Thanks to all of you who have commiserated me with your stories.  I
appreciate them and feel better about it.  I do have to admit that my
hubris played a part in my 'off-road' expedition.  You see I come from
New Hampshire originally and driving in the snow, ice and any other bad
weather was nothing to me.  Usually, the snow banks were so high on the
sides of the roads that you almost couldn't hurt yourself or your
vehicle.  I used to laugh at or curse Massachusetts drivers who
attempted to drive in my state!

Now that I am in Colorado, I have learned that the snow is much
different than the snow in NH.  It seems to be a little 'slipperier' and
there is less of it.  So, thinking that I knew everything, that I could
react quickly enough and that I had a good Vanagon around me, that
nothing was going to get me off the road.  I have been humbled, big
time!

Vanagon + poor tires + snow = the great equalizer