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.
Dakota, 6-weeks old
3-years old, March 14,
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.
Once my 14-days were exhausted at Holly Jolly I decided to leave Quartzsite AZ for Why AZ because the thrill of traveling to this area every year has deemed for me due to recent experiences of theft of personal properties, as well as crowded public and camping spaces caused by foot and vehicle traffic.
It used to be refreshing to arrive in Quartzsite ahead of rock and gem show collectors or people looking to sell rocks, gems, and jewelry he/she created to visiting buyers and store owners.
Tyson Wash BLM Campground Quartzsite
During this time, I enjoyed walking in the forest seeing wildlife and smelling fresh air. Sitting in a chair near my RV surveying mountains at a distance, listening to the birds, watching night stars, sunset, sunrise, and the moon. I worked on new novels, wrote an array of reviews, performed workout routines in the gym and visited with returning friends. At this point I doubt I will return to Quartzsite anytime soon.
In January 2018, while visiting Saddle Mountain, a landmark peak in Tonopah AZ. One morning, I was sitting in my motorhome, drinking a cup of coffee, and looking out my window. I saw a woman walking up the dirt road towards my motorhome. She would take a few steps; bend down to retrieve something from the ground and drop it in a pouch hanging from her shoulder. The fact, she kept bending and picking up something piqued my interest and the fact she wasn’t making too much progress as a walker. I walked outside and said, “Good morning my name is Edith Eveon Brown, what are you doing?”
Saddle Mountain Tonopah AZ
She stood up, laughed, and said, “Good morning, Edith my name is Rose. I collect rocks and cactus to create unique jewelry designs which I sell to jewelry owners and customers at trade stores and flea markets.”
Wow Rose, it’s nice to meet you and I am impressed. Rose showed me her rock collection, and told me how she clean, cut, polish/spray her rocks or cactus to create jewelry.
Rose also told me about Coyote Howls Rv Park in Why AZ which is where she lived. The area was in the middle of nowhere and was home to many friendly artist (i.e., sculptor, novelist, jeweler, poet etc.). In fact, when I decided to come to Quartzsite to collect rocks; I had been in Why for two days and was concerned about leaving my small bus which I am renovating and can’t be secured to prevent theft. Upon mentioning my design, a guy working on an easel nearby said, “My name is Leroy. I’ll watch your place until you return”. I turned around and said, “Leroy my name is Rose, I’ll be gone for five days here are the keys to my place. Thank you. I packed a few things and drove here, she said.
Now, you know why I showed up at Why AZ in August 2019, and again this year after leaving Holly Jolly Campground on January 21, 2022, stopping other places prior to arriving at Coyote Howls Rv Park East on January 28, 2022, where I remained until March 29 when I left to return to South Dakota.
Coyote Howls CampgroundCoyote Howls Office, Mail Room, Library, Game and Computer Room
Upon leaving B-10 Campground I stumbled upon Holly Jolly a 14-day free stay BLM designated primitive campground for tent, rv, trailer, fifth wheel and camping van owners which is also located in Quartzsite. Though no utilities (i.e., water, electric or sewage dump stations) are offered to beforementioned users living at the campground.
The Pit Stop, a facility less then 5-minutes away offers freshwater stations for campers to refill his/her water jugs or freshwater tanks. As well as inground stations to personally dump your own waste tanks and have portable or mounted propane tanks refilled by a service provider.
The host was extremely friendly. We talked for the longest time and was joined by a current resident, who was also friendly and confirmed my impression of the host.
There is a lot of land here. You are free to homestead wherever is comfy for you. If you don’t like your chosen spot, you are free to move around until you found a spot that works for you. Also, once your 14-days end. You must pack up and leave this property.
You are allowed to stay 14-days free at another BLM campground located 25 or more miles from this location. Then return to this property for another 14-days after you have stayed at another place for an additional 14-days, the host said.
