What I enjoyed most about this campground upon my September 3, 2021, arrival was the friendliness of Jasmine, the office employee. The sparse population of residents and distance between motorhomes and trailers.
My first depressing experience was when I discovered someone on the property had stolen three round lug nuts from my passenger-side tire (only leaving two of the required five) which are used to attach the front wheel to the axle on my jeep. After taking pictures I called the office to make the manager aware of this incident.
Based on the manager’s husband’s quick response and replacement of these lug nuts using a few spares from my rear tire mount. As a result, I didn’t feel the need to call and report this incident to local law officials which should have been done considering; the person who did this cared nothing about putting my life in jeopardy or drivers traveling from Quartzsite to Parker like me or vice versa.
In November as the campground planned for a potential flood of new residents who had booked the row of camp spaces (one which I occupied) were asked to move to the opposite side of the grounds which was a better space for me but had partial hookup services (i.e., water and electric but no sewage hookup).
Not having sewage hookup was a great inconvenience because I was recovering from a prior right-shoulder surgery which was re-injured due to a fall while hanging out with my brother in Ute Lake State Park MN prior to arriving at this campground. Anyway, I was required to call the office when my tanks needed to be dumped which is a dicey situation since the dumping of motorhome sewage tanks varies based on water and toilet usage, and still may not be apparent until your toilet burps at you; you smell a foul odor or there is leakage near a release level which is what happened to me.
Since the managers off-day changed, and the ground staff could not repair/knew how to use the portable tank dump equipment on the properties work truck. As a result, I was forced to unhook from water and electric services on my site. Pack up breakable items in my motorhome, secure all cabinets, drawers, closets, and drive to a nearby RV Pit Stop to dump my tanks.
My second disappointment as a resident on this property was when I returned to my motorhome after a morning of running errands and walking Dakota to found I had next-door neighbors, who owned a diesel burning bus. These new residents parked as close to me as the shared electric box and water faucet would allow. I knew I would eventually have neighbors but not one whose vehicle would block all my passenger side windows and the smell of burning diesel would invade my motorhome resulting in asthma attacks, coughs and eye irritates.
Diesel Bus On Right
Although I paid $395 on January 3rd for rent and the properties policy is not to refund payments. Due to disrespect shown by neighbors upon their arrival on January 7th, I decided to pack up and leave this campground. Pictures show how much space these people hogged in comparison to my space.
Evidently, camping etiquette rules do not apply at this campground, only at BLM properties, 14-day free campgrounds and dispersed camping locations. Therefore, this is the first time I ever had to deal with an incident like this involving a paid for space. Basically, Nomad Full-Time motorhome, campervans, fifth wheel and primitive tent campers to name a few are knowledgeable of and honors camping etiquette rules especially the one that cautions campers to never invade another camper’s space.
On May 4, 2020 after listening
to the increasing death tolls of citizens around the globe, and hearing that my
Sioux Falls governor hadn’t put any preventive measures in place to minimize
the spread of the virus like other state governors such as stay-at-home orders
and business closures even after discovering Smithfield, a South Dakota pork
plant caused the state to become the only north-central epicenter for the
coronavirus pandemic.
This is when I made the
decision to reserve a one-way rental car and drive to Sioux Falls to retrive my
pickup truck from storage and return to Arizona rather than make my usual
exodus in my RV home in June and remain until September. However, situations in
Sioux Falls had changed this tradition as well. Now, my preferred rv home of
residence is Bureau of Land Management (BLM) properties, canyons, forests, and
airy out-of-the way campgrounds until this disease is contained.
When I mentioned my plan to travel home to retrieve my vehicle to a new founded friend. I was floored when she said, “I’ll go with you.” Although, I have only known Debbie and her husband, John for a year; they have always treated me like a family member and have supported me through some offer times in my life. Wherein people I have considered friends for the last 20 to 50-years have not been as kind. Further, I was a little hesitant about taking this trip to Sioux Falls although I travel from place-to-place like a gypsy on a regular basis. However, occurrences in this country under this current president upon taking office in 2017, and the February 2020 pandemic indicates the America I once knew is being extinguished.
The arrival of this pandemic
and speed at which it claimed the lives of a hundred-thousand or more American
citizens (young and old) occurred because Donald Trump, disbanded the pandemic
response team in May 2018, sixteen months after assuming the position as
president of the United States. This team was established in 2015 by former
President, Barack Obama’s National Security Advisor and consist of white house
personnel, whose duties were to advise the president on national security and
foreign policy matters.
