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...