He gave me a 14-day pass to display in my window which showed my arrival and my scheduled date to exit the campground. I thanked him and drove to a wide-open uninhabited space. A few days later I was joined by a few Canadians who were gracious neighbors and became fast friends.
What I enjoyed most about this campground upon my September 3, 2021, arrival was the friendliness of Jasmine, the office employee. The sparse population of residents and distance between motorhomes and trailers.
My first depressing experience was when I discovered someone on the property had stolen three round lug nuts from my passenger-side tire (only leaving two of the required five) which are used to attach the front wheel to the axle on my jeep. After taking pictures I called the office to make the manager aware of this incident.
Based on the manager’s husband’s quick response and replacement of these lug nuts using a few spares from my rear tire mount. As a result, I didn’t feel the need to call and report this incident to local law officials which should have been done considering; the person who did this cared nothing about putting my life in jeopardy or drivers traveling from Quartzsite to Parker like me or vice versa.
In November as the campground planned for a potential flood of new residents who had booked the row of camp spaces (one which I occupied) were asked to move to the opposite side of the grounds which was a better space for me but had partial hookup services (i.e., water and electric but no sewage hookup).
Not having sewage hookup was a great inconvenience because I was recovering from a prior right-shoulder surgery which was re-injured due to a fall while hanging out with my brother in Ute Lake State Park MN prior to arriving at this campground. Anyway, I was required to call the office when my tanks needed to be dumped which is a dicey situation since the dumping of motorhome sewage tanks varies based on water and toilet usage, and still may not be apparent until your toilet burps at you; you smell a foul odor or there is leakage near a release level which is what happened to me.
Since the managers off-day changed, and the ground staff could not repair/knew how to use the portable tank dump equipment on the properties work truck. As a result, I was forced to unhook from water and electric services on my site. Pack up breakable items in my motorhome, secure all cabinets, drawers, closets, and drive to a nearby RV Pit Stop to dump my tanks.
My second disappointment as a resident on this property was when I returned to my motorhome after a morning of running errands and walking Dakota to found I had next-door neighbors, who owned a diesel burning bus. These new residents parked as close to me as the shared electric box and water faucet would allow. I knew I would eventually have neighbors but not one whose vehicle would block all my passenger side windows and the smell of burning diesel would invade my motorhome resulting in asthma attacks, coughs and eye irritates.
Diesel Bus On Right
Although I paid $395 on January 3rd for rent and the properties policy is not to refund payments. Due to disrespect shown by neighbors upon their arrival on January 7th, I decided to pack up and leave this campground. Pictures show how much space these people hogged in comparison to my space.
Evidently, camping etiquette rules do not apply at this campground, only at BLM properties, 14-day free campgrounds and dispersed camping locations. Therefore, this is the first time I ever had to deal with an incident like this involving a paid for space. Basically, Nomad Full-Time motorhome, campervans, fifth wheel and primitive tent campers to name a few are knowledgeable of and honors camping etiquette rules especially the one that cautions campers to never invade another camper’s space.
The great thing about being a full-time motorhome dweller is you are never tied down to one area. Most time I live off-grid (i.e., No electric, water, gas, sewage, rent, mortgage note or property taxes.
However, if living in the forest, deserts, canyons or on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers properties is not your thing or dream. You can always pay to stay on Bureau of Land Management properties, State Parks or at full-service campgrounds that offers an array of amenities and utility connections.
Prior to covid-19, I was already living my current no-mad lifestyle which minimize my contact with members of the public. Furthermore, I wore a mask whenever I did my once-a-month grocery shopping in nearby towns, so I never felt covid was a threat to me.
When my brother, who is a nurse and has been working none-stop at his local hospital. Decided he needed a break from the many deaths and covid patients, who refused to be vaccinated but suddenly wanted to be saved by anyone working in the medical field. Though I was leery about my brother’s desire to take leave; travel and stay with me due to his profession. Upon telling him I had not had my covid-19 vaccinations or booster either. And did not plan to do so until I returned home to South Dakota.
