It has been my good fortune as a full-time RVer for 20 years plus to be a part of some questionable but exciting adventures. This was part of a monthly column (View from the Top Half) for the Glenns Ferry Pilot in 1986. I would swear it is true – (but God might be listening.”)
“…no matter what age you are, never lose your sense of humor or adventure. Traveling alone is fraught with danger as I discovered when I was traveling later in the evening than usual on my way to Glenns Ferry, ID. It was nearly midnight when I parked up on Navajo Bridge near Page, AZ to get this column written before deadline. There were several trucks parked nearby, giving me the comfort of the presence of other people, but as I didn’t want to disturb anyone with the noise of the generator that runs my computer, I parked well away from them.
“I was working with great concentration when I was startled by a rap on the door. In my hurry to get started, I had failed to pull the drapes and realized I could easily be observed to be alone. I quickly doused the light. The second knock was more insistent. The hair stood up on my arms and I felt frozen in time. Only seconds passed but it seemed like hours. I looked out front – all the trucks were gone. They had driven off while I was working.
“A third rap was on the window itself and very loud. A deep muffled voice said, “Please help me.” I was scared to death but what if another human being really needed me. After all, I was certified in CPR and self-defense. I took a chance. I turned on a small outside light and slowly opened the door a crack but I tripped and fell out the door and onto the ground. This huge black thing was all over me. I couldn’t scream – and then I heard this voice, ‘I didn’t mean to sceer ya, Dearie,’ she said with a haggle-toothed grin, ‘but I heard your generator running and wondered if I could charge up.’
“I sat up and watched this wizened old woman in a midnight-colored dress, huge black cape, and high pointy hat, plug into my motorhome, all the while explaining that she had just traded in her trusty old broom for a new-fangled dust buster and it was fast running out of power. I was speechless as she eventually unplugged and flew into the sky with a “Happy Halloween to all and to all a good night!”
I made a vow to myself that in all future travels, I would never again boondock for the night up on Navajo Bridge.” God Bless until next week.
Winter in the Wilderness, the first e-book novel published by Minshall, is offered at most Internet book sites. A print edition may be obtained from Amazon, or you can order an autographed copy from the author at Box 1040, Congress, AZ for $7.95 plus $3.50 for postage and handling. The fourth edition of RVing Alaska and Canada is available through Amazon.com. 
At 45, Widow Minshall began 20 years of solo full-time RVing throughout Alaska, Mexico, and Canada. Sharlene canoed the Yukon, mushed sled dogs, worked a dude ranch, visited Hudson Bay polar bears, and lived six months on a Mexican beach. She lectured at Life on Wheels, published six RV-related books and wrote a novel, “Winter in the Wilderness.”
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