“On the longest night of the year, all quarrels were forgotten and the animals all gathered together to await the ever-mysterious return of the sun.”
~Unknown
Monday was my “chore day.” Cosmo and I left The Magic Circle and dumped trash on the way out. The two big benefits of paying a small fee for the season to stay in the LTVA is that we have dumpsters and fresh water available at all times. We then headed into Ehrenberg where I picked up my new tiny coffee maker at the Post Office, then got gas and headed into Blythe. I always go to the Dollar Store first. I stock up on anything that’s on my list (mostly snacks) because it is so much cheaper than the exact same items at Albertson’s Grocery store. What I couldn’t get at Dollar Tree, I picked up at Albertson’s and then drove back to AZ, got gas and filled my water tank on the way back to my spot in the Magic Circle.
The weather has been quite warm most days (mid-70’s) and down into the 40’s at night. I continue to walk at least a mile or more each day, and am still doing my light shoulder exercises to try to continue healing from the bike fall. I think I’m seeing small improvements each day, but it feels like it’s taking a long time for much progress. I’m forced to remind myself that I’m not 20 anymore. (Hell, I’m not even 70 anymore.)
I had some computer issues this week. It seemed my hard drive (I’m pretty sure there is not really a “hard drive” as I once knew them in my laptop) was full and thus everything I tried to do either went slowly or not at all. As always, my friend Richard came to the rescue and logged in remotely and found things hiding that were not needed or didn’t belong on my computer and after about an hour or so, I once again have half my C drive empty and everything is functioning as it should be. Thank you St. Richard, patron saint of computer illiterate.
The days have been quite noticeably shorter. The sun sets here about 5:00 as is drops behind the mountains in the west. It is nearly 8:00 a.m. before it shows its face again in the south eastern sky each morning. But it does so in such a spectacular way that I have to approve.
As I sit up in bed each morning to have coffee and browse the internet, this is my view. How could I complain about the sun’s tardiness? And only a couple more days and we’ll start adding minutes of daylight each day. I’m ready.
Lessons From The Road: I am once again thinking of moving to a new spot within The Magic Circle. I have a good spot, but while walking the paths, I come across spots that I think I’d like more. I enjoy being near a path. Currently, David’s van is in between me and the path. Some days he asks me if I want to go for a walk; other days I go alone and feel it’s rude to cut through anyone’s site, even someone who asked me to camp next to him. So I walk up the road until I hit the path (maybe half a mile?). I enjoyed being path adjacent, seeing who’s out and about, having brief chats with strangers when I’m outside and they pass by. I think it’s sort of like sitting on your front steps in a city. I’ve found several such spots, and probably will move to one of them soon.
And although the nomad in me is ready to move again, I’ve been having fantasies about settling down, at least part-time. I’ve had several people ask me what my plan B is. What will I do when I’m too old to drive? What will I do if the van just can’t go anymore. One or the other will certainly happen. I hope that will be in the distant future, but I’m aware that one or the other will happen. And just as I ponder this, The Fountain Of Youth (the hot springs where I take my “vacation” each year) sent me listings of homes for sale. The lower end (smaller) ones are either older single wide trailers, or a fifth wheel, or smaller pull behind that is permanently anchored to one of their sites. Some are quite affordable. I could write a check and own one and live in a small community with 5 hot tubs, 2 swimming pools, laundry room, post office, gym, public showers, steam room, multiple game rooms, 2 dog parks, small country store, barber shop (Hey, you never know, right?) small restaurant and outdoor patio/gathering site which features karaoke night, open mike nights, local singers or DJ’s. I absolutely LOVE staying there a few nights each year. Would I enjoy it as much if I lived there for the winter? Lot rents are cheap. It is financially doable. Could I part with the van (or SOME form of camping vehicle)? I don’t know. Would I stay there in the summer when it gets up to 120 degrees? Doubtful. I haven’t worked out the details yet, but it is on my radar. The funny thing is what I fantasize about. One afternoon I daydreamed of having an oven again. Of buying another Kitchen Aid mixer with a dough hook. It was so easy to make fresh bread with a Kitchen Aid and an oven. I fantasized about riding my little golf cart down to the hot tubs, hob-knobbing with other residents, soaking in hot water and taking a long hot shower indoors.
Another “Plan B” is to buy cheap property out in the boonies. There are acres available for around $1,000 because they are off grid, have no water or electricity. That’s not a big deal for me. I’m used to bringing my own. I spent time on YouTube this week watching videos on how to build a dome home with “Aircrete,” and watching people build their dream home in a shipping container. I could easily live in either and 20 years ago I may have tackled such a project. When I finish watching and fantasizing, I come back to reality and know that I could not build a workable home myself. This morning I could barely lift my coffee mug due to my injured shoulders. How would I do construction work? Still, it’s fun to fantasize and think outside of the box. Life has many moving parts. I think it’s good that I’m exploring options for the future.
Then I play Devil’s advocate: What happens when I get the itch to move after a couple of weeks? Where will I go in the blazing hot summers and how will I get there? I don’t know. TBD later.