60 Fly-by’s Around the World and What’s Next for RV Life

I woke up this morning and I said Thank you. Thank you to the universe for waking up. I’ve said it before numerous times on this day. But today I am truly grateful.

I am embracing the solo life and I gotta tell ya – I love it. This is the first time ever I am truly happy to be solo. These past few months I have been gliding through each day doing the same as always, thinking about what’s next. Where do I want to go, what do I want to do? And I remind myself. I can do whatever I want. What I want. It’s a huge release. Then I get a little cautious. Fear of something new? Maybe, well, probably it’s natural to have fear of new.

When individuals find themselves in this situation, they think intense, extreme changes. That’s fine if you got in you to do, then do. But for me, It’s simple things for now.

I wanted to do something for myself on my birthday. I even joked; I might go to Disneyland. I haven’t crossed off the touristy theme park. However, today I am at home. Off the road and having dinner with my kids. It makes me so happy to spend time with my kids. Happy Birthday to me!!

Earlier this month, it was time to hit the road!

I took my first real solo trip this month and traveled North to Utah. I have realized I am happiest when I’m in my motorhome. It’s my sacred space. My happy place is absolutely my home on wheels. I love it!

I went to a place I have been before. A place where Wolf and I spent our past two summers for a month. I went because it was comfortable and familiar. I know the area. I know the people. I feel safe.

I met some great people. One couple who spent five days next door to me were from my home area. The next couple I met live in the place I winter! Ha! We’ve exchanged numbers and plan to meet up this fall/winter for dinner and more campground chats.

It was also a test for my solo life. Can I do this? I can. I can absolutely travel solo. Just one minor issue.

The downside of solo

Well, we had an incident. This is the one thing that makes me very cautious about being solo. Dogs that are not leashed. It is one of my biggest peeves when people go camping with their dogs. Hey, it’s great that they are good off-leash. BUT – when you are in different areas, certain situations may trigger your dog to not be so great off leash. And this is the part that chaps my hide every time and one that makes me say – People are dumb.

So, I have this German Shepherd, Sasha. Follow this blog and you know her. She is NOT friendly to people or other dogs. It’s just the way she is. I don’t care if you agree or disagree with her behavior. Not your dog. Her attitude keeps people from approaching me. I like that. For safety reasons, I love her attitude.

I am very aware of who and what is around me. When a new camper pulls in, I watch. The main reason I watch is that I am seeing – do they have a dog? How do they camp with their dog? Is the dog secured? or do they let it roam and don’t give a crap of what or who is around them. (There are way more of the latter.) We all have the right to camp. We camp for ourselves, not other people. I get that. I respect that. But when you are in a crowded, or a place where there are other people have some respect. The world doesn’t evolve around you.

I chose a certain spot because it’s in a part of the campground that is not heavily populated. It has a “backyard” type corner I can take my dogs out to do business if there are people/pets around.

It’s mid-afternoon. All the check-outs have left, the others are on there outings for the day. The campground is quiet and not a lot of people. I hook up Sasha on her leash and we take our usual stroll around the area to burn off that GSD energy. (One of many we do every day). As I turn the corner to take her home, my neighbor across the road, is getting back with his dog. I am not aware he had his dog with him. His dog hops out of the truck, off leash of course, and she is a super sweet old gal. Well, she barks at Sasha. Now for Sasha – It’s go time. I am standing in the middle of the asphalt road right at the entrance. Holding her back with every ounce of strength I have (I am 60 now, mind you) and my girl is powerful strong. I have two arms around her. His dogs ignores all her well-mannered recall and keeps coming, approaching Sasha, this little gal just wanted to play. I am screaming at the top of my lungs, “NO!” Sasha proceeds to lunge forwards, we get tangled, and down I go. On my butt in the middle of the road – still holding on to her. Then, inches from Sasha, the old gal stops. Now her 70-year-old male human is running after her yelling her name to stop and she ain’t listening. Thank gawd she stopped. I was panicked. He catches up to her, drags her away from Sasha, who is still in full attack mode. He leashes his dog and turns to me – ” you handled that pretty good.” Out of breath and now on my feet. I respond, “Thank you. yes, not the first time.” He continues to stand there and says, “are you okay?” “yes, I am fine.” he continues to stand there. Under my breath I am yelling at him “TAKE YOUR DOG INSIDE.” Finally, he turns and takes his dog inside. Out of breath, shaking, pissed off like you would not believe. I get Sasha inside. I am part pissed at her for doing that. But, she did her job. This unleashed dog approached us. Sasha’s job is to protect, and that is exactly what she did. It wasn’t just about her being a dog that doesn’t like other dogs. Someone was approaching her human, and that wasn’t going to happen.

Here’s the thing.

The night before this incident, we were all outside looking at the fire in the mountains. The evacuation alert went off on all of our phones. So we all wandered outside to see if we needed to start packing up. (The evacuation notice took place in the county, not in the area of the town we were in.) During our talks about the fire and the smoke we all started to get to know one another – as we do in RV life.

So, this man said to me – You have the Shepherd, she is beautiful. I often get remarks on how beautiful she is. She is. “Thank you. But she is not friendly at all to other people or dogs which is why I keep her at a distance. If you see me with her – wave- don’t speak, it sets her off. I wave.”

– Most people get it. Most people respect it.

So. I had made it very clear. She’s not friendly. He had a hard fact of reality. I wasn’t joking.

Contemplating my life decisions.

I spent the next few days questioning my solo travel life. This could happen again. Next time I might not get so lucky and the dog will not stop. Even though my dog was leashed, Sasha would get the blame because of her breed. Or worse, there is a battle, and we are all injured or dead. Not good.

Do I keep her home? I can’t leave her behind. Do I drop a few thousand dollars and send her to charm school and hope she changes her attitude? Do I muzzle her every time I take her out? People tell me I’m good with her. I can keep her at bay for the most part. I tell her No when she barks at people and change her focus back to the walk. But when it’s another dog… It’s a whole different ball game.

Changing how I travel

Normally, I stay put for a while. It’s cheaper and easier. Now, I am rethinking this. I might have to move more. Not feeling stuck, waiting for people to leave with their animals. Which means more money. It’s expensive to be on the move all the time. With gas, and camp fees. I am not a fan of boondocking. Not really my thing. I’m okay for an overnight. In reality, I like having hook-ups. I can use my Starlink, I can use my A/C. I can use my new Keurig, (I bought myself. It matches my motorhome color.)

This girl doesn’t compromise on comfort. I am so past proving a point of “off-grid” glamour. (it’s crap). I like to shower and dump my tanks. I am not conserving water because I have to make it last a week. 🙄Plus, safety. I feel safer in campgrounds than parking for free in the middle of nowhere. Why put myself in that situation. No thank you.

The smoke from the fire was getting to me and the dogs. Nala Bear developed a deep cough. Not good. It was so smoky on some days that I couldn’t take the dogs out for walks. Other than to do their business and go back inside. So, I decided to head home. There was a thing that needed to be taken care of, I wasn’t sure if my son would be able to take time off work. So I left my paid camp spot early and came back to this glorious disgusting heat of Las Vegas – I don’t take heat well anymore. Ya know, it’s the age thing.

So what is the thing I am doing for myself?

I’m going to a rodeo.

I have always wanted to go. With the dogs, it was a little tricky. I saw one not far. I bought my ticket. Informed my son of the dates, and said “I’m not taking the dogs. There will be fireworks and loads of animals.” Then the next day, there is a quilt show. I can’t wait. I am excited. I might even wear a hat. 😏

I’ll take photos and share my little adventure with you next time.

Safe travels, enjoy the journey and make memories

Teresa