At the Park – Days 21 – 23

Worked all day Wednesday.

Went and checked out the diversion swales (aka “Mother may I” , “Thank you mother”) on the roads and other earth moving I requested Francisco do.  Looked ok to me.  Will see what happens when the rains come.  I sure hope I can be there for a few heavy rains.  Visited a bit with Tom and one of his guests: Chris.  Chris is a vet injured in the line of duty by an IED.  Tom was telling me that the Travel Channel was coming to town and was going to rent some horses and his ranch hand Francisco was going to guide them into a part of the mountains that had some historical significance and remaining historical artifacts.  As I understand it, there are a number of artifacts in the mountains that you can go see.  Pretty cool stuff I hope to see some day.

Tom also mentioned that some other locals were interested in riding lessons and that he would like to give me my lessons at the same time he was giving them theirs.  After I left, it occurred to me that we did not discuss dates or anything.

Back at the trailer as storm was rolling in.  Really cool view of lightning in the mountains to the east.  Tried to get some pics, but was unsuccessful.  In retrospect, I guess I’ll just run video then pull still images from the footage – or maybe I’ll upload to youtube and provide a link.  Chatted with new RV park neighbor while watching the storm roll in.  We both decided about the same time it was close enough and we probably shouldn’t be outside given the lightning.

Wrapped up the evening thinking about next steps on the property and plans for the rest of the week and looking through a cookbook for ideas on what would be good to prepare for Friday’s potluck.

I decided to make my run to Douglas for food and misc supplies Thursday afternoon after work so that I would have what I need to make a dish to pass for Fridays potluck and so such a run would not cut into my weekend productivity.  I made multiple trips back and forth across the town of Douglas as I learned what stores do and don’t have in terms of hardware for home and garden and produce.  As per my plan, I asked a local (employee at the hardware store) where I could go for some good Mexican food.   Luckily, his favorite place was a place I had driven by the last time I was in town so I had a good idea where it was and how to get there.  As I was parking, I noted another Mexican restaurant in the distance but didn’t see any cars there where as this one, I was parking in the last available spot it was busy.  Good enough evidence for me.  What a great recommendation.  It is a small family run restaurant with great food.  Not sure I will bother trying any others in town.. well, maybe if this one is closed when I want to eat.  When he brought out the chips and dipping sauce, I looked at the small cup of sauce and thought geez thanks for being generous.  Then I took a bite of a chip dipped generously in the sauce.  I have to wonder if he went back to the kitchen and told his staff:  “Hey, come watch this new gringo eat the chips and sauce.”  Holy crap was that stuff hot.  That clearly explains the portion size served.  Luckily, the rest of dinner was not overly spicy and was quite flavorful.

It was dusk by the time I started to head home.  I swear, cotton tail rabbits must be the dumbest animals around.  I really wish I would have counted how many ran in front of me on the way home.  With no exaggeration, I would guess it was more than twenty.  One was so close I swore I was going to hit him, but I never felt the bump, although in that big truck, not sure I would feel a bump for a little suicidal cotton tail rabbit.

Made it home safe and sound just as it was starting to sprinkle.  Took Sasha for a quick walk so she could take care of business, put groceries away, and crashed for the night as it was after midnight EDT (I’m working east coast work hours).

Friday was yet another busy workday.  Problems at work prevented me from using my lunch time to prep some food for the potluck, so I had to do all the planned cooking after work.  I made rice and vegetables with peanut sauce.  For being the first time I made it, it came out very good.  Sadly, I finished preparing at least 15 minutes after they started eating.  There was still plenty of food left that others brought that was “close enough” to my dietary goals for me to gorge myself on.  Got some good feedback on the performance of the wireless service in the park from the other park guests during dinner.  In packing up my food, there was more gone than I expected given everyone was well into their first plate of food when I got there.  Rusty’s dad complimented me on the dish.

I decided to take another crack at leveling the trailer that seems to be a moving target.  I suspect literally.  Earlier in the week, I checked the underside of the trailer and saw the support beams were bent/sagging after the rear support/stabilizing jack.  While in Douglas I picked up another set of jacks to put under the beam in the far back to support it.  Next time we move it, I will have to make sure the back of the trailer is completely empty so it doesn’t give way going down the road.  That will be the last time we move it short of taking it to a dump or otherwise disposing of it.  By the time I finished, the trailer was close enough to level for me and the beams looked straight again.  Success.

I spent the rest of the evening browsing the county’s website reviewing permit requirements and etc.  In reviewing the permit requirements, I’m thinking I will be able to move onto the land with the RV in mid to late August.  I just need to make sure I keep making baby steps forward each day during the week and hopefully leaps forward on the weekends.  I just need to make sure I don’t fall into the ‘analysis paralysis’ trap that I spend so much time in.  I need to try to strike a balance between analysis (data and information collection, analyzing, planning) with concrete actions that move the process forward.  Otherwise, my tendency of late is to analyze things to death and then not act on it out of fear of making a mistake.  Out here, as long as the mistake doesn’t kill me, I will learn from it and keep pushing forward.  That is the only way I will accomplish anything and be successful in reaching my goals.

That’s it for tonight.

Night all!