What does any insane person do when all flights to Hartford are cancelled because of a huge snowstorm? You drive.
When I got the text from the airline yesterday saying my flight was cancelled, and the next flight to Hartford was also canned, I asked the agent what I could do. I was told I could maybe…”maybe” catch a flight to Philly late in the afternoon and “maybe” connect to Hartford. I knew the morning flights the next day would also be cancelled, so I decided to hit the highway to avoid being stranded in an airport until Thursday. There was no snow falling yet in the Midwest or Connecticut, yet the flight was nixed anyway.
I had to miss the newscasts last night and I really missed my family so off I was on my 6 state tour.
Thanks to Connie at National Car Rental who gave me her last available car. Alamo, Budget, Avis, Hertz, and Thrifty were all sold out.
In all I spent 14 1/2 hours in a car from Kara’s hometown of Detroit to Hartford. Flurries in Michigan, heavy snow in Cleveland, and Erie, PA and all through New York State. Around 11PM as I passed through the Albany area it was perfectly dry: no snow was falling and none had. That lasted about 20 minutes then it started to really fall. My cell phone was dying and didn’t have a car charger. I did eventually get one at the gas station.
I hadn’t made the Michigan to New England drive since I lived in the Great Lakes state in the early 1990s.
It was very heavy on the Mass Pike, and I could only go 40M PH all the way to the capital city. After dropping off the rental at Bradley and getting my car I was home at 1:55AM.
Kudos to my rental Ford Fusion which was excellent in the snow. Didn’t skid once.
By the way, I got the well deserved “I told you so” from Kara, who told me to catch a flight on Monday rather than Tuesday because of the snow. I did get the last laugh because Kara had to cover the 11PM news in my absence. Hee hee.
I was in Detroit Monday for the auto show. More from my trip later. See you tonight on Eyewitness News.
Also read about one of my favorite cars: https://dennishouse.tv/2012/09/12/end-of-the-road-for-the-master-of-the-road/
Categories: Cars, Uncategorized
Dennis House blog 
I don’t blame you Dennis…….if Kara was home waiting for me I would have WALKED home!
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congrat you are now a member of the insane snow driver club glad you made it all the way safety. please next time take the sooner flight out or wait it out
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Dennis,
What were the new Hot Cars at the show? Did Buick show off a prototype of their new small car?
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Only problem is if you are a commercial driver you coul dnot drive past 11 hourts. Than you woul dhave to take 10 hours off. Driving past 11 hours is a safety issue and should apply to everyone
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Great story! welcome back Dennis!
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Your guardian angel was with you all the way on that one.
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Welcome home Dennis. Glad you are back safely. I am sure Kara and the kids are happy to have you home after traveling such treacherous roads. See you later on the news.
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WHY is most news just rivia?
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Well done Dennis. That take some determination.By the way, how was the Ford Focus on gas.
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You are so lucky to have Kara, I would have killed you! She told you to come home (Scot I’m sure told her what was coming), she had to work for you and worry for almoist 15 hrs. about the father of her children! Yet ever sweet and gracious Kara seemed so happy today it was apparent all was well in her world. You really need to start thinking twice about your actions, you have a lot of people depending on you.
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Great to Hear you made is safely back home and in a Ford Fusion!…Awesome car..I know you like Buicks…but if you ever consider a Ford…come see us at Saybrook Ford in Old Saybrook…We have Fusions in stock!!..
Glad your home and back on the air..
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Thanks! Fords are great and I plan to talk about the new ones in an upcoming blog.
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glad you got home safe.
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Dennis
Over all your time was pretty good. I currently live in Rochester NY roughly the half way point on your adventure. I am a native nutmegger living in East Granby and Bloomfield most of my life. When I go home it’s a 6 hour run. I go the car show every year via Canada that’s a 5 hour run going the lower run adds at least an hour to the trip. Considering the weather you made good time. But must have a white knuckle run with the weather. If your ever stuck like that go through Canada for the most part you don’t get the bad weather that way( as you know you need a passport) or wait it out or leave early Glad you made it home
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Dennis
Over all your time was pretty good. I currently live in Rochester NY roughly the half way point on your adventure. I am a native nutmegger living in East Granby and Bloomfield most of my life. When I go home it’s a 6 hour run. I go to the car show every year via Canada that’s a 5 hour run, going the lower run adds at least an hour to the trip. Considering the weather you made good time. But must have been a white knuckle run with the weather. If you are ever stuck like that go through Canada for the most part you don’t get the bad weather that way(as you know you need a passport) or wait it out or leave early Glad you made it home
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My husband and I are from Detroit…we have made that trip several times…..it’s long..not fun. Glad you are safe.
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HI Dennis, I have been watching you for many years….you were on the news with Gayle King…..(the best team i have ever seen) I would rush home to see you both, as it was the best part of my day….do you remember the report about a man suing…… a woman after his bachalor party…. she came behind him….and gave him a whiplash??????? with her breasts!!!!!!! The two of you were laughing soooooo hard……I thought you would never stop…..I tried to stop laughing in my chair…..cuz i thought it would help you guys stop……..the broadcast went to commercial……you and Gayle returned to the air, and tried to behave!!!!!!!! I loved you guys……and although i keep watching….it will never be the same….it was very obvious that the two of you……were just a great match!!!!!!!!
Beth
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what is moderation????? never done this before…….
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Haha nice story with a funny ending. Glad to see you got home safe to your family and us viewers!
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Hi Dennis,
Glad you are home safely. I have a new Ford Fusion & haven’t driven in the snow here in Ct. yet. I don’t have awd,,,wondering if your Fusion had that? I know some of them have awd, just wondering before I hit the slopes!!!
Thanks,Sue
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Dennis this reminds me of the time when I had relocated to ATL, Ga. The job that I had transferred to did not work out so I had to return back home to CT. The end result was that I drove from ATL, leaving at 5:00 A.M., only stopping for gas and tolls. I arrived to Hartford about 10:30 that evening; I was driving ahead of a winter storm that was expected to begin about 11:00 P.M. that night. I remember my mother’s reaction when she saw me walk through the door. About one hour after I arrived, the snow started falling, and the state was closed down for about a day. So I know exactly how you felt, there is no place like home. Glad who arrived home safely.
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