I have to make this quick so I’ll get right to the point.
The crew and I go into Yuma late this morning. I take care of several important tasks in preparation for cold weather that’s forecast for the Yuma area. At Wal-Mart I buy some fresh provisions, and stock supplies for “sick bay.” I heard on the television news last night about the flu sweeping the country. I pick up some Alka-Seltzer Plus, ginger ale, Gatorade, crackers, and chicken soup. Before leaving the parking lot, I unload full trash bags in the receptacles.
On the way home I pull off Interstate 8 at Pilot Knob.
First I get the empty propane tank filled, so now we have two full tanks. I also use the drinking water dispenser to fill up ten one-gallon jugs. By this time the wind is blowing the U.S. flag above the building full-out and sand is rushing across the pavement.
I’m glad it’s not much further to Ogilby Road.
By the time we pull off the interstate, then Sidewinder Road, and I park the PTV, the wind is very strong. I decide to leave the solar panel flat. The clouds are dark and thick. Not much light to catch anyway. I unlock the BLT and the crew jumps in. Quickly I run back and forth carrying the groceries inside. I pull the BLT’s door shut and lock it. We’re rocking from the wind. I feel sand grit in my mouth.
After about twenty minutes fussing around inside, I lift the blinds.
Ohmigosh! The mountains are completely hidden by a curtain of dust or sand, whichever it is blowing across the desert. The other RVs look like they’re in a dense fog. I make sure all the windows and vents are closed, leaving only a cracked window where the antenna cord comes in. It whistles loudly so I tape it up which helps a lot. It’s a dust bowl out there!
My laptop is running out of charge.
And my batteries are barely holding their own. For that reason, I’ll post this and then stay offline until mid-morning tomorrow when the sun will shine on the panel again. Might as well be optimistic!
I hope I didn’t pick up the flu at Wal-Mart today — Man, that place was crowded! I’m prepared for whatever comes our way, and we’ll be fine, hunkered down in the BLT. I put fresh batteries in the carbon monoxide detector in case I need to fire up the catalytic heater tonight. (Yes, I know I need good ventilation if I turn on the heater.)
rvsue
P.S. Bridget was very happy to go to town today like I promised her. I walked the crew around the Wal-Mart parking lot for a long time, letting them go from island to island in a marathon sniff-out, which was followed by a feast of rotisserie chicken in the PTV. Two very happy, canine campers!
rvsue and her canine crew 