..........................So..even with all the cumulative redneck wisdom
I was still standing there in the cold an hour and a half later. A few
of the guys were loggers, and they also searched through what they
had...one fellow even brought over a steel strand from an old logging
cable (the coathanger was too flexible). We put a hook in one end
of that steel strand, and I was finally able to actually get the tip of
the wire on the button. There were finger grooves in the button, and
the hope was that the tip of the wire would hang up there and we could
pop the button up...
Well, we could sure get the tip on the button, but it wasn't budging.
The digital clock/thermometer on the store sign was now showing
it was a cool 24ºF, I've got icicles hanging off both ends of my now
frosty mustache, the truck is
still running, and I'm not getting
any closer to getting the door unlocked.
Didya ever notice the most intelligent questions people ask when
they see you trying to get a door unlocked with a wire?
"Lock your keys in the truck?"
Me: "Naaaa, I just like pretend I did so people will ask me
stupid questions."
One of the GOB's that had been helping lived on my street, and
offered to give me a ride home.
Thought about it for a minute, and figured I'd have
something in
my garage shop that would let me get the damn thing open, and then
I could come back in my wife's car.
"Good enough" I said...let's go.
So, we drove off with the truck still sitting there... running. I had just
put about 5 gal. in, so it would sit there running all night if I didn't get
the damn door open.
Thought even crossed my mind that someone might try to swipe it
while I was gone. Naaaa...no way to get in!
Got dropped off at home (about 5 miles from store), and started
pokin' around my shop, looking for some miracle item to pop out
at me as THE tool to open the door.
Didn't find much, really, but took some stiff wire, a 3' piece of
thin, copper wire, couple types of pliers (don't know what they
could do, but I took 'em anyway). Tossed those in the front
seat of the wife's Hyundai and headed right back.
Got back to the truck, and realized, other than being warmer,
that I was no better off than before I went home...
Started thinking of "alternate entrances" that might be
accessible, and although I knew the sliding rear window was
locked tight, I unloaded my gear (shovels, Gold Cube in a
big tub, pans, etc.) and crawled up to the front of the bed.
Tried to get a knife blade in so I could pop that snap-lock open,
and all that I was able to do was bend the aluminum frame.
Apparently they designed it just so people couldn't do what
I was attempting.
Drug my ass back out, and then must have stood there for
the next 20 minutes scratching my head and freezing my nuggets
off. The "Good 'Ol Boys" had all disappeared, the store was getting
ready to close, and I wasn't getting anywhere.
Went and re-checked the wing windows for about the 5th time, and
saw there was no chance of getting one open.
Started seriously thinking about the cost of replacing one of the
wing windows, but it would no doubt be at least a hundred bucks,
and I really didn't have it to spend.
I'm at the end of my now frozen rope, and realize it's going to be
and eternity before I can get the thing open....
'Bout this time I look up and see the store owner poking his head
around the back of the truck. He's always been a hellofa nice fellow,
and we had chatted many times in the store.
"Need some help?"
"Howdy Richard...You Betchya I could use some help. I'm at my
wits end here."
He pulls out his cellphone and calls his son, who just happens
to be a full-time fireman with a larger city about 40 miles away.
Fortunately, the son was home (in Concrete) and 5 min. later he
shows up ......with his own Slim Jim.
He slides it down beside the passenger side window, pokes and
prods a bit..a push here and a shove there..and 5 min. later the
door is OPEN!
Now, my wife works at home as a customer service specialist, so she
is on the phone nearly 100% of the time, and I don't disturb her. Her
shift was just ending as I walked back in the house...
"Hi XXXXXX" (some nicknames aren't to be shared..lol)
and goes on to ask...
"What took you so long to get home from the store. Didn't you leave
like two and a half hours ago?"
I slid it down in 
I was even thinking about how to kill the motor so then MAYBE the fob would let you in. No way, hood release is inside. Good thing we're prospectors cuz as theives, we'd starve. 
