South Dakota started using some pink stuff, like chicken grit. I think it was ground up granite or something that was readily available. So when you crossed the line from Minnesota to South Dakota, you’d go from regular color roads to pink. Put your sun glasses on.
I am as guilty as anyone of going off topic so I will play along. Where I live is mostly temperate but can experience occasional Winter horror shows such as sudden severe freezing rain. Driving around the flat town on ice is no problem if done slowly. A few years ago I was putting along to the grocery store in late December on 2 inches of snow. Our sand is crushed volcanic cinders and quite effective. As I drove past the school bus yard the street had been dutifully sanded by the city crews. Not only would the school busses have had no problems on the flat road with 2 inches of snow, the yard was closed and all busses were parked. Why? It was Christmas break and all schools were closed!!! Like your example of wet clay ground into a slurry by traffic. Ignorant government idiots!
Yesterday, we had a small winter storm that left the roads somewhat slippery, despite the fact that they had been pre-treated. At one point on a local road, I came upon a conga-line of vehicles that was traveling at–no joke–7 mph. After riding at the tail end of that caravan for a mile or so, I was finally able to see that we were all following a Honda Odyssey van that had no traffic in front of it.
Yes, it was somewhat slippery, but… 7 mph?
I do feel you @VDCdriver I was out all day and night in that storm… Performed many a Triage field repair on plow vehicles, saw many funny things as well as some real “slick” driving skills exemplified. Many light fender benders and yes a few Conga lines.
The public at large seems to need some additional training for driving in inclement weather. I’m trying to say that as nicely as I can.
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That is surely the understatement of the day!
Although we were traveling at a snail’s pace, some of the people were still driving far too close to the vehicle in front of them, and would undoubtedly have had a difficult time not hitting the car in front of them in the event of emergency braking.
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Oh yes… I have seen many many insane things since yesterday morning. The way people were driving endangered far more people and was causing more accidents…all in their attempt to drive “safer”… It was as Bass Ackwards as many vehicles were yesterday.
Oh the funny stories I could tell… OH AND I saw littering in the snow as well.
The Odyssey was probably riding on so-called all-season tires rather than winter tires. That’s what you get from people who refuse to prepare, and that’s why I carry a set of tire chains (actually cables) in my car in Florida. Besides, they’re not heavy and I can use them in mud if I have to.
… or she could have been driving on bald tires. On a regular basis, I am shocked by the condition of some of the tires that I see as I walk through parking lots.
I hate to keep bringing this up but the news reported on the snow blower sales yesterday from one multi-store hardware outfit, in Minneapolis. 250 snow blowers sold in one day. Yep, it’s a little snowy here. Last year they sold 500 all year. Makes it hard to know how many to buy pre-season, when the orders are placed and the plants crank up production.
But to keep it related, I think we should open up a winter driving school for all those folks that don’t dare drive over 7 mph. It could be attached to the Mall of America. Come shop, take in the water slides, and then take in the winter test track, all in one week end package.
Snow blowers, snow shovels and road salt have huge big upturns in sales when it’s stormy.
Back in Feb/Mar 2015 here in NH we had a 4 week period of storm after storm after storm. In a 4 week period we had 90" of snow. The stores couldn’t keep the blowers in stock. People were waiting in line every day at Home Depot and Lowes to buy a snow blower. One genius drove to West Virginia and bought all the blowers he could then resold them at 2x MSRP back in MA and NH.
First snow blower I bought was in July. I knew I’d need one once winter hit. Didn’t want to wait and end up having to shovel my 120’ driveway. And of course that winter we had so little snow I never even used it. But at least I had it for the next winter.
I just realized I haven’t shoveled snow in 34 years.
I think CSA has a bad influence on this forum. with regards to rub it into our noses about how wonderfull life is in Florida 
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Well haven’t you heard? If you’ve got it FLAUNT IT. If I ever get anything I sure will.
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Oh man, now I really need an “I hate” button on this forum. 
Well, not really. There is already a lot of disgracefull animosity and bad tone going on here allready.
Even among well respected members of this forum.
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Well, you won’t be romping through the snow drifts on your ATV, pulling the kids on a saucer behind it, walking out to your pond and skating or a myriad of other fun outdoor activities in the snow. So there!
BTW, there is no grilling season. I just fired some steaks on the grill the other night in the snow. Came inside with about a 1/2" of fresh snow on my head. Grilled steak smell wafting through the frozen air…
We have indoor ice rinks to skate on.
What a shame that you had to waste all that heat. If you had cooked them on an electric grill or indoor gas grill, that heat could be pulling double duty. That’s why I don’t grill outdoors in cold weather, and that’s why there is a grilling season, because there is no harm in heating up the kitchen in cold weather. Cooking outdoors in warm weather means my air conditioner doesn’t have to do battle with my stove.
We use to be able to that in our town. But for the past 5-10 years the ponds don’t freeze long enough to attempt walking on them. We might have a up to a week that kids can skate on them. 10 years ago we use to have hockey games many weekends and after school.
And we have indoor pools. We also have indoor ice rinks. It’s not the same as being outdoors and enjoying the fresh air…
It’s generating heat whenever it runs. So even when grilling in the summer, there’s the same amount of wasted heat/energy/whatever. I’m not a fanatic about conserving propane. I spend maybe $40 a year on grill propane. A minuscule amount compared to heating the house. In the noise band, in fact.
What’s all this heating up the kitchen talk? My entire house is 72 degrees year round. Putting in more heat from the stove just means it’s hotter in there than I want.
BTW- electric costs are no bargain here. The propane is probably cheaper… Not to mention, I’m not grilling anything over an electric plate or burner- that’s BROILING and a sacrilege. 
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I’m east of you, closer to the coast. They were running ice studded motorcycles and ATVs around on a local pond (about 10-20ft deep max) a couple weeks back- it has about 6" of ice. As you mentioned recent seasons have been shorter than years past but even this year, we have been skating on my pond (5ft max) since mid-December. It’s a pain to keep the ice nice but worth it for the kids. Helps it’s surrounded by woods and only in the sun part of the day…