There’s not much that I like about winter. I don’t snowmobile or ski. If I want to ice skate, I can do that at the Crystal Ice House in Crystal Lake, and they have ice year round. I enjoy driving but even this is less of a pleasure in the winter.

What’s wrong with driving in the winter? How about having to clean snow and ice off your windows before you go anywhere? How about the slush and salt spray that coats your vehicle in a gray haze? Oh, and then you have the other drivers who either panic at the sight of snow and drive 20 mph below what is required by conditions or the 4-wheel driver who thinks his truck is invincible and tries to prove it by tailgating in the most horrendous driving conditions.

For all these reasons, driving in the winter just doesn’t seem to hold the same appeal as driving on a nice, sunny summer day. Once in a while, however, winter throws a curve. Such was the case about a week ago after we had a small winter storm. I was driving down Bull Valley Road between Woodstock and McHenry and came across the most amazing sight.

The winter spectacle that greeted my eyes was incredible. As though Mother Nature had carefully painted each branch of each tree to match a blanket of snow on the ground, the world was transformed into a thing of wonder.

My first thought was, “Boy, I wish I had my camera.” Then it occurred to me, “I do have my camera.”

Reaching to the backseat, I pulled out my Nikon, popped off the cap and snapped some shots without looking through the lens as I drove (I figured I’d better keep my eyes on the road while driving). A couple times, I stopped and snapped a particularly nice shot.

I tried, with limited success, to take pictures without other cars in the frame. I wanted shots focused on nature’s scenery.

If my timing was a little better, I’d have come upon this scene before dozens of cars had transformed the white blanket on the pavement into a dark gray slush. But, the scene was inspiring all the same and I’ve shared one of those photos here for you today.

I believe that driving in the winter is more often a matter of necessity than in the summer. Scenes, such as these, however, remind me that driving in the winter does have potential benefits, too. Of course, I drive in the winter with confidence because I’ve done a good job of maintaining my vehicle. For that, I rely on Performance Unlimited, the auto repair shop in Ringwood, to keep me safely on the road.

In a way, I have the outstanding auto repair technicians at Performance Unlimited to thank for the opportunities to drive through a winter panorama such as the one I saw on Bull Valley Road the other day. And I can also thank them that, when I drive in the winter, I do so with confidence because I know my car is well cared for and ready for the season.

For more information about Performance Unlimited, call 815-728-0343 or visit www.4performanceunlimited.com.