This past summer, Kirk and I sold our car back to the Ford car company after a prolonged issue with the battery array that Ford couldn’t repair. We had been driving a plug-in hybrid since the fall of 2019, and it was long paid off. The issue had come that we were not supposed to plug it in, nor park it near or in buildings…in case of fire. Good times. Eventually, we found that we could petition Ford to repurchase it, which they agreed to do. We were given the total price for it. It was odd saying goodbye to the car, but I knew we had made the right choice.
But that meant I had no car anymore. And we live in rural. It’s a mile+ walk to the transit stop (we are fortunate to have a robust, tax-supported transit system here). That is one of the downsides of living on an island, especially a very large island. You have a much easier life if you have a car to get around in.
We poked around and looked at new cars. The prices for new vehicles have jumped so much since 2019 that I could not say it was worth going into debt to have a car. Then, I injured my arm at the end of June and couldn’t drive until late August. But with the boys going back to school, I needed a car quickly.
Now that they are in middle and high school, they wanted to return to school and are enjoying it. But due to districts (how an island needs 3 school districts is beyond me), they are 16 miles from school. The school bus is 5 miles away because we are going out of the district. They can take the transit bus right to school, but I drive them home every day (because the transit system decided to change pickup times to 2 minutes before school lets out…in their words, they don’t think it was stupid to change the times).
So I bought a car that wasn’t new but wasn’t completely ancient. I paid cash for it. It’s had some learning curves (no backup camera) but seems to be doing fine after getting new tires, bearings, and brakes. And I have no debt. A little steering fluid here and there, and boujie premium gas, and she hums.
The car has trunk space. My previous car (a Ford Fusion) had nearly no trunk due to the many EV batteries. It also heated up during charging and got very toasty. I could only carry one suitcase in it. My trunk doesn’t get hot in this car.
But Raven The Land Yacht?
This car has a vast trunk space. The car is great for teen boys; no one is cramped for leg space.
So it got me thinking: What should I carry there for everyday use? I needed to update my EDC. When we homeschooled, we barely drove. But what if an earthquake happened and we needed to leave the car and start walking home? At 16 miles to home, it would most likely take 1½ to 2 days to get home with the boys. Their feet would get tired, and they’d need breaks. Myself? I could force myself to keep going and make it in one day, but I can’t do that to the kids.
So, I started working on updating what I carry and how I can take it with me if I need to abandon my car. I happen to have the room now to bring a few extra items!
Do people need all of this? No. Water, food, and a way to stay warm in the off-season are high priorities.
The EDC Car Get Home Kit:
Pair of walking socks (good-fitting, quality socks)
Gloves (for winter and also disposable gloves in case of blood)
First Aid Kit (sized for carrying, not a big one)
Plastic grocery sacks (multiple uses – carrying items, waterproofing, garbage)
Water (both in a 1-gallon and water bottles)
Foldable lightweight dog bowl
Dog food/dog snacks (they need food as well)
Dog poop bags (if trying to avoid being seen while traveling, tossing dog poop far away is essential – and not letting them poop while walking and leaving it)
Shelf stable/freeze-dried food (Add boiled water and wait 15 minutes)
Drink mixes (I carry a box of my favorite sugar-free drink mix sticks)
Backpacking stove (small and easy to carry)
Fuel for the stove (I carry an extra canister of fuel always)
Lighter (and waterproof matches)
Pot for boiling water (a 1.2 to 2-liter size)
Cups to drink out of (I have ones that fit into my pot)
Spoons (While I carry plastic, I also have bamboo reusable ones for my work always in the car, along with matching forks, knives, and chopsticks)
Garbage bags (see above about grocery bags)
Paper Towels (multi-purpose: both for cleaning, clean work surface, and for bathroom use)
Lysol hand wipes in travel-size packs
Blankets (lightweight fleece for dog, lightweight Merino wool for me)
Golf Umbrella (don’t discount it in the off-season – as long as it isn’t super windy, it gives you rain and sun protection and shelter to cook a meal under)
Trekking poles. (I have them in my car, but that is because one never knows when a hike might happen!) They can help you walk safer and longer, and be used to probe the ground for safety. With a tarp, they can also make a shelter if needed.
Take Away Thoughts:
My main view has been that if we need to leave the car behind, we would gut the boys’ backpacks of anything school-related and put things into them from the car if needed. They do not have too much weight, but they can carry water bottles, snacks, and such.
The dog always has a bed and blankets in the car. If we had to leave the car behind, I would load up the Trolly Dolly with everything we needed to take, then put her bed in at the top. While she is a strong animal, I know she will eventually tire, and her paws could get hurt, so having an area she could sit in would be essential. We would have her sit on the top of the dolly, safely tucked in. It would also work if it was windy/rainy or cold, as she would be more protected.
I would also stay with the car if it is safer, but if the reasons are bad, it is best to get moving as soon as possible before things get worse. That would be, say, the event happened during a storm, but you know it will pass in “x” hours, then maybe hold on. But otherwise, every mile under your feet is best. The faster you get to safety (home for example) the better.
~Sarah