I’m under self-imposed house arrest to avoid the flu.
While I’m sitting in the sunshine, a tall, slim man approaches from the Airstream across the flat area that comprises our shared, desert property.
“Hello!” he calls out. “I was worried about you. I haven’t seen you out since the dust storm.”
“Oh, I’m fine. I was afraid I might’ve picked up the flu virus when I went shopping at Wal-Mart, so the next day I pretty much stayed in bed to fight it off. I’m okay.”
“Well, you have a very nice set-up,” he adds as his eyes scan the BLT, the PTV, the Wilson antenna, and the solar panel.”
“Thank you. I’m very proud of it.”
He looks over at his campsite. “That’s an old ’66 Airstream. Only we’re supposed to call them vintage, not old.”
At a break in the conversation I hold out my hand.
“My name is Sue.”
“I’m Tom,” he replies as we shake hands. “My wife’s name is Carolyn.”
Tom and Carolyn have a home in northern Utah. They’ve been RVing for many years. Ogilby Road is one of their regular winter camps. Once I learn he and Carolyn like to boondock, I ask him many questions about their favorite places.
They recently went across the border to Los Algodones.
At Los Algodones Optical they paid $117 for three pairs of bifocals! Tom and Carolyn are also very pleased with the dental care they’ve received in Los Algodones from Dr. Luis Miguel Escobar, D.D.S.
Later Carolyn comes over, a plastic bag in hand.
“I’ve got some onions for you from my garden.” I look inside and see three perfect yellow onions. “Thank you! I don’t have any onions.” We converse for several minutes as though we’re long lost pals recently reunited. Carolyn is a cheerful lady with eyes that sparkle.
“Tom tells me you’re leaving tomorrow for Quartzsite.”
Carolyn explains that her books about wire-wrapped jewelry are on display at some of the booths, and she wants to stop by to thank the vendors and sign some books. She may have said she’ll have a booth herself, but I’m not sure if I’m remembering correctly.
After Carolyn goes back to her campsite, I look up Carolyn Eddy online. She teaches jewelry wire-wrapping classes through Gem Faire.
If you’re using a laptop monitor, you might need to tip the screen to see this photo taken in near-darkness.
Tom and Carolyn’s Airstream under a January sunset
Oh, the people you meet on the road!
rvsue
Thought about you today, drove to Salt Lake City from Carson City,,,,spending a week here to do geneology research at the 5 level Family History Library. On the way, saw a total of about 50 wild horses between Dayton and Fernley (the most I have ever seen)….. and here is the biggie.. TWO huge male elk grazing about 100yds off of I80 about 30 miles into Utah. Could not believe it…. Yes,,they are real! And PS…the low is minus 2 here tonight….very cold. Stay warm and healthy.
Hi Mel…
The wild horses I can believe. The elk…. well . . . maybe. I’m not totally convinced that they really exist. You probably saw mule deer with weight problems.
What an exciting trip! I’m wild about wild horses, or any horses for that matter. One thing I’ve wanted to do since childhood is learn to ride a horse. Never did, but I compensate by photographing them. One of the most beautiful sights in the world is a running horse or a herd of running horses . . . That’s one of the reasons I want to go back to Brooks Lake in Wyoming, to see those horses run across the meadow by the lake every day at 4:30. Sigh.
Sheesh. Minus 2 is too cold. But you know that!
You’re doing good! I am just getting over the flu. Love your desert campsite as always.
Just read the part about location. Okay, I’ll play. I live on the Lano Estacado
Hmmm…. TX or NM . . . “staked plain”… I wonder if that name comes from the early norte americanos staking their claims on the plains with stakes.
Sorry you’ve suffered with the flu, Llanos (Bob). Get strong and healthy soon!
Coronado named the region after seeing the cliffs of the Caprock Escarpment from the north on his way east from Cíbola. They appeared to be an impenetrable defense for the land, and he called it Llano Estacado, Spanish for “Palisaded Plain.” The name of the region has historically been widely known as the “staked plain,” giving rise to several stories to explain it. Some allude to yucca stems, others to stakes driven into the ground as landmarks used to course across the flat, featureless region, and others to the mis transformed Spanish word estancado which means “stagnant” (water).
