It was bound to happen. After all the trails and adventures, it would be a humble PG&E access road that would bring the mighty LR3 to its knees. What was supposed to be a simple shortcut turned into a nightmare of mud and towing carnage that dragged on for hours. As Danny and I were driving on the western edge of Roseville, I spotted a dirt road we'd taken many times in the past and we decided to take a quick detour. This time, however, it had been raining for almost a week and the ground had turned into a thick, sticky quagmire.
Less than a mile from where we left the pavement, the LR3 hit a bottomless pit of mud that swallowed all four wheels. The air suspension struggled to lift us out of the soup, but to no avail. I called Crystal to let her know I might be a *little* late getting home and she was incredibly supportive and compassionate as she giggled uncontrollably and promised to keep dinner warm. Acknowledging the inevitable, I called Land Rover Roadside Assistance who immediately dispatched a tow truck... which also became stuck in the mud about fifty feet from us. I called again, explained the situation, and they explained a larger tow vehicle would be necessary. Danny was completely unconcerned as he watched a constant stream of 'Thomas the Tank Engine' movies and fruit snacks. Finally, a massive tow truck arrived and crept along the road to where the first tow truck and I were stranded. He expertly hooked up to 'Tow Truck #1' (I have to start labeling them at this point in the narration) and after a couple good-natured jabs about us needing a REAL truck, he began to pull away... for about ten feet. All six wheels of Tow Truck #2 promptly sank into the goo, leaving him as helpless as the rest of us. At this point, even Danny realized something was amiss and asked if we'd have to live out here now. To be honest, I was starting to wonder that myself! Time to call Crystal and tell her that we might be just a *tad* longer - which was met with more giggling.
Next, I called Land Rover Roadside Assistance yet again and explained that BOTH of their tow vehicles were now stranded alongside me. It was clear that we were breaking new ground as the agent politely told me he had to look up what to do in this situation and would call me right back. An hour went by before the phone mercifully rang and the agent explained that they had to contact a specialty tow service in Lincoln to come get us all out. Before long, the most outrageously-geared Jeep I've ever seen crept up on enormous deflated Super Swampers, and proceeded to hook his front winch to Tow Truck #2 and his rear to a power pole about a hundred feet away. Slowly, he winched both vehicles out of the cavernous ruts that had been created until at last, they were on firmer ground. Creeping back out, he repeated the procedure for Tow Truck #1, eventually freeing him as well. Finally, the Jeep approached the LR3... and became stuck. Luckily, however, he was still connected to the telephone pole and I was just able to reach the rear tow point of my truck and attach the cable. I climbed in and let Danny turn around in his seat so he could watch the geysers of mud being flung up by the Rover as it struggled to gain footing while being slowly winched backward. Finally, after almost six hours since first being stuck, the LR3 lurched free of the mud. Danny smiled approvingly and said "That was fun! Can we do it again?" I got Danny home and headed back to Marysville where Crystal was waiting - camera in hand - with a smile and a giant bowl of chili. :)
The weather has been perfect so Crystal and I decided to take the kids on a short jaunt down the Pony Express Trail near Ice House Road. More of a rutty dirt road, the trail runs parallel to Hwy 50 and retraces a portion of the historic Pony Express route. If you're looking for a place to get the tires dusty that has some beautiful views and offers an abundance of places to picnic and let the kids run wild, this is a great place to check out.
Directions:
The
Pony Express Trail begins as a somewhat narrow shelf road and has many
turnouts that make great places for picnics or photography. Once you
pass the intersection with 11N38A, there are fewer places to stop. The
last mile or two of the trail has weathered, exposing the rocky roadbed
with a covering of loose, sandy soil. Although not particularly
difficult, this section has a downward angle, so take it slow and don't
jump on the brakes. There is a Visitor Information Center on Ice House
Road about .5 miles before the turnoff for Weber Mill Road with
restrooms and water. The trail runs roughly parallel to Hwy. 50 and
eventually intersects with it - turn right to head back toward
Sacramento.
