2 Almost Darwin Awards

Things in the blog are a little out of order ... but that's ok.  I'm sorry if it's confusing.

Two nights ago, I woke up and had trouble breathing.  I usually do NOT sleep with the propane heater on.  I forgot to turn it off.  It was off.  So, it did not have enough O2 to burn.  I jumped up and opened the door, letting a lot of air in.  So, it either consumed all the oxygen, or filled the trailer with CO.
Either way, I believe God was watching out for me! 

Last night, I got up to turn on the propane heater for a while before I went to sleep, and a big burst of flame shot out.  Lots of stuff was on fire.  I was running around barefoot on the rocks where I'm camped, trying to get everything out of the trailer that was on fire out of the trailer.  Then trying to put things out by pouring water on them ... in one case, I peed on a small bit of burning stuff! 

Here's what I posted on Facebook:

Almost had won a Darwin Award again last night. And yes, it was all my fault, and I should be better prepared. Short version: I had a fire in my trailer last night. Long version: I had not properly connected the line from my big propane tank to my heater and when I lit it, BOOM. If I could have watched it from above, I would have laughed my ass off. I pulled everything that was burning outside, and put out the stuff on the inside with my freakin SPRAY BOTTLE. My extinguisher is empty. DUH. I put one of the outside things out by peeing on it! hahahahahah. That's USING YOUR HEAD, huh? I couldn't find my phone, or I would have called one of my neighbors for help. And no, they're too far away to see that I'm on fire. I can't find one of my shoes, so I guess it burned up. Otherwise, everything is ok.

I had a Doctor's Appointment today, and the Doc told me to get a propane monitor and a CO monitor.  Yes , Doctor!  😃

This last year... 2017

I've been thinking a lot about future and past lately.  One thing I've realized is that this last year, with all of the crazy stuff that's happened to me; has been the best 12 months of my life.

I feel fantastic right now, even after almost setting myself, my trailer, and my wonderful dog Lacy, on fire.  There are now, and always will be , challenges.  Things that make me wonder what the hell I'm doing.  But I believe and know in my heart, that God is watching out for me.

But if I were to cross that bridge tonight, I would have no regrets.  I would feel bad for those people who would miss me, but would feel like I've had a great life.

And that the best is yet to come.

What's Next - Feb 2018

To be honest, this post is mainly for me to put down on "paper" my thoughts. 

Move stuff in Storage Unit

My primary philosophy has been : "If I haven't need it in the last year, I don't need it". 

Almost all my books fall into that category.  I no longer have space for a library. If I ever really did.  Many books sat on the shelf and never moved. 

Get rid of all but tools and camping stuff?  Probably.  There is a Goodwill Donation Center right next to my Storage Facility.  I might be able to get them to come by with a truck.   

Keep my Jeep?  I really want to.  There are so many places that I could ride it out here in Arizona.  But I don't NEED it.  I just WANT it. 

My tools (wish I had them right now) include a table saw, several types of saws, and other power tools and hand tools.  These are close to a necessity for me to finish my trailer.  I also have a guitar and mandolin, a desktop computer (real high-end , good for editing video files), some guns; hunting rifle, muzzleloader . 

If I move what I haven't given to Goodwill , where will I move it to?  

Where will I stay while I do this?  It will take a few days, I'm sure. There are NO boondocking sites in or near Co Springs.  I will NOT spring for an hotel room. Earlier this year, I could camp at the southernmost WalMart overnight.  

When to do this?  It will start warming up here soon.  Colorado weather is so unpredictable 

Find place to settle as a permanent homebase?

Two of my friends have bought an acre or 2 of land just East of Show Low, AZ.  They have suggested that I should do the same.  It's in Apache County, and they're at 6000 ft elevation, making it a great Summer home.  

I've been looking very seriously about establishing residency in South Dakota.  It is the easiest state to make a permanent residence out of.  Really cold in Winter, but wonder what the rest of the year would be like. 

Campground host job.

I have been offered and accepted a position in Sierra National Forest as a campground host.  I believe that starts in May.  

Lots of decisions to make, and I'm spending most of my time resting up right now.  

2018 - so far (2/24/2018)

So far

I won't go so far as to say it's been a lousy year.   It certainly hasn't .  I have 2 more months staying on the road, adjusting to the lifestyle even more.  I have made some changes in my trailer which should make it a little easier to move around, and easier to just pull over and sleep.  Prior to this, much unloading and moving things around, have been required.  I've started using more hooks on the walls, to keep fewer things on the floor .  

Health

Still getting over being sick for about 2 months at the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018.  My symptoms were never severe enough to justify an ER visit, but I'm still feeling somewhat weak. 

I also am running out of a med I take and couldn't get an appointment for a refill until this coming Monday, 2/26.  A dear friend helped me out, with about 20 pills.  Though these are half-strength, taking only one involves some mild withdrawal symptom.  That is what I've been doing.  

Just this last week, I started to show symptoms of Sciatica.  I basically took Ibuprofen and slept.  It feels better this morning, but still feels like it could easily return.  So, I will need to continue resting as much as I can stand to.  

Finances

Still struggling with living on once a month payday.  So far it feels like too much month, and not enough money.  It's a matter of discipline, and I'm still developing that at the age of 65. 

A little further West

Big River BLM got way too crowded.  After being on the road a bit , I've come to wonder why some people just have to pull their rig right next to someone else!  Even among the community of long-term campers, there are those who seem to want to be in a neighborhood.  I personally don't get it.  Many of the folks I know have the same opinion.  Especially full-timer RVers.

Where I'm at now is about 3 miles West of where I was.  There are 5 rigs in about a 10 square mile area.  Of course, someone moved about 200 yards away from me!   It's still pretty deserted.

I seem to need that in order to get any work done.  And I've got some rearranging to do.
Still getting rid of the "yard sale" .  😊