Gusty wind is blowing the sand and dust around.
I’m not going to tow my camper in this wind, so the crew and I are here at Elephant Butte for a few more days. The camp host says the wind will continue into tomorrow. That puts us into the weekend. I don’t like to change campgrounds on a weekend. No matter. I’m happy to stay here a few more days.
The crew has to go out, no matter what the weather.
They’re good little couch potatoes most of the day while I clean, do computer tasks, and watch television. There comes a point where I can’t expect them to stay inside any longer. Rather than walk on a trail and kick up sand in our faces, we stay on the paved road for quite a distance. I figure we’ll be okay. However, the wind picks up even more and sand starts to get in my eyes in spite of my glasses. We hurry home, the crew sneezing to clear their nostrils.
In spite of pretty strong gusts, the Casita doesn’t sway at all. Stabilizer jacks really do work!
Another reason to stay here longer is mail.
My mail forwarding service, Americas Mailbox, sent my mail on Monday to the Elephant Butte post office. This is a critical shipment. I have until October 15th to register the PTV and the Casita and to put on their new South Dakota license plates. That’s what’s in the mail.
I can see where successful fulltiming is an art.
Decisions need to be made based on present and future weather conditions, what season you’re in and what part of the season, how close you are to the weekend, the elevation of a campground, road conditions, access to stores and services, cost of gas, where there’s internet signal and where there isn’t, when and where your mail is to be delivered, and so on.
The best decision for us now is to stay put!
Like I said, I’m happy here, and if I’m happy, the crew’s happy. We’re comfy in our little home.
rvsue
I enjoyed Elephant Butte and TorC when I was there in Feb. Even if you’re not a birder, if you happen to still be around the area anytime between late November and early February, take a drive through the Bosque del Apache wildlife sanctuary (about 60 miles north of Elephant Butte near Socorro). Amazing place– thousands of sandhill cranes, snow geese, and others that put on quite a show in the early and late hours of the day when they’re taking off or landing as one giant mob!
Hi, Lynne!
I’m not a birder, but I’ve always taken an interest in birds. Thanks for the information. I’d enjoy that.
This is where we are meeting Emily in a few weeks… you are welcome to join us!
wow! I think you need Julie the Cruise Director for your touring plans… just too much to remember. sound like great material for someone to jump on though… you know, a full time rv cruise director… giving you all that data for any location you enter into the search engine… are you looking for a new career yet?
No, Carol, I think I’ll remain an amateur . ..
Fulltiming is an art, ’tis true. But after a while you get a feel for it. And then an airy uncomplicated insouciance serves as well as endless worry. :o)
Er… most of the time.
Bob, who has been known to get his comeuppance.
Hey, Bob …. Good to hear from you!
I think you have this whole full-timing thing all figured out. It is not a race, when you are in a good place or conditions aren’t optimum to move–just stay. There is always tomorrow.
Thanks, longdog.
There’s always the temptation to try to make my life interesting so my blog will be interesting. That’s a false way to live.
Glad you see things my way!
Seems to me your doing just fine Lady !
Yes one has to consider many things when a full-timer, but your in charge, you make the decisions, not someone else and that is freedom 🙂
Making your own decisions, determining the course of your days, following your own intuition . . . ah, you’re right . . . that’s freedom!
Glad you and the crew are safe and cozy inside the Casita.
Nice comment, Donna. I hope the same for you.
Glad the stabilizer jacks work well.
I know you have internet but do you have TV? I do enjoy watching tv when Im relaxing in the evenings. I think I would want that if I ever full timed .
Hi, Jean!
Yes, I have TV. It was optional with the Casita. It’s part of the “entertainment pkg.” … 15-inch TV/dvd, cable ready, 12v charger portals, antenna (within the shell).
The television channels depend upon reception in the area you are camped, of course …. Right now I get one clear channel and one fuzzy one! I was able to watch XFactor last night on the good channel and the President’s press conference on the fuzzy one. (No comment on the last part!)
Glad we’re not coming to New Mexico till next week! Wind is NOT a great thing to drive in. Dust storms aren’t really great to walk dogs in either but sounds like you’re managing just fine.
The blog is JUST FINE. Remember that you started out to tell folks about you life as a full timer. High winds and delays and dust storms are the reality and writing about them will help others understand the realities should they want to plan for their own adventure.
We’re having a great time at the Pine Knot Fiberglass rally with about 100 other fiberglass trailers and their people and pets. The pet parade is tomorrow morning. It’s always fun to hear from the “pets” about how they came to be with their families. The pot luck dinner was great but we ate too much.
FYI, we’ve found that changing campgrounds on Sunday is no problem but you’re wise to stick around till you get your mail. Hunker down and wait out the weather is usually a great plan.
Hello, Reine!
I’m glad to hear you and Paul are enjoying the rally with the “egg” people! I was wondering when we’d be hearing from you.
I hope you get good weather in NM. The snow has started in the higher elevations, 9,000 ft. More is expected in the next few days. You won’t be up at those altitudes but you’re sure to have some cool mornings.
It’s funny, now that I’m fulltiming the weekend isn’t Saturday and Sunday. It’s Friday and Saturday because that’s when the working people arrive in campgrounds. The weekend ends on Sunday when they leave! The campground is filling up here already.
As you probably have noticed, I’m not a sightseer. No sights scheduled, nothing I have to see, just enjoy the sights of the natural world as we travel through it. So I can move or not move, makes no difference . . .
Safe travels and enjoy your adventures. Keep in touch . . .
Sue,
Getting your registration and license plates is important, so you are right to hunker down and wait.
Bob (aka stude53)
Glad you agree, Bob!
Yes you are right about fulltiming being an art. But the biggest thing is to go with the flow no matter what the circumstances. You can’t always predict the weather, road conditions, when your mail will come in, etc., etc., etc. But if you can go with the flow then life is a breeze.
Hi, Jim!
I know exactly what you mean about “go with the flow.” That’s good advice for anyone, no matter how they live.
Hi rvsue & crew,
This morning I was catching up on the goings-on in Ms. Tioga’s and George’s neighborhood when I ran across a post of your’s on his forum. It had a link to your blog which I have now devoured. Back in 2005 I retired on my 55th birthday and had every intention to fulltime in my RV “Emma Tioga”. Several unpleasant things happened and I never managed to get on the road For the last couple of years I’ve been looking at my brochures of the Casita trailer and dreaming about going to Rice and getting one. This summer I ran across an elderly lady who was towing one behind her Jeep Cherokee. She let me see the inside of her’s. It’s exactly what I want. My trusty 1999 Ford Explorer will be able to tow a Casita without any problems. What’s holding me back is lack of guts, a little house I have to sell, lot’s of stuff I need to get rid of (but don’t know how to let go of), a cat who is 18.5 years old and probably not up to being a vagabond, and a list of other excuses. Your blog gives me hope. I can do this! So I will give myself a year to do what needs to be done. Maybe Maxwell Smarti-pants the golden-boy wonder dog and I will see you somewhere in New Mexico (I know all about NM from Andy and Travels with Gertie & Skylarking) by next fall! Happy travels!
Cheers,
Ilse
Hello, Ilse!
I’m glad you found the link to my blog. You are still young and fulltiming is possible for you. If you truly want to fulltime, you will do what it takes to make it happen, in a way that’s right for you. When the timing is right, obstacles will fall away.
A Casita, in my opinion, is a good choice for a fulltiming woman. There’s enough room for you and your dog to be comfortable.
Thank you for writing. I hope to meet you on the road someday!