Well, house arrest is better than the flue ! I too am being cautious these days lots of hand sanitation and avoidance of crowds and personal contact.
Getting to meet other RV’rs is one of the charms of RV’ing so many are very interesting.
I am in San Felipe MX, and here it is cold also.
Hi, Kay Julia . . . I think your home in San Felipe is a gem. I love that it’s not huge but has wonderful features… the tiles… the spiral ladder to the rooftop . . . the lovely colors . . . and those bathroom sinks! Love it all . . . and usually it’s warm there, too.
Sue, thanks for limiting the days to two when I load your page..my computer was so slow to load that I defragged it and cleaned up my files to no avail. Now it loads very quickly.
On another topic, are you happy with the amount of time you have available for use on your air card? I read awhile back that you have a 2 or 3 gig contract with Verizon. We are on the verge of buying one ourselves and are not sure what plan to use. We’ll typically surf 3-4 hours a day. Now we are using cable, and know that we’ll be drastically limiting our downloading in the future.
We have the Verizon air card with 10gigs of data and are very pleased. We do limit our Netflix usage tho
Hi, Cathy… Nice of you to weigh in on the subject… That’s a lotta data!
Hi Bruce!
I upgraded to 6 gigs last summer. I haven’t used more than 75% of that in a billing period. Before I got this antenna, it was not uncommon for me to spend 3-4 hours a day online, mostly working on this blog! Now I often spend that much time surfing. I don’t download or stream a lot.
Thanks, Sue! We’ll start with the 5 gig plan from AT&T. We are using their cell phone plan at this time because that’s all that works at our cabin in the woods of SW Washington. Here’s hoping we’ll get a decent signal in the hinterlands when we’re boondocking. I’d be willing to buy a Wilson antenna if that’s what it takes. We’re hoping to head south in a couple of weeks for a few months of trying our new ‘wings’. Thanks again for sharing your lives with us!
How nice…that someone you didn’t know…thought to check on you!
Really nice picture of the vintage Airstream. They always remind me of a thermos bottle. They have a little 16 footer called Bambi….but they start at 40K…..yikes! Love the rounded body just like your Casita.
Not sure if I would cross the border for medical treatment…but if they are happy…good for them.
Our snow is just about gone as it has rained for the past three days. With all the shoveling…who needs a gym membership! The snow slid off our metal roof and I thought for sure we were having an earthquake. Jules just laughed!
Take care…………..enjoy your evening.
Hi Cindy and Jules,
Airstreams and Casitas have a common attribute… The old ones don’t look much different than the new ones. After I posted this entry, Tom and Carolyn invited me inside. My first view of the interior of an Airstream. I think they said theirs is 24-feet (close at least) which looks like a good size for two people.
About the eyeglass place…
About the dentist . . . He was educated in the United States but he moved back over the border to be with his family. The offices are clean and professional and within walking distance of the U.S.
Sounds like you had an avalanche!
Living in Arizona myself, I have heard a lot about the Drs and Dentists in Mexico. I finally experienced the Dentist second hand via our son in law. While spending a week in our favorite over the border seaside villa, he came down with a heck of a tooth ache. He mentioned that this was an ongoing problem, but without dental insurance he could not afford to get it taken care of. I insisted he stop at the Dentist on our way home. We stopped at an office just the mexico side of the border south of Ajo. walked in off the street with no appt. What a clean office! What a nice staff! He had to wait about 40 minutes to get in to see the dentist. No problem. Turns out because he would be paying with cash he was treated right away. The dentist had a difficult time extracting that tooth! Later we all joked that my son in law must be related to a horse (can you say ass???) But I digress!!!! Tooth was big with very long roots. Dentist made him very comfortable and explained everything as he went along. He also said it was going to cost a couple of dollars more because of the extra time involved. Long story short, walked out paying $50.00 for the extraction, went next door to the pharmacy with a $3.00 antibiotic script, and pain med for $3.00 also. Drove home and he was very happy to be rid of the tooth problem and was very happy with the cost. The dentist was educated in the USA at a well known Medical school and was very professional, but he felt bad because he had to charge so much!! We almost laughed all the way home.
