EMERGENCY RISK REDUCTION

Finally, I was at a stopping point with the cabin repairs. Not that there wasn’t plenty more to do, but frankly, I was tired. Tired of the cabin; tired of the isolation (even with the WuFlu); tired of the political hacks incessantly on the radio. It was time for a road trip westward….to Vancouver Island.

An important note is that during my 20 years in Canada and many visits to family in the Carolinas, I have only gone by air  – many trips by flying, but had never driven cross-country from “corner to corner”. This would be a new experience.  Only one problem: I didn’t have a pickup. My sister Becky and David graciously let me use their 1997 Dodge Ram during the repairs, especially hauling old shingles. But this might not make the long trip, and certainly not comfortably.

I had done some research (my son says too much) and was looking online. I finally decided on a full-sized truck — and that Toyota Tundras had a high reliability rating. Challenges: the Tundra is expensive, and old ones in acceptable shape are difficult to find, especially within a reasonable distance. As a person of faith, I said a prayer, and then began seriously looking, knowing that I must do my part.  That very evening, about 11PM, I went online and saw a posting that was only one hour old, for a 2005 Tundra within my price range…and only 40 minutes away!  I spent three more hours researching this model, and possible issues with the 2005 model. At 4AM, I sent a text to the seller, offering to drive to see it the next morning. Then, with a sense of peace, I slept. At 8AM, I got a text reply, and we arranged for 11AM to meet. I left early, withdrew cash money from the bank, and drove to his place near Spartanburg.

Has it ever happened that you see something and immediately know it is meant to be? This was the case with the Tundra. I knew I would buy it before even driving it. Mechanically it looked solid. The interior was in very good shape. The exterior needed work – tires and some painting. It had been in a front-end accident.  But most things could wait. Within a couple of hours, I had what looked like a reliable pickup for a cross-country trip to British Columbia.  The major after-purchase purchase was new Michelin tires, for the various weather I would encounter.

I continued with tasks around the cabin, as well as preparing for the trip. Also in the schedule was the possibility to rendezvous with my son, Sheldon, who fights wildfires in BC in the summers. His unit had been deployed into Oregon to assist with some of the western US fires, and I was keen to meet up with him on my way into British Columbia.  As the month came to a close, he found out that his unit would go back to Canada and stand down. So if we met, it would be north of the border.

I didn’t really have a route mapped out. Rather kept my ‘compass’ going either West or North. I took off with some camping gear and snacks into parts unknown. I did want to see a few sights on my way out with an empty pickup, knowing that I would be laden down with boxes on my return trip east in November. I had no estimate of the days, states I would cross, and weather I would face. So here I go, with an untested Tundra and a few maps. Well, as long as the radio and heater work, I should be ok.

Trip highlights on the next blog. Thanks for reading. Be well.