Today as I sit on my couch looking out the open door of my motorhome, listening to birds chirping in two nearby trees on my chosen homestead RV Spot. It dawned on me May 7th is the first 77-degree spring day we have had since I returned home to South Dakota on April 1, 2022.
When we pulled out of Why Arizona on March 29, 2022, it was a beautiful 73-degree sunny travelling day until we ran into a windstorm prior to entering Demings New Mexico. News reporters were warning drivers of motorhomes, buses or those towing fifth-wheels, trailers and boats to slow-down because winds were 60-miles an hour.
Prior to hearing this report, I knew I was heading into high winds, because my 30-foot motorhome begin to sway close to the hammer and shoulder lane lines. Although, I had already dropped my speed from 70 to 55-miles an hour; I was still having problems staying in my lane. So, when I arrived in Demings, I was driving 50-miles an hour. My neck, shoulders, arms, hands and back were in pain from my sheer determination to control my home on wheels until I could safely get off the highway.
Upon seeing a sign for Marathon Gas Station, I took the upcoming exit; drove across the outer gas station lane blocking the first two gas pumps stopping at the third to refill my motorhome tank. While my tank was being filled, I went inside the station and asked the station attendant if I could spend the night on his property. “You certainly can. Just pull over to the far-right side of the property perimeter, he said.” Thank you, sir, I replied. Dakota and I ate dinner in our motorhome and turned in for the night.
The next morning the windstorm was over. Upon exiting my motorhome to take Dakota out to potty, I discovered a motorhome and two motor coaches had joined me on the gas station’s lot during the night. After our walk around the stations’ perimeter and return to our motorhome, I put food and water in Dakota’s bowls then went inside the station to buy a large cup of coffee and a bagel. At 7:00am, we were back on the highway driving 70-miles an hour heading for home. My trip from Why Arizona to South Dakota cost $725.00 for unleaded gas. I can’t imagine how much this trip would have cost if I was driving a diesel motorcoach.
Meanwhile I must say, it was a shock to arrive in South Dakota and discover temperatures were in the 40’s, it was windy, rainy and temperatures regularly drop to the 20’s causing water hose to freeze at night. Winds were so high blowing across South Dakota highways that my two-door, soft-top jeep was whipped in and out of lanes like a weightless empty buggy. As a result, I had to retrieve my Ford pickup truck from my storage garage and put the jeep inside so I could safely travel around South Dakota.
Also, constant trips back and forth to propane stations to have three portable 20-gallon propane tanks refilled in order to run the furnace, have hot water and use the stovetop in my motorhome was exhausting. In addition, we had four tornadoes travel through this area at 30 to 50-miles an hour. It seemed like winter was never going to end.
I have returned home in April for the last five-years and have never experienced or had to deal with a season like this. Further for the record. Motorhomes are made like cars. They are light weight with little installation which makes it easy and fun to drive on highways. But these vehicles are not designed for owners to live in during harsh winter seasons. Therefore, most full-time No-Mads like me travel to other areas before winters begin in our home states.
Like most of you I have dealt with rough seas in my life as well which included a right shoulder rotator-cuff repair surgery on June 30, 2021. However, the shoulder was reinjured on September 12, 2021, due to a fall.
On April 18, 2022, my beloved Silver German Shepherd, Dakota was euthanized due to contracting a severe yeast infection which didn’t respond to medication. On May 9, 2022, I had a second surgery on right shoulder which was an invasive Reverse Right Shoulder Surgery to eliminate damaged joints caused by my fall in September 2021. Then cataract and stent surgery on both eyes on May 24, 2022. These were my rough sea events.
I am so far behind on sharing travel blog stories, posting reviews and working on my next novel. So, I plan to work around shoulder pain as much as possible to play catchup. Although my physical therapy sessions for shoulder healing is scheduled throughout the month of December. I plan to be out of South Dakota in October before winter returns.