The first thing that grabbed my immediate attention this morning was that we can't stay here: I woke up to hearing Holland hacking his guts out - it really concerned me; I expected to find him downstairs with a blood spattered handkerchief … I didn't, thank God (he was just pale and breathless), but we need to leave here at month's end. We came to CA from WA (a mere 20 days ago) basically to see if we can spend significant time here in the sunshine: this morning made clear that we can't. We are finding that no matter where we go, the smoke and the air-borne dust is a constant through the Fall & Winter months, in the Southren portion of the USA 😒
This morning after I joined Holland downstairs, I researched the regions Holland had hoped to go from here, to get to Florida sometime in December this year … but they are off the table, too, for the same reasons we can't stay here 😔
Brownsville, TX, experiences significant issues with airborne dust, particularly in certain neighborhoods due to a local mineral processing plant, leading to health concerns and environmental problems. While general air quality in the metro area is sometimes ranked as poor for particle pollution, Brownsville's "dustiness" is often a localized phenomenon caused by industrial activity rather than a widespread, inherent characteristic of the city's climate. A primary source of dust is a mineral processing company, Milwhite, located in an industrial area, which has been cited for failing to meet safety codes and has created a persistent dust problem for nearby residents. Residents have described entire neighborhoods being covered in dust from this plant, with homes and cars caked in it. Residents have reported respiratory issues, aggravated eczema, and chronic coughs, indicating that the dust poses a significant health risk. The larger Brownsville-Harlingen-Raymondville metro area has been named one of the most polluted areas in the country for year-round particle pollution by the American Lung Association.
Florida's "dustiness" primarily comes from the regular, normal transport of Saharan dust from Africa across the Atlantic Ocean, which occurs in waves, mainly during the summer and fall months: the African easterly jet, a high-altitude air current, carries these dust clouds thousands of miles across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and the southeastern United States, including Florida. These dust plumes create hazy skies, reduce air quality, and can cause respiratory and eye irritation for sensitive individuals, though they also help suppress tropical storms and provide nutrients to ecosystems. The amount of dust varies each year and can settle on surfaces like cars, leaving a residue after rain, according to WSVN. The dust increases the concentration of mineral particles in the air, which can trigger respiratory issues, coughing, eye irritation, and symptoms similar to allergies for some people, especially those with asthma. Individuals with respiratory conditions or those who are sensitive to air pollution should minimize their time outdoors during heavy dust concentrations. Wearing a face mask can help filter out dust particles and reduce inhalation. On dusty days, keeping windows and doors closed can help keep dust out of homes.
A sand storm ran us out of AZ. A sand storm ran us out of Ocean Park-WA. Now, sand storms combined with wildfire smoke, are running us out of CA.
This weather pattern is ridiculous 😳
Holland had me look up two possible places in Oregon - after research Medford was pulled; but Brookings is still on the docket:
Medford-OR is a very dusty city, primarily due to significant issues with particle pollution from wildfires and other sources. The American Lung Association has repeatedly ranked the Medford-Grants Pass area among the worst in the nation for particulate matter pollution. Summer wildfire seasons are a major contributor to Medford's poor air quality. Smoke from fires in Oregon and California can dramatically increase the concentration of particulate matter in the air for weeks at a time. Medford is located in the Rogue Valley, which acts like a bowl that traps smoke, dust, and other pollutants. Due to its location, Medford is one of the least windy places in the United States, meaning air is not circulated or cleared out easily. The area experiences winter weather inversions that trap particulate matter from wood smoke and other sources near the valley floor. Historically, these inversions were aggravated by orchard smudge pots and other industrial sources. Transportation and industrial activities contribute to the baseline level of particulate pollution in the air. Medford's low-wind environment allows airborne dust and other particles to settle more easily. The particulate matter (PM2.5) that makes the air dusty and smoky is small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream, where it can cause cardiovascular, respiratory, and cerebrovascular problems. To combat dust from non-paved surfaces, Jackson County has a dust abatement program. It applies treatments to unpaved roads and requires property owners to control windborne dust from open storage piles or yards. During fire season, residents often need to take precautions, such as staying indoors, to protect themselves from hazardous smoke.
