She knows.
Somehow, no matter how hard I try not to send signals that we’re about to “go for a ride in the truck,” my Redneck Malinois knows what’s up. Such was the case Wednesday morning, when she yipped and whined and shadowed my every move. For hours.
(Maybe she read yesterday’s blog post.)
The road down The Mountain was in good shape, thanks to Jeff’s plowing and despite a hard freeze overnight. The subdivision road had itself been plowed by the county, and traction wasn’t an issue.
The paved county road, though, was sketchy as hell. The steepest uphill grades were brined and cleared, for the most part, but the rest of it, including descending grades and curves, were packed snow and glare ice.
I was in no rush. I adjusted my pace and enjoyed the wintry scenery.
No traffic. No problem.
State Route 14 and US Route 62 were clear and dry. Most businesses’ parking lots, however, like Harps, hadn’t received enough attention before their surfaces became ice-packed moonscapes.
Snow removal isn’t really a thing in Ozarkansas. When we do get snow, more than a few inches, that shows.
I was curious to see if the Silverado would struggle to find grip on the way back up The Mountain. Going down was easy. Climbing the grade to the crest might be a different story.
I switched the transfer case out of AWD and into 4H at the base of the grade and shifted into low gear. The truck didn’t miss a beat.
Our road is narrow to begin with. Now it’s even narrower. If my pickup happened to be a dually, the rears be riding up onto one snow bank or the other.
Some folks might find traveling a track like that, under these or any conditions, just to get home, unpleasant at best, intolerable at worst. For me, it’s part of what makes this place perfect.
I turned Smudge loose in the woods again yesterday. She’s found her place, her rhythm. She gets to be the Heeler she was born to be.
Both of us, each in our own way, did some tracking in the soft snow. Smudge and her nose were content to follow squirrels. I spotted evidence of deer, mice and rabbits, even a bobcat.
Times like that are why I get out of bed in the morning. It’s so very simple — exploring this snowy woodland with my dog.
I never have to wonder why I’ve been given the gift of one more day.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable