California or Bust

(Or how my GPS continues to try to kill me)

     Now I know it seems crazy to post again so soon, but it took me way too long to post last time so... after I felt led to quit my job in the UP of Michigan, I became a travel therapist; moved to Ottumwa, IA where I again worked with some great people (and some crazy things like moving 5 times in 2 months), and then chose to start my next assignment in

 (drum roll here)

     Sonora, CA. But that isn't all. On my way here I decided to take a detour. Yes, this one I actually planned not my GPS. I realized that I was only about 5 hrs out of the way to Yellowstone. So planned detour #1. Then on my way there I realized I was only 30 min away from Chimney Rock which is a major part of all history and really good westerns.

     Then since all was going well I decided to continue on to Yellowstone. That brought back some memories. When I was about 11 we went on our first real vacation. The badlands, Yellowstone, Tetons, Corn Palace, Wall drug, Mt Rushmore, and finally home to Grand Forks, ND all in 5 days.
So to reminisce I did Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, and California in 6 days. Anyways, when we went I had just bought myself a 110 camera (it's a type of film… No it's easier to just say it was before your phone took selfies). LOL

     So this camera was bought at a yard sale for $.50 and came with an added flash because back then they didn't come with them built in. Of course this camera was old when I bought it, but… It looked kind of like this (yep pretty bulky). We also didn't realize that because it was old the cover in the back that held the film in was weak. After the second time we had to drive back to pick up the film that fell out of the back of the camera Mom came to the rescue. Not scotch tape, not duct tape, not even gum. Nope, she gave me a band aid.

 


     But it worked, and for my birthday that year I got a brand new 110 camera that didn't need the flash attached. Kind of like this one. Much cooler right?

     Well, this time on my trip to Yellowstone I didn't need the band aid, and I got some good pictures! Then it was on to California. That's when it all went wrong. My GPS (the one in my phone now) had been behaving. It was telling me (for the most part) where to turn and when, and had not once tried to kill me. I should have known it was too good to last.

     There I was entering California, just me, my GPS, and my Ford Escape. It was a bright sunny day, but there were sinister clouds in the distance. Well, not really, but it sounds better for dramatic effect. So I see signs for Sonora Pass. All sweet and innocent. Then it happened. I should have been suspicious when I saw the cows in the field laughing at me, but I was just naively going on my merry way.



     Then there was the sign stating that no semis or travel trailers should attempt the pass. And finally the Marines swarming all over in a training mission. But no… There I am clinging to the steering wheel as I pump the brakes and "verbal cue" (not talk to myself) that "You can do this" as I take another hairpin curve around the side of the mountain with a solid rock wall on one side and varying from 6,000ft to 10,000 ft sheer drop on the other side. I mean have they never heard of guard rails?!?!


     But my trusty Escape (who I sometimes refer to as Es-scap-ea for Dori in Finding Nemo) overcame the nefarious, evil GPS through sheer grit, tears (of course not me crying)
, "Verbal cuing", and the strong need to find a bathroom. Hey! I hadn't stopped since someplace in Nevada! Anyways, by the time I got to the other side of the pass I had a whole new appreciation for the pioneers. I mean they didn't even have roads. Just wooden wheels and dirt trails.

      Needless to say I will not be going that way on the way home! Of course who knows what evil plans my GPS may have determined by then. (insert evil chuckle)

Jennifer Miles, Traveling Gypsy OT

 (A.K.A. The thing I have learned)

So much has happened since my last post. I have since gradiated, moved to the U.P. of Michigan (Hancock, MI to be exact), met lots of wonderful people, moved back home for a few weeks during transition from Full time position as an OT there to Full Time OT traveler. Yep, been a crazy year. But it gets better.

I started my travel OT career in Ottumwa, IA, which I must say has been a pleasant surprise. For some reason I had in my head it was flat and boring. Nothing is farther from the truth (although there are times I wish it was boring). There are meadows, hills, trees, rivers, and what Ottumwa is actually known for... bridges. Yes, some of you may be gasping, thinking I am wrong and it is home of Radar O'Reilly. But actually I have not seen anything related to him while here.

Well to start, the first thing I learned (beside the Radar thing) was not to depend on people reviews for places to stay. They lie. (Gasp!) No really, not everything you read on the internet is true! The place I was supposed to stay out here turned out to be a dump! I drove 10hrs and ended up first thing running to Walmart for mattress protector and my own sheets (for a mattress I think was once white, but was now a sick shade of gray) and cleaning supplies. This was for a "furnished hotel room." After 2 hrs cleaning the bathroom I still felt cleaner before taking the shower. At 2 A.M. that morning I was supposed to start my first day at work I woke up feeling like something was crawling on me. Not sure if it was something or just nerves. But when I got to my facility there was a stunned "You're staying where!?!?!" Which actually helped because they found me a temporary place for the next 10 days.

That was move #1. This place was at the facility where I was surrounded by friendly staff (who I will miss), a clean room, and within walking distance to work. Awesome! But all good things come to an end.

Move #2 was 45 min away in neighboring Fairfield I found using Air BnB. Again, a very nice clean place! Entire kitchen to myself, free wifi, washer dryer, out in the country more so very private. Even go to see deer out my side window. Would have loved to spend my whole time there, but because I had not booked early (due to thinking the first place was okay) she was booked after 4wks.


So that led to move #3 to a private room in Fairfield. This was not a bad location, but I found that after rooming with Lindy in the U.P. no one else is quite as easy to get used to. That and this ended up being the hottest week all summer (over 100 degrees with heat index) with my in a second floor/attic room with an air conditioner of sorts that kept it 91 degrees at best. Finally got that figured out after a few days and a new window air conditioner was installed. It was so good I over slept one morning and was late to work. Augh!

This place was only available for 9 days so what happens next in our story? Yep, Move #4. This time to an overpriced hotel in Ottumwa because it was either that or sleeping in the front seat of my Ford Escape. During this time I am trying to figure out my next place because everything is booked (or WAY too expensive) when my co-worker offered me her place while she is on vacation for a few days in exchange for dog sitting. This is coming up soon and will make it Move #5 (in 2 months).

This same co-worker was able to get a hold of a friend to rent her unfurnished house to me for the WHOLE month of August which would finish out my time here in Ottumwa. Just when things are smoothing out.. change. My contract was cut short, and I was in search of a new location.

Now I am from Michigan, have family and friends in Michigan. So when offered positions near Michigan (New York and even Iowa) which place did I choose? Yep, California. No, it isn't because I don't like my family (at least not entirely. LOL, just kidding). Nope, this just felt like the one I should be going to next.

So after just about everything that could go wrong has with this assignment, I am praying this one is a breeze. It will definitely be an adventure!