Henry wrote:Around here (e. PA) the Amish and Mennonites (those who don't use grid electricity; some do) are big into kerosene and propane. Battery operated stuff is common, too. At our camp I have a battery operated FM radio and some flashlights, but that's about it. We love the complete absence of TV and telephone (no cell service, even). At a camp nearby the fellow had a Credenza for years, along with lots of records (including "complete" Tristan und Isolde in many, many albums!). He sold it before I could decide whether or not to make an offer, but I did have my pick of the records. I did not take the Tristan! Everything has to be moved in and out by boat, so we're very selective about what comes and goes.
Howdy Henry,
Your camp sounds great! Our backcountry place out here in New Mexico is southwest of Grants, near El Morro (Inscription Rock) and El Malpais/Chain of Craters. Not much in the way of lakes, but about 13 miles of dirt road to get out there, with the last few being pretty much 2 track "jeep" trail. We do get cell service out there, but for some reason it's gotten worse since the Verizon/Alltel merger. It's about an hour to town on a good day. If the roads are muddy or snowy, it can take way longer. We've learned to think ahead and take everything we need and then some, and leave the rest behind when we leave. Wintertime can be rough out there. It once took us 5 ½ hours to make the last 13 miles of dirt after a pretty brutal snowstorm..it's about 35 minutes when dry! I do love the isolation, and peace and quiet out there. I once talked to a fellow out here who had a family cabin up north of Durango, Colorado. They had to take supplies out on the Durango and Silverton Narrow gauge railroad! We got to talking about Servel fridges, and how they had to load one on the train, the unload it at a siding near the cabin, and wheel it across the Animas River on a foot bridge, and then up a dirt trail to get to the cabin. I'm sure you know those old Servel fridges are NOT light! Taking one out to your place by boat might be an adventure too.