Family Connections and Solo Adventures

Can you believe “technically,” the summer travel season is almost over? And here I am, not traveling. It’s a weird sensation. We only traveled full-time for 2 years. In those two years, I got used to the daily routine. The adventure to the next destination, the planning detailed out on cost, stay and food to get us through. When you travel without a tow vehicle, planning meals is an important part of travel. Making sure the dogs had enough food until the next town with big chain stores.

Now, I don’t really have a daily plan.

Reconnecting with Family

I have spent a lot of time with my kids. Family dinners, visits, and outings. I have shopped a lot! Retail therapy. I haven’t done that in years. Also, visiting with my kids. As adults, they have different lives from when they were under parental care. They have their own lifestyle, and it’s strange to see them so independent and adulting their lives. I am proud of them all. I did okay.

Finding my own way solo style

This is the first time ever in my life I have truly been on my own. Ever. How I live, the way I live is no longer a discussion with my partner. Every decision is now my decision alone. I am still finding my way. It is scary, but exciting. I miss Wolf every day. And it’s weird, I want to ask him something or comment on a TV show we watched. Now I talk to the dogs. LOL. They are such good listeners.

I had an incredible partner who gave me everything I ever wanted in a relationship. That will never happen again. Truth be told, I don’t want to waste any time trying to find out. It’s time to move on and create a new life for myself.

The big 60 is almost here

Hey, this year marks my 60th time around the sun. I have plans – not to reveal yet. But I am doing something special for myself. Possibly. We’ll see how it goes.

In current news

The 4th of July, big celebration for America. The day that everyone feels the best way to celebrate is with illegal fireworks that make your windows rattle. Yea, I don’t like that. it’s annoying. When you have dogs that fear loud booms and get stressed, it’s hours before they calm down. That is not good for older dogs. But people don’t care about that. it’s about them and blowing shit up.

I decided a few years ago, I have to be somewhere fireworks are not allowed. We always retreated to the upper mountains in Utah, and everyone slept through the night, and all was well. Bliss. But now, it’s different.

This year, with not traveling, where would I go?

California – fireworks are illegal. Thank you!

I had 24 to 48 hours of respite to hide from the fireworks. So, I headed to the tiny corner of California where I knew I would be far enough away from fireworks. My AC is older and not quiet. It would drown out the loud booms in the distant Arizona area.

About an hour and a half away. It was hot, about 108 degrees. I requested a shaded spot and left later in the day so I wouldn’t have a full day of sun. It worked. It was warm, but not unbearable. We all slept. It was a good night.

Back in the Motorhome 😍

Getting back in the driver’s seat and heading down the road felt good. It was different after spending 6 months at my home base and just driving my minivan around.

The desire to travel came back. I wanted to keep on going.

(To back the story up a bit.)

I have been on grand pup duty for the last two months. A weird cyst popped up, above the ankle bone on Legion. After a month and a half of topical treatments, it was not going away. The vet said he had to surgically remove it and send it off for a second histology. The first came back benign. After the surgery, he was restricted to little activity. No jumping, running, and monitored (by leash) for outside bathroom breaks. When you have 5 dogs in the house, 2 of which are active, this poses a challenge. I was on a strict home bound schedule.

The two weeks are up, and the wound is healed. The stitches have come out; he has to keep the satellite cone on until the scab heals. Hallelujah!

*The second histology came back as a skin infection. Who knows what it was, but the doctor felt it was a one-time issue and wouldn’t happen again. Fingers crossed.

Now back to the story

I have mentioned before, the beauty of full-time travel you don’t worry about forgetting something. Everything is with you. But when you go to part-time and you don’t need your life in your home on wheels, it was stressful! I was exhausted.

I packed a small bag, threw some food in the cooler, loaded up the fur kids, and off we went. I was on the move! It was exciting.

Don’t let the serious face confuse you, I was ecstatic! (Concentrating on the road)

A week later, and meanwhile…

Yes, I am back on the road.

Enjoy and explore more.