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| Saguaro at the Parker Public Library |
Let me back up.
Yesterday I headed into town to take care of some chores; laundry, post office, grocery shopping and find a place to recharge my computer. Well, I started at the post office and got set up for receiving mail while I'm in the area, then headed over to do my laundry. Here's something I don't get, I'm in the desert where water is supposed to be scarce and it only cost $1.50 to do a load of wash. I was paying $2.50 for the same size load in Ohio, and I was basically on Lake Erie! What gives? Not that I'm complaining - I'll gladly pay the $1.50. After laundry I found the local library and they kindly allowed me to hang out there and use their wi-fi and electric to charge up my computer so I could continue to bring you these exciting posts. AND they have covered parking made out of solar panels too! Parker Public Library, you ROCK!! Unfortunately it takes a long time to recharge my old computer and I only got it to 80% before I needed to book it back to my campsite before dark. I didn't want to get lost trying to get back to my spot. So, grocery shopping had to wait.
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| Prickly Pear |
This morning I decided I might look for a spot farther down the road in an area less desirable to the ATV'ers after I returned from my trip to Wally World. I figured I'd be back by early afternoon at the latest so that would give me plenty of time to scout out a new boondock and move. Little did I know that my game plan was going to go kablooey! As I headed for home loaded with groceries, there was a fire personnel truck blocking the road. The nice young man got out and told me the road was closed due to a hazard up ahead. He wouldn't tell me what kind of hazard, but that it would be 2, 3, maybe more hours before the road would be open. You gotta be joking! So I went back into town, got something to eat, and tried to kill a couple of hours (thus the cactus pictures here that I took around town for my little nephew who loves cacti right now). I would have hung at the library again & got some work done, but sadly they are closed Fri - Sun.
After a couple of hours, I headed back, hoping I could get through. Nope! This time a police officer was blocking the road and told me the road would be closed for 2, 3, maybe more hours due to a bomb threat! I know I've only been in this area for a couple of days, but for the life of me I can't figure out what anyone would want to blow up out here! Maybe an old mine in hopes of finding gold or the big white P on the mountain side (though a bit audacious, it doesn't seem to be hurting anyone). Don't get me wrong, with all the craziness happening in the world right now, I greatly appreciate the time and effort the police, fire department and bomb squad went through to make sure it was safe for us here. I am humbled by their courage and willingness to put their lives on the line daily. Thank you!
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| Momma cactus and baby |
Anyway, after a little over 5 hours of waiting, the road was reopened. It was dark. I did find my way home and to Zelda (she is hard to find in the dark desert). I think she thought Grania and I abandoned her; she seemed relieved when we returned. Not much of what I had planned was accomplished today, though I did see a roadrunner run across the actual road this morning! Oh well, gotta roll with the punches. So this evening, as I type this, I am sitting outside under the stars and moonlit sky, the wind is kicking up, but has a warmth to it. A lovely end to a bizarre day.
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| Sunset from parking lot waiting for the road to open |
I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings! WOO HOO! What a ride!