“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”
― Lao Tzu
Lazy week. Monday and Tuesday were “inside days” due to the winds. Wednesday, I decided to go into Ehrenberg and pick up some items awaiting me at the Post office.
On the way out of the Magic Circle, I saw a site with a few rigs and one was flying a giant rainbow flag with a peace sign. A couple of men were outside, and I stopped to ask where they had gotten the flag. One of the men told me he and his wife made it. He said that given the “current conditions” they wanted to advertise a safe haven for anyone in Quartzsite feeling unsafe after the election. I thought that was so cool. I was seriously considering spending more time in Ehrenberg, alone, because Quartzsite gets very crowded from Thanksgiving on, until in January after the holidays there are close to a million people there. During the past week, I noticed the increase of large rigs pulling in. It’s a generalization, but more often than not, a large rig is an indicator of right-wing wealth and a sense of entitlement. (Think Clarence Thomas). I do much better parked with smaller rigs, and usually the older and more beaten up they are, the nicer their inhabitants. The influx of large rigs signaled to me that I need to be aware of my surroundings. The “safe haven” provided by a man, married to a woman, was extremely appealing to me, and the idea of pulling into a large site with 4 or 5 other rigs reminded me of my very first year on the road, where, feeling a bit lost and perhaps lonely, I ran into my “tribe” in Quartzsite, and they invited me to stay with them. This man (Jay) said “We’d love to have you. You are more than welcome to join us. Everyone here is friendly and caring.” I decided that I’d definitely take him up on his offer after I returned.
On my way to Ehrenberg, I stopped in town (Quartzsite) and ate lunch at the new Indian Restaurant. It was wonderful and the portions were large. I ate until I was full and then kept eating because it was so delicious. Afterwards, I drove over to Ehrenberg to pick up from the Post Office and then into Blythe to get a few groceries. I had hoped to join a gym in Blythe, but after checking it out and doing a reality check with myself I decided against it. It was $50 for the month or $60 if I wanted shower access. (Indoor showers were a big part of the appeal.) The gym was tiny and seemed crowded. It was in Blythe, CA. There is nowhere to stay for free in Blythe, so when I go there, I stay in Ehrenberg which is 20 minutes away (10 minutes by interstate, 10 minutes up the last couple of miles of dirt “road.”) I thought I might use the light weights to rehab my ailing shoulders (I was advised against using my rubber band weights because they do not keep consistent stress throughout the entire range of motion on any given exercise.) The idea of indoor showers was quite appealing. But upon serious reflection, I realized I wouldn’t enjoy driving several days a week, even from Ehrenberg, and more often, I would be in Quartzsite which would make it about 35 minutes away. Packing up my e-bike and solar panels, and gathering up my plants and stowing them inside each time I moved was quite unappealing. I decided I would probably spend the money, use the gym once or twice and then not go anymore. So I decided against it, for now at least.
I did stay the night in a new site in Ehrenberg. It is on the same BLM land where I normally stay but was halfway between my usual spot and where I stay for SkooliePalooza. It was nice to be far from humanoids for a night.
Cosmo and I played ball and went for a walk and when we got back to the van, I made a light dinner and went to bed early. I woke up before the first light of day. I knew I was not going back to sleep, so I got up and made coffee. I was then greeted by the first rays of the sun reflecting off the clouds in the distance.
I was the only one for as far as I could see, and it felt particularly special to have the sunrise and the wide-open desert all to myself.
After coffee, I opened up my package of solar connectors that I’d picked up at the P.O. My old ones were in various states of disrepair from plugging and unplugging every time I pack up to move. Nate helped me with a temporary solution when I visited Barbara and Lark, but that was also wearing out. I took the time sitting in the warmth of the rising sun and replaced the old connections making sure I did it right so I might not have to deal with them again for another year or so.
Feeling pretty content with my electronic prowess, I had another cup of coffee and then packed up to move back to Quartzsite.
On my way back up to my spot on Avenue G in the Magic Circle, I had to pass through a ditch where the road narrows. I pulled over to allow an oncoming truck to come through first as only one of us could pass at a time. The driver waved to me to go first, and when I got next to her she had rolled her window down to talk to me. She said “I missed you yesterday when you were talking to my husband. I’m April.” I was confused at first until Jay waved to me from the passenger seat. I smiled and waved back. April said “We’re heading into Parker for supplies. Do you need anything?” (Sometimes when I know people well, they offer to pick me up anything I might need if they are making the trek into a big town. Parker and Yuma are the closest towns with a Walmart and Costco. It is highly unusual, and extremely friendly for someone I’d never met to offer to pick up anything I may need from “the big city.”) I thanked her and told her I had everything I needed. She said “You are more than welcome to pull in. Jay said you may be joining us.” I told her I definitely WOULD join them, but probably after the weekend. She said “Any time. You are welcome.” I drove up the hill to my site with an ear-to-ear grin. I had to return as I’d left my tent and chair in my spot to let anyone coming in know it was occupied. That seems to be quite acceptable in the Magic Circle as many people stake out spots for the entire season, and when they go in town for supplies, they want to come back to the same spot. It was supposed to be 76⁰ and I wanted to take a shower. I can take an outdoor shower within the Magic Circle, and it doesn’t seem odd at all. Jay and April are just a few feet OUTSIDE of the Magic Circle, and technically, I should not be outside without clothes on. But I’m almost certainly heading down to camp with them for a bit either over the weekend or on Monday.
Lessons From The Road: I can be almost anywhere I want to be in Southern Arizona and California for the winter. I can have just about anything I want to have. I just have to decide what it is I like and where to go to find it. I have been staying in the Magic Circle because last year I made a couple of friends here. Two of them are back, but on the opposite side of the circle. I’ve seen and walked with them a couple of times, but it’s clear we will hang out only occasionally. With so many people staying here, and being parked near one of the trails, I hoped to make new friends. Everyone is friendly to a point. Perhaps it’s just me, but I feel you can be just so friendly with naked passers by without it seeming a bit creepy. Many of the people walking the trails take different paths each day, so I may not see them a second time for a while, if ever. Many who are parked nearby give out a right-wing vibe, if not blatantly flying a “Trump” or a “Don’t Tread On Me” flag. I have no interest in conversing with them. I have seen no black or brown people in the Circle. There are a few rainbow flags here and there, but I never see people in those rigs come outside. I totally enjoy being alone when I’m parked in the boondocks with no other people in sight. I feel free and independent. When I’m parked where I can see about 50 other rigs from my spot, and I don’t know any of the people inside, it can sometimes feel lonely. So Ehrenberg looked inviting. Alone, but alone by choice in the purest sense of the word. Now with the invite to join the “rainbow straight people tribe” I have options. I like the idea of a small tribe of friendly people to hang with. I’m looking forward to joining them and seeing if it is a good option.
I am also considering the option of going west to the Cottonwood Visitor Center at Joshua Tree National Park. Actually, to the BLM land just south of it. I like it there. From there, I normally head to the Salton Sea and Fountain of Youth Spa for my yearly “vacation.” I suspect I’ll wait until after SkooliePalooza at the end of January to start traveling outside the area I’m in.
But the lesson is that I have options. MANY options. I sometimes think I’m staying in the Magic Circle because I paid for the LTVA for the season. But there are 5 other LTVA’s that are part of the deal. I can go to any one of them. One is the Holtsville Hot Springs. I’ll definitely spend a month or so there over the winter. There’s Ehrenberg, where I can be far from people. I just have to decide what I’m feeling and act on it.