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Laffy Kat

(16,354 posts)
Mon May 20, 2019, 11:33 PM May 2019

On my way home from Wisconsin and my youngest son's college graduation...

We had to stop in Rapid City, SD due to SNOW! We are holed up in a Holiday Inn, relaxing in a jacuzzi, watching big, feathery flakes come down. We decided not to sightsee at Devil's Tower tomorrow on our way back to Colorado because it will be rainy and cold. Someone said there are tornado warnings in Texas and Oklahoma from this same system. Everyone stay safe, dry, and warm.

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On my way home from Wisconsin and my youngest son's college graduation... (Original Post) Laffy Kat May 2019 OP
Congratulations on your son's graduation. CentralMass May 2019 #1
Thanks so much. Laffy Kat May 2019 #2
My congratulations also on his college graduation. PoindexterOglethorpe May 2019 #3
Oh gosh that would be horrible. Laffy Kat May 2019 #6
I will say that I had a scary couple of hours. PoindexterOglethorpe May 2019 #7
Yes, I understand. Laffy Kat May 2019 #10
Same here. PoindexterOglethorpe May 2019 #12
Congrats on preparing your son to fly from the nest! Well done! MLAA May 2019 #4
Thank you, but I want him back in the nest for a while. Laffy Kat May 2019 #9
Tomorrow you get to drive through world famous Sturgis! ProudLib72 May 2019 #5
I've already read up on Sturgis. Isn't the biker meet in August? Laffy Kat May 2019 #8
The only route I ever took was I 90 ProudLib72 May 2019 #11
Awesome congratulations TEB May 2019 #13

Laffy Kat

(16,354 posts)
2. Thanks so much.
Mon May 20, 2019, 11:45 PM
May 2019

It seems like just yesterday we were moving him into the freshman dorm, only it was four years ago! I can't believe it. How can it happen so fast? I'm gobsmacked. My baby boy child!

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,746 posts)
3. My congratulations also on his college graduation.
Tue May 21, 2019, 12:38 AM
May 2019

And an appreciation for having a place to hole up in.

Last December I was driving from New Mexico to Kansas and got caught by an ice storm in Boise City, OK. The power was out unless a place had a generator. Luckily a restaurant had one. I ate there, asked a bunch of questions, and then drove to one of the two motels in town. Power was out there also, and as I was trying to convince the manager that staying in a cold room was better than sleeping in my car, the power miraculously came back on. So I spent the night in comfort, then ran into additional problems because of the weather and road conditions, but at least I didn't have to spend the night in my car. And since I'm 70 years old, I hope I never ever have to.

Laffy Kat

(16,354 posts)
6. Oh gosh that would be horrible.
Tue May 21, 2019, 01:08 AM
May 2019

I can't imagine having to sleep in my car even sans ice and cold. I can't even drive as far as I use to on road trips. Thank heavens you found a warm, safe place.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,746 posts)
7. I will say that I had a scary couple of hours.
Tue May 21, 2019, 01:16 AM
May 2019

Back at the restaurant I'd talked with the owners, and they made it clear that if need be I could bunk with them. I had breakfast there the next day and they expressed relief that I'd found a place to stay.

In all of the many travels I have done in my life this was the only time that I was concerned about where I might stay. But I also knew that if need be I could go door to door and beg for a room. I'm 70 years old, pretty much look my age, and I knew that someone would take me in. Fortunately, it didn't come to that.

I also happen to do occasional volunteer work at the local homeless shelter, and while I've always understood that homelessness is terrible, my brief almost acquaintance with it made me realize even more how incredibly difficult homelessness is.

A friend of mine who also works at the shelter has taken up keeping gift cards for McDonald's in her car to give to people she sees begging on the street. I will start to do the same thing. McDonald's are everywhere, and a $10 card will buy at least one meal, and just in case I worry that cash will be spent on something else, this is an alternative.

Again, my point is that I am not homeless, am not too poor to afford a motel room when I need it. I may not be rich but I appreciate what I have.

Laffy Kat

(16,354 posts)
10. Yes, I understand.
Tue May 21, 2019, 01:28 AM
May 2019

I feel so fortunate that I have an income, wonderful health insurance, a house, and great credit. I also realize it could all evaporate if I lose my job or get really sick for an extended period of time.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,746 posts)
12. Same here.
Tue May 21, 2019, 02:12 AM
May 2019

While I did a lot of the right things, mainly living below my means and saving things like work bonuses that most people would spend, I also wound up divorced at age 60 with basic skills and no career to fall back on. Luckily I'd been poor most of my life, so I was able to retrench and start over. The first year or so here in Santa Fe I never ate out. I packed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to work. At one point I worked at the local hospital, and even though I got a 30% discount on food in the cafeteria, it was still more than I could afford. So another PB&J.

This is NOT a feel sorry for me post. It's a "we do what we have to do" post. By living frugally and working well into my 60s I wound up reasonably well off. My current income is below the national median, and a bit below my state's median. But because I have modest needs and wants, I am quite comfortable. The main thing perhaps is that when something happens like the unexpected stranding in Boise City last year, I can afford the extra hotel room.

When I was staying at that motel I saw the local police deliver a family their who'd clearly been stranded nearby. I honestly worried that this added expense would be a huge burden for them. I don't know. I didn't talk to them. Looking back, I wish I'd gone to the office and paid for their room. I hope next time I think of that.

Laffy Kat

(16,354 posts)
9. Thank you, but I want him back in the nest for a while.
Tue May 21, 2019, 01:22 AM
May 2019

He can't wait to spread his wings and take a job that will take him away from home; I want him to stay and save some money first. He insists he wants to work and see the world some before grad. school. I know that's a healthy attitude and I'm so proud of him, but....he's my baby.

ProudLib72

(17,984 posts)
5. Tomorrow you get to drive through world famous Sturgis!
Tue May 21, 2019, 12:48 AM
May 2019

Where the bikers congregate once a year!

See if you can tell exactly where Sturgis is...

And be careful on the roads!!!

Laffy Kat

(16,354 posts)
8. I've already read up on Sturgis. Isn't the biker meet in August?
Tue May 21, 2019, 01:18 AM
May 2019

I think since we are skipping Devil's Tower, we will head south right outside of Rapid City and miss Sturgis, although we have to check the map again. Taking I-90 all the way to I-25 is now out of our way, so we are going to try to take another, lesser highway south and meet up with 25 further down in Wyoming. I'm open to suggestions if you're familiar with the routes.

ProudLib72

(17,984 posts)
11. The only route I ever took was I 90
Tue May 21, 2019, 01:43 AM
May 2019

That was back in the days when I still used to rock climb. I'd drive up to Devil's Tower, back down to I-90, then over to Rapid City (the Needles District behind Mt Rushmore has fantastic climbing.)

I'm looking at the map to see where you might go, and I think I see the route you're thinking of. You'd better check the conditions of those back roads before you set out tomorrow.

BTW: I drove from Boulder out to Kiowa today for a job interview. It was raining slightly in Franktown. It was snowing in Elizabeth. It was basically a whiteout in Kiowa! It's amazing the difference just a few miles make.

Be careful!

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