“We’re having a heat wave,
A tropical heat wave…” ~ Irving Berlin
I’m feeling quite content in my new spot by the hot springs. Monday morning, after my coffee and word puzzles and e-mail routine, I packed up my solar suitcases and headed into town for supplies. First stop was a self-serve gas station, where I got gas and fresh drinking water. Then down to the donut shop where I got a bear claw, an apple fritter and the biggest, most beautiful croissant I’ve ever seen. I’ll cut them in smaller proportions, and they will be my morning treats with coffee for the next week or so. I got snacks at the dollar store, then on to Del Sol for my fresh fruits and veggies. Very expensive, but I’d probably use that much in gas if I drove into El Centro for supplies, so I chalked it up to ease and neighborhood charm.
When I came home, I easily got set up in my same spot, marked by the two leveling blocks for my front tires. I put out my solar suitcases, and set up my awning with sides. I’ve thought of this as a chore in the past, but today, I felt I had all the time in the world. No place to be, nothing else that needs to be done for probably a week to 10 days. It was the first time I set it up by myself. I’ve always had Matt to help me in the past. I not only managed, but finished with a smile on my face, feeling pretty self-satisfied that I pulled it off without a hitch.
I came inside, and with bags full of fresh fruits and vegetables, I made a big salad and some ginger lemongrass noodles with yellow bell pepper, onion, peas and pretend burger. I ate my salad while the noodles finished cooking and then dished out a small portion to complete my lunch, leaving enough noodles for at least two more meals. Contentment washed over me. It was very warm, with temperatures climbing toward 80 degrees. I felt quite blessed, as my friends on the east coast are digging out of a foot of snow. Later in the week, the temperatures would reach close to 100⁰ and although I went over to the hot springs daily, I often stayed only briefly. The new awning combined with a slight breeze made the extreme heat almost bearable. I am looking forward to cooler weather starting Monday.
Lessons From The Road: I have thought for several years that I like to camp alone. I decided that I’m not a “people person.” It turns out that is not totally true. I don’t mind camping next to NICE people, who are respectful. My current neighbors are a couple from Ontario, who invited me over to visit. Others nearby came and sat out yesterday afternoon as well. It was pleasant conversation. No politics. No religion. Just kind-hearted sharing of adventures on the road. I spent an hour there, then came home and made dinner. The same is true of the hot spring. I go and there are sometimes just a few people, and other times it feels a bit more crowded. There is nearly always someone(s) who has “main character syndrome.” They think everyone in the hot pool is dying to see their show. They yap about anything and everything. There is not a topic they are not experts on. I gently move to the opposite end of the pool and strike up a conversation with someone more my speed. Eventually the performer runs everyone off, and realizing no one cares (it sometimes takes a LONG time for this realization), they get bored and move on. I don’t know if it is a part of nomad life, or just a part of humanity in general, but I nearly always come across someone who know everything about everything and insists on proving it to anyone who will listen (and often to those who clearly ARE NOT listening.) Encountering them is a good reminder for me not to be that person. But with the extreme heat this week, those “energy vampires” have apparently stayed in a cooler place, and the few people at the hot tub were always friendly and easy going.