Mountain Newcomers

Hello, I am very new to the mountain (like 03/07/06) and don't know anyting about anything, chains, salt, when not to drive, how much food to keep in reserve generators exc.. Any advice would be
geat. I can say one thing about this mountain already, the people are GREAT!!! I love it up here. thanks to everyone that has already helped me and my family.

Today is a very good day to stay home. Get the snow moved off your driveway, steps, deck today. If you let it go it will freeze and you wont be able to move it and you will have a terrible hazzard to deal with... enjoy!

stay indoors today,,make a hot bowl of chili..drink a cold beer that you put in the snow,,,shovel out and relax...I had to drive down the hill this morning at 430 after shoveling out,,uuugghhhhh hated it,,,BUT,,,it sure is perty up there now,,,hope I can get home tonite,,,

jg

Hi! Welcome to Crestline! It is a wonderful place to live. My husband and I have been up here for a little over a year. If you have any questions--ask--we had to learn a lot when we came up here as well. We are from the Montana area and are used to snow and all--the fog was new for us. We have loved everything about Crestline!

My advice is to not go out driving and to shovel your walks and drive way before it turns to ice tonite. I have snow tires which Linders puts on my Jeep in December and then I take them off in the Spring. That saves alot of hassles chaining up.

Also, I keep some black plastic bags and a set of warm gloves, hat and coat in the back of my car, just in case. We are so close to down the hill, but when the weather gets bad it seems like we could be in North Dakota or Canada. It is a good idea to keep a good stash of food in the house andkeep tabs on the weather reports. Good luck!

All good advise!!! Also have candles, oil lamps and wood if you have a fireplace. Sometimes the electricity goes out. Our first winter (26 yrs ago) we didn't have wood and so we had the kids out shoveling driveways and the neighbors paid them in wood. That time we were without electricity for 3 days. That is unusual but need to be ready just incase This storm is looking like a big one. The hubby hear has been shoveling off and on all day to keep deck and stairs clear. Enjoy the mountains

My winter shopping list includes batteries. We keep many battery powered camping lanterns around and battery powered radio. When the power is off radio can be wonderful. I have battery operated candles that work like night lights for bathrooms and hallways. I freeze quart containers of milk so we always have a supply if we run out. I keep lots of canned and dry goods on hand. We have aero sleeping bags that we use for power outages. We sleep in the living room by the fireplace. Well the kids sleep; the adults take turns putting wood in the fire. We keep a dial up internet account just in case. We have ups for the wireless router and the laptop so we can use the internet. Contact with the outside world is important. Get to know your neighbors. Know who is full time and part time. Mostly I make sure that we have enough to live for a week without going out. That doesn't mean we will all like what we eat, but we have enough to stay warm, eat and drink.

svigil - we got spike spiders for the car (front wheel drive) at place up in Top Town. They're $400 but totally worth it because they're on and off in 5 minutes or less and don't break or cut your hands like chains.

Attempted to get path cleared to road (I live below road level) to take a look and it filled in before I even got back inside. Don't bother. Wait til it finishes snowing and then dig out. Keep a large back of rock salt in your place. Hit the path with rock salt to prevent freezing.

One thing folks don't tell you is HOW to shovel snow. Yes, there is a way to keep from having a heart attack or snapping your back. The flat snow shovel is designed that way for a reason. Do NOT try to "lift and toss" snow. It will cramp your back and you won't be able to move for a week. PUSH snow into piles on flat surfaces. Toss snow FORWARD of your drive in the direction of the snow plow. Otherwise it'll fill back in. Lift an toss ONLY if it's the light fluffy stuff. If it's the heavy stuff take SMALL amounts and toss to one side using your entire body... not just swivel at the waist.

Keep your pantry packed with canned and dried goods (beans, fruit, vegetables, spices, etc.) and water. Keep a couple of Coleman lanterns around with oil in them and a small generator on the deck saves the day if we loose power, which we do a lot up here.

Hope that helps. Always check ROW for updates and staying touch with folk.

From: Roy "Griff" Griffis (Griff)Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 04:38 AMAt 4:30 a.m., I wasn't able to get up Grass Valley road, about 1/2 way between the Dentist's office and 5 Points. My little front wheel drive Scion with Spyder Spikes just spun and wouldn't go anywhere. A guy in a big truck was able to get past me. His weight must've given him some purchase on the slick surface. I backed down the road and went back home. You ligher vehicles look out.

