MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2022 TRAVEL PART I

 MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2022 TRAVEL PART I

Yes, last week I took a trip.  A few years back I asked a friend if he took a vacation.  He smiled at me and said, “I’m retired, so I don’t take vacations, I take trips”.  So, I’m working a little part-time, so this was sandwiched between work assignments - so it could be like a vacation, and yet I am retired, so this could be a vacation.

Today, I want to talk about camping as a 75-year-old woman.

First - gender.

My gender didn’t seem to make any difference.  I had two female friends that insisted that I had to be careful.  Maybe I wasn’t camping in an inner city location or in a dangerous neighborhood.

On my first night, I camped at Black Mesa Oklahoma State Park.  I was the only tent camper.  There were spaces for about 16 tents (plus group camping that might be something like a Boy (or Girl) scout group).  There were six recreational vehicles on the property and I saw only one couple.  I wasn’t sure if the other RVs were just parked there and if the owners would be back later in the week.  I had reserved my space online so I didn’t have to see anybody, just found a spot, and erected my tent!!!

The second night I was in the only tent in a mostly abandoned RV park.  There were four RVs that seemed to be permanent (and I didn’t see any people in those RVs).  There was a building that said to call a number for information, and I called, a person came and took $15 for the spot and left.  

The third night was at a city campground run by the city of Grand Island Nebraska.  I was the only tent, but there were maybe 15 to 18 RVs - which were in a different areas.  There were gates that locked at 8:30 and opened again at 7:00 in the morning.  If somebody was looking for a single woman in a tent, they might have driven through the campground and seen me, but as I was out walking, it would have been hard to see who was camping in that tent.

The fourth night was in the same campground, but there was another tent camper - a male - maybe in his 50s.  We did talk but he didn’t seem to be interested in an older woman (even a woman who was taller than he was!!).

For these locations in the last full week of August when children are back in school, there just weren’t many tent campers.  Maybe in late May or early June (before it gets too hot), there would be more tent campers.

DISTRACTIONS

The first night there were no distractions.  As I walked around the area, a house on a property next to the park had two dogs that were in a fenced yard.  I thought maybe I’d hear coyotes, but I didn’t.  I did see two deer, but even if there were a hundred dear they would not be a distraction.

The second night I was near the interstate highway. And, it was windy.  And, I had done a lousy job of putting up my tent.  It was on a gravel area and I couldn’t get my tent stakes deep enough, so the wind collapsed the sound side of the tent.  I decided I could go out and try to fix it, or just live with it!!!  (So, I went back to sleep)!!

The third and fourth nights were in a county park.  It was noisy - but I’m thinking it was either crickets or frogs (and I’m leaning towards frogs!!!).  

OTHER COMMENTS:

The night sky on the first night was amazing.  The area was designated as a “dark night” zone and there were no security lights, night lights, or other lights.  

As I got up to use the restroom, the sky was full of stars and totally beautiful.  I did a quick look and identified maybe five constellations.  I used to know more constellations - and I might have to relearn my sky map.  There was no moon (until maybe 3:00 a.m.) so the sky was brilliant with stars.  I haven’t been to areas to see the night sky for years!!!

I spent four nights in a tent - and $15 each night - so $60 overall.  I’m guessing a hotel would be maybe $100 a night (or more), so maybe $400.  So, I paid for my new tent, cot, tarp, cooler, and other gear!!!  And, I slept great!!  (I was generally really tired by the end of the day!!!).  

Yes, I’m not 75 and for many years, I’ve needed to get up for the restroom.  In my apartment, when I wake up, I know I need the toilet, and ten steps later I’m there.  In campgrounds, I was not that close to the restrooms.  My options were to walk some distance to the restroom - or squat.  (My gender change was negative on emptying my bladder other than squatting!!!)  

After the first night, I tried to back off fluids before bed.  It wasn’t all that successful, but helped a little!!!

WOULD I DO THIS AGAIN?

Yes!!!  For some time, I’ve wanted to visit the National Parks in Southern Utah - but my finances are tight, could I do that with my tent?  I sure could!!!

LAST COMMENT FOR TODAY.

I sometimes write about spiritual things. For me this was almost like going on a retreat (except I had to drive over 2000 miles!!).  I meditated, prayed, thought, reflected, and relaxed (other than the driving!!!)  I think I don’t know how to really relax!!!  Maybe I’ll learn by next year!!!

LOVE WINS

Karen White, August 29, 2022, ©