I view 4WD rather like having seat belts in the car: something I like having, but would much rather never use. Today, since I had ordered a much needed 30 bales of hay from our supplier, I decided I should drive the Subaru Forrester out to the barn under the theory that if the Subaru could get there, a ton truck with 4WD should have no trouble. With a little digging I got the Subaru there and back again several times. (I wonder if any of the neighbors noticed me driving back and forth to the barn.) I even enjoyed skidding through some of the drifts. An hour later, the hay supplier showed up and delivered the hay without difficulty.
I had errands in town, and arranged to have lunch with a friend. As I drove south on I-25, the steering wheel started to vibrate. Even though I hadn’t hit anything during my “off-road” experience, I thought maybe I had knocked a wheel off balance. Fortunately, my friend was able to pick me up at Tire World, which was apparently doing a land rush business. They were so busy that I was astonished to get a call a little past 5, saying that my car was ready. Evidently some snow had stuck inside to the wheels, causing them to seem off-balance. Oh well, the car needed an oil change anyway.
I am thrilled to have it back because there is a forecast of another significant winter storm for Colorado. I really feel sorry for those people who may catch it coming and going on their holiday travel plans.