by Phyllis McCrossin
It’s Sunday morning and we’ve been settled into our new campsite for a week.
Up until yesterday, the rhythm of this campground was much like the Kal Haven Outpost in South Haven where we spent our summer. On Friday afternoon campers started coming in and setting up camp. A surreptitious walk with Cindy around the campground and I could see most of them (from the camping permits in the windows) will be leaving on Sunday or Monday.
The difference being Californians seem much more subdued than those from the Midwest. The campground is quiet — really, really quiet. If I had to hazard a guess I’m thinking in the Midwest one puts A LOT of living into weekends away because soon enough the snow will fly and people will be forced to retreat indoors.
Or it could be because California is starting to implement a mandatory “Stay At Home Order.” My reasoning could be a lot of hooey too.
Portions of California are going into mandatory lockdown because of the pandemic. Those counties with available hospital beds below 15 percent are ordered to lock down. San Diego is one of them.
Lake Jennings, which is in San Diego County and is where we are staying, is no longer accepting reservations between now and Jan.15. Current reservations will be honored only if campers have a completely self-contained (toilet, sink and shower) unit. No tents. The campground restrooms are closed. The playground is closed (it has been for quite some time).
We are allowed to stay through February, as we have a reservation for a long-term stay. I should note the campground’s long-term stay limit is 90 days. After that, if COVID is not under control, I’m not quite certain what we will do. We will cross that bridge when we come to it and perhaps, in the meantime, discuss alternative plans.
Or, what is more likely, we will use the King method of coping – don’t think about it until it happens. I’m pretty sure the two of us have managed to stay together for 40-plus years because we choose to ignore one another’s quirks. We observe but then let it go.
For King and me the pandemic has not changed our lifestyle very much. We have not been social creatures since sometime in the 1980s. I think, other than weddings and funerals, the last time we were out with a group of people was when he was an assistant football coach at Coloma High School in 1989. I can’t remember the last time we ate in a restaurant. I think I’ve mentioned (complained actually) many times that special occasion dinners usually mean a visit to a fast food establishment.
We wear masks and continue with our normal self-imposed social distancing. We have a large supply of masks in the trailer. Some are homemade. Some are purchased. When I’m bored I pull out the sewing machine and make more.
We read a lot. King watches old TV westerns and sitcoms. Every other week we help our daughter with her COVID-related homeschooling so she can work from home in relative peace.
I’m going to make what some might consider a political comment here. We don’t live in fear. We live our lives as though what we do matters to others. It’s called compassion, caring and taking responsibility. But please note: How people can make trying to do the right thing during a pandemic political is beyond me.
And life goes on.
Our new site is surrounded by trees and low bushes. Cindy has staked a claim under some of the bushes and spends most of her days sleeping in the shade. She has suddenly aged this trip and has trouble getting in and out of the trailer, despite the fact we built handicap steps for her. When we travel, she places her front feet on the step-rail of the truck and waits for us to hoist her back-end into the truck.
She sleeps in our bed at night and there are times when I reach over to make certain she is still breathing. We adopted Cindy three years ago, knowing she was a senior dog. I am amazed at how quickly she adapted to life with us. But I often wonder if she misses her other people.
We were told she was turned in to the shelter when her elderly previous owners could no longer care for her. Since then she has wormed her way into our hearts and as much work as traveling with a canine companion is, I can’t imagine not having her with us. Puppies are cute, loveable and messy. Older dogs are grateful for love and friendship.
We have our doggie routine. King prefers to be left alone in the morning so he gets up and gets ready first. I have no idea what he does outside, but he goes out and putters around the campsite and then opens the door and jingles the leash at Cindy. She is more than happy to go for a walk with him. It’s my signal to get up, get ready, make the bed and start breakfast.
It’s also my chance to claim the TV remote and watch the news. In the evening, he takes her for one more walk before we retire.
We are all creatures of habit.
