Arizona

Just a short 110 mile round trip to the nearest Safeway…in the desert. What the? We are in Salome, Arizona and yes there is a local friendly grocery store, but let me tell you the prices are not that friendly and the selection not that wide, besides I needed to go to a pharmacy and apparently that is not a very important service in this small community. They do have a lovely pottery shop and bakery that is open part-time- oh yah there is also a peacock farm right beside the campground, but no pharmacy. I did try to go to another small (yet bigger than our current location) town yesterday…by myself.

FYI- you should always take a map with you when you drive in an area you don’t know very well. I was heading West, which was a good thing and I did stop at the roadside café in “Hope” to confirm my direction-although I didn’t have much “HOPE” after that because there were no roads signs to help me. When I ended up going the wrong way on the Interstate- and I was faced with going 55 miles to the next exit and 20 miles to the nearest rest area with less than a ¼ of a tank of fuel – I did what I had to do! I drove…then drove awhile longer… I confirmed that I did have the cell phone ( in case I need to phone for help or fuel)…I tried to drive the speed limit and act cool-it was hard though because the speed limit was 75 miles an hour…it was getting dark and I had no place to turn around. About this time the cell phone rings- I look to see who it was (Jay’s parents) nope-sorry I am not answering it- daughter-in-law does not want to explain getting lost in Arizona at the moment. Ok – the mile markers are passing by quickly and so are the big truckers - who, apparently, have no problem with 75mph speed limit. I see an area that has the no illegal u-turn sign- I pass it going 70 – thinking “crap” - actually it was another word that I can’t blog…I am filled with regret and anxiety…for a moment I think about driving through the ditch over the shrubs and cacti-- isn’t that what having a 4x4 is all about??? I move to the left lane slow down to 55mph- that makes other drivers really happy- they love it when people drive 55 in the “fast” lane. I see a u-turn spot- I hesitate- too late- it’s gone by. There is another- ok I am doing it – I quickly pull to edge of the 12 inch shoulder of the Interstate (wonder if I am going to die) I slow to 35 and make a sharp left!!! YeeeHaaa- I am no longer heading toward Phoenix. I make it to Quartzite- the pharmacy doesn’t have what I need – that’s just terrific! Now I have to go home empty-handed, explain why I took too long, why the truck needs fuel, and that we have to drive 55miles to Wickenburg to get a $8.00 bottle of pills. ALWAYS – take a map!!!