Joei Carlton

Good Bye Hemet

My time in Southern California is, once again, coming to an end for this year.  I’ll be glad to leave this campground (Golden Village Palms) behind, probably never to return.  With the change in management came some very UNPLEASANT new rules and regulations and since I wasn’t prepared for these new rules (in short - didn’t do my homework) I kind of floundered when I left for those weeks in January.

My main problem was not being allowed to take my camper off the back of my truck which left me without the use of my truck for a month.  A rule that should have come off the books 30 years ago when 4 electric jacks were standard equipment on truck campers.  The swimming pool is at least 5 or 6 degrees cooler, which didn’t help, since the weather was the pits most of the time.  They seem to have cut down on staff because it’s just not as clean as it used to be.

On the plus side, if I hadn’t left for a few weeks I would not have contacted my cousin whom I hadn’t seen in about 30 years living in Indio.  I would not have contacted my former roommate, Joyce, whom I had not seen in about 10 years and thanks to Joyce I reconnected with her brother-in-law Don (whom I dated when I was 18 and he was 20). He too is an RVer and loaned me (delivered and set up) his 5th wheel so I could come back to this campground in Hemet.  I left my truck camper on his property for safekeeping.

Today I have to head back up to Don’s place and get my camper.  He will pick up his 5th wheel on the weekend and Tuesday I hit the road.

It has been a productive few months.  My new mini read - Down on the Farm - is now available and the first orders are being shipping out today.

There will be a few things that I’m going to miss.  I have a few friends here in the campground that I’ve enjoyed, especially my friend Anna - fellow writer, creator and a lover of learning new things.   I’ve enjoyed the guitar-playing, song-writing singing by Idaho resident, Dave, who has treated us to his talent at various potlucks and, of course, I’ll miss my old/new friend Don.

I’m hoping for a safe journey home.   Joei