Great story, Joan! Wow, you really explained why people go to Mexico for dental/medical/eyeglasses. Thanks for letting us in on your son-in-law’s experience.
Mexico has as many good dentists and doctors as we do… but, of course, you have to check them out first the same as we do at home. I am still wearing the wonderful glasses that I bought in Mazatlan in 2007 for $37. (no bifocals) I know dozens and dozens of people who go to Algodones for medical/dental care and have heard fewer complaints than I have about US medical providers. I wanted an MRI to check an abdominal issue from surgery some years ago. They took me in immediately at a clinic in Mazatlan and it cost $300 (less than my co-pay would have been in the US). Plus they sat down with me and went through the videos they took, sent me off with the photos… and included in the price was that they asked me to come back in the afternoon to do a sonogram to get a better look at one area. No waiting room waits either.
I keep hearing stories about Mexican doctors and one thing is repeated, that Mexican doctors take the time to explain and to listen. In defense of our U.S. doctors (don’t know why they need my defense but anyway…), they are so tied up in Medicare, regulations, insurance company stipulations, and pay such high malpractice fees (again, insurance companies), that they run the patients through as if on an assembly line.
Interesting comment, Connie. Glad you had a positive experience.
Lovely sunset shot! We’re on our way to Los Algodones ourselves on Tues for dentals so good to have a recommendation. Had me a nice bike ride around Sidewinder Rd today, but sadly didn’t see the BLT or any wiggly doggie butts.
Nina
Nina! How could you miss the BLT with her antenna “flag” high in the sky! And how could you miss the PTV with her solar panel tilted to the sun! Sorry you missed us… and if Bridget knew, she’d be devastated.
We aren’t far from Ogilby. Coming from that direction, just beyond the first sign of RVs on the left. You have to look way back to see us, but we are visible from Sidewinder. You probably were whizzing by at a top rate of speed . . .
I have to admit I was pumping those bike wheels something crazy haha. Seriously I must be blind. I will definitely have to try and make it over there to see the wiggly butts. Stay warm today!!!
Nina
Perhaps you could send the picture of the sunset and Tom’s Airstream to Tom…I’ll bet he would really like to have it….!
Rod
Great idea, Rod… I wish I had thought to get their email address. I didn’t think the photo would come out so well. I did share my blog address with them, so they can see all that’s posted here.
Carolyn’s email address is on the link that you posted for Gem Faire
Yes, I see it.
So thoughtful of Tom to check on you. Also love onions….wonder where Carolyn has her garden…humm. Might have to visit Los Algodones one day just to see what it’s like…I might end up with glasses from there.
Hi Rita…
Carolyn’s garden is at her home in northern Utah. From the looks of these onions, she knows gardening.
The glasses they purchased in Los Algodones are good quality and stylish. Tom says he’s bought glasses there about every two years and never had a problem, always pleased with the glasses. Usually the glasses are ready for you in about an hour and a half, unless you have surface treatments done to the lenses. Then you can have the glasses mailed to you or you can go back and pick them up.
Wondering if the vehicle behind Tom & Carolyn’s Airstream is theirs, also? Maybe the pick-up tows the trailer and she drives along behind them with a more tour-about-town sort of vehicle? Trying to learn all I can.
Hi Gayle… Good for you, “trying to learn all I can.”
You are very observant. Yes, Carolyn has a Class B (or maybe it’s a conversion van) because sometimes her wire-wrapping jewelry business requires her to go places (to teach and such) and Tom stays “home” in the Airstream. They have a regular house in northern Utah which is a cold place in the winter, I imagine.
Hi Sue, I have had Dr.Escobar do some work a few times for me, was happy with his work and price, Don’t often hear Los Algodones , It;s just Algodones, To me It’s a nice clean safe town,
you can wait an hour trying to leave, thats how long the line can be at times. Twice when the line was long and I was not going to be no more than an hour I gave one of the kids there $5.00 to stand in line for me,,, works great, just remember to tear the bill and only give him half. he gets the other half later,, Safe travel’s
Hi John,
I guess it depends on when you go to Dr. Escobar. Tom and Carolyn didn’t have a long wait.
Ha! You know if I didn’t put the Los in Los Algodones, somebody would correct me! So I went by the address on the business card that Tom gave me.
