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Technology Dependency
One of the most frustrating aspects of my journey has been technology. Since I am still working and seeing clients, I am dependent upon technology and on the road, there are some real challenges.
I purchased a solar charging unit for my phone but it only actually worked once. So that was a waste of money. I have my car phone charger as a backup, but for some reason this is not working either. So I become dependent upon Cafe’s and Campground lounges to charge my phone and my laptop.
When I am in session for five plus hours a day, I run the risk of my laptop battery draining. I have a new Asus Zenbook which is supposed to have a good twelve hour battery, but I find I am lucky to get a solid six hours from it. I find myself having to book a “charging break” in my day and go have a cup of coffee or tea in a place with outlets.
My morning coffee charging time is mandatory. I begin each day with fully charged electronics and do what I can to conserve.Now I understand why having solar panels installed on the top of one’s rig is important. As I was watching all the youtube video’s of people who live in their Van’s or Rv’s, most will have a couple solar panels installed that keep not only their electronics charged but also their fridge. I would have to choose between my roof cargo rack or solar panels. It would make sense to pair down the amount of “stuff” I think I need to have, lose the cargo rack and install the solar panels. That would be next trip. I’ve already managed to get three weeks in and even with the electronics issue, I am managing.
Many travelers depend upon campground electronics. Campgrounds charge very good money for “hookups.” It is typical to pay anywhere from $40.00 to $60.00 per night for an RV hookup spot. Even if one spent $45.00 per night, plus tax, on camping, they would be investing roughly$1500.00 per month on parking. For some, this is simply factored into their budget, but for me, it doesn’t make financial sense.
What I have found about most RV parks and commercial campgrounds is they make the most of their real estate and don’t give a lot of space between units.
For me the whole idea of camping is to get out in nature. Not to be so close the camper next to me that I can hear every word they say, smell their cooking, hear their music and in some cases, even hear them snoring at night. To me, this is not my idea of a good time.
I understand that people with big camping rigs, just shut themselves in at night, like they would their homes, and turn on their television sets, their air conditioning and all the comforts of home. They really don’t hear their neighbors.
The night I had to put in ear plugs because I could hear the camper next door snoring, was the night I decided I needed more space around me.
Fortunately today, the summer solstice, the San Juan National Forests are opening back up, and so I get to retreat back into the forest, where there is a lot more open space. I also only take clients Monday through Wednesday, so I have some days free of electronical worries.
Overall I am so very grateful for our electronics, because it allows me to be “FREE!” I can go anywhere and still work, as long as I can get a signal. And this is why I am able to be on this “Flying Solo” journey.
Happy Summer Solstice!
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Ojo Caliente
After five days camping in the national forest, I not only had my first shower, but spent the day at the Ojo Caliente hotsprings and soaked in several different mineral pools, had a mud bath, a steam sauna and a long luxurious shower. It was a well deserved spa day. I also got my first hike in, up on the mesa above the hotsprings, to a Native American ruin that didn’t have much left but a lot of pottery 
chards.My friend Hinton, was going to Ojo Caliente for the day so I decided to join him. We had lunch and dinner in their restaurant and wine bar, which provided a couple Veggie options.
The day was beautiful! Warm and sunny. There were clear skies to where I could sit in the tubs and look up at the stars. The grounds around the springs were beautiful. Overall it was a good day!
I had to cancel the client I had scheduled in the afternoon because there was only Internet inside of the restaurant and lobby and my Verizon hotspot didn’t work. I was concerned about this so I called ahead to make a camping reservation and to ask if they had good Verizon service out there. They said “Yes, Verizon is the only service we get out here.” They were wrong about that. Verizon was “roaming” only. Note to self: “Don’t schedule outings in remote places on work days.”