Sis, I know the lifestyle you live, and I am willing to bet you have never been exposed to Covid. However, due to my profession it was a requirement that all nurses at my facility had to get vaccinations or not report to work until further notice, he said.
Meanwhile due to my brother’s profession and busy life commitments it has been thirty-years since we spent any time together as siblings. So, I swung through Georgia to retrieve him. Then drove to Ute Lake in Logan, New Mexico where we remained until I dropped him off at a nearby airport in El Paso, Texas on my way to Quartzsite Arizona ten-days later.
People Watching
We had a wonderful time. Talking about life, walking Dakota, watching people play and swim in the lake, as well as play board games which, I quickly discovered my brother cheats! There is no way he fairly won every board game we played (i.e., Chess, Backgammon and Checkers.) Laughing out loud.
Playing Board Games
Furthermore, I must admit, my little brother turned out to be a compassionate, honorable, and awesome young man. I am so proud of his accomplishments. After serving this country in the military, I would never have guessed serving others would continue to be his calling which is his reason for being a Nurse at the nearby VA Hospital.
Although, the coronavirus outbreak was first discovered and reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and begin to spread globally, resulting in 95,000 confirmed cases and thousands of deaths by March 5, 2020. However, this virus was declared a non-treat to American citizens by Trump and his administration, who classified this virus as a type of flu that would miraculously disappear.
Prior to Trump becoming president of this country. Under President Barack H. Obama’s leadership and his administration, a pandemic response unit had been established in the White House in response to complaints regarding Obama’s efforts to deal with the Ebola outbreak in 2014-2015. As a result, this unit was created to focus on pandemic preparedness and deal with future outbreaks.
Due to Trump and his Administration’s desire to undo and erase the history of our 44th president, the first black president of the United States from 2009 to 2017, the White House pandemic preparedness unit was dismantled, and its staff fired; resulting in the recorded deaths of 599,000 American citizens which could have been lessened if this country’s pandemic unit had not been demolished and its staff fired.
A walk-through history indicates military fatalities in all major wars involving the United States from 1861 to 1973 are as follows:
Names of WarsNumber of Fatalities
1965-1973 The Vietnam War 58,209
1939-1945 World War II 405,399
1917-1918 World War I 116,516
1861-1865 American Civil War 620,000
As you can see, the American Civil War is the only conflict that exceeds this country’s death of none-military citizens by 21,000 which could and should have been prevented by the Trump administration. Further Trump, his wife and youngest son had also been affected by Covid-19, but secretly took shots while continuing to demand that his base not take any shots. It appears to me that Trump’s plan is to destroy and wipe the remaining scrapes of the republican party from the face of American soil and create something new as his remaining party members stand-by frozen. Refusing to make waves or standup as a group to protect his/her party and represent our constitution while American citizens and the world watches this new America saga.
Meanwhile, other Americans including me have settled into taking covid-shots and wearing masks to eliminate or lessen the effects of future variants. Therefore, persons interested in taking covid vaccination should visit the following link for more information: How Do I Find a COVID-19 Vaccine? | CDC
Americans have been held hostage by Covid-19 for twenty-four months or more and people are mentally as well as physically exhausted. At this point, most citizens are looking forward to some level of normality returning to their lives which seems to be traveling aboard a slow-moving barge.
I would also like to add, I understand the reluctance of some older minorities because of past medical treatments, services and secrete experiments preformed on blacks without his/her knowledge/authorization such as the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study Experiment. However, I don’t understand the reluctance of Trump’s followers not to take a covid vaccine that is free and could save their lives because Trump said not to, although he and his family did take the vaccine.
Further, these people (some with their exposed children) shows up at the nearest hospital for medical care once affected by Covid-19/Delta. My question is why? Maybe, I have loss my high level of compassion for my fellow man because I feel these people and their family members should accept the consequences of his/her own decision and just die at home rather than showing up at local hospitals, using resources; exposing our overworked healthcare providers with your virus; occupying beds that should only be available to citizens with other emergency issues, and those who have taken his/her vaccines. As well as people who cannot take this vaccine because of other adverse health issues.