Spyder spikes are not only very expensive, they have a low profile stud which is useless under icy conditions. Regular chains are far superior, cheap, and can be repaired if you break a link. The only virtue I have seen posted about spyders is they are "easy" to put on and take off. So are chains if you practise before the season. IMHO

Wow, thanks for all the great advice. I will make the transition far smother because of all of you that helpedwith advice. thanks again.

About fireplace ashes-you need a metal container with a lid to put the ashes in. Do NOT store this on your wood deck. Several fires have started from hot ash buckets in a bad spot.
I like solar powered flashlights and radios. We also have a rechargeable coleman lantern-no risk of fire/no worry about batteries.Keep your cars filled with at least a half tank at all times. Have a bag with water and food, flashlights,some cash, and cell phone, clothes at all times. This was a big help when we had to evacuate for the fires. Welcome to the mountains-when the snow melts we will all get to see the daffodils so many people have planted along the roads.

Here's my list of essentials for living here:
-4x4 w/snow tires- goes through snow and mud
-a car that you could sleep in- I've had to sleep in mine 2 times in last 2 years ('03 fires and '05 floods)
-food and water in car as well as home
-blankets and warm change of clothes in car
-scanner with local stations
-snow shovel- placed where you can access it- it's no use if you need a snow shovel to get to your snow shovel
-good set of waterproof shoes

About those fireplace ashes Rock mentioned--this is totally true!! My neighbor actually started a fire by dumping them in the back yard. Fire engines and the whole 9 yards. Some of the other neighbors were not too happy. And this was a long time resident, too.

Maybe all of the newcomers should meet up and get to know each other.

that sounds like a great idea. It would give us a chance to meet our neighbors. any sugestions on when and where.

treegirlz - I am so sorry that this has happened to you.

There is something you can do. The next time you hear from him tell him that you never want to speak to him again. Hang up the phone and change your number. You deserve someone who will love you and the expression of that love with be honesty. This is the exact reason that I haven't dated any of the men in Crestline. If their are good men here they are either married or hiding behind a tree. I personally would never give this man the time of day again if it had happened to me.

Now I can't sleep.

Another thing I would suggest is to find female friends that you can go and have fun with. Female friends can go to movies or out with you, take walks with you, give friendly advice to you, help you grow. Make yourself the best person you can be and then one day perhaps that right guy will come along. This guy is obviously not the one or he would not have cheated on you and then when winning you back repeat the whole senario again. This one is not a keeper in my opinion. Throw him back.

All I Need to Know About Life
I Learned From My Girlfriends
•Good times are even better when they're shared.
•A good long talk can cure almost anything.
•Everyone needs someone with whom to share their secrets.
•Listening is just as important as talking.
•An understanding friend is better than a therapist; and cheaper, too!
•Laughter makes the world a happier place.
•Friends are like wine; they get better with age.
•Sometimes you just need a shoulder to cry on.
•Great minds think alike, especially when they are female!
•When it comes to "bonding," females do it better.
•YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD FOR SLUMBER PARTIES!!!!
•It's important to make time to do "girl things."
•Calories don't count when having lunch (or any other food) with your girlfriends.
•You can never have too many shoes or girlfriends.
•GEMS MAY BE PRECIOUS, BUT FRIENDSHIP IS PRICELESS!!!!!
Submitted by Cicec & Babythree
Girlfriends
Submitted by: tricialocicero
Author: Unknown
Girlfriends

Author: Anonimous
--------------------------------------------------------------

Girlfriends are
much cheaper
than therapists
and a whole lot
more fun.

A girlfriend
knows your
deep dark
secrets, but likes
you anyway.

Girlfriends are
no farther away
than the phone,
even if it's 4 am
in the morning.

A good
girlfriend is hard
to find,
impossible to
replace and
never forgotten.

Submitted by: Yarimar Rosa-Rodriguez

I know you are angry right now. Sometimes it is better to just move on and go find things you enjoy doing. I am hoping that is what you are doing today. It will get better. Don't look back.

Well we can't feel sorry for the other guy involved. Everyone makes their own choices. You just need to worry about taking care of yourself for now.

Glad you had a nice day yesterday.