Due to its location on the coast, Brookings, Oregon, is generally not considered a dusty area. It has a wet, mild climate with frequent precipitation during the fall and winter, and it does not experience the dry, dusty conditions common in inland and eastern parts of the state. The average relative humidity stays fairly high year-round, which helps keep dust particles out of the air. Brookings gets a significant amount of rainfall, particularly during the wet season, which runs from late October to late April. The rain washes dust and dirt out of the air and off surfaces. The coastal location means it gets frequent onshore ocean breezes. These winds are typically clean and free of the dry, dusty air that might blow from other directions. According to air quality forecasts, air pollution in Brookings poses little to no risk, which indicates a low level of airborne particulates, including dust. While the area generally isn't dusty, you can expect some seasonal variations: Wet season (fall and winter): This is the least dusty time of year, with frequent rain keeping the air and ground clean. Dry season (summer): During the drier months, some localized dust might be kicked up on unpaved surfaces, but it is not a widespread issue like in drier climates. If you hear anecdotal reports of dust in the area, they might be referring to specific, localized situations: Construction or unpaved roads: A temporary or localized increase in dust can occur near construction sites or heavily trafficked, unpaved roads. This is a normal phenomenon and not representative of the wider community.
When we came south last month, the goal was to see if we could set up long term here in CA - Holland seriously hates CA, so this was a major concession on his part towards me: despite everything, Holland truly has been a good husband to me, in that he has consistently gone above and beyond to make my road gypsy dreams come true, and I am thankful-grateful-& appreciate of those self-sacrificing actions. But, Holland's lung health is the important thing at the moment, and I am insisting we pull stakes here and give his Brookings-OR agenda a try; CA is the end of the road as far as [down south] is concerned … and I don't see us traveling East past this point because we have to go through health compromising dust clouds to get East. It's just not doable, for us.
Since we tied the knot, sold the house I bought with Bob, & started living on the road in 2023 … we've been to Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico & a corner of Texas: frequent dust devils are kicked up that hang in the air for weeks on end. Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri & Kansas are generally dry soil areas with dust storms - and most of the coastward states all get a blast of the Saharan dust clouds, which keeps the air toxic for months.
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois (Elohim kept us safe during our passage through the deadly dust storm on I-55 in 2023 where poor visibility from windblown soil led to multiple fatalities and crashes), Oklahoma, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah & Idaho are also dusty states with the added complications of wildfire smoke coming from California-Oregon-Washington & Canada.
Yesterday we were planning a route to Florida the middle of December, following Bruce's visit: this morning all those plans were scattered to the four winds and a new chapter for our life was implemented. The anticipated visit with Bruce will not be happening … and any travel East past CA's border, also will not be happening.
Health is paramount; without health, whatever Life has to offer is moot.
So, as much as it pains me to come to this conclusion … OR or WA is the only real safe harbor for us. WA is iffy for relational reasons.
But, if that us where Elohim stubbornly insists I park my fat ass … then that will be that.
The second thing to grab my attention this morning, was that Robert Redford has died:
Robert Redford, Oscar-Winning Actor and Director, Dies at 89: https://people.com/robert-redford-dead-at-89-7502405
R.I.P. Robert - didn't care much for your Hollywood environmental stance … but you were a handsome actor, passionate about your character roles.
Sorry too that I really couldn't stand the movies heralded here, in this article (Sundance, was okay I guess); the ones I really liked - and still hunt down to watch are: 'Inside Daisy Clover, Tall Story, Barefoot In The Park, This Property Is Condemned, Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here, The Way We Were, The Great Gatsby, Brubaker, Sneakers, Out of Africa, Up Close & Personal, A Walk IN The Woods, Ordinary People & A River Runs Through It'.
Thanks for the movies; you will be missed.
Robert Redford, Sundance founder and Hollywood icon, dies at 89: https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2025/09/16/robert-redford-dies-89-hollywood/
**September 16, 2025~WAFT & WEFT; Coalinga-CA: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/09/waft-weft-coalinga-ca.html
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