This past weekend we traveled from Jefferson, IA, to Winona, MN, to visit my wife's family.  On Thursday much of the midwest was preparing for a big blizzard.  It did not hit us very hard in Jefferson so when we left Friday after work the roads were fine.  The roads were fine until we got between Ames and Clear Lake where you could start to see more build up on the roads.  Between Clear Lake and Albert Lee it was completely covered with ice.  We were going 4 mph near the Albert Lee exit due to trucks not being able to climb even the smallest of hills.  The entire trip normally takes 3 hours and 45 minutes but this trip took over 5 1/2 hours!  The drive up there was not fun at all but the next morning was worth it because it was blue skies and a lot of snow on the trees. When the snow fell, it was a heavy wet snow that accumulated on the trees and the sub freezing temperatures kept the snow on the trees making a great combination for some unique winter photographs.  I spent 3 hours in the morning driving around and taking pictures.  I am sure I looked goofy as I was driving with the sunroof open and both windows down while it was only 10° outside!  The following are some of my best ones as it was extremely hard to narrow them down so I hope you enjoy. 

IMG_5250 This one was taken right outside of my in-law's house in Winona.  Then I started up Highway 17 towards Witoka. 

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I thought my lens was distorted but I think the tree actually was crooked. 

IMG_5303 All of the trees look like they were frosted but it actually heavy wet snow that stuck to the trees and then was frozen on due to the extremely cold temperatures. 

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IMG_5353 IMG_5374 Here you can see the hood of the car as I was taking these pictures out of the sunroof.  Yes it was really cold (10° and going 40mph) but the shots made it worth it.  All of these were taken with a 12-24mm wide angle lens so I could include everything in the scene.

IMG_5377 IMG_5389 IMG_5426 IMG_5442 IMG_5458 Here I held the camera back and behind my head with a 12-24mm wide angle lens in order to view my view from the inside of the car. 

IMG_5485 IMG_5507 IMG_5511 IMG_5517 IMG_5527 IMG_5559 After I ventured off the main road I started to take some back country roads.  It got a little sketchy as the roads were not plowed but I was glad I had all wheel drive to get me through the snow.

IMG_5604 IMG_5650 IMG_5707 IMG_5708 IMG_5711 Probably one of my favorites as this area were tucked back in a valley so the trees were all untouched and having the barn in the frame definitely helps. 

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All in all I drove over 50 miles and had a great morning photographing the beautiful scenery.  If we would have know how bad the roads were driving up from Jefferson we would not have made the trip but I am sure glad that we did because got some great shots.