remembering the flu of 2017

A hoist. this is what lifted the miners, equipment, and gold ore in and out of the mine.

I went into town today and bought the makings of my Christmas dinner. The grocery store was actually pretty quiet I guess everyone's busy at home cooking for tomorrow. While I was in the store it reminded me of last year about this time when the flu was in full force and I dreaded going to the grocery store, or any crowded place for that matter.

I remember being at Ben Avery gun range for Christmas and having to shop at the local Albertson's grocery store. And it was just packed with people, most of whom were coughing. I pretty much ran through the store grabbing up things and trying to hold my breath as much as possible knowing that the Phoenix area was Ground Zero at that time for the flu virus.

I recall the local news media reminding people how we all took a worthless flu shot that year and showing video of emergency rooms overflowing with people and talking about 12 hour wait times. Also warning people not to go to the emergency room inless you are really really sick because if you hang around the emergency room for 12 hours you're going to get really really sick if you weren't before.

Fortunately I haven't heard anything about the flu yet and hopefully won't. I didn't hear anyone coughing in the grocery store today and I'm taking that as a good sign. I guess last years flu problems stand out in my memory so much because I've had so few problems while being a full timer. my life has been as drama and stress-free as anyone could reasonably expect, it probably won't stay that way, no one can be that lucky. But while it is I will continue to count my blessings and be thankful for this RV lifestyle that I'm so fortunate to be able to live.
                                                    theboondork

The Vulture Mine was too far from Wickenburg for the people that worked there to commute, so a town sprang up outside the mine called vulture village. Some of the people that lived there worked for the mining company, and others were there to support the people working in the mine like the folks that worked at the saloons, stores, saloons, school, saloons, and a Starbucks. This building was where the working girls lived..... PS, no women worked in the mine.

this is either a mine headframe or the Vulture village amusement park.

the miners were fed while they were working, and this is a room next to the kitchen where the cook lived. I wonder where he washed his hands?