I woke hours later, and the white clouds were now gray and hanging low to the ground, the tops of the mountains had disappeared from sight. The air was cold and the wind was blowing with great howls. It must be almost dark, I thought, so I started to pick up my paints, and canvas, along with the blue sheet and sleeping bag and headed for the van. With everything inside the van I put the key in the switch and turned the key, but not a sound did it make. I panicked; I had to be out by dark. The ranger said so. Maybe he will come through and check to see who is left. They have all the people’s names and what kinds of cars we drove, or do they! Oh! Dear had I left the lights on or the door open? What must I do? My cell phone won’t pick up a signal strong enough to call the auto club!
I said to myself, “stay calm you can take care of this.” I got out and looked under the hood, but all looked well. As I was getting back into my car to try again; I saw snowflakes falling. This can’t be happening to me! It’s too early in the fall for this! This just doesn’t happen! Well! Boys, this was happening! I tried the car again, and again I bumped the cables. I did everything I knew to do. Then, with the snow hurling down, I decided that the house was the place to be instead of the car I could not crank to stay warm.
So I carried everything up the hill and into the house.
Then I looked around at the possibilities and decided that before the snow got too deep, it was time to gather all the wood I could find before dark. I loaded the porch with every small stick of wood I could find. The wind and snow was, now coming down in thick sheets and I was starting to shiver. As cold as I was there was one last thing I had to bring from the van; the rope, I would need if I have to go outside in this storm.
When I got back to the cabin I saw two buckets hanging on the porch, so I tied the rope around my waist and the other end to the porch post and headed down to the pool at the bottom of the falls, I filled the two pails and carried them back to the house. I might need the water to put out the fire if the chimney doesn’t draw or if there is a crack in the pipe.
I checked the little stove to see if it would draw by placing a small amount of wood and straw inside and lit it, the smoke rose up through the chimney like the mist in the morning. So, with this on my side, I proceeded to add small amounts of wood to the fire, hoping all was well.
It was now time to set up house-keeping until the ranger found me or the winters’ grip loosened and allowed me to leave this valley. I had sat many times looking at a painting by Larry Dodson, of a cabin like this, it left me wishing I could stay and visit with the mountains and waterfalls. Well! Here is my chance; not what I planned thought! There is no warm sun kissing the mountains and warming the valley I now am marooned in.
I moved the table over to the center of the room so when I sat down to eat I would not have to feel the wind from the window. Then I got a glass of water and put it on the table; that way it will let me know if it gets down to freezing in here. The stove is so small I think it best to just, keep a small fire; I don’t know what kind of shape the chimney is in. This way the ranger will see the smoke and send help or come, himself.
The bed looked interesting; wooden boards and some hay, and not much of that. It looks like something has been using it for a bed. Have I invaded something’s home? That was the question. And was it still using it at night! With that window broken, anything could come in. I got out the blue sheet, and spread it over the bed to cover the straw, and went to get my sleeping bag.