Social Distancing

The last day we spent in Death Valley, we mostly relaxed and cleaned up the R-Pod. It doesn't take much to dirty it. We did take the Artists Palate Loop Drive for some evening photography in amazing light.

Exposed minerals in the eroded soil paint the hills.

Since we left Death Valley, the COVID-19 response has ramped up considerably, so we decided to make a straight push for Russ' parents house in New Mexico. We had planned to go slower and spend some time in Zion National Park and at Red Rocks in Nevada, but instead we are driving longer days and going straight there.

On the way, we first stopped in Pahrump, Nevada, for gas and to stock up on food for the next week or so. Our fridge and pantry storage is small, so we run through most of our fresh food quickly. We found a Smiths on our main route, so pulled in. What a zoo! Luckily we don't need toilet paper! In fact, we have to use special paper for RV tanks (it dissolves faster). Russ managed to find space to park at the Casino next door, which had an empty parking lot. It turns out, Nevada has strongly suggested that all casinos close for the duration of the pandemic.

Red Rocks Campground was full, so we ended up at another I had listed as a back-up in case our first-come-first-serve first-choice campground wasn't available. We ended up at Kings Row RV Park in Las Vegas, which had the most perfectly Vegas sign.

At night.

Just as perfectly tacky by day.

The trailer park wasn't in any good part of town, and was next to a busy trucking corridor of a road, but it was fine for one night, and cheap (that helps). It was nice to have hook-ups again. I was able to use the toaster oven and the microwave. It was strange to drive through such a dead town. Vegas is usually hopping with action, but it was strangely quiet, except for the trucks driving past our trailer all night.

Today's drive was again, quite pretty, once we got out of east Las Vegas. I was surprised by all the trash along the highway for miles out of town. Plastic bags waving goodbye from every fence post and sage brush bush for 30 miles. It was quite sad, because the area around the city is desolate and dramatic otherwise.

We stopped for gas and ate lunch at a fabulous local place called Irmita's Casita in St. George, Utah. The Mexican food was amazing, as it often is in the southwest US. We talked for awhile with the owner, who was keeping the place open until the state steps in to force a closure. She felt like a small town in southern Utah was unlikely to be a disease epicenter. Also she said she trusted God to take care of us. I was glad to talk to someone who had faith that things would be ok, and glad to eat the delicious food.

Plus the restaurant has easy parking for the Pod

Russ contemplates the plates

Every time I find myself in this part of the world, I am in awe of its beauty. The red rocks and green plants (it seems unusually green right now) glow in my memory and in my vision. We are staying tonight in Kanab, Utah, at the J&J RV Park. The park seems new, with nice graveled spaces and sapling trees. It is much quieter here than at that park in Las Vegas.

Long views from a long road.

Traveling like this is one way to have social distancing. Russ and I have spent our time since leaving Tacoma mostly with each other, and occasional interactions with other people are more distant than close, since everyone is universally a stranger. Before leaving, I joked that travelling like this could be a test of our marriage; so far it is holding up well. I feel comfortable and happy being with Russ full time in close quarters like this. Russ is adjusting to being retired. He says he doesn't feel so close to being on vacation anymore. Every day brings a new thing, and being away from home keeps the old things distant.