The bottom line is this: Regretfully due to Trump’s republicans false belief that he cares about them and their commitment to do as he say, most of them will be dead when it’s time to re-elect President Biden.
In July 2020, I was scheduled to have total knee replacement surgery which was delayed because medical staff were dealing with Covid-19 issues and limited hospital surgical and room accessibilities for new patients. As a result, my surgery was rescheduled for October 12th which provided an opportunity for me to meet and talk to patients who had total knee replacement a month or more earlier. When I asked how painful his/her recovery was, or what could I expect? I always got the same response, “The surgery and rehab wasn’t that bad, but you will have to deal with a little pain like most surgical procedures”.
As a result, of my own total knee replacement surgery, rehab experiences and ongoing recovery. I always said, “If given an opportunity to talk to future patients, who might be facing this same surgical procedure; I would always be honest with my response to others, because I want future patients to have an opportunity to mentally and physically prepare for healing challenges that lays before him/her daily.
So I will start by saying, “Total Knee Replacement” is extremely painful. Further, you are expected to stand on your newly surgical leg as well as your non-surgical leg from your bed to a walker with assistance from your therapist. This is one of your regular training routines and will occur one to three times a day as you learn to transition from your bed to a wheelchair as well. Eventually advancing to a cane and walking at your own pace followed by your therapist pushing your wheelchair for rest periods as needed.
In addition to leg mobility, balancing and strengthening exercises you will perform total body exercises such as arm lifts and pulleys, (hand & feet) pedaling, barbells, eye, and hand coordination, walking up and down stairs, getting in and out of a vehicle, group games, safe transition in and out of showers and more.
I must confess, every time a PT or OT staff member came to transport me to the gym, I begin to cry. In the past from January 01, 1993, to March 29, 2017, I was a gym rat, who spent two-hours a day (Monday thru Friday) in the gym and Saturday evenings in the pool, as well as swim drills as a member of a senior swim team until open heart surgery and a mitral valve repair benched me in March. I had slowly begin to work my way back to the gym which was a very slow grueling process until my routine came to a shattering halt due to Corvid-19.
I want you to know in advance and accept this fact. It does not matter had great you were as an athlete and/or how fit and easy everything you tackled in the past was to achieve; trying to rebuild and live an active lifestyle after unexpected medical surgeries and/or illnesses knocks you off your feet. A return to your past active level is going to be hard. You might not ever be able to achieve your past level of activities, but you might be able to come pretty dam close or might not. However, once you recognize this possibility and begin your slow progress to achieve some level of independency and mindful achievements – your mind and body will accept your desire and allow you to accomplish this goal at a new achievement level based on your new physical capabilities.
As I stated earlier, my total knee replacement surgery took place October 12, 2020. I was transferred to a medical rehab center on October 14th where I remained until I was released to go home on November 3rd. The next morning and until I left Sioux Falls on December 21, I was monitored by a nurse and preformed PT and OT every other day with two therapists. The day I left SD I ran into a blizzard. It took five days of driving for me to reach my Quartzsite, AZ destination. The end results was a swollen right leg and black knee which took two weeks to go down. It was the love and support from my no-mad friends that helped me heal.
The hardest thing for me was to accept my new norm because I loved my old physical level of accomplishments as well as my lifestyle of independence. Now, it takes a little longer for me to reach my physical goals. I might not reach them as easily or quickly as in the past, but I still reach them and there is great satisfaction whenever these goals are reached.
