It is good to have the right equipment in the mountains.

Today I took a day off to take my friend and her guest (first time in Idaho) to the mountains.  I drive sedans.  Nothing fancy like a four wheel drive but I figured I would be careful. I took the precaution of making sure my hubby knew my route.  I was thinking of going on some back roads if they were OK.  We loaded the people up and the young dog into my rear real drive Lincoln Town car and went to beautiful Idaho City.  Just one hour from downtown Boise.  The drive up was beautiful.  As we went higher the ground was covered by a few inches of pristine snow.  The road was perfect.  We got to Idaho City with no problems.  The city road had some ice on it but the car was handling it fine.   We had lunch and I talked to the waitress about my backroad idea and was warned against it. 

I then drove up to a mountain development that had some beautiful vistas.  The road was not great but I just lowered my gear and the car did fine.  I couldn't see any beautiful vistas because the snow had started and we seemed to be in a cloud (not fog but no views).  Then I went on what I thought was a loop but was really a dead end with a very steep grade on the ice.  I couldn't back up safetly so went forward.  I put the car into first and prayed a bit.  I made it and turned my car around in a huge driveway.  My wonderful car did not skid at all!   I was quite pleased with my car.   

We got back to Idaho City and we chose to go left towards Lowman (just for a bit).  The guest seemed to be getting sleepy and the snow seemed a bit more serious so I decided I would turn around and go back to Boise.  I started looking for a likely spot.  I made my choice.  It was a bad choice.   I pulled into a driveway and got stuck.  After a bit of rocking the car we looked in the trunk.  The only semi useful thing I had was an old campaign sign from my Congressional run in 2008 (I didn't even own the car in 2008).  The guest used my sign and shoveled out one of the wheels.  I actually rocked the car out of the situation and onto Highway 21.  The guest suggest I do a 3 point turn rather then continue and find another dubious parking spot. 

We drove home and I am feeling very foolish.

1) I should have had a shovel and sand in the car. 

2) I should not have taken a rear wheel drive car onto the snow.  

I wish I had taken some pictures of the beautiful scenery but I didn't but I am glad to be home and amused that the old campaign sign got us out of a sticky situation.