As the pandemic sped
around the globe, the president and his band of corrupt republican party
nitwits were made aware of its existence in February 2020. Rather than make
American citizens aware of this nearing death treat, nothing was done by this
president to insure as many lives as possible would be saved in accordance with
best practices used during past pandemics. However, no preparedness
instructions were issued to American citizens, medical facilities, nursing
homes, etc. So, this country and its citizens were caught off guard and
unprepared when the Pandemic arrived in March.
Once
Americans begin hearing about the coronavirus and people begin to die by the thousands
or were being hospitalized around the globe worldwide, this disease was no
longer a republican party and president secret. It was at this time, the
president decided to talk about the virus and downplaying its probable effects
on American citizens by characterizing this virus as a type of flu and
sugar-coating its deadly affects with crazy comments such as, “It’s going to disappear”. “We
have it under control”. “It’s going to be fine.”
The arrival of this pandemic and
speed at which it claimed the lives of a hundred-thousand or more American
citizens (young and old) occurred because Donald Trump, disbanded the pandemic
response team in May 2018. This team was established in 2015 by former
President, Barack Obama’s National Security Advisor and consist of white house
personnel, whose duties were to advise the president on national security and
foreign policy matters.
Now, here I sit on my couch
trying to determine based on situations around the world what my girlfriend and
I might need or what types of problems we may encounter during this road trip.
I had many questions floating
around in my head such as (1) What states are under quarantine orders, (2) will
service stations be open or closed, (3)
will rest areas be open or closed, (4) will interstate and county road traffic
be heavy or sparse, (5) will hotels and motels be open to travelers, (6) how
easy would it be to contact AAA and get roadside service if needed, (7) Should we drive during the day and check into a
hotel/motel before dark, or drive straight through only stopping for gas and bathroom
breaks, (8) Where do we eat,
restaurants, diners or fast food eateries, and if one of us become ill are
local hospitals accepting travelers.
Based
on research, I determined the types of operating procedures that were in effect
to prevent the spread of the virus in every state we will past through on our
way to Sioux Falls SD which are as follows: (1) Quartzsite, Arizona (cities declare state of emergencies.
Order close bars, restaurants, and indoor facilities), (2) New Mexico (out of
state travel not recommended; self-isolate for 14-days upon return. Residents
must stay at home; only leave for outings necessary for health, safety, or
welfare, etc.), (3) Colorado (governor issued an executive Order declaring a
state of disaster emergency due to coronavirus. Social distancing recommended.
Restaurants, bars, theaters, and gyms are close, (4) Kansas (governor declared
state of emergency after 1st covid-19 death), (5) Nebraska (grocery stores,
pharmacies, hardware/home improvement stores, restaurants etc. are open), and (6) Sioux Falls SD (a state of
emergency was not declared in my state at this time).
As a
result, I decided we would picnic from Arizona to South Dakota in parks, a few
rest areas, and roadside pull-off areas along the highway. Further, service
stations where we stop for gas would also be the bathroom stop for us and my
dog and vice versa. I brought a cooler and stocked it with sandwich meats,
cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, and muster including bread, and chips. As well as fruit,
Gatorade, water, and dog food for my germen shepherd. We even made sandwiches
for breakfast before getting back on the highway which turned out to be
beneficial since hotels were no longer offering free-breakfast to guests;
microwaves and refrigeration’s were no longer available in some hotels because
keeping these items sanitized was a problems.
How we felt and what we saw during our trip. I am sure you can readily recall what your
town looked like during the activation of the stay-at-home orders which closed
businesses putting employees out of work. Imagine what this must look like
nation-wide.
We travelled for hours on
interstates and county roads which contained sparse to no traffic. Mile after
mile of construction corns and work vehicles abandoned on the shoulder and in median
strips. It was an eerie feeling to be the only persons driving on these roads.
We never saw any state troopers, though sparse traveler’s shot-pass during 90
to 100 or more miles an hour.
I said, “Deb, this trip looks and feels like we are in the Twilight Zone. I have been thinking, a person could speed up on us fast from the rear, knock this 2020 Volkswagen off the highway into a ravine; kidnap or kill us on either of these sparsely travelled roadways. Law enforcement and/or traveler’s would not know until highway workers return to work and stumble upon our vehicle that something terrible had happened.” Please be quiet Edith, you could have kept that thought to yourself because this trip is creepy enough as it is”, she replied.
This is when I realized, the
deep mental thought and realization of isolation due to the coronavirus’s hold
on this country had previously formed in my mind’s eye which caused my hesitation
to do this trip alone.
