So, this past week has been really hectic for Brandon at work. One thing after another, after another, and when it seems that things are slowing down, something else is thrown in his lap. So, he came home from work yesterday and told me he wanted us to go for a drive so he could relax. So, we packed up the kids in the truck, picked up some fried chicken from Smith's and headed up Logan canyon.
We were headed towards Old Ephraims grave. I know, that sounds weird. Let me explain: Old Ephraim was a HUGE bear - standing almost 10 feet tall - that was terrorizing farmers and eating their cattle and sheep in the early 1900's. A man named Frank Clark decided to track him down. He followed him for 20 some-odd years before he was finally able to track him down and kill him. Old Ephraim is the stuff legends are made of. There's a statue up there standing over his grave where Frank Clark killed him.
So, we were going up there. Brandon had to be back by 6:45 for some appointments at the church, so we ate in the truck so we wouldn't have to stop and pull out dinner on the way. (Good stuff, by the way.) Anyway, we were in the canyon and off on the road where Old Ephraim was killed when . . . the truck died. We tried to start it again, but it wouldn't start. We had a full tank of gas, it wasn't over heated, the gauges were fine, no fuses were blown, everything was connected where it was supposed to connected . . . There was no logical reason why the truck wouldn't start.
So, Brandon put the truck in neutral, and backed up (yes, I said backed up) down this little pot-holed, gravely, mountain road. We got a ways back, but he stopped because not having power brakes is a bit stressful. So, as we were sitting there, some motorcyclists come along and ask if they can help. We asked them to follow us down to a place where we could get the truck turned around. So, we continued backing up until Brandon saw a place, and then whipped the truck back into it. He tried starting the truck again - and it started. We said thanks to the two guys, and got started back towards home.
But, then, the truck died - again. Only this time, it wouldn't start going again. So, we coasted down the mountin and made it almost to the highway before the truck wouldn't roll anymore. So, we let the kids get out of the truck and climb the hill and play around in the dirt. Another motorcylist came riding up and asked if we needed help. Turns out, he's getting his degree in aviation mechanics, so he knows a whole lot.
He & Brandon tinkered around on various parts of the engine for a bit, before the guy climbed under the truck, pulled the fuel line off and let it drain. He suspects that the fuel line was clogged. Anyway, after that, we managed to get the truck started, only to have it die again. James, our helper, had to get back to Logan for a class, but offered to call Brandon's parents and have them come get us. We agreed.
We figured they'd be there in no more than an hour. So, we got the kids back in the truck as it was getting dark and cold. We sang primary songs, told them the story of Old Ephraim, and I made up a funny story for them about a 3-horned unicorn, a dragon named Darcy, and essence of lollidop used by the Snaffer mother to make cookies for their three kids, Stott, Traden, and Smavin. (Notice the similarities between my kids names? Funny how that happens!!)
Anyway, an hour and a half went by, it's pitch black outside and there were still no parents there to rescue us. We were getting worried and the boys were getting scared by then. So, we prayed. Ten minutes later, the truck started, and we were able to limp home. By then, Brandon's dad was lost in the canyon, so Brandon turned around and took the van and went looking for his dad. He finally got ahold of his dad who had just come out of the canyon (there's no cell reception in the canyon), and come to find out, James had accidently told Brandon's dad the wrong turn-off point, so he ended up driving right past us.
So, needless to say, Brandon didn't make it back to the church for Bishop's appointments, and we didn't get home until after bedtime. Brandon's relaxing evening wasn't as relaxing as he had hoped, (although, despite it all, he still had fun) but I had a great time. It was fun to watch the kids slide down the mountainside on their bums and get totally brown and covered in dirt. I LOVE being outside and with my family, and no matter how stressed he his, my hubby is still WAY cute!!