Leaving Lake Havasu : Heartache Side of My Nomad Life

9.11.22 Lake Havasu, Arizona

This is from the personal side of Allie. Sometimes life can get a little raw. I don’t mind sharing a little bit of this side of me.

I’m Going to Miss Lake Havasu, My Adopted Home

I woke this morning to this feeling of dread.

Leaving Lake Havasu feels like leaving home. I didn’t grow up here yet I’ve adopted this town as my own. I’ll be back when the weather is cooler (it’s been in the high 90’s during my stay) yet for now my visit has ended and I’ll seek out the forests of Arizona again for their cool shade.

But the dread doesn’t come from a place but for the feeling of leaving those that I care about.

My son lives in Lake Havasu these days. Moving from California a couple years after I left, he was seeking a place he could find work and afford to live.

I’ve also made friends here, Max and Pam, I met them through my ex-boyfriend Jon. Jon and I have split ways yet Max and Pam have taken me in as a friend and made me feel welcome.

Not in Havasu but nearby my mom lives in Bullhead City just north of here.

And just a bit north of her my other son resides in Las Vegas. My youngest, my baby. He’s doing his thing scratching by like his big brother in Havasu.

Fond memories exist in my head of Lake Havasu. Some of my first boondocking days were here. I’ve hiked and backpacked 100’s of miles near the lake. And as mentioned above I have people I care about here.

I feel like I’ve become a local eating where the locals eat and going to free events like the locals do.

I know the street names and can give directions to visitors if needed. Or recommend a good hiking trail (I always suggest SARA’s Crack).

Why the Feeling of Dread?

Yet the feeling of dread is not because I’m leaving but because I don’t know if I’ll be able to come back and enjoy it like I have the last few years in the fall and winter.

Jon and I are no more. I had many adventures with him since we met in Lake Havasu January 2021. And he too considers Havasu a homebase. He’ll be back here when the weather cools as well.

We didn’t part on good terms. And this is where my saddened feeling of dread comes from, I dread running into him again.

When I come into Lake Havasu I stay in the BLM land just south of the city. It’s a large location used by every type of nomad, traveler, camper and RVer. I love that people of every wealth and interest can congregate in one place and just enjoy the desert.

Jon will most likely head to that camp location. That’s where I need to camp. It’s location affords me the easy access to trails and grocery shopping. I only have my RV as motorized transportation and my mountain bike (or feet) for my other transportation. (I opted out of towing a car behind me).

So when I return I’ll see Max and Pam, hang out with my son, hike and ride my bike. And possibly run into a man I prefer to never see again.

The mishandled breakup has caused me to avoid a man I once cared about. And there is no chance of civility again.

This is causing a reaction in me that feels dread. I dread coming back here in a month or two.

Thank You for Stopping By!

I’m Allie. At 48 I set out solo to live in my RV. That journey is on hold but my passions for hiking and living well in my 50s still live on! Join me below for more inspiration and adventures. We’re older but even stronger!