Small, medium and some large towns appeared to be abandon. There were no people on sidewalks, front-porches, driving on city streets, working in fields, or vehicles crowded on mall parking lots. Closed service stations offered self-service for credit card users. Some rest areas were completely closed; others were open with limited to no facilities. While a few offered full services (restroom facilities, covered picnic tables, snack machines, dog parks and walking trails).
It was getting late when we entered Gallup, New Mexico. A sign on the hotel door, directed us to the nearby train-type diner to register for a room. I was greeted by a friendly server. “Hi, the sign on the hotel door directed me here. What happened to the hotel staff and citizens?” This city is under quarantine, so only three businesses are open which is this diner, the service station next door and a family-owned grocery store-up the street and around the corner is opened to provide service to traveler’s passing through our city. Therefore, everyone else is at home. If you would complete this registration form, I will check you in and direct you to your room, he replied. We found our room, had sandwiches, Deb walked Dakota; I took a shower and went to bed with my left leg elevated.
The
evening prior to our arrival in Sioux Falls, I called the reservation desk at
My Place Hotel where I reside for 30-days in 2018 before deciding to purchase a
mobile home as my permanent full-time residence. The front desk confirmed a
room would be available whenever I arrived. Our first stop in Sioux Falls was
at Wal-Mart to purchase microwavable foods for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and
dinner for the next three-days. Then we checked into our hotel room which had a
full kitchen.
On
Thursday upon arriving at the storage facility I said, “Deb I am so glad
to get rid of that darn Volkswagen. This was a painful and miserable trip for
me because my left knee swells and remain in that painful condition until we
checked into our hotel room for the night”. Uh huh. I knew
you were in a lot of pain, but you were a real trooper during this entire trip.
That is way I always walked Dakota whenever we stopped to eat or take a bathroom
break. I am shorter than you and that Volkswagen was uncomfortable to me as
well. Now that this leg of this trip is over. I can say, “Seeing you struggle
to lift and get your left leg into that Volkswagen remind me of the movie,
Police Academy. When Shaquille O’Neal ripped the driver seat from a vehicle too
small for him to get into and threw it on the side of the road. Then, he sits
in the backseat to drive the vehicle, she said. We both laughed.
On Friday morning, I drove the rental vehicle
to the airport and returned it. Deb followed me in my truck. We visited Falls
Park which is my favorite place to relax and reflect on life. As well as a
brief drive through of Sculpture Walk. When we packed my F-150 pickup truck on
Sunday morning and pulled out of the hotel’s parking lot we were all smiles. Our
trip back to Quartzsite, AZ was a breeze and very comfy.
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 7th).
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.
One-Lane Street
Park View_1
Park View_ 2
Campsite with electricityPlayground View_1Playground View_2Lake and Pier
My first Snowbird season in Quartzsite AZ was amazing. The
slow pace desert environment, fresh non-polluted air, country roads, small city
streets and highways with little to minimum traffic made trips around town and to
nearby towns such as Avondale, Buckeye, Cottonwood, Glendale, Mesa, Parker, Peoria,
Surprise, Wickenburg and Yuma tranquil drives due to spectacular mountain terrains.
The thought of me leaving the above-mentioned areas to tackle
traffic congestions on my east coast journey back to Maryland to honor
previously planned appointments suddenly became an insane commitment. As a
result, I drove for 7-days (April 17 to April 23rd) to honor my
appointments.
I must mention, this trip was worst then I predicted. For
instance, I no longer recognized any highways or streets I travelled while
residing in Maryland. There were traffic jams (like parking lots) everywhere.
Many roads (highway and city streets) and exits were under construction and/or closed
routing traffic via detours. Cars were cutting in front of me; driving a
30-foot mobile home. The same occurred with 18-wheel drivers. Once there, these
drivers were stuck like everyone else. At this point, I conclude I didn’t miss
Maryland or the east coast at all!
The greatest things about living in the desert are quietness, thousands of acres of uncultivated lands, no rush hour traffic, no streetlights – just total darkness. Neighbors living near you or on the same acreage of land are there because it’s their preferred method to disconnect from financial woes caused by high mortgage notes and rent; utility expenses, credit card debt, high taxes and on-going repairs to homes he/she no longer want or needs. As well as, pay-off debts, save money and live a stress and crime-free lifestyle. Further, if you don’t like your neighbors it’s a lot easier to move to the other side of the desert or to an entirely different state.
In 1855, the U.S. Army established Fort Stanton as an Infantry and Cavalry Post in the East-Central New Mexico Territory to protect settlers in that region. Later, the Fort was a Military Reservation.
Today, the Fort is known as Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (NCA) which was established in 2009; to protect, conserve and enhance the unique nationally important historic, cultural, scientific, archaeological, natural and educational subterranean cave resources of Fort Stanton’s River Cave System.
