Ahhhh!!!

It's good to be home!

I left this afternoon before 1:00pm, got home before 4:00pm.  I nice, leisurely ride, even made a stop between Yuma and Gila Bend.

Fell in behind another rider, he was ahead of me.  He moved to the left of the lane, I to the right... we rode together for about 50 miles before I peeled off to go North.  An understanding... no words, no real actions, just an awareness.  Two loners, brought together for a purpose, for a time!  A mutual benefit!

When I got home, the male hummingbird residing in the Palo Verde tree across from me was quite active!  Not feeding, just chirping and flying about.  Once again, I got a "close up" hover when I took the feeder down!  Tomorrow, I will refill the feeder, re-hang it, and try to take some pictures... that is, if this "boss" let's me! 

Update...

Earlier this morning, I posted in between loads of laundry.  When I was done, I realized that it was after 6:00am... so I wandered over for breakfast...

When I walked in, the cook was just finishing filling the service, he turned, saw and welcomed me, and said, "I am sorry sir, there is no bacon this morning."  He then went straight back to the kitchen.

The server came out, saw me, and gave me a hug!  Asking me, "A tortilla today?"  I replied, "Yes please."  As I grabbed a plate, she was pouring some orange juice and set it on a table.  I went to the first warmer and took a scoop of scrambled eggs, next to it were some pancakes.  As I opened the next warmer... there was both bacon and sausage!  I smiled, as I knew the cook had tried to pull one over on me.

As I was sitting down, here he came with a fresh, hot tortilla!  And he was smiling from ear to ear!

They both welcomed me back.  I then told them that tomorrow I would be leaving, yet I would be back in a week.  Both smiled and the cook said, "Bacon, potatoes, and tortillas every day when you return!"

It was an awesome experience.  To think that a single person could make an impression on others, be remembered, and welcomed back.  I appreciate the extra attention I received this morning, and, that I was the object of a joke!  It re-enforced my belief that it is the little things that matter.

And to top it all off...

I was never asked for my room number.

Muchas gracias, mis amigos!

On the road again!

After some negotiation, I renewed my contract for another 13 weeks in Yuma.  I started last Monday, 11/26.  I will be working "super weekends," that is Thursday thru Tuesday, every other week.  So in effect, I will work for 6 days, then have 8 days off, repeating through the next 12 weeks, now that the first week is nearing an end.  This first week, I opted to work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, have 7 days off, then start the "super weekend" schedule.

I did this for two reasons.  First, it will save me some money as I am paying for an apartment at home and now I will only have intermittent additional housing needs.  Second, having 8 days off gives me a better opportunity to take some longer rides and visit more places.

So, on Monday I woke up bright and early... around 8:30am... packed and loaded up my bike!

I packed a little lighter this time, as I am only going to be here for three days instead of three months!

After getting fuel, I hit the road at 9:50am, a quick stop in Gila Bend, and arrived in Yuma around 1:00pm.  Checked into the hotel, a quick run to the store, a power nap, then off to the hospital for my first shift.  My first day back was a long 20+ hours.  It took till last night to finally get adjusted and not feel so tired.  Next trip down, I will try out leaving a day early.  That way I can take my time riding, rest and adjust, then go to work the following day.

My first shift back seemed like I never left!  Everyone was excited to see that I had returned and welcomed me back.  Even some of the individuals that I had minimal interaction with asked me where I had been.  The only thing that changed was the volume of patients.  The winter season brings the winter visitors, and the population of Southern Arizona nearly doubles!  There are more "out of State" and other "Country" license plates now, then "Arizona" plates.  The farthest I have seen so far is an RV from Quebec, Canada!  Otherwise, I was able to just fall right back into the groove and luckily, all of my passwords still worked.

I haven't taken advantage of the free breakfast on this trip so far.  No way of knowing if I still have a stash of tortillas in the restaurant  ;)  I will stop by the morning I leave and let everyone know.  My three days have turned into four, as I picked up a partial shift tonight.  So instead of leaving today, I will leave tomorrow.

The adventure continues...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is a day to reflect and offer thanks.

So thank you to everyone, I have had a rich and wonderful year!  I hope and pray that you have as well.  May our next be as blessed!

The little things...

Three months ago, I left the place I refer to as my home.  When I came back, I realized that the cleaning fairy, was obviously on strike... and that the dust fairy, was making some serious overtime!

A few steps back...

As I approached my front door, I noticed that my hummingbird feeder was empty. A few days ago, I saw that they, the hummingbirds, are still here.  So as one of these hummers came up to me, as I took the feeder down, it approached and hovered, I was awestruck! 

