Everyone has different transportation needs and levels of comfort on rough driveways, or roads. Last week, our driveway screamed for attention through unfortunate circumstances. There really isn’t a road budget available in our finances this spring, so I’m trying to make lemonade from the lemons (ruts ) in the road with sweat an no money.
We have been driving in now for a month now, and don’t really expect any driveway adventures until
Well, it happened again. Just driving along minding my own business then, pop! ping, ping, ppthff, and my ride fizzled to a stop. It was Sunday afternoon and I was on my way to briefly drop off some new customer equipment. But now I was a couple miles short and thinking about my backup plan. You know
Year after year the weather on the mountain never ceases to surprise me. You may live or have plans to live somewhere in the “mountains” and should always be prepared for surprise. Mountain weather can change quickly its always best to be prepared, or else have a healthy attitude about quick changes. I think it was Clint Eastwood’s character in Heartbreak Hill, who said, “You’re a marine, we Adapt, Improvise and Overcome!“
Part of living in a beautiful remote location is taking care of the “entrance” fees. The snow is gone, the mud is drying up, and we can drive our 4WD Jimmies all the way up to the house now. I’m never fond of mud season at all. Since we live near a popular summer vacation destination, Lake Chelan, we know many “snow birds” as we call them. They stay here during the balmy summer months, and head south for the winter (typically to Arizona). I don’t really envy that at all because winter has a beauty all its own! I’d consider becoming a “mud bird” if it were practical. You know, live somewhere else for about 4 weeks a year when the snow melts, welcoming mud season, and travel is a challenge. Alas, we have animals to care for, kids to school, and most importantly, no budget for this imagined yearly pilgrimage.
When purchasing your off grid property, the access road, or “driveway” is a priority right up there with the water question. It takes planning and resources to get some road work projects completed before your move. This will pay great “travel rewards” for many years, however, these projects are always expensive by their nature. Unfortunately, that was not our situation, and “getting home” is too often a challenge.
This year’s mud season is shaping up to be interesting, but not too difficult.
Hindsight is always 20/20 vision. When you’re evaluating a property for your remote off grid home, foresight is the best. Don’t make that big commitment by signing on the dotted line before you consider this short list. Eyes wide open is the best way to move forward in a predictable way. [whew! I can't believe I got so many cliches in the previous sentences. 
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In our recent email poll, Joe Schmidt asked, “Do you have stories or articles about your home and property construction?” Well lets move that direction with purchasing a remote property. Anyway, here’s the list I have so far:
The way Down (note little chicken on right side)
Don’t you just hate it when you loose something of value? Especially when that loss means a lot more work and a greater delay getting home? Last night we had one of “those” nights coming home. Jackie and I loaded up the cargo sled for town since we needed gas for the generator, propane for my office heat, and 3 bags of laundry. The key decision was made when I told her, “yes, lets take both snowmobiles.” even though everything fit on the cargo sled. The non-hauling sled is the newer fun and fast Polaris XLT that is my treat for all the extra winter chores.
Our cargo sled, many years of use and abuse, many memories. Like the time I was goofing off on it while Jackie drove, and I fell off in the snow. Jackie didn’t look back much and stopped for me a mile later. The times we slowly hauled 6 people on it to go sledding. Anyway, this video provides good information about what to look for in a cargo sled and what to expect taking care of it.
Notes for the video:
“Ok. Jackie, kids, I think its time to wait outside the rig, I don’t think it or the snow is too stable!”, I heard myself saying New Year’s afternoon. I keep swearing to myself that this won’t happen again. Another year and another incident on the “washboard” with snow. At least this year it wasn’t dark, but unfortunately I wasn’t alone, so my family got to witness the sometimes frightening madness.
There are many skills that are helpful living in a remote setting. Some you have, some you can develop, and others its good to get help. When it comes to snowmobiles, I know enough to run them, commute with them and get them unstuck in heavy snow, but not always how to fix them.
There’s a lot of wear and tear on these machines when we use them at the end of the season,