My mindset and new saying is this: “Everything is doable when you have a plan to reach a goal.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 05: Hundreds of protesters march in downtown Brooklyn over the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis Police officer on June 05, 2020 in New York City. The white police officer, Derek Chauvin, has been charged with second-degree murder and the three other officers who participated in the arrest have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. Floyd’s death, the most recent in a series of deaths of African Americans at the hands of police, has set off days and nights of protests across the country. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
It is about time! Although, it took the cruel death of George Floyd by three racist cops for White Americans to join minorities in his/her on- going fight against injustice in this country which has always been perpetrated by white men (law enforcement, judges and vigilantes) to finally react nationwide to the abuse and murders of blacks which occurred before and after Floyd’s death. During this time the following minority citizens were killed by cops and criminals: Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, David Dorn, David McAtee, Chris Beaty, Dorian Murrell, Italia Kelly, Marquis Toutant, Patrick Underwood, Calvin Horton Jr, James Scurlock, Javar Harrell, Jorge Gomez, Jose Gutierrez, Victor Cazares, Jr., and Marvin Francois.
In the 1960’s Black Americans held peaceful demonstrations to call attention to racism, injustices and improve the lives of the black population. During this era there were a verity of movements taking place regularly in this country such as the civil rights movement, black power movement gay rights movement, environmental movement, anti-Vietnam war movement, and the student movement to name a few. Further, I also remember a letter written by Martin Luther King while a prisoner in a Birmingham Jail that read, “Freedom is never given voluntarily by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed”. This has always been the driving force behind demonstrations and movements which mostly fell on the deaf ears of white men.
My entire life, white men have been labeled as liars, swindlers, fakes, and backstabbers; not only when dealing with minorities but in dealing with their own race. Most of what he/she possesses was stolen from someone else including the Native Americans. But are quick to accuse and describe minorities as thieves, liars and lazy to direct attention away from themselves and towards other races.
Here is a little history:
Based on the attitudes of most white people, you would assume they have always lived here in North America which is what they want other races to believe which has never been the truth. These people were migrants that came by ships from Britain, France, Portugal, England, Denmark, Europe, Germany, Russia etc., and had little to no possessions upon arriving in this country; like every other immigrants upon arrival calls this country, America, their home.
I should also inform you that Native Americans had lived for tens-of-thousands of years in this country before the white race stepped on its grounds. In fact the Paleo-Indians were the first settlers in this country.
All white men are immigrants from other countries. However, I have always wondered how white men acquired the mindset that because of their color they are and will always be the most powerful, most important, and most intelligent people.
Here is one of my examples of the mindset and belief of quinquagenarian (white men between the ages of 50-59): I was traveling with a white man, who told me, “Black people always accuse white people of making them slaves by stealing them from their homes and selling them to other white people. However, history states none of that is true. It was black people that sold their own black people to be slaves to white people”.
My head turned so fast to face this man. “I don’t know what book, newspaper, computer blog you read, or television station you have been watching all of these years, but what you just said is an outright hurtful lie!”
No. No, I did not say that to be mean. I said it because its history and it is true. You probably need to read your history about why and how black people became slaves, he said.
You, being a white man cannot tell me anything about being black. I did not just wake up this morning and discover I was black. I was born this color and have been comfortable with my blackness all my life. In fact, my parents raised three more intelligent black children just like me. At this moment, though you are fifty-something; the words coming out of your mouth shows me just how unintelligent and uneducated you are about the history of your own race and that of others”, I replied.
This white man was so angry, he stepped on the accelerator which had us flying up the highway towards a crowd of stopped vehicles and a traffic light that was red. “Stop. Dammit stop, I shouted.” When we skidded to a stop. I looked at him and discovered not only was his face red, but his eyes were watery. This man was unaware that the traffic ahead of us had stopped.
Yes, it took a while. But I do have white friends that I love and trust. We have talked about racial issues such as segregation, past and current school systems. Injustices such as black men being charged with crimes and incarcerated though they were and are still innocent. As well as the differences between what black and white students were taught in school. This is when I discovered their books were rewritten to exclude all injustices the black population had endured because of white men. Including contributions minorities made to this country from fighting in wars to the inventions of various items still used by American citizens today. Meanwhile, all black schools taught black and white history to ensure all students knew about the hardships, resilience and determination of our forefathers to survive and use their creativity to help build and make this country what it has visually and politically become.
