Virtual Driving in Virginia

I'm sitting inside in Fairfax, Virginia, with a hot cup of tea staring at over two feet of snow on the ground.  The snow is falling as fast as ever during this snowstorm, no end in sight.  A snow plow came by at 4:30 this morning and one Chevy 4WD pickup went by an hour ago. I shoveled a path to the street for the tenth time and saw one car go by and two fellows in snow shoes.  I trust we will get out eventually. Maybe tomorrow. Not today.

On the way up, I found one rest stop open.  Nothing wrong with private rest stops. The coffee is generally better and the water in the lavatories warmer than public rest stops (Republican water?). The frugal can indulge their needs at minimal expense.  Somewhat amusing that the Republican candidate supported the public option.  Curious about conditions back in Galax and wishing I had maintained a Grayson Street web camera, I found the next best thing, Virginia Department of Transportation cameras at http://www.va511.org/Home.aspx?r=2

It takes a bit of wiggling - centering, zooming in - but I find my way to Fairfax County Parkway at I66.  Bleak.  Next to Stringfellow road where there is a bit of Westbound traffic and no Eastbound.  By the time I get to Manassas, the Westbound lane is clear and the Eastbound lane snow packed.  No cameras going up the hill until Exit ,and that is pretty bleak, as is Exit 6 - Front Royal. Heading down I81, conditions do not improve until South of Harrisonburg.  By the time we get to Lexington, traffic is flowing.

I'll repeat the virtual trip tomorrow before digging out and heading back to Galax.