Propane...

Most RVs rely on it: it is what runs your stove, furnace, and when you're running down the road, your fridge.  When we had the 5th wheel, it had two tanks that were portable... that is a relative term, they were heavy when full.  Still, you could pull them out and take them anywhere to fill.  The motorhome has a built-in tank; if we need to fill it, we have to unhook and go where they sell propane.  Or, some places have a truck that comes to your site.  It is generally more expensive from the truck, but it is more convenient.

Our monitor gives us a relative idea of our levels on tankage: holding tanks, battery status, and propane remaining.  It is on 1/4.  What that really means is we have somewhere between 1/2 and 1/4.

Joan saw the propane truck go by this morning; she said, "You may want to see if we can get topped off."

I hurriedly got dressed and ran after the truck like a little kid running for the ice cream truck.  ;-)  I said to the driver, "I will stay 6 feet away, but can we get topped off?"

"Do you have an account with us?"

I said, "No, but I have cash."

He said, "A check would be better, because I can't make change."

"We can do a check, or pay cash and round up.  Whatever is best for you."

He is a young guy and was somewhat cavalier about the current concerns; he joked about having the check washed with bleach, cooked in the microwave, and sprayed with Windex.  When he came to our site, it didn't take him but a couple minutes to top us off.  He gave me the amount and I told Joan so she could finish writing the check (really, who prefers checks these days??).  He gingerly accepted the check, but had no problem with the cash tip I gave him.  ;-)

We are good to go for propane for the next 6 months or so.  I wouldn't want to run out while going down the road and have the fridge quit.

With the rate that businesses are closing right now, I was happy to have this taken care of.

Speaking of: some counties in some states are ordering the closure of "temporary lodging" - which means hotels, motels, and RV parks.  RV parks?  You mean: like the absolute best way to travel and still maintain social distancing?  No, it doesn't make sense.

While I am ranting: it doesn't make sense for California to shut down all businesses not considered "essential," when many of them could continue to do mail order or curb side pickup.  One such business is the Vespa dealer in San Diego - they are one of the biggest Vespa dealers in the country.  They do a LOT of mail order business with parts, all over the country.  Dealers in other states are continuing to do service and sell parts, even though their showrooms may be shut down.  It gives the business some income, as opposed to none.

It may make the difference for having a business to come back to when this passes.