Let me take this opportunity to introduce you to a few of our Black American inventors. Yes there are many others:
1) Booker T. Washington was an author, educator, curator, and advisor to multiple presidents of the United States.
2) Charles Drew was a physician, surgeon, and medical researcher, who worked with a Red Cross team to develop blood transfusions during World War II. Drew also invented the bloodmobiles.
3) George Washington Carver invented peanut butter.
4) Madam C. J. Walker invented beauty products which made her the first self-made millionaire in America.
5) Marie Van Brittan Brown devised a system to alert her of strangers at her door and means to contact the authorities. Her invention consists of a camera, peephole, monitors and two-way microphone.
6) Otis Boykins improved the circuit for pacemakers as well as invented the IBM computers, burglar-proof cash registers, chemical air filters, and more.
7) Garnett A. Morgan, William Pots and J.P Knight invented the 3-way traffic signal and the smoke hood used to rescue tunnel construction workers as well as safety hoods for firemen.
8) Phillis Wheatley was the first African American Publisher of a book of poetry. She was also stolen from her home as a child and brought to America.
9) Sarah E. Goods invented the folding cabinet bed.
10) Although the light bulb was invented by Thomas Edison, the innovation used to create longer-lasting light bulbs with carbon filament was invented by Lewis Latimer, an African American, who also invented electricity.
11) Frederick M. Jones, innovations for long-haul refrigeration prevent perishable goods from spoiling. This is just a sample. However, many African American inventors, scientists, mathematicians, and chemists possess 25 or more patents.
On May 4, 2020 after listening
to the increasing death tolls of citizens around the globe, and hearing that my
Sioux Falls governor hadn’t put any preventive measures in place to minimize
the spread of the virus like other state governors such as stay-at-home orders
and business closures even after discovering Smithfield, a South Dakota pork
plant caused the state to become the only north-central epicenter for the
coronavirus pandemic.
This is when I made the
decision to reserve a one-way rental car and drive to Sioux Falls to retrive my
pickup truck from storage and return to Arizona rather than make my usual
exodus in my RV home in June and remain until September. However, situations in
Sioux Falls had changed this tradition as well. Now, my preferred rv home of
residence is Bureau of Land Management (BLM) properties, canyons, forests, and
airy out-of-the way campgrounds until this disease is contained.
When I mentioned my plan to travel home to retrieve my vehicle to a new founded friend. I was floored when she said, “I’ll go with you.” Although, I have only known Debbie and her husband, John for a year; they have always treated me like a family member and have supported me through some offer times in my life. Wherein people I have considered friends for the last 20 to 50-years have not been as kind. Further, I was a little hesitant about taking this trip to Sioux Falls although I travel from place-to-place like a gypsy on a regular basis. However, occurrences in this country under this current president upon taking office in 2017, and the February 2020 pandemic indicates the America I once knew is being extinguished.
The arrival of this pandemic
and speed at which it claimed the lives of a hundred-thousand or more American
citizens (young and old) occurred because Donald Trump, disbanded the pandemic
response team in May 2018, sixteen months after assuming the position as
president of the United States. This team was established in 2015 by former
President, Barack Obama’s National Security Advisor and consist of white house
personnel, whose duties were to advise the president on national security and
foreign policy matters.
As the pandemic sped
around the globe, the president and his band of corrupt republican party
nitwits were made aware of its existence in February 2020. Rather than make
American citizens aware of this nearing death treat, nothing was done by this
president to insure as many lives as possible would be saved in accordance with
best practices used during past pandemics. However, no preparedness
instructions were issued to American citizens, medical facilities, nursing
homes, etc. So, this country and its citizens were caught off guard and
unprepared when the Pandemic arrived in March.
Once
Americans begin hearing about the coronavirus and people begin to die by the thousands
or were being hospitalized around the globe worldwide, this disease was no
longer a republican party and president secret. It was at this time, the
president decided to talk about the virus and downplaying its probable effects
on American citizens by characterizing this virus as a type of flu and
sugar-coating its deadly affects with crazy comments such as, “It’s going to disappear”. “We
have it under control”. “It’s going to be fine.”
