I lost power at exactly this time last week. Sitting in the dark while I played out a dozen different scenarios in my head of “what’s your plan if the shit hits the fan?”

I got my family up so we could all be in the same room just in case we needed to get out of dodge. We aren’t in any sort of flood zone, we live on a hill my biggest worry were trees and high wind. My camping trailer is parked in a position to where I can get out in 2 minutes. I can pack every needed resource in that trialer to last us 2 weeks except for water. 10 days of water.

Quick fyi here’s something you don’t really think about until you have to – water is heavy. I have enough vessels to carry 30 gallons of water. That’s around 250 lbs when you include the carriers. Don’t over estimate the payload of your vehicle with people, pets, luggage, gas cans, food etc. If you aren’t careful you’ll have your belongings broke down on the side of the road. I drive a Toyota Tacoma. My payload is around $1000 lbs. That’s really not a lot. Water would take 25% of that. My camper shell which I bought because it was aluminum and lighter is around 150 lbs. Sure that’s the safe number and you could probably add another 200lbs but I wouldn’t push it. My truck can pull 4500 lbs but I’d rather it didnt. My trailer weighs 1700 lbs. it’ll hold another 1700. My camping storage and tent weigh around 400 lbs. awning is 80.

I have a 14 gallon gas can on wheels I’d put on the back of my trailer hitch which would add another 125 lbs ish and my trailer rack can hold up to 200 lbs. My Tacoma gets only 10 miles to the gallon when I pull that trailer.

Full tank and back up I can leave my house and drive a good distance before worrying about gas. Real bad scenario I add 2 more 5 gallon containers. I have room for it.

If it’s get the family and pets and get the fuck out of dodge I forgo the trailer and we can drive as far as Little Rock without stopping.

If you had asked me for these equations last month I could’ve given you this same answer just as fast.

I’m not prepared for everything but I’m prepared for anything.

My first mini catastrophe. I fell short on butane, gas containers and certain food provisions. Also my one water filter is in pieces and I’m sure I’m missing a thing or two. I procrastinated on water filtration. That won’t happen again. My generator is just right for camping but lacks a little for household. Not sure if I want to purchase another one but I’m thinking about it. A fan would’ve been nice. I got lucky with propane. I’m keeping a record on how long it takes to go through s green canister of propane. First one lasted right at 4 days. I used it for coffee and a few meals. The butane in my grill is the only one I have. It may have enough for a hotdog. Also real quick don’t rely on butane if you’re in weather below 32°. Propane is much lower boiling point. Isobutane will work in much cooler conditions too. I actually found this out the hard way trying to make coffee in Cortez, CO while freezing my ass off.

Lighting for the home I have a half dozen Luci solar lights that work great. I grab them all up at 8am and leave them out in direct sunlight until 7. We’ve been fortunate to have clear skies all week. Two of my solars have charging ports so I can charge them with a battery if needed. I also have a battery operated latern. As of right now I haven’t had to use any valuable power to use them. It’ll be overcast today so I may only be able to use two of them.

I get REI gift cards for my birthday every year so I try to purchase things I wouldn’t necessarily buy for myself due to cost. I always shop in the return section. REI accepts returns all the way up to a year with no questions asked. Some asshats take full advantage of that and will buy something and “rent it” for one use and return it to get their money back. I take full advantage of the returns. I bee line to that section when I walk in. Rarely do I pay full price for anything. They also send out deals to members and you get a return on your purchases every year. I bought a Ecoflow battery for a very reasonable price.

I also have an old goal zero battery that can be used to charge all of our phones all day.

And it has.

My daily power routine is full generator up at 8am and hook up the fridge and Ecoflow. The battery can fully charge in 80 minutes. I haven’t had it below 60% all week. It’s a lithium battery so the shelf life lasts longer if it’s used sparingly. I cut the generator off in the middle of the afternoon to give it some air and then give it another pull at 5 until 10 then she’s shut down for the night. The fridge can keep cool for most of the night but I still put the important food items in coolers with ice over night and then transfer. The power outage gives me around 1.5 hours of extra chores a day. I don’t mind. It takes my mind off things and that’s important for my mental health.

We have natural gas water heater so we’ve been fortunate enough to have hot water. My deli does too.

Probably would’ve bought more candles. I really didn’t think we’d be out for a week. That’s another plan of action. Plan for the worst not plan for inconvenience.

I’ve been trying to push my camping life out of my head. It’s not been easy. This isn’t a hobby for me it’s a part of my lifestyle. Leaf season has been around taken away from all of us. Parkway has been shut down indefinitely.

I’m fine

Deli will open today for a few hours. I have to watch the temps inside. I don’t perform as well under sweltering heat like I used to. How long can you sit in a sauna? 4 hours? 10/10 don’t recommend.

The big trucks keep getting closer so that’s encouraging.

I’ll be playing the “let’s see what we can make with what we have” all weekend. Some things I can’t get from the grocery store.

Man if I hope I come home to some electricity after work today but regardless I’m thankful for what I have at the moment. WNC has been on my mind all week.