A newly found downside of living off the grid….getting out alive. I decided to make a run to the ranch. Get my boat, a 275 gallon water container, BBQ grill and some weatherizing supplies there. Still snow on the ground but looked like it might have got just a little more. Some had definitely melted. There were some slick muddy puddles on the dirt road. I worked my way around a few and stuck the truck in 4wheel drive to get to the top of the mesa. Slipped and slide my way to the Ranch. I had some weight so it didn’t seem that bad.
I had left early in the morning and drove mostly before sun up. Went to Home Depot and talked to one of the associates for about 45 minutes. He told me rodents are a problem and I should make sure to prepare for them. He also told me they expected an inch of snow that day and the next. I wasn’t to concerned. When I was up there I unloaded the boat. Did I say I went alone? Yes, I did. I had bought a truck crane and had to modify it a little to get the grill off, but got it done. Put gas and oil in my brand new generator and 3 cranks it purred like a kitten. Hooked the power to the trailer and opened the slide-out. Plugged in the space heater and took the chill off. I think I would need to get 3 of those going to get it warm. Checked the lights and entertainment system. YES, I got a good radio station and had the trailer rocking. Come about 5pm I heard some noise and looked outside….snow. Damn, almost sunset, couldn’t get the furnace running. I needed to get out of there or be stuck. It took a little time to put the generator and things away. Hopped in the truck and took off.
As I started to go down the road in front of the Ranch, I could tell things weren’t the same. Less weight and a little more thawing and the road was a lot muddier. Snow blowing, sun going down and I just started my 12 mile trip of the mud road. Now its dark and my fingernails have made dents in my steering wheel. This is bad. If I get stuck it could be miles to get any help and it is below freezing out. I talked very nicely to my truck. I was definitely worried, OK, scared. I knew for sure I wasn’t going to make it. It must have been all those things I promised my truck, but I made it to the highway. I kissed my truck. I was tired and I wasn’t about to make the 4 hour trip to Phoenix. I decided to hotel it in Showlow. Damn near didn’t make it there. At places it was snowing so hard I couldn’t see in front of me. 60 miles. I made it…a nice dinner and rest. Thank you God….and Brownie (My Truck)