I camped in their very overpriced campgrounds, which was nice to have nearby, but the hotsprings charged “high end” prices for a “low end” campground. They charge the same for tent campers or vans that don’t need “hookups” as they do for full hookups and they failed to provide me a site with hookups. It isn’t that I needed them, I just expected I would have electricity and water, which I fully planned to use, since I have an extension cord in my van. The water didn’t work, there was no electricity and the number of my site 28, was missing the “2,” so my site just said “8.” I was pretty blown away they were charging $40.00 a night for a tent spot with a rickety picnic table and no services. The code I was given for the restrooms didn’t work either. I imagine they can get away with charging such prices, which, by the way, didn’t include entrance to the hotsprings, because they are the only game in town. If you wish to camp, this is your only option; except my friend Hinton camped in the nearby Church parking lot and some van campers just leave their vehicle parked in the main lot overnight.Was it worth it? The soak definitely was! It was such a treat to soak in the tubs and I slept so well that night.
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The Narcissistic Neighbor
While traveling in my mini van I am dependent upon campgrounds and National Forest Lands to park at night. When in a campground, one doesn’t get to choose her neighbors. Well, do we ever?My neighbors in the Rio Grande Canyon were a group of party animals, but there was one such animal, in the group, although I never saw his face, I most certainly heard his voice. He had one of those really loud, obnoxious voices and he never stopped talking. Never!
The campground had quiet hours from 10pm to 8am so I thought maybe the party might die down after 10pm, but no such luck. I don’t know what it is with certain people, under the influence of alcohol, who feel they have to talk, like there is heavy machinery in use.
I wanted to jump out of my van and march over there, all wild haired and wide eyed and say “Hey, indoor voices,” even though we were technically outdoors. But with my experience with narcissists, I knew it wouldn’t end well for me. It never does. Instead I opted to accept this obnoxious invasion into my peace and tranquility as part of the journey. After all, every journey has it’s darkness and its light.
Most people respect the rules of the camp, but narcissists never believe the rules apply to them. This group kept talking until about 4am, and I was awake for most of it. Since his voice was dominating the conversation, I imagined the rest of his group started yawning and dropping like flies. If I could have been so lucky. It was likely after the last person in the group dropped that he finally stopped talking and I finally got some sleep.
The next morning the women in the neighboring group made a beeline for my shade spot equipped with their lawn chairs and tarps and this was before breakfast. It felt like they wanted to lay claim to the aspen tree before anyone else could, even though they weren’t planning on being there right away. I knew this was my cue to pack up and move on down the road. Life always provides cues, if we pay attention. And so the journey continues….
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The Journey Begins
As I pulled out of my driveway, I could hardly believe I was doing this. Four months in a mini van. I had put so much planning into this journey and so much work into getting the “Red Raven” Mini Van ready for her maiden voyage. I waved goodbye to the lovely women who would be renting my house while I was gone, and headed out.I drove for nearly eight hours on only a few hours sleep, as I was way too excited to sleep the night before.
My first destination was Jemez Springs New Mexico. I saw it in a video with other “van dwellers” and it looked like a beautiful place. I realized I hadn’t been to New Mexico in a while and this would be a great place to start. I was flying completely on faith as I didn’t make any campground reservations. I wanted to remain open and allow myself the freedom to change my mind, or my direction.
Jemez Springs New Mexico I found myself in the midst of two steep canyon walls, much like the red rocks of Sedona, in Oak Creek Canyon. The campground I selected ahead of time had an available site, so I pulled in and set up for the evening. It was a long day of driving and I was ready to make some food and rest. I opened a can of “vegan” chilli and tried out my new Coleman Cookstove. Once I got it lit for the first time it worked like a charm.
I thought I would stay here for a couple nights and unwind but they say if you want to make God laugh, tell her your plans. The next morning when I was preparing to escape the heat and sit by the creek, the camp host came by and told me she needed me to pack up right away and leave. What? I was being kicked out and I just got here?Evidently the Santa Fe National Forest Shut Down due to fire hazard.
Time to move on…..
I headed towards Taos, stopping first at the Jemez Springs Cafe and Bakery for a coffee. I took my time, sipped slowly, took in the surroundings, did some writing and even got connected to the Internet to check my email. My Verizon Hotspot didn’t work here in the canyon, neither did my phone, so I used the cafe’s Internet.
After a leisurely morning I began my journey towards Taos, my next destination.
