It's started snowing here about2 hours ago. We are supposed to get 12" this weekend. Temps drop to single digits, and negative temps on Monday. This is on top of about 2 inches of ice. Actually, the snow may help a bit, as the pickup was getting a bit squirrely around corners on the ice. The ice doesn't get stay as slick when it gets cold. The snow stays powdery too, so it won't compact as much.

Got all the foul weather gear packed up. Gotta go in to work tomorrow morning, so will have to run the snow thrower in the driveway before we leave. I still have some shopping to do, but the brakes are grinding, so maybe I'll take it in to see if the pads need replaced.

Time to stay hydrated. This cold the air gets quite dry. Fortunately, I know where all the good burger joints are between here and work, so if things get out of control, I shouldn't go hungry. LOL

Out of pure curiosity, are studded snow tires available/legal where you are?

Many years ago, I used to use them on my old Buick, and they worked well, but local laws did away with them due to excessive "wear" on the roads. Hence I now drive a Subaru AWD.

But IMO, on a truck, on ice, they still should be a big help if they are available/legal.

Ben, I hope you have a wee stove tucked away somewhere, so you can fix a a nice bowl of oatmeal instead of those burgers - much better for the cholesterol level.

Yes, studs are legal in winter in Alaska.

They were standard winter wear for me when I was driving a pick-up. I kept them mounted on a pair of plain rims and changed them out myself at the start of the season. The regular tires & rims went into the back for the extra weight.

Available and legal. Last spring we got to keep them on till mid May. Both my rigs are 4wd and I have studded tires all the way around. Even on the ice I was able to go and stop pretty well. But I am mindful not to be too confident in this weather. We have 14 inches so far, and it looks like it will snow into the morning. Then it will start getting cold.

Harder to keep the oatmeal in the bun. LOL

After running the snowthrower, we ordered burgers with the works, and a side of chili cheese fries. A can of single engine red beer to wash it down, but it was almost too much for me. I had to forego the cookies for dessert.

My cholesterol has been so high for the past 10 years it is unreadable. I think the last time they were able to read it, it was something like 430. They tried to do a lab work up on me a couple years ago, and the report read like I was about to die. I went home and did a 600 Kcal workout on the elliptical.

Grandad ate eggs and sausage and biscuits for breakfast almost every day. He rolled and smoked cigarettes, chewed tobacco, and was at least 50 lbs overweight all the time I knew him. He lived to 84, had a heart attack, and passed away an hour later. I don't reckon I will make it that long, but if I can get another 10 years or so, I will die a happy man, having lived a full life.

Me thinks Alaska is probably a great place to live with your high cholesterol. Research actually says cholesterol is a number since it's big function is too cover and protect damaged areas along your arteries. Some of this damage is caused by chlorine and flouride (in our drinking water).

Just a number to me.

Everybody gotta die sometime, Red. If the cholesterol don't git me, something else surely will.

I would think a Subaru w/Snow Tires would just about be the ultimate "on-road" snow vehicle. It has a low center of gravity, good ground clearance and a great AWD system. Some of the new AWD systems utilize the brakes from side to side to simulate "lockers" as well. Not at strong as the real thing, but from some of the videos I've seen, they works well to get you unstuck.