What started as a scenic outing turned into a nerve-wracking wilderness survival story for Tami Laird and her son, but thanks to some serious scout-level instincts and a whole lot of grit, they made it out safely — and with an epic tale to tell.
Their car broke down in a remote area, leaving them stranded far from any cellphone reception. Instead of panicking, the two decided to camp out in their vehicle for the night, using the limited food, water, and shelter they had on hand. When morning came, it was time for action.
“At 6 a.m., we loaded up a backpack with water and other essentials, left a note on our car, cut a bunch of strips of fabric from a sheet, and headed out on foot in search of a phone signal. We tied the strips of sheet along the way so we would know how to get back to the car,” Tami Laird shared on Facebook.
Their approach was methodical and smart. As they hiked for hours through rough terrain, they left signs behind hoping someone would stumble across them. “Along our hike, we left a few big rocks in varying locations along nearby (more flat) roads. We attached notes to large rocks in the middle of the roads asking for help and leaving details of how to find us,” she explained.
Even after hours of trekking, no signal came through. Eventually, they made their way back to the broken-down car, exhausted but still determined. They were bracing for a second night outdoors when something amazing happened — help arrived.
“I don’t think we will ever forget that 24 hours. We were very lucky to have the supplies that we had, and so very lucky that we only had to spend one night out there. We are truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives,” Tami wrote. “We are truly grateful to everyone who reported us missing, searched for us, and helped to find us. The Calaveras County Search and Rescue teams that went out looking for us are truly amazing.”
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office later applauded the duo for their preparation and calm under pressure, pointing out a simple but often overlooked detail that made all the difference.
“Of importance in the successful outcome was their pre-trip notification of telling someone where they were going and when to expect them back,” the sheriff’s release stated.
Tami also shared a heartfelt thank-you in her Facebook update.
“We were so happy to see them when we arrived at the Search and Rescue base camp,” she wrote. “We want to thank everyone who helped and everyone who sent their love and support.”
It’s a reminder that even in 2025, sometimes it’s the low-tech survival smarts — like leaving a trail or writing a note — that make all the difference. And a little preparation goes a long, long way.