EMERGENCY RISK REDUCTION

After arriving to Rosemeade Farm near Victoria BC in late October and quarantining, I had decisions to make. Fortunately, most boxes were packed in early summer. Unfortunately, I had to repack some, because I could not carry them all. I had considered hauling a trailer but am glad that I did not. Also, I was to be at Rosemeade Farn for some weeks so needed items out of the boxes. Another decision was what to do with my trusty 1954 Ferguson tractor and loader.

I began sorting thru boxes, The quandaries included:  1) throw out or give away to Salvation Army; 2) rebox and store in Rudlin garage; 3) box, label, and load into Tundra; 4) leave items in apartment for my son to use.  Sheldon was coming off of quarantine and the wildfire season and moved into Rosemeade for some weeks. He was keen to find a Sprinter van to ‘camperize’ and soon after, flew to Toronto to look at one, and if suitable, would drive it back to Victoria.

Meanwhile, I began my reboxing – a time-consuming task. I also slyly visited with some buddies out the back gate. Also, in answer to prayer, I found a local buyer for the Ferguson, a neighbor so close that I drove it over.  Sheldon had settled on a Sprinter and headed back from Ontario.  Unfortunately in Salmon Arm, BC, the engine’s serpentine belt broke. Ultimately four parts, seven days, and $1000+ later the Sprinter was fixed.  The van finally arrived Rosemeade farm early November.  He immediately began doing the renovations. I enjoyed helping him, with putting on solar panels, purchasing wood and insulation, etc. but was also busy packing the Tundra.

A priority was visiting with my daughter as was possible – several lunches and chores around her apartment. It was a sad day to say goodbye to both Sheldon and Rachel, but it was already mid-November.  I needed to get across the Rockies before the snows, and was unsure which route to take. I had decided to remain largely on Interstate. The Tundra was finally packed. I had 60ish boxes on the passenger side, back seats, and bed…including a wood burning stove. Yes, the Tundra was heavy. I prayed it would make this trip.

First came a stop near the Peace Arch to drop a dog agility see-saw for Rachel’s friend. This turned into a pain, because the tarp became a wind kite! I had to drove slowly. The Peace Arch was eerily quiet this Sunday mid-afternoon. I honestly thought it was closed! Finally I saw one distant gate open. No other vehicle in sight! The border guards were very nice. I showed them the manifest of boxes and contents. They had every right to look thru any and all boxes, and after a short chat, said, ‘Have a good and safe trip home’.  I was shocked! After filling with cheaper fuel on the US side, I was my way!

Then the rain started. I tucked in the tarp and kept going. South on I5, I decided to turn left on I90 and head toward Idaho. Because of the heavy load, I was resigned to travel interstate as possible during the trip east. In general, flatter terrain and lower passes thru the Rockies. I knew I was cutting close the early-winter season in the mountains.  My first snow was thru Shonomish Pass east of Seattle. Those expensive Michelin tires were worth every penny. Traveling past Spokane, I thought of summer basketball camp trips with Sheldon at Gonzaga University. My next snow was at the pass between Idaho and Montana. I headed south along the Divide Mountains in Montana, taping my headlight lens with hockey tape at a rest stop… where a man stopped and asked if I was ok.  Good Montanan! I entered southern Idaho, sleeping in the cab in Idaho Falls, where the town square fountain was covered in ice. Chilly!  Continuing south, I entered Utah, passing beautiful formations, and skirted Ogden, turned east. The forecast called for snow, which was ahead of me.  I soon passed thru southern Wyoming, then south into Colorado, passing thru Fort Collins and on to Denver.  Fresh snow was on the ground.

I suddenly realized that, since the rains at the Peach Arch border above Seattle, I had been traveling in the cozy comfort of a weather front. About half the time, I was either in showers or snow! This continued as I travelled east out of Denver. Heavy rains near Salinas, Kansas.  Across Missouri without incident. The Tundra was still doing great. I cleared St. Louis, again seeing the Arch. This city was one of my only crossing points both eastward and westward. Otherwise I took completely different routes.

I trucked across Illinois, north of the Ohio River. Then into Indiana and Kentucky. I crossed the Ohio on a steel girder bridge in Louisville, at night and during a heavy downpour. No fun.  I headed south, then decided to swing east to Lexington, passing signs for Bourbon whiskey distilleries.  Wooden fences seemed the theme. Sleeping in a nearby parking lot, I visited an equestrian park early Thursday morning, then headed south thru lovely valleys in Tennessee, past Knoxville and east to Asheville, North Carolina.

I arrived at the cabin in Saluda NC  mid-afternoon, Thanksgiving Day — exhausted but thankful for safe travels. My only regret was that my children had not been with me. The trip took four days. My memories were of a large, wide, breathtaking, beautiful, and diverse nation. One that is worth preserving at any cost.  

With this in mind, I will backtrack in my next post to the events in November and possible repercussions.

Thanks for reading.