TIME FOR A BREAK_Aug-15-2021

Posted on August 15, 2021 by Edith Eveon Brown

The great thing about being a full-time motorhome dweller is you are never tied down to one area. Most time I live off-grid (i.e., No electric, water, gas, sewage, rent, mortgage note or property taxes.

However, if living in the forest, deserts, canyons or on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers properties is not your thing or dream. You can always pay to stay on Bureau of Land Management properties, State Parks or at full-service campgrounds that offers an array of amenities and utility connections.

Prior to covid-19, I was already living my current no-mad lifestyle which minimize my contact with members of the public. Furthermore, I wore a mask whenever I did my once-a-month grocery shopping in nearby towns, so I never felt covid was a threat to me.

When my brother, who is a nurse and has been working none-stop at his local hospital. Decided he needed a break from the many deaths and covid patients, who refused to be vaccinated but suddenly wanted to be saved by anyone working in the medical field. Though I was leery about my brother’s desire to take leave; travel and stay with me due to his profession. Upon telling him I had not had my covid-19 vaccinations or booster either. And did not plan to do so until I returned home to South Dakota.

Sis, I know the lifestyle you live, and I am willing to bet you have never been exposed to Covid. However, due to my profession it was a requirement that all nurses at my facility had to get vaccinations or not report to work until further notice, he said.

Meanwhile due to my brother’s profession and busy life commitments it has been thirty-years since we spent any time together as siblings. So, I swung through Georgia to retrieve him. Then drove to Ute Lake in Logan, New Mexico where we remained until I dropped him off at a nearby airport in El Paso, Texas on my way to Quartzsite Arizona ten-days later.

We had a wonderful time. Talking about life, walking Dakota, watching people play and swim in the lake, as well as play board games which, I quickly discovered my brother cheats! There is no way he fairly won every board game we played (i.e., Chess, Backgammon and Checkers.) Laughing out loud.

Furthermore, I must admit, my little brother turned out to be a compassionate, honorable, and awesome young man. I am so proud of his accomplishments. After serving this country in the military, I would never have guessed serving others would continue to be his calling which is his reason for being a Nurse at the nearby VA Hospital.

Cedarville State Forest

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Edith Eveon Brown

Cedarville was the second state run facility I called home during my additional time spent in Maryland (May 7 to May 20^th), because this state-run forest met the twenty miles or more distance requirement from Smallwood (my initial facility) to Cedarville (my new facility). I could stay 14-days at this location.

This forest is 3,510 acres and offers two types of campsites (electric and non-electric). I found Cedarville to be a safe environment that allows opportunities for family members and friends to spend quality time together or alone. Visitors can bicycle, hike, explore a variety of trails, fish and hunt. Fire rings for campfires and a picnic table are provided on all campsites. A gray and black water dump station, trash dumpster, pavilion for group gatherings and freshwater spigots are in various areas. In addition, campsites are available to support youth groups and equestrian activity.

All Campsites has a picnic table & fire-ring
Roadway
RV Dump Station
Walking Trail
My RV

I must admit, finding this state forest was a surprise and a blessing. Otherwise, I would have been forced to live at one of the many Bureau of Land Management (BLM) properties managed by the State of Virginia (i.e. national forests, BLM, army corps, national parks and public lands), and commute back and forth to Maryland as needed.

Further research to identify and locate the same types of lands owned/managed by the State of Maryland were very disheartening because there weren’t any in comparison to other states. I also determined Maryland has allowed most of its public/forests lands to be developed into money making ventures. As a result, Maryland possess and/or manages limited state properties such as Cedarville State Forest, Smallwood State Park and Greenbelt National Park.

On the other hand, many other states have embraced its responsibility to care-for and protect their BLM properties like precious stones to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of these public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. These states are as follows: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Dakotas, Eastern States (i.e. Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri). As well as, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington State and Wyoming.

I hope you take the opportunity to visit and camp at national forests, BLM, army corps, national parks and public lands in the future. You will find these properties to be amazingly beautify as well as relaxing.

Smallwood State Park

Posted on June 10, 2019 by Edith Eveon Brown

Smallwood State Park, Charles County, 2750 Sweden Point Road, Marbury MD

Based on my future arrival to Maryland on April 23rd, I did a lot of research to determine where I could park my 30-foot mobile home. As a result, I stumbled upon information regarding Smallwood State Park, located on Mattawoman Creek which became my home of residence for 14-days (April 23 to May 7^th).

I was a resident of Maryland for thirty-one years and never knew this park exist. None did I know this park which consist of 984 acres contains a marina, boat ramps, fishing pier, picnic areas, cabins for rent, hiking trails, nature center, primitive campsites; fifth-wheel trailers and mobile homeowner campsites. Also, the park is the historic preservation site for General William Smallwood, Smallwood’s Retreat.

This State Park is stunning. For 14-days I was in awe every time I walked the one-lane vehicle roadways, smelled the freshness in the air, listened to chirps from birds, see squirrels chase each other – up trees or through bushes. Yet at night, this park was extremely quiet except for occasional hoots from owls. In addition, I consider Smallwood State Park to be a convenient blessing for mobile homeowners, since it provides a free dump and freshwater station which alleviates the need for Rv’ers to search for these stations elsewhere. Please call 301-743-7613 to determine the daily rate or 14-day fee before you go.

This is what I saw through the lens of my camera. I hope you enjoy these pictures and visit this park in the future.