And yes, both Tom and Carolyn emphasized cleanliness and safety. These medical places are within walking distance of the border crossing. You park in the U.S. and walk over, as you know (I write this for the benefit of other readers.). It’s not like you travel overland and are at the mercy of banditos!
I have found RV’ers are some of the nicest people you ever want to meet. I have not come across a grumpy one yet. Beautiful sunset!
I agree with you, Sunny. I think being “nice” and having a spirit of adventure must go hand-in-hand. Carolyn made an interesting point. She said she’s found many RVers are avid readers.
We share characteristics, yet we are very different. Meeting interesting people is part of the adventure of vagabonding!
There is nothing better than an Arizona desert sunset.
Even when seen from the California side of Yuma! What’s wonderful . . . If you miss the sunset, just wait 24 hours and another gorgeous one will be presented for your enjoyment and delight.
About These Ads
The site you just visited is part of WordPress.com. There are two reasons why you might see ads on a WordPress.com site:
1.The site is part of the WordAds program and has elected to show ads to earn money from their site.
2.The site is one of the sites hosted on WordPress.com that has not purchased the No Ads upgrade, and we are running ads to cover the costs of operating the site for the user. We run these types of ads sparingly in an attempt to interfere as little as possible with the experience of reading a site and for logged in users we don’t show ads at all. There’s more info about our approach to ad serving in this blog post.
In both of the above cases, the ad you saw could be coming from a number of ad partners including Sharethrough, Federated Media, or AdSense. The ads change depending on factors like your location and the type of site you are visiting.
If you are a WordPress.com user and you would like to permanently remove all ads from your site, please take a look at our No Ads upgrade.
Just wanted you to know I was not nuts….. I see the ad in the comment section of your blog !!!
Colleen – I only get those ads on my Kindle Fire. If I view the blog from my laptop or my Android phone, it’s not there. Not sure why, but you’re definitely not nuts 😉
Colleen,
At first your comment totally confused me because I could not tell if you were quoting WordPress or you were actually a WordPress representative. Your second comment cleared that up. I assume your first comment is entirely a quote from WordPress Support.
I don’t know if your comment is related to the ongoing discussion here re: me making money by posting ads. The ads which are the subject of the above quote have nothing to do with me monetizing my blog. Those ads appear independently of me and are at the discretion of WordPress.
I removed the link you posted as it is meant for administrators of a blog, such as myself. Readers may mistakenly think they should contact WordPress whenever an ad appears.
Sue, Sorry for the confusion. I thought you wanted to know who saw “what” on your blog. I thought they were the cause of lag as to opening your blog. Please don’t mind me, Im just a gal who commented when I shouldn’t have. I love reading these RV full timer blogs. Makes my day much better. Thanks again, Colleen (Glen Burnie, MD)
Hi Colleen . . . Now I get it! I didn’t realize you were thinking it might be the source of the loading problems. Thank you for going to the effort of posting it. Sorry I didn’t catch on . . .
“I’m just a gal who commented when I shouldn’t have.” Oh no! Don’t ever think that!
I’m glad we bloggers make your days better. 🙂
Gorgeous sunset picture..how nice of Tom to come over and check on you. Hugs to Spike and Bridget!
I was on a quick run over to Tom and Carolyn’s place when I first saw the sunset. I had to go back and get my camera even though I have about 60 desert sunset photos already! Couldn’t resist . . . Hugs to Jake, Louie, and Sophie!
Sue – it’s nice to know there are so many interesting and caring people out there.
Hi Marsha… Gee, I like how you and others include your location. I get a kick out of knowing where you are . . .
I’m beginning to wonder if “interesting and caring” are requirements to joining the RV vagabond life!
Sue and All,
This has been my first week in my teeny weeny trailer and Sue, I,m taking so much advice from your blog . Your experience and that of your readers has been so helpful! Downsizing to an 18 ft home is an art . My neighbors in my rv park have been amazing in helping me and welcoming me . most are over 55 of course as am I . You all rock thanks for the advice and stories . I have lots of questions but hold them for now . Keep healthy!
Congratulations, Deb!!! These are days you’ll never forget . . . I’m so glad my blog is helpful. The information from readers helps me, too.
