Re: what is your best \"I´m glad I had a Flashlight\" experience ?
This might be my WORST "I'm glad I had a flashlight" story!
About 15 years ago, I received word my mother had died. She was in L.A. and I was living in San Leandro, (S.F. Bay Area), at the time. I had to get to L.A. to take care of the funeral and other things.
Like a fool, I decided to take Hwy. 101 down. Well, 101 was closed about 20 miles outside of Santa Maria, Ca. for the first time in 20 years due to a rare blizzard. Even though my truck was 2WD, I decided to try and find a trail over the mountains and dump back onto the 101 on the other, (south), side of Santa Maria beyond the closure.
I just HAD to get to L.A. and take care of the funeral arrangements. The CHP that was turning around traffic said things were pretty bad and 101 might be closed for a couple days. I didn't want to back track and lose tons of time getting over to Interstate 5, (I know, I know).
I actually did pretty good though and got about 10 miles down a cow trail that headed due south that I had found. Then I came to a long very, very steep hill and got a run at it but the truck slid and came to a rest on it's side in a ditch! Luckily I wasn't hurt and had my trusty 3 D cell Kel-Lite with me. It was so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face! It was also pouring rain and alternating from rain to snow at times.
I hiked about 8 or 9 miles with the Kel-Lite providing a nice swatch of bright light that cut through the rain and snow. I was miserable though and soon realized I was lost. Suddenly I heard voices somewhere ahead in the darkness and I yelled out to them. It was a couple of local teens from Santa Maria who had been out driving around, (and drinking), in the mountains for kicks! They told me to follow them and that their truck was only about a mile away and they would drive me the rest of the way into town.
I was hesitant because they were pretty wasted but what choice did I have? We walked the mile to their truck and they were so impressed by the Kel-Light. They took me into town and the nearest motel. I was so thankful for what these kids did that I gave them the Kel-Lite.
The next morning I found an adventurous 4WD tow truck driver in town and we went and retrieved my overturned truck, (which was another story all in itself!)
We got the truck out and I headed the rest of the way to L.A. I'll never forget that night and I'll never forget that trusty ol' Kel-Lite!
I now live in the Cascade Mountains near the Calif./Oregon border and power outages are a way of life up here. Flashlights are my best friends!