It seemed like a long time, although it was only a few seconds...

Today, a few days later, I am once again enjoying them... like this morning, as the sun was coming up, and I noticed the shadows flitting about...

There is a dominant male in the Palo Verde across from me...  He is probably the one that challenged me when I took the feeder down to refill it a few days ago.  Today, he is protecting this food source.  Three hummers, can make a wren very unhappy!!!

The other morning, I watched as a wren tried to grasp onto the feeder.  Within seconds, probably milliseconds, there were three hummers that swooped in, and made this wren flutter, then fly off.

Nature provided the answer.

SPAM

It has been a long time since I partook...

Spiced ham...

Fully cooked, edible right out of the can!  Miss the key though... and much better when cooked, that is heated...
 
I guess that tells a bit about me.  No, not a P38, although I used to have one!  It was a key, on the can itself.  Helped in the opening...  when tin cans where still made out of tin.

And yes dad... It will always be "tin foil," even though it is made from aluminum!

Chaps...

As I looked at the weather (both the 500mb and the GEOS IR4 SAT) maps...

I planned my travel, thinking I would have the winds at my back.  Fortunately, I was in a constant left turn for most of my trip back to PHX!  I say fortunately, because although I had the latest information, I was still outdone.  Helps to remind me of my place.

Although, I was correct about the temperatures!  You are welcome PHX... I brought a brief warming trend with me... unfortunately it jumped off my bike and is continuing on...

30's in PHX... 40's in YUM... means a whole lot colder in between!  So I treated myself to an early Christmas present, and bought some chaps in Yuma to ride home with.  Now leather, is heavy.  And I was amazed by how much it blocks the wind effect... it took a few minutes to realize, understand, and adjust, yet it made my trek comfortable.  I can only imagine the ride with just a set of jeans...

Unfortunately, I do not have the necessary build to make them (the chaps) look good... Seems I lack the necessary mass in certain parts on my posterior aspect...  made the jeans look bunched up.  I know I brought you here, however, time to move on!

I think there will be few more layers needed this winter!  I can remember last year, just riding between downtown PHX and the East Valley.  A short 40 minute ride, yet chilly!  LJ's will be a must, will have to add an additional layer or two as well...

YUM sits at about 138 ft above see level.  When I first got back to PHX, I actually felt a little short of breath for a few hours!  To think that I went from PHX  to FLG... and did not have the same problem.  It must have been all of the exhaust I was breathing on the ride home!  Traffic mid-day on a holiday was quite a tad heavier than when I left.  Now there are a number of reasons, season, time, direction of travel, etc.

Leggings, have a past.  The result, many cultures and many times, realized that an extra layer offers protection.  Armas, chaparejos, chaparreras, chapos, chaps, stovepipes... from a horse, to a steel horse... it remains the same! 


Keep the rubber side down, and the shiny side up!

Hasta luego!

It is hard to believe that I have been on this assignment for a full 13 weeks already!  Last night I worked my final shift on my current contract.  I look back and remember the days leading up to leaving Phoenix, getting here, adjusting, and then starting.  In retrospect, it seems like yesterday, and I am truly amazed at how fast it went by!

An outstanding first adventure!  I worked with and met lot of great people, had some adventures, saw and experienced a lot of things!  I enjoyed it so much that after a two week interlude, I will be returning for another 13 weeks.  After that, Spring will be around the corner and I will move on.  It will be time to really begin to travel...

I would like to publicly answer a few emails I've received regarding my "apparent obsession" with both tortillas and bacon.

First, about bacon.  Really!?  I could take a moment and recreate a scene from the movie Forrest Gump...  I shall not however.  I bet if equal amounts of bacon, sausage, and breakfast ham is made and served, the first thing to run out, would be the bacon! For a non-scientific proof, just go to a Las Vegas Buffet for breakfast!


Second, the tortilla.  Now this is just as serious.  Although born a mid-westerner, I was raised and have lived in the southwest for the majority of my life.  Give me some hard-tack and beef jerky, and I will be fine.  Yet there is something about a hot fresh tortilla, regardless of being made out of flour or corn, that can make a simple meal into something gourmet!

In both cases, it is something a lot deeper.  I have been asked and invited to come into a community to provide a much needed service.  Yes, I am a temporary resident.  Yet while I am here, I have become friends and family with those that I am helping and supporting.

It started out as a simple question at a breakfast one morning.  I accepted the answer given.  Yet as I got to know the servers, and one of the cooks, it became something else.  Sort of like a game between us.  A friendly exchange, that has now evolved into a lasting friendship, even perhaps becoming a member of the family. I walk into the lobby, and the front desk person knows my name, no longer am I a "room number."  Likewise, I walk into the restaurant and they know who I am and treat me like a family member. 

