A little about the move
It’s been a little over four months since I arrived here at MLM mining camp and a life changing event. It’s been an educational experience also by relocating from sunny Central Florida to snowy San Luis Valley Colorado. This morning I went out to walk the dogs and was greeted by six inches of snow that was still falling. The snow was the wet powdery kind.
The morning events
By the time I had finished rotating every dog outside for bathroom breaks and finished feeding them, the temperature had warmed up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is predicted to continue until 2pm. I would like to say that this is an experiment. My roommates have been living this bare bone lifestyle for most of their lives
Supplies runs
Grocery shopping is done every three or four weeks and items are purchased in bulk. They are chosen for their ability to go an along way. Bags of brown rice, sacks of potatoes and flour. We also get barrels of oat meal, bricks of cheese and butter.
The cooking arrangements
My brother likes to do all of the cooking. He has piece of mind knowing that I am less likely to blow myself up on the propane camp stove. He is also less likely to suffer through food poisoning. The cast iron cookware gets a lot of use and seasoning around here.
Mostly he also enjoys preparing meals from scratch. Just like how they were prepared in the old prospecting days. The meals are based on whatever is available in the pantry.
Our breakfasts are usually either pancakes, French toast or eggs and bacon. We use Wright brand bacon because it is cut nice and thick. Coyotes come looking for handouts when they smell the bacon cooking. My dog Sasha says even dry food tastes better with bacon.
A regular dinner favorite is browned hamburger mixed with baked beans. Fresh diced peppers, onions and garlic are added to the pot because they are supposed to be healthy for the digestive systems.
The goodies are special
We occasionally buy deserts from the local Safeway. German Chocolate or Cherry Cheese cake are our favorites. After they are depleted it will be homemade banana bread, peanut butter or oatmeal cookies throughout the rest of the month.
Last night’s dinner was ham and potato soup with yellow squash and diced jalapeno peppers. Soups are a regular evening meal because they are prepared in the pressure cooker. It keeps the dinner warm until everyone gets home from a day of treasure hunting. Just in case our food runs out and we are unable to get supplies from a store, we have a good supply of freeze dried food.
Rationing is normal
Weight loss is normal. Not because of bad cooking but because meals are rationed out in portions to keep from wasting supplies. Rationing is common especially if we are out at camp sites. During the summer months, you can be as much as two hours away from your vehicle while at some of the different mining locations. If you pack it in your also carrying it out.
Staving off cabin fever
This life style may not be for everyone because it requires sacrifice, patience and internal fortitude. You will need to keep yourself entertained when it’s snowing and give yourself projects or goals to help you get started in the morning.
It has always been my belief that if you are prepared for something to happen in life, then you will not need it. Life gives us new turns at every mile and one never knows what is coming next. So keep learning and practicing through 2019 with the hopes of never needing it is my focus. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for a good year.
As always be safe and healthy my friends.
Ralph Tcat.
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