But that would never do for Marilyn Daniel. They agreed he would fire up the generator and call in on the radio phone once a week and leave a message on the answering machine. He would also leave the phone on twice a week in case she needed to call him. When at last it was time to say goodbye, John and Marilyn shared a long hug, then he climbed in his truck and drove away. After stocking up on fishing gear in Grants Pass, he drove through the dark over gravel roads, chaining up for 6 inches of snow on the last high grade, then bouncing down a rutted dirt track to the cabin.
Light comes from propane lamps, heat from a wood stove with clawed feet.
A wood-fired range does the cooking and a propane freezer stores perishable food. It has to do with providing for your own livelihood. It has to do with silence in which you can hear yourself think and feel. It has to do with just a direct connection with land and weather and critters. The birds seemed to know when he was carrying the shotgun, and only offered a fair shot when he was unarmed.