What started out as a nice recreational drive “with no particular destination” turned into a fight for survival as Arizona State University Senior Lauren Elizabeth Weinberg was found stranded with her Toyota Corolla in a heavy snowstorm in northeastern Arizona for 10 days.

Weinberg told Arizona police that she left her mother’s home in Phoenix on December 11 for a drive when she drove through a paved road that turned to dirt 46 miles south from the town of Winslow. Navigating through unfamiliar roads, the situation quickly worsened when a horrible storm unleashed several feet of snow, entombing her Corolla.

Not leaving her vehicle, and not deviating from the main road, Lauren Weinberg survived off two candy bars and snow that she melted into water by using a water bottle and placing it in the sun.

Finally, U.S. Forest Service employees reached the road on snowmobiles and found a hungry, thirsty and cold Weinberg that was coherent and happy to be found.

In a statement from the Medical Center, Weinberg says, “I am so thankful to be alive and warm. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers– they worked. At times I was afraid, but mostly I had faith that I would be found.”

[Source: USAToday]

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During last weeks blizzard that struck the U.S. Northeast, folks were advised to stay at home and driver’s were asked to only go out if absolutely necessary. But New York Times contributor Eza Dyer didn’t want to waste a minute trapped in doors. After all, he had an exotic R8 sports car on loan from Audi.

And not just any R8, but a top-of-the-line 5.2-liter V10.

Dyer decided to do a little Holiday shopping when only snow plows were out to fetch a few “necessities” like reindeer antlers for his dog and some new linens from Bed, Bath & Beyond.

It’s well worth the watch, if only to see such a high priced exotic performing admirably in such harsh weather. Dyer’s comments aren’t all that valid, as he mocks those who don’t have AWD. Although we are thankful he pointed out that the winter tires had a great deal to do with the car’s winter capability. Audi’s quattro system may be good, but it’s not going to do much in a blizzard if you’re rolling on high performance summer tires.