Serendipity

We've spent a lot of time wondering what to do first. This project is so big that it's hard to know where to start. One thing we've been thinking about is our transportation. We have a little minivan with 4-wheel drive. It isn't pretty but it runs like a tank and we abuse it like a truck. We decided to have a trailer hitch put on it and buy a small utility trailer that we could use to haul tools, camping gear, building supplies, etc. to and from the site. I had been looking at trailers on craigslist (where I get everything) and everyone seemed to want several hundred dollars for what appeared to be broken old trailers. Then one day I saw this little cutie on the parkway a few blocks away from home. It was clearly part of a free pile. There was an old couch and some other garbage laid out around it. The trailer looked so nice that I couldn't believe my luck. I parked the car, got out and looked at it for a while hoping someone might come out of the house. Pretty soon a nice guy came out. I knew him a little bit because the family has a daughter who is in Guthrie's class at school. I asked him if they were actually getting rid of the trailer. He assured me they were. He said they used it for family camping trips for many years and just didn't need it anymore. He wondered what I was going to do with it so I told him a bit about our plans. He seemed happy that it was going to a good home. I don't have a hitch on the van yet, so I had to go home and get another neighbor with a truck to help me haul it to my garage. Ray was out of town on a boy scout camping trip at the time so I surprised him with it when he got home the next day. Being able to get the trailer without Ray's help (or his money) made me feel resourceful and competent. I am so lucky to live in a neighborhood full of helpful, friendly people with great free piles!

P.S. This post is dedicated to the family at the end of 30th Ave. and neighbor Sam. Thanks for being awesome!