Around 11:30am today, after leaving Family Dollar I arrived at my Hyde State Park designation located in Northwest Region of NM. My surprise was being greeted by the friendliest Mexican neighbors, who helped me park near the curb of my inaccessible campsite to create enough space to extend my awning and setup an outdoor setting area to accommodate a few chairs. Also, they readily claimed me as an addition to their family. I was invited to hang-out at their rig, eat meals and play family games.  However, before settling down for the evening, I joined the self-pay station registers along with my neighbor and other confused campers.

Our Hyde campground was a combination of hills, valleys and flat land. I discovered flat land campsites required reservations and include utilities (water and electricity).  Wherein, some hilly campsites like my neighbor’s had electricity and others like mine had no utilities. These sites are claimed by the first person to arrive.  In addition, there were no phone or computer services at any of these campsites.

Further, since my mobile home is self-contained with water, a full kitchen (propane stove and microwave), bathroom (shower, sink and toilet). As well as, a built-in generator to run furnace, air condition and lights; paying to have water and electric hookup to my mobile home – only saves my onboard resources and me a little time. Otherwise, it can be a drag when I must leave a comforter campsite to refill these resources and dump my (gray & black water) tanks in nearby towns when I stay at the same spot for 14-day or more). Though I have a Verizon tower setup in my mobile home that provides connection service to operate my cellphone, business phone, scanner, fax and copy machine; like my neighbors and other campsite patrons. It didn’t work, so I didn’t have services either.

Once my adopted family left Hyde on September 2nd, I was looking forward to my own September 3rd departure. When I’ll be heading to Ute Lake State Park – my next designation.

I had been told by my neighbors and other campers that there was a free Rv dump station for guest staying or had stayed at Hyde. But it’s difficult to find and drive through if you don’t really know where it is. So, prior to leaving the area I decided to take advantage of the dump station if I could found it. But I did not want to deal with getting lose or Gila Forest again.

After travelling a short distance from the campground. I saw a Forest Ranger directing traffic; blowing a loud horn and shouting SLOW DOWN.

I put on my flashers; pulled as far as I could on the shoulder of the highway and shouted Good morning sir. He put his hand out; stopped the traffic and walked across the highway.

What is wrong with these drivers?

Ma am, most are impatience and rude. Others are just plain crazy. You know, I can stand here and shout at them all day long, and nothing changes until an accident occurs. How can I help you?

I stayed at Hyde for 4-days. Campers told me there is a dump station nearby.

Yeah, there is. Tell you what, I am going to put on my flashers -just follow me, he replied.

The Ranger led me a short distance down the highway and put on his right turn signal; I did the same. He led me towards an area of tall trees. The dump station was corralled behind a strange looking fence with both ends closed by two big gates. The Ranger got out of his vehicle; opened the gate and drove through with me following him. I would have never found this dump station without him, I thought to myself.

Okay, Ma am. I already closed the rear gate behind you; all you need to do once you have finished dumping your tanks is to close the front gate, you have a nice day, he said.

Thank you, sir. I hope you have a nice day as well. Also, be safe out there, I replied.

My thoughts regarding this park are as follows:

• Terrain was too hilly to accommodate mobile homes with low-chassis frames.

• The campground was small, so campers were close to his/her neighbors, especially campers with utility hookups.

• The bathroom was cleaned twice a day by the same Forest Ranger with the friendly disposition.

One-day I said, “I see you twice a day cleaning this bathroom – are you on punishment?”

Laughing… I wish I was because this would be the only task I’ll have to do. The problem is we don’t have enough employees, and somebody’s got to do it. Bye the way, do you want a job?

Laughing. No thanks, I am good, I replied.

Alright. If you change your mind let me know, he said.

• Although, this Forest Ranger was directing traffic which was a dangerous job due to speeding drivers, who appeared not to care a Ranger with flashing lights on his patrol vehicle; using a loud blasting horn and shouting slowdown at drivers coming down Gila mountain accomplished absolution nothing. Yet, this Ranger was trying hard to keep side-of-the-road bicyclist and drivers safe.

This Ranger was kind enough to leave his post to make sure I made it safely to a hidden dump station. Then, he returned to his post.  

• No internet or cellphone service. Therefore, its extremely easy to get loss. Travelers need to make sure he/she has a full tank of gas. Also, a spare can of gas can’t hurt, either.

• I would never return to either, Hyde State Park or Gila National Forest.

On my way to Ute, I stopped at Wal-Mart to purchase groceries to restock my refrigerator and cabinets. But prior to shopping, I decided to talk to the manager.  Upon walking into the store, Hello Mrs. is your manager here today?

I am right behind you, how can I help you, he asked. Well, I am an RV Traveler passing through your city. I am a long way from my next destination and would like to ask, If I can…… “Yes, you can”, he replied. All truckers and Rv’ers are welcome to spend the night here. I just ask that truckers and extra-large mobile homeowners park on the outer perimeter of my parking lot. I hope you enjoy your evening, he replied as he turned and walked away.

I had to smile. I used to be one of those folks, who remarked to myself and friends about Wal-Mart sometimes looking like a parking lot until (I became one of those parkers) May 2018. This is when, I discovered the magnitude of Wal-Mart’s store owners and managers unselfish commitment to the safety of its citizens, townships, cities, states and communities – by allowing truckers, Rv’ers and regular vehicle travelers passing through his/her areas to spend the night; if sleep overtakes him/her prior to making it to their designation or a rest stop.

Most citizens have no idea how many lives could be lost if the beforementioned travelers had no place to rest during long road trips, other than far away rest stops. Furthermore, if I had known this was the case for many drivers including myself, I would have thanked Wal-Mart’s owners and managers for keeping me as well as unsuspecting citizens out of harms way.

Sometimes, its humorous to be the first traveler on Wal-Mart’s parking lot. Who had shopped; put away my grocery and turned in for the night. Then awaken by the sound of generators. As a result, I look out my window to find I am surrounded by a slew of 18-wheelers, mobile homes and passenger vehicles.

We, travelers will always be grateful to Wal-Mart owners and managers. Who provides a safe area for us to crash when nothing else is available. You (owners and managers) make it easy and safe for us to sleep at night because we protect each other. Although, your customers whine and/or complain. We travelers resting on your parking lot makes it safe for them (your customers and late-night employees) as well.

Like me, I am sure these folks take their ability to shop late at night; leave and return to their vehicles after shopping or arrive to work the nightshift for granted. Without the thought – that there is safety in numbers.  We make sure other travelers; late night employees and customers are safe just because of our presence and the fact, that one or more of us (travelers) are always watching to ensure Wal-Mart’s customers and employees are safe.

Thank you, Wal-Mart, from a full-time travelling Rv’er