Off to Wildrose camp

Last night at 9pm, I let Jo Jo out, hearing unusual tapping sounds. Low and behold, it's raining here, in the driest place on earth, or I should say the hottest place in the United States. The day's clouds have yielded to rain this evening. And a lot of wind!

This morning I wanted to sleep in, as I didn't have a early morning hike planned. My plan was to check out of Texas Spring campsite and take my sweet time going north. I may have to rename this campsite: "slam your doors at all hours of the early morning campsite." Apparently people are leaving here on this Sunday morning. Although from yesterday's hike, I overheard conversation of others going to the Badwater Basin to do a 3am photoshoot of the Milky Way.  I think people have lost sight, or have lost their minds with trying to be quiet, and mindful, and respectful, to their fellow campers. Not to mention their fellow human beings. We were taught to have "camping voices" while camping, and not be allowed to shriek, and scream, at full volume. The same could be said about slamming doors, over and over and over. So there's my speech.

It was time to move on. My next destination might be the absolute epiphany of a lifetime. It might provide me with everything I seek in life, when I get to that destination. But of course there's no way of knowing, other than blind faith, and giving it a try. Time will tell.

I headed out to Wildrose campsite, about an hour and a half from Texas Springs. My plan was to fill up at Stovepipe Wells, where they told me that gas was about $2 a gallon cheaper, then it was here at Furnace Creek. It was about 23 miles away. How excited can you get now, when you see gas station prices cheaper than $7.69, thinking that $5.55 is a great deal. Ugh. I eagerly filled up, and it came to just under $83.00. I've never in my life have put in $83.00 in ANY tank...ever. But I guess there is always a first. I drove through Stovepipe Wells campsite, just beyond the gas station, as its definitely in my plans to stop here, probably in the next few days.

As I climbed in elevation, I saw the temperature go from the mid-60s to the mid-40s. I thought for sure by the time I got there I would be spending all of my time inside the RV freezing. My plan was to just hunker down, and read my book, but as soon as I found my spot on the second tier, of this hill, I made myself comfortable. Looking around at this new terrain, I began finding pretty rocks. They are quartz, but also blue, with pink and gold tone flecks, like my Grandmother would say, they were "poody," with her Hungarian accent. I also found some rocks that are probably gold pyrite, or mica. But fantasized that it could be14K gold. I did some collecting.

I decided to sit and read my book. The book I bought from my classmate at Nazareth College of Rochester, whose name is Kate. I met her in Tubac. She's an author, and this is her sixth book. Based on a true story, set in Arizona, and called "The Walls Between Us." I'm really enjoying it. I just about got done at the very end, when the sun was setting, and it was becoming noticeably chillier. A perfect day. I am sure I will run the propane tonight, while wearing fuzzy socks, and my winter cap to bed.













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