I stopped at the rest area a few miles further south. No cell phone signal. The lady in the small convenience store was locking up early, otherwise she was told she wouldn’t be able to get home. At that point I made a mistake (possibly) – I left the rest stop.

When I reached about mile 64.5 traffic came to a stop. It was 7:40pm. No cell phone signal. I couldn’t call my hotel to cancel (I assume they probably could have used the room and might have let me cancel a little late, but a moot point now). Fortunately I had plenty of warm clothes, more than a half tank of gas, and some soda and snacks – and an empty large soda cup with lid and I’m a guy. My sympathies, ladies. At 11 I decided to go to sleep. I slept in hour+ spurts, with some waking time to warm up the car. About 7:30 I woke up and it was bright outside – the trees on the hills were heavily coated with snow and it was beautiful. Occasionally a limb would crack and there would be a little avalanche. There was easily more than a foot of heavy wet snow. People reported that if you walked a half mile or so you could get a cell signal. I was told a big Fedex truck had overturned, it might be 8PM before things started to move. At 3 I walked to get a signal and was able to cancel Sat nite’s hotel, and check in with my family. Someone said the jam had been cleared, and a small snow plow was clearing the way for cars a little at a time. At 4:30 it made it back to me. 21 hours stranded. Fortunately it was just inconvenience, I wasn’t hungry, thirsty, cold, or endangered.

I drove to the next exit, turned around and headed north. There were 8 to 10 miles of cars that were behind me, still stuck. Leaving the rest stop perhaps was the best decision. I imagine some are still there.

I hit another toll plaza, and was begrudging paying another 2 bucks just on principal. The toll guy waved me through and said happy holidays.

Oh, and I missed the game, and MU lost.

I am more worried about this game getting pushed back (which would be good for me) but then I’m afraid that ESPN won’t be able to air the game…