The arrival of this pandemic and
speed at which it claimed the lives of a hundred-thousand or more American
citizens (young and old) occurred because Donald Trump, disbanded the pandemic
response team in May 2018. This team was established in 2015 by former
President, Barack Obama’s National Security Advisor and consist of white house
personnel, whose duties were to advise the president on national security and
foreign policy matters.
Now, here I sit on my couch
trying to determine based on situations around the world what my girlfriend and
I might need or what types of problems we may encounter during this road trip.
I had many questions floating
around in my head such as (1) What states are under quarantine orders, (2) will
service stations be open or closed, (3)
will rest areas be open or closed, (4) will interstate and county road traffic
be heavy or sparse, (5) will hotels and motels be open to travelers, (6) how
easy would it be to contact AAA and get roadside service if needed, (7) Should we drive during the day and check into a
hotel/motel before dark, or drive straight through only stopping for gas and bathroom
breaks, (8) Where do we eat,
restaurants, diners or fast food eateries, and if one of us become ill are
local hospitals accepting travelers.
Based
on research, I determined the types of operating procedures that were in effect
to prevent the spread of the virus in every state we will past through on our
way to Sioux Falls SD which are as follows: (1) Quartzsite, Arizona (cities declare state of emergencies.
Order close bars, restaurants, and indoor facilities), (2) New Mexico (out of
state travel not recommended; self-isolate for 14-days upon return. Residents
must stay at home; only leave for outings necessary for health, safety, or
welfare, etc.), (3) Colorado (governor issued an executive Order declaring a
state of disaster emergency due to coronavirus. Social distancing recommended.
Restaurants, bars, theaters, and gyms are close, (4) Kansas (governor declared
state of emergency after 1st covid-19 death), (5) Nebraska (grocery stores,
pharmacies, hardware/home improvement stores, restaurants etc. are open), and (6) Sioux Falls SD (a state of
emergency was not declared in my state at this time).
As a
result, I decided we would picnic from Arizona to South Dakota in parks, a few
rest areas, and roadside pull-off areas along the highway. Further, service
stations where we stop for gas would also be the bathroom stop for us and my
dog and vice versa. I brought a cooler and stocked it with sandwich meats,
cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, and muster including bread, and chips. As well as fruit,
Gatorade, water, and dog food for my germen shepherd. We even made sandwiches
for breakfast before getting back on the highway which turned out to be
beneficial since hotels were no longer offering free-breakfast to guests;
microwaves and refrigeration’s were no longer available in some hotels because
keeping these items sanitized was a problems.
How we felt and what we saw during our trip. I am sure you can readily recall what your
town looked like during the activation of the stay-at-home orders which closed
businesses putting employees out of work. Imagine what this must look like
nation-wide.
We travelled for hours on
interstates and county roads which contained sparse to no traffic. Mile after
mile of construction corns and work vehicles abandoned on the shoulder and in median
strips. It was an eerie feeling to be the only persons driving on these roads.
We never saw any state troopers, though sparse traveler’s shot-pass during 90
to 100 or more miles an hour.
I said, “Deb, this trip looks and feels like we are in the Twilight Zone. I have been thinking, a person could speed up on us fast from the rear, knock this 2020 Volkswagen off the highway into a ravine; kidnap or kill us on either of these sparsely travelled roadways. Law enforcement and/or traveler’s would not know until highway workers return to work and stumble upon our vehicle that something terrible had happened.” Please be quiet Edith, you could have kept that thought to yourself because this trip is creepy enough as it is”, she replied.
This is when I realized, the
deep mental thought and realization of isolation due to the coronavirus’s hold
on this country had previously formed in my mind’s eye which caused my hesitation
to do this trip alone.
