This is the view this morning. I feel truly blessed and touched by God. I love the expanse of sky with layered clouds annd blue sky poking through abone the California palm trees. In my prayers and meditations today I was struck by the thought that God is everywhere. Omnipotent, Omnipotential, Omnipresent. Still I personally feel him most here. I was here last year and felt so relaxed and at peace that my awareness increased. Here I’m on a work cation with virtual satellite communications and consultations continuing 30 hours a week. But today is a rest day.
Yesterday I left Hollywood RV Park in LA. The staff were incredible. They’d guided me into my spot when I arrived and kindly assisted me leaving. How comforting. My anxiety on departure was that I’d hit a car making the turn and not considering I could exit a slightly different way with way more room. My whole stay with Hollywood RV had been so welcoming and wonderful. The weather could have been better for Laura but despite the ‘atmospheric river’ rains we were mostly inside for those at the LACMA, GETTY and Huntington Library. All of these museums and art galleries were so inspiring. Eye candy for the heart and soul. On sunny days we walked the Santa Monica Pier and sat outside in the park. Each day we walked Madigan who loved this dog friendly oasis in the freeway city.
I prayed leaving. The Thor Hurricane is the biggest bus I’ve driven and after the Enterprise Mitsubishi Mirage compact rental it was something getting use to the beast again. I’m still getting use to the noises too and turning from Balboa onto Roscoe there was a new crash I thought was the refridgerater but I couldn’t look back and couldn’t stop. I was soon on the freeway going north then east and then through Pasadena. It’s a 12 lane challenge. I just have to watch my width and speed and passing cars and huge trucks. I mostly followed some professional truck driver and prayed. There was sicky smell of vinegar.
It wasn’t until a couple of hours later that I had a rest stop to pull over into and find out what the crash was. Sure enough the fridge door had opened and a bottle of apple cider vinegar was lying on its side open. I cleaned up with cloth thinking that the apple cider vinegar would cleanse the air somehow. I was glad to open the windows and Madigan liked the walk at the truck stop. From there on it was 6- 8 lanes then 4 lanes and we we were passing through Palm Springs. We’d survived LA freeways and now were headed for the Sultan Sea.
What a grand vision this was. I could see for miles. The Salton Sea had figured in a Bosch episode. We’d been watching the Hollywood Detective series as part of our immersion in LA, loving, Harry, Maddie, Honey, Edgar and LT and the two older duo of comic relief detectives. We’d see places we’d been or recognized now watching the series at night. I enjoyed Salton Sea for Bombay Beach and the coffee shop there I’d loved to ride my Vespa to from Fountain of Youth. Then I was passing through the gates. I’d reserved number 19, near the pools behind the office, same as where I’d been the year before. I enjoyed the walk for exercise with the dog to his small dog park. We were here
I told myself not to get cocky. I had to land the monster machine and set up. It was a challenge as I had to back in but I didn’t hit anything though got out of the bus half dozen times to check. It really was easy but I’ve done so many stupid things in the past that I have to double check and triple check. Yet there I was park break on extending the leveling jacks and putting out the slide. Everything was fine. My hose didn’t fit so something had gone wrong and I’d need another hose. The new sewer hose was just fine.
My chest almost burst with gratitude and relief. I was here and I was set up and I was parked for 10 days and would likely extend another week. It was hot and dry and sunny and I’d made it. All the way from Vancouver in this new to me Thor motorhome. I was going on to Yuma eventually but that was only a day’s drive on country freeways. The challenge each year is the LA freeways and foothills. Thanks to Larry and Peter I’d had well situated drive through RV stops and mostly avoided night driving. I felt confident about the return. Last year I’d returned in late February a little early missing Laura, friends and the routines of home. Just as my friend George shared he’d missed the green and forests after sometimes in the Southern California dry. I love it for the health for my lungs but have to admit I am often thinking of times in Whistler, Clinton, Harrisons’s, Princeton and the Islaznd. Today I’m loving the palm trees, Hot and dry.
Now that I’ve had my first morning coffee it’s time to walk Madigan up to his little dog park where he made some friends yestedazy. I spoke with some other northern Canadians who come here regularly and thought of Dr. Willie Gutowski who winters in Desert Springs. Snow birds of a different feather. Willi introduced me to the Mariana Islands where we worked as physicians for a few years loving the people and place and the tropical clime. I have been so blessed in mentors and colleagues and family and friends.
Thank you God for this life and times. Thank you for getting Laura safe home on Air Canada and I and Madigan and Thor here. Thank you Jesus.
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