It Was A Hot Day In The Desert

The only place where we could be yesterday was either in the deep shade of our rig or inside. All windows were covered with aluminum foil against the blistering sun. At 2pm the temps reached 86F (30C) which was the highest temperature so far this winter. Even though it was mostly cloudy today, temps were reaching about 84F. We didn’t do much today, mostly reading a book, chatting with neighbors until I found out that it was time to eat out. So we drove to Calexico where we tried a buffet restaurant. They had good food and friendly service, and that’s about all I ask for in a restaurant. After getting home we sat down at a friend’s campfire and had the usual chit chat campfires are so famous for. Didn’t take any pictures today so you have to use your imagination. Just a word about yesterday’s post re. our insurance: The insurance company’s name was ManuLife. We have received a couple of good suggestion (thanks for that) about how to proceed, but have decided to start by asking our lawyer for advice. Then we will see what we can do or not do. We had called the insurance company BEFORE going to the ER and they had willingly provided us with the address of the nearest hospital. It is that fact that might help to solve our dilemma. Thanks for stopping by!

Insurance Companies – Modern Day Bandits

Insured – but No Pay! It was during last winters stay at the Hot Springs that Bea encountered severe respiratory problems with pains in her chest. She asked me to drive here to the ER in El Centro. I got scared and was thinking the worst. It was already dark and because the bridge across the canal was closed we had to drive through the pitch-dark desert. We had health insurance so the cost of whatever was coming our way would be covered – or so I thought. Bea was given all kinds of tests and it took 4hrs until she was released. The result was inconclusive as no medical reason could be found to be responsible for her problems. As we found out much later it was considered to be of psychological reasons or a panic attack. After we got home we learned that the visit had racked up a bill of nearly $4000, which seems typical for the skyrocketing costs of U.S. health care. Anyway we were not worried – we had insurance so they would pay. Right? Wrong! Yesterday, a full year later, we received a letter from the insurance company informing us that this claim was NOT eligible for payment. The reason given was that she was not HOSPITALIZED but only treated in the ER and that no medical reasons were detected. Needless to say we were flabbergasted and deeply disappointed. After all, the same insurance company had just raised this winters premium with about 50%. The question we’re asking ourselves now is how anybody could know or even suspect severe respiratory problems with chest pains to be of purely psychological reasons before seeking medical help. Also, it doesn’t seem clear that the diagnosis given that day was correct. At times Bea has had allergies and asthma-related problems. Why I am writing this? I think it should be a warning to all Canadian Snowbirds to really read the fine print and make sure that they have the right insurance company for the winter. You are welcome to re-post this story anywhere you desire!

Meeting Barbara

A couple of days ago a new rig had turned right in front of our site. It was a rather short Class C Sunseeker. Somehow Bea thought she had recognized the rig being the one who belongs to Barbara from “Me and My Dog”.  And sure enough here came Barbara along to say hello. She had heard about us from Denise at “Sassy’s On Da Road”. It seems like there is a nice network building up, as members of the blogging community make personal acquaintances. And as Barbara also states it is so much more fun to read a blog of people one has met in person. And we couldn’t agree more. Tonight we invited Barbara and another neighbour to our little campfire and spent a great evening around the blazing fire. Of course, I shoulda taken a picture of us sitting around the fire, but our conversation must have been way too interesting so that I forgot everything about taking out the NIKON. Barbara also decided to be a follower of our blog and besides of her we also welcome “Rick,” , Julie and Tom from RV and Outdoor Adventures and “nomad1ne” as new followers. Thanks for joining folks!

The Last Day And A New Season Is Coming Up Fast

Already it’s February 28 – the last day of another month in the Southwest. We see people packing up and leaving. It’s that time of the year again. We have just 3 more weeks before we will join the hordes on the Interstate, heading to a northern destination. SNOWBIRDS we are for sure. Like migrating birds we change our residence within the rhythm of the year. And I would think it has long-standing traditions as even some tribes of the early people in this country were nomadic. They might not have been traveling the long distances for the same reasons as we do every year, but they followed their prey – wild animals they could hunt down. Most likely we will be hitting the home turf around April 01 and by that time I suppose the last winter storm should have passed giving way for spring and warmer temperatures. Are we looking forward to get home? You bet we are! The summer will be a busy one as visitors will flock to Campobello Island to see the F.D.R. Cottage and our historic Head Harbour Lightstation. For the first time we will be able to bring visitors from the resort town of St.Andrews,NB to our island. Our boat will leave twice a day and land right below the F.D.R. Cottage from where we will start various sightseeing tours. So yes, we are anxious to drive home even though we are also feeling sorry that our time here will soon be over. It’s the life of a snowbird and we feel really blessed that we can get the best of both “worlds”. Thanks for stopping by!