The Cave spans over 31 miles and is the second longest cave in New Mexico. The 14th longest cave in the United States and the 62th longest cave in the world managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Additionally, Snowy River is a noteworthy water passage within the cave; approximately 15 miles of previously unknown passage have been mapped without reaching the end.
The Fort grounds contains two public 14-day campsites in different locations. Rob Jagger campground in Lincoln, NM is considered a developed camp area because it is graveled and includes five-parking sites with electric and water hookups; five additional sites only offer electric hookups. There are three shareable fire-rings, two picnic pavilions and 12-horse corrals to accommodate horse owners; corrals are used on a first-come first-served basis.
Payment for developed sites are based on the honor system as follows:
Water: $5.00 daily
Electric: 30 amp. $5.00 daily
Water only: $5.00 daily
Rv Dump Station: $15.00
The Group Shelter is $25.00. Contact Roswell Field Office to make reservations.
Note: Seniors pay half-price based on membership passes.
The second camp area is a smaller primitive campground near the entrance to Fort Stanton Cave which I never got the opportunity to visit. It is my understanding that the cave is closed due to a problem with bats residing in parts of the cave. As a result, I made Jagger campground my home from September 13-27.
Recreations: Hiking, biking, horseback riding, caving, cultural and historic sites, picnicking, wildlife observation, nature studies and photography.
I can’t end this article without sharing this: I met two awesome females. They were friendly, hardworking, conscientious women. Who were temporary Campground Hosts until a full-time host is hired. In the past, every campground, I have ever used or visited was manned by men.
I swear, watching these women rise early every morning to check, clean and restock bathrooms; shovel and remove horse manure; then use logs to level-out dirt in corrals and other areas. Pull trash from garbage cans throughout campgrounds and transport it to larger dumpers; use a nail gun to re-enforce a recently installed wooden fence, as well as, maintain and mow grounds. Yes, I really mean…Mow grounds.
Although both women were hard workers in every task I observed. One female’s job performance, creativity; use of tools and equipment – I’ve only seen men use was beyond reproach. There is no one skill category this woman falls under rather than jack-of-all-trades. I look forward to staying at another campground hosted by Frugal Rv Gal and her best friend, Kim in the future. Be Safe-RVing Sisters.
I am so excited. After months of searching it seems I’ve found the one and only custom builder for all types of loaders (i.e. rv’ s, pickup trucks, 18-wheelers, fifth-wheelers, vans, trikes, 2-wheel motorcycles, cars, etc.)
I spent two days with Jerry Piercy, the company’s owner, who is also the custom designer, welder, patent register, shipper and receptionist. As well as Mark, Jerry’s custom builder who is just as amazing in what he does.
These two guys can design and build anything which are shipped to customers all over the world or installed in/on customer vehicles on site.
It was amazing watching the building process for my motorcycle loader and breath-taking to see it load and unload my 1080-pound trike. Jerry’s design and build of my loader were beyond anything I could envision. The loader was custom built to load/unload a 2-wheel bike or 3-wheel trike.
This is a dream come true; no more struggles or pleads for help to get my motorcycle up and down a steep ramp. Now…All I do is push a button.
I recall a few RV’ing Women of my organization asking, “how and where to purchase loaders.” I hope this helps.
If you need a loader contact Jerry Piercey and tell him, Edith E Brown referred you.
Company: Mountain Master Truck Equipment L.L.C.
Website: www.mountainmaster.net
Phone: 888-686-6278
Although my stay at this resort was 3-days as I poked-along for an Sept 10, appointment with Jerry Piercy in Phoenix AZ, who is a builder of custom motorcycle loaders.
I found this campground to be very different because the entire area was pretty much paved, except for gravel filled areas around a central located picnic area and utility connection sites for individual rv hookups.
The area appeared to be created for adults because I didn’t notice a playground for children. Also, occupants were scarce due to AZ’s 104-degree heat. As a result, the grounds were extremely noiseless; other than occasion traffic on a near-by roadway.
I wish I could have spent more time here to take advantage of rv services (i.e. power washing, roof check and application of sealant if needed.)
I found the manager and office staff to be friendly and helpful. In fact, when I arrived on Saturday I made reservations to stay one-day; thinking Saturday was Sunday, and Sunday would be Monday.
The manager laughed and extended my stay. It’s hard to remember days when you are changing locations every 3 to 14-days. I paid $86.00 for my three day stay.
Not being comfortable driving a 30-feet mobile home around in San Antonio to access the neighborhood of a long-time dear friend, I parked my rv at a KOA Campground from Sept 5 to Sept 7.
