Soggy afternoon

I got back from town just in time. There had been some scattered sprinkling, but all the signs pointed to some actual rain. I dropped off groceries and water for a sick friend and settled into my camping spot nearby. And then…

Here’s what it looked like a few minutes later. Those streams weren’t there before.

What we got here, near Yuma, was the tail end of a storm that caused landslides and flooding in San Diego. The mountains between there and here saved us from the worst of it.

Rain is good (except when it causes damage) but it makes me feel trapped in the Rolling Steel Tent, even if I didn’t have any plans to be outside. It’s a reason I’m not a big fan of the wetter parts of the country. But I’ve “suffered” through rain many times during the past ten years on the road. I can cope.

The sky started to clear at about 4:00, so I went outside to assess the situation. The top layer of rocks — desert pavement — usually keeps the ground rather firm. B-u-u-u-t… it was squishy. I had to learn a new physical skill: taking off my shoes just inside the door, standing on the step, so I didn’t get mud on the rug. Then, um, where do I set the shoes until I can wipe the mud off? Uh, yeah, the wastebasket.

Since I’m all stocked up on food and water I can stay put until the ground gets good and dry. Patience is better than getting stuck. And I have nowhere else I need to be. Besides, it looks like this now, thanks to the rain.