Please don’t hesitate to ask questions here. And keep in touch, love to hear some of your adventures, too!
If you’re interested in an eye exam and/or purchase of eyeglasses at Algodones Optical, click on the link.
Hi Sue, it’s like 15 f here with th’ wind a blowin’ ,,,,,,our temp in side is 60 n’ Timber is under my covers, it wouldn’t be so bad if th’ wind was gone, must go n’ find more firewood today, Berrrrrrr, I’ll make two trips fer wood, Stay Warm n’ say hi to your babies
Hi Rusty,
The wind is biting cold here, too. Not as cold as 15 degrees . . . The sky is blue and clear, but, man, that wind! Good plan to stock up on wood. I’m glad you have Timber to keep you warm. Canine heat can’t be beat! Ha!
I mean th’ wind chill factore is 15, at 45 mph in full sun, n’ your right Timber keeps my feet warm, who needs eletricity,,,,,,,,,
Spike is my foot-warmer!
Sue, I did not mean a line for the Dr.. It’s the line to leave Algodones
Oh … I seem to have comprehension problems today.
Sue, thanks for all the info and links on medical care in Mexico. Word of mouth (no pun intended) is the best advertising. 😀
You’re welcome! I like to include helpful information in every blog post, not only nonsense and details on washing my dishes.
Since I will be traveling alone for the first time it was interesting to me to read your post and the comments regarding other rvers being generally helpful. In your experience has this been the norm? Is it easy to tell an area will have good neighbors? Even tho they are distant ones? We always camped in remote areas on my own I’m not sure I’ll be comfortable being that remote. I really love the pictures you post of the area around you in the dispersed sites and campgrounds.
Actually I love all your pics but those are helping give me an idea of what I would see. Thx
Hi, Cherylyn,
Are other rvers helpful? Yes, very much so!
Is it easy to tell an area will have good neighbors? If by good, you mean safe, the answer is yes. Three big reasons for this … 1) If in campgrounds .. .”Bad” people aren’t likely to go camping. 2) In remote areas . .. You’re not going to camp right next to another camper, so if a “bad” person is out there, most likely he wants to be left alone, and won’t bother you. I’ve never run into a “bad” person in all the remote areas I’ve camped. 3) Absence of “bad” people .. . You aren’t going to camp in the slums of a major city, for example.
I hope what I’m going to say here doesn’t offend you. It isn’t intended to be harsh, but I may come across that way. I write it for all the people, especially women, who want to boondock but are “uncomfortable” about it.
The problem is within you. If you use common sense, follow your gut, take basic safety precautions (Don’t sunbathe nude, Don’t get drunk and fall down, Don’t show off lots of money or valuables, etc. :)) then you are probably safer than you ever were in a stick house. Come to grips with the fear that’s been programmed into you by our society. Let go of the fear habit. Enjoy your travels!
One other thing… If a place makes you uncomfortable, simply move on.
Hope this helps, Cherylyn… Thanks for the excellent questions!
Agreed not much can replace good common sense. Having not experienced the water yet it’s nice to be able to ask someone “how it is”. Thank you for taking the time to answer.
Hi Sue,
Hope you don’t come down with the flu. Being sick is no fun. I have been at Quartzsite for a week now trying to stay warm. It is supposed to warm up tomorrow. Let me know when you are getting here and maybe I can meet up with you. Say hi to Spike and Bridget for me!
Hi Jim!
Nice of you to contact me about seeing each other again. At this point I have no plans to go to Quartzsite. My goal right now is to stay away from the cold. If you come to Yuma or any other place the crew and I might camp, let me know. Have a great time at the Big Q spending all that money you made at Amazon.
Wow, that sunset is heavenly!
Hi Crystal… And heavenly sunsets are common from here!
I’m pretty much like you, any sign I might be getting a cold or flu then take time out to shake it off as quick as possible. I never quite viewed it as a social thing before but it is nice to know people are looking out for you.
Hello Sue, how do you do? I”m Tom and Carolyns friend that parked just beyond them. I meant to walk by and say hello but you pulled a sneak on me before I got around to it Here is her add.
Have you tried 2 mile wash at Why?