When I said goodnight to everyone at work last night, they were sad that I was leaving for two weeks; yet happy that I was going to return.  A great group of caring people!  This morning at the hotel, the same!  So yes, I got my tortilla.  And no, there was no bacon.  Yet I did get a tableside visit from the cook. 

He was sorry and apologized that there was no 'tocino' this morning.  However, he promised that when I come back, he will make some every day.

Hasta luego Yuma!  I will see you later!

A wave, a nod, and greeting.

This morning as I once again partook of the free breakfast... yes a tortilla, no bacon though, it has to be the cooks, gotta work with the cooks...

I saw the couple I met last night in the parking lot.  I got both a hand wave and a nod from them.  I will let everyone decide who waved and who nodded.

As my tortilla arrived, the gentleman at the table next to me asked me, "How did you get that?"  I replied, "One only has to ask."  The gentleman said, "But you didn't ask for it."  I smiled and said,  "No, I didn't."

On my way back to my room I met and greeted a fellow travel nurse. It was the scrubs, hospital ID, and the fact that one is at a hotel, that gave it away!  An L&D nurse, just starting here.  I say that like I am a veteran travel nurse... I apologize.  We talked for a few minutes, then parted.  Me to bed, her to orientation.

Soft...

Tonight, I met an individual and his wife in the parking lot, as I was about to go for a ride.  He asked me if my bike was a "soft tail?"  In reality it is, as it has a swing arm, shocks, and therefore a suspension.  Not a rigid axle, tied to the frame...

Now, I realize that this was an introduction.  A way to engage in a conversation.  And I was quickly asked if I believed in Jesus Christ.  I truly love these types of discussions!  It allows me to express my faith, while challenging those that ask about it!

He queried me on how many "coats" did Joseph wear... I replied "only one!"  He asked me if I was sure.  I said yes.  The conversation continued and I was reminded of the biblical references in Hebrews, Romans, and Matthew, regarding Joseph and his 'coat of many colors.'  A total of four is mentioned, if anyone is interested.

I am not a chapter and verse type of person.  I can not pull up a verse, nor quote it, at a moments notice.  However, I believe that I am exemplifying the message.

The conversation quickly ended when he noticed the tattoo on my left arm.  As we shook hands, I said to him, "I still stand by my answer, he only wore one coat."  This gentleman, and his wife, looked at me like I was from a different planet.

I then began... 


A few minutes later, as they walked away... I know I gave them something to think about.

There is a difference!

My final week here?

This is the last week of my current contract in Yuma.  I have offered to renew, yet am still in a bit of a negotiation...

Maintaining an apartment at home, and living in Yuma has been doable, just not getting ahead as I had planned.  So I asked that in my renewal I am either scheduled for 3 days in a row, set days per week, for the length of the contract; or, that I be scheduled for a "super-weekend," Thursday through Tuesday, then eight days off, repeat.  My plan is to commute back and forth.  I need to do this until at least April, when my lease is up at my apartment.

My offer to renew was accepted, but there is no guarantee on the schedule.  So, at this time, I have yet to sign the contract renewal.  There is still a little time for them to decide to agree to one of the two of my proposed scheduling options, as I had planned to take two weeks off to be home for Thanksgiving with my family, returning on November 26th.  If I don't hear back soon, I will be submitting to other facilities.

The night before, a fellow Travel Nurse asked me if I had renewed.  I told her my current situation and she stated/asked me, "So you don't have a job!?"  I replied to her, in a flat, matter of fact way, "Nope!"  She just started cracking up laughing and couldn't believe I wasn't worried about not having a job after this week.  It has been the running joke last night as well.  I reminded her, that she was the one that told me there are so many other hospitals, in other States one can work, just a few months ago...

There are thirteen open contracts in Arizona alone, not including Yuma.  In addition, there are hundreds of open contracts in the 20+ States I am Licensed to Practice Nursing in.  I became a Travel Nurse in order to travel, that is ride, and work along the way... I am not worried.

I picked up an extra shift this week though, here in Yuma; so I will now have two days off before my last two scheduled shifts.  I would like to ride around and take some more pics of the places I've been to, things I've seen, people I've met, in order to share them with everyone.  Sometimes it is the wrong moment or I am on the road, and taking a picture is difficult to do.  Maybe I will stick around an extra day or two to try and accomplish this if needed.

A few hours before my bedtime, I need to start organizing and preparing to pack.  Hope everyone has a great day!