Small, medium and some large towns appeared to be abandon. There were no people on sidewalks, front-porches, driving on city streets, working in fields, or vehicles crowded on mall parking lots. Closed service stations offered self-service for credit card users. Some rest areas were completely closed; others were open with limited to no facilities. While a few offered full services (restroom facilities, covered picnic tables, snack machines, dog parks and walking trails).
It was getting late when we entered Gallup, New Mexico. A sign on the hotel door, directed us to the nearby train-type diner to register for a room. I was greeted by a friendly server. “Hi, the sign on the hotel door directed me here. What happened to the hotel staff and citizens?” This city is under quarantine, so only three businesses are open which is this diner, the service station next door and a family-owned grocery store-up the street and around the corner is opened to provide service to traveler’s passing through our city. Therefore, everyone else is at home. If you would complete this registration form, I will check you in and direct you to your room, he replied. We found our room, had sandwiches, Deb walked Dakota; I took a shower and went to bed with my left leg elevated.
The
evening prior to our arrival in Sioux Falls, I called the reservation desk at
My Place Hotel where I reside for 30-days in 2018 before deciding to purchase a
mobile home as my permanent full-time residence. The front desk confirmed a
room would be available whenever I arrived. Our first stop in Sioux Falls was
at Wal-Mart to purchase microwavable foods for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and
dinner for the next three-days. Then we checked into our hotel room which had a
full kitchen.
On
Thursday upon arriving at the storage facility I said, “Deb I am so glad
to get rid of that darn Volkswagen. This was a painful and miserable trip for
me because my left knee swells and remain in that painful condition until we
checked into our hotel room for the night”. Uh huh. I knew
you were in a lot of pain, but you were a real trooper during this entire trip.
That is way I always walked Dakota whenever we stopped to eat or take a bathroom
break. I am shorter than you and that Volkswagen was uncomfortable to me as
well. Now that this leg of this trip is over. I can say, “Seeing you struggle
to lift and get your left leg into that Volkswagen remind me of the movie,
Police Academy. When Shaquille O’Neal ripped the driver seat from a vehicle too
small for him to get into and threw it on the side of the road. Then, he sits
in the backseat to drive the vehicle, she said. We both laughed.
On Friday morning, I drove the rental vehicle
to the airport and returned it. Deb followed me in my truck. We visited Falls
Park which is my favorite place to relax and reflect on life. As well as a
brief drive through of Sculpture Walk. When we packed my F-150 pickup truck on
Sunday morning and pulled out of the hotel’s parking lot we were all smiles. Our
trip back to Quartzsite, AZ was a breeze and very comfy.
For the last two weeks I have heard about the upcoming April
7th appearance of the Pink Moon scheduled to occur at 10pm. But I doubted I
would see it since I am usually asleep by 9 or 10pm. I do not know why my sleep
schedule changed from 11 or 12midnight to the above times; once I moved from my
Maryland community of stick and mortar-built home into a rv and became a full-time
traveler. However, I have determined my sleepiness does not come because I am
tired from driving 8-hundred miles or more during the day, or because I am bored
with my lifestyle. Neither of these appear to be the issue since I love my lifestyle.
Although, I have wondered if my sleep schedule changed
because I live in forests and deserts which are tranquil areas during the day and
at night, except for sounds from wildlife such as Owls, Mockingbirds, the Spruce,
etc. Also, the woods have its own type of darkness. Meaning everything is
cloaked by darkness. Even with a flashlight or head lamp your vision is limited.
Meanwhile, the constant chatter about the pink moon piqued
my interest. As a result, I was curious to determine if this moon was pink in
color. My research of this matter indicates the color of the moon is caused by
the scattering of light in the sky that is triggered when there is a lot of
dust, smoke, or pollution in the atmosphere.
This might explain the appearance of something white captured
by my camera on the left of the moon. I took picture three times with the same results.
Also when not looking through my camera lens the moon was white. Both, the pink
and white moon was smaller than I expected which was disappointing since I
thought this moon would be much larger.
