Mount St. Helen’s
All my life-hacks faded into momentary despair when we got stuck with our new Chevy Volt some 20 miles from Mt St Helens. Sage and I were off to explore the crater and celebrate the end of my driving career while testing the new wheels. New to me that is. Been dreaming of an electric car for years, or at least an hybrid, to shame my gas guzzling Jeep. Gerald the Jeep is perfect for towing and the farm, But I am ready to step into my 'reduce and conserve' persona and having saved what I hoped a decent hybrid would cost, I headed down to the local dealership.
Naturally the salesman couldn't find anything in my price. But brilliantly, he found a stunning hybrid just a few thousand above my budget. He then added taxes to put it totally out of my range. He parked it in my line of sight. She looked stunning. Then he drove up a third rate option that was within budget. It was small, ugly and grey. Of course I wanted the shiny one in view. “Let me speak to my manager and see if there is anything we can do.” Minutes later he comes back with a revelation. “Your lucky day! Taxes don't apply for your vehicle of choice!” For the shiny expensive one that I couldn't afford. That was a master stroke. He had me. Totally over budget, but happy.
Anyhow, dad and daughter headed south. It was 100 degrees out and as the mountain came into sight, along the 30 mile uphill drive, the car decided enough. Enough. It would go no further. The engine warning lights glared at me. We were stuck. The gas engine was working hard to charge up the high voltage electric battery, but it was not charging fast enough to keep us moving.
Now, I have learned a thing or two since the car alarm episode on Gerald. Read the manual! Who ever reads their car manual? Just get in and drive. No? My first thought was to yell at the salesman. Perhaps I can shame him into taking it back. It is a dud. But it was Saturday evening. He wouldn't even be at work. Besides there was no signal on our phones. And we were 300 miles away. A tow truck's bonanza. Then the finger turned back to me, as in ..why didn't I get my own mechanic to inspect it before taking it off the car lot? And just as my Zen daughter handed me the manual, a woman turns into the chained driveway that we were blocking. “Do you have a reservation?” I swallow hard. “No, but we are out of charge.”
I didn't notice it before, the Eco Park Lodge signage. She unlocks the gate, signals for us to neutral-roll on down the hill to the barn, and gets us hooked into the power outlet. Mark, her husband, informs us that he deals in electric vehicles (bikes) and is sure all it needs is a few hours in the socket. He also hands us the keys to cabin number 2. “Yours for as long as you want, no charge, and dinner is at 7pm.” Just like that! The property is gorgeous. Horses, electric bikes, 300 acres of post-eruption natural beauty. And our hosts are passionate about protecting this Eden and allowing it to recover. How about serendipity showing up when we almost dismissed her for simple bad luck.
The car manual shows me the error of my ways in our marvellously over-engineered vehicle. And she runs beautifully as soon as I figure out the drive modes and settings. Beautifully.
And so we settled in, buoyant with the kindness of strangers.
Was it in an experiment that Dan Arieli did with students on the nature of happiness? I can't get my hands on it right now but it went something like this: One weekend his students were told to seek happiness in having the best time ever. Anything at all, even a weekend of debauchery and rock and roll. The next weekend they were told to offer a service or gift to someone, anything at all from a passing compliment to a free massage. Then they compared the degree of happiness experienced in each of the weekends. You bet the service weekend was the source of the deeper and more lasting joy.
So here's a challenge. Share with me an experience of gifting or receiving that generated that sense of joy, like that Sage and I experienced through the kindness of Mark and Dawn, strangers until last weekend.
I can't wait to hear what you come up with.
