Well, this was supposed to be a wrap up of some of the familial Christmas festivities with photos, and I was going to do it up real good which required a replenishment of smokes. But it's freezing outside, it snowed a couple of inches today, and it turns out the roads are pure ice. And I'm about 500 feet up the side of the hills from the ville. I can handle snow and ice. I grew up in it and learned to drive in it early. But not everybody is so able, though many 'round these parts are. I took the long way down, as it's not as steep. Doing fine, then I come to one of the steeper areas and in front of me in a small SUV nose into the ditch, blocking the road. When on ice, it's important not to do anything sudden, whether with the brakes or steering. Not possible. There was little space to get around, which with ice made it a too risky proposition. Couldn't stop quickly. Tried, but then began to slide. I took the ditch without a second thought about it. I stopped. No damage. Luckily, it was a shallow ditch, wide...