleared.