Strollin’ into Town
28 02 2010“Well, Bucky” he said to his faithful mule standing nearby, “It’s time to git into town and stock up on a few things…”
Bucky, turned his head for a moment, acknowledging the comment that was directed at him, flicked his ears, and then returned nonchalantly to chewing on his oats.
FROM THE SENATOR WASH LTVA, a run into town proper is a trek of close to 40 miles. You can cut that down to 25 by taking the farm roads, if you’re willing to put up with the rough dirt road past Mittry Lake and getting stuck behind farm machinery. Not advisable after a heavy rain. Either way, it’s still a lot of miles round trip – a not insignificant commitment in fuel cost and time.
But, I have to do it more often than I’d like. The generator needs gas, propane tanks need filling, and there is the reefer to keep stocked. The impetus this go-round is that I’ve contracted the current-goombah-that-is-going-around and I need to stock up on my drug supply. I always like to do double duty, so I’ll empty the gas tanks into the generator and refill those while I’m out – hopefully save a trip.
Actually, I don’t have to go all the way into town – there’s an area east of town called Fortuna/Foothills that is significantly closer, and is paved highway all the way down. It’s still about 25 miles, so it still represents a pretty good investment, but it is better. There’s a big Fry’s grocery store, a laundromat, a good place to get propane, a Flying J, and a Walgreen’s, the subject of this trip.
I would rather do it in something other than the truck – a Smart Car would be just the ticket – or some other smallish vehicle that just sips gas and that I could somehow strap onto the back of the trailer. A bicycle would be even better – my usual solution when stores are nearer – but a 50 mile round trip on a bike is a pretty serious time commitment.
Besides. I’m sicker than a dog.
The truck is what I have, and the truck is what I use.
Which means burning about $10 worth of fuel per round trip.
Ouch!