Lillie Ammann, an editor and I became fast friends in 2002 while creating informational eBooks for an online group-owned venture. This was an exciting opportunity for me because I had never written or published online eBooks before this venture.
During this time, Lillie and I were constantly talking on the telephone about one thing or another and talked about meeting for the last 16-years. However, life issues and making a living always took center stage for both of us.
I supported her on the telephone during her husband, Jack’s illness and death. She supported me on the telephone during my son, Keithalon’ s death. As well as, edited my book, “No-Not Again” a memoir about Keithalon and his oldest brother Patrick.
Meanwhile, the desire for us to meet was always a fleeting plan. After purchasing my mobile home, the trip to visit Lillie was #1 on my list of things to do which occurred on Sept 6, when I called to inform her, “Lillie I am in your driveway.”
When she greeted me at her front door with a smile of excitement and disbelief; I laughed. At that point, all we could do was hug – which made me feel like I had won the lottery. Finally…I met my dearest, supportive, long-time telephone friend, who is now one of my dearest, closest friends by voice and physical form.
Neither of us knew how to take a selfie. So, I took many awful pictures. Finally, the one which showed both of our eyes closed was a winner because we know its us and the cheek-to-cheek is real friendship.
Life is short. Honor all your promises and make time for your friends. One day, they might not be present in your life.
This campground is also managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and allows community residents, sight-seeing visitors and travelers passing though the State of Texas to live at the park 14-days for free. The entrance and roadways throughout this park are paved.
This is a huge twenty-site campground which is the largest property I have stayed at. Also, privacy space between campsites are large enough to accommodate three additional mobile homes and/or ten-primitive tents.
Otherwise, this property is like Soldiers Bluff Park Campground. Campers have access to city water faucets, public bathrooms, boat ramps, a beach, private fire-rings and covered picnic tables with benches but does not include grills. Argentina Ants have infested this park too, but not as vast as Cedar Hill State Park.
I love the quiet serenity and stunning views of this campground; seeing deer on and near campsites presents its own wow factor. I am sure, the sight of so many deer on this property have caused heart-burn for many hunters, because BLM property is federal land and hunting isn’t allowed.
Furthermore, the deer seems to know they’re protected from hunters and park visitors because they are everywhere and not fearful of humans or pets. For instance, I was visited my next-door neighbor, who owns Jacob, a hound dog mixed with blue-tick.
Two deer were slowly strolling by his campsite. Jacob starts to whine; barked several times then went into charge mode. The deer stopped; looked at Jacob as to say, “you’re on a lease – tied to a post. What are you going to do about us passing by?” These deer stood there looking at Jacob for a while then looked at each other. Finally, they continued their stroll to the lake. Jacob whined in disappointment as his owner and I laughed.
This campground is patrolled by the grounds’ host, police, a ranger and sheriff on a regular basis until security gates close at 10pm.
After hearing about the U.S Air Force Academy’s Chapel from military friends and Coast Guard Auxiliary members for a few years, I decided to visit.
Image joining one of two slow moving lines of traffic formed at the entranceway to the grounds of the Air Force Academy. Finally, it was my turn to move up to a security guard.
“Good morning ma’am, may I see your driver’s licenses please? What is the purpose for your visit today? Do you have any weapons, knives or dangerous items on your person or in your vehicle? Is your vehicle trunk unlocked or locked? If locked, you provide your keys for it to be unlocked and inspected by the guard. Here are your keys ma’am enjoy your day.”
In compliance with posted speed limits. My vehicle seemed to be clunking along on wooden tires rather than rubber; I am never going to get to the chapel. What in the world is that on my left? I pulled my vehicle into the scenic view parking area for a better view and read the information board. What? No. That can’t be the chapel, I thought. However, the information board indicated it was.
I returned to my vehicle and followed direction signs to the chapel’s parking lot. Oh my…What an interesting structure. It looks like a shiny space vehicle or a redesigned merchant ship’s mast. However, the Air Force Academy attraction brochure claims the structure is aluminum, glass and steel which features 17 spires that reach 150 feet toward the sky; representing a group of fighter jets shooting up at the sky. Mmm…I don’t see that, although you might.
The Chapel is an all faith house of worship designed to meet the spiritual needs of all Cadets; Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist including additional all-faith worship rooms to accommodate other faiths. Each chapel has its own entrance but the day of my visit; folks like me with bad knees could not access the upper-level because the elevator wasn’t working. The shell of the chapel and surrounding grounds cost $3.5 million to build. Pictures of the Catholic and Jewish Chapel follows:
