A few hours ago, I got a good workout, like at the gym. I did squats and reaches and lifts and pulls. I wasn’t at the gym however. I was moving my camp from one site to another. And I wasn’t happy about it.
I say moving “camp” rather than moving The Tiny because there is so much more to camp than the trailer: there’s the awning and hippie panels clipped to it, rugs, chair, air fryer station and cooler on the picnic bench, and dog’s bed and water bowl and fencing to make her a yard. It’s a deal.
I had to move my campsite because a few days ago when I got to this RV park in a lovely California beach town, I noticed water on the ground on the site I was assigned. I studied it. Was it water from the previous camper? Or something more serious, like an underground leak? I saw gnats flying around it.
I contacted management and they said yep it’s a leak and they would have to get some big equipment out there to dig up the ground and fix the leak. They offered me two other sites, both of which I determined were awful! One was right next to the loud freeway and in the full sun. The other one was in a gravel pit with no shade and next to a very messy full-time camp. I was not happy and considered if I should just drive a few hours to another campground that is included in my membership. However, I am here in this town to visit with my cousins before heading to Louisiana and Florida for the winter, so that would ruin that plan.
Finally, the manager said I could go into a different site, but that I would have to move camp three days later because someone had reserved that particular site. I agreed to the plan. But as the days ticked by, I was hoping something would happen where I didn’t have to move. Nothing happened. I had to move to my original site, which was now fixed and dry.
I tried to tell myself it would good to break down camp and move it a few sites over. It was a workout. We all need a workout. Just sitting on the couch is not the healthy path. So I tried to talk myself out of my irritation but I could feel tension growing within me. I need to focus on a bunch of assignments I have right now, and I just can’t handle this disruption. I decided meet up with my cousins as planned this weekend and then leave a few days early from this godforsaken place and hightail it to a high-mountain camp that is my happy place and dig in for a few weeks to get work done before heading east.
When this morning arrived, I broke down camp, piled everything on the picnic table and in the trailer and was ready to move. But another camper arrived yesterday and was in my new site just for the night. So I took the dog for a walk in the redwoods and figured I’d move when we got back. At 11 a.m., when we returned, the people were still there. I approached the manager and asked in a pissy tone when they would be leaving. She said they had until noon. OMG! I didn’t know that. The pressure was building. I’m supposed to be doing work. My trailer is ready for moving, the big computer is on the bed, and I’m stuck in the sun without an awning and feeling just miserable. So I turned on the air conditioner (thank goodness I hadn’t disconnected the power yet) and sat inside the trailer and told the dog to join me. I got a shawl, crossed my legs, and began to meditate.
As I meditated, I realized it wasn’t the manager’s fault any of this happened. She doesn’t own the park. She can’t control those underground pipes. She can’t materialize a new campsite so I don’t have to be inconvenienced. Why was I so pissy and rude to her? She doesn’t deserve that. But wait . . . she could have fought harder to find a solution that wouldn’t cause me so much grief. Couldn’t she? I tried during my meditation to see if maybe it was all her fault that I was sharp and snotty with her. Do I apologize or not? I did a good meditation until I heard a sharp knock on the door. She said the site was empty. I tumbled out of the trailer and couldn’t wait to apologize for being so rude to her. “I’m so sorry,” I said. “You don’t deserve that.” She assured me that she never takes anything personally. But still it must grind on a person to have rude guests.
I then proceeded to hook up The Tiny and move it down the row to my new site. What a dream boat this trailer is to haul! I pulled the trailer into the site and began to install the awning, and then the rugs, and the dog fencing. The dog was tired from the day’s activities (earlier we had taken the power cord into the RV place to get the end replaced) and she crawled under the picnic table for her well-deserved nap. I began to notice how lovely this site is. There are two trees providing shade from the sun arcing across the sky. There is a lovely view from the camp to some colorful landscaping, and it’s got an interesting view of people and kids for the dog. From my side window, I see big oak trees in the distance rather than the side of the next guy’s rig. There is something about the curve of the road and angle of the sites that makes this possible. The area inside the awning feels so peaceful, so harmonious, so calming. I realized what a blessing that I “had” to move to this site. It’s spectacular in its modest, quiet manner.
As usual, what was in store for me was better than what I was asked let go of.
I realized that while I am looking forward to the upcoming weeks at my high-country camp, I would also like to stay here as long as I can. I am still reserved here for another 6 days. The manager had told me previously she could get me one more day before the next weekend, when she is totally booked. While my late lunch was cooking in the air fryer I went to the office. I told her how much I love love love my new site. And if that extra day is still available, I’d love to have it. She said she was happy I liked my new site. Even though we try not to take things personally, an ungrateful guest is way more draining that a grateful one.
On the upside, I am happy I was in touch with my needs and feeling. I spoke out. That’s good. But I was a bitch about it. The good news is that I have meditation, I have a way to make amends, and I am willing to clean up my side of the street. I hope for better behavior on my part next time the universe tries to guide into a better situation and gives me a nice gym workout in the process. But if I’m fearful and clutching onto the past and act out, at least I know I can clean up my mess. I’m grateful for that.
P.S. The manager just called and said there was a cancellation and I can stay another 9 days in the site I am in. She was going to bat for me after all.