Six Weeks on the Road and Feeling Fine!
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Cloudy, 85°
“Traveling makes one modest — you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”
— Gustave Flaubert / Flaubert in Egypt (1849)
Five Thousand One Hundred Twenty Five Miles, Eighteen States, one clogged toilet, one roof repair, one broken big toe and six weeks of travel have taken this RV off the beaten path in several places. There have been numerous interesting people and places seen along many of the old “blue line” highways on this road map of the United States.
Shenandoah National Park
I am finding much of what I am looking for in the America I call home. Like my friend Sandy Flynn says, “People who care”, people trying to make their way in this world without all the hoopla of politics, the sagging economy, or the world situation. They are worried about their kids in schools with all the gun violence going on and cuts in funding for education. None of the politicians seem to care how we can stop the violence from happening in our school yards and buildings across America. All it seems to be is lip service to the American public with nothing being done to curb the violence.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial - The Wall
Much of the world has changed from the times when Charles Kuralt was “On the Road” driving across America finding those people and stories to write about. They are still out there, but the media wishes to put the negative spin on things keeping Americans, as a whole, boxed into their narrow thought processes and lives. It is refreshing to find those individuals out there in campgrounds, in eating establishments, or in our National Parks and Monuments who truly believe we as a Nation can do better.
Washington Monument from Lincoln Memorial
They are frustrated in our leadership on both sides of the political spectrum, those who cater to the big companies, lobbyists, and special interest groups and not the children, and workers in this country, or finding ways to build a stronger America once again. It’s talked about every political season but, you still have politicians who make a career of sticking it to the American public.
Arlington National Cemetery
I do not want to pull a Dennis Miller here and go off on a rant so I will go back to my thoughts of six weeks on the road.
The months spent working on and rebuilding the motorhome has been well worth it as, we have traveled through numerous thunder and snow storms. All of the systems are working well and, with a little bit of re-arranging, things are more accessible and easier to find living in a 200 square foot space. The area where I write is comfortable and the new mattress provides a great night’s sleep.
RV Work space
There have been a few hiccups along the way which was expected and, like life, you adapt and overcome the obstacles getting in your way. The first morning in the Florida Keys brought a beautiful sunrise, an alligator in the boat canal and a clogged toilet before I could get my first cup of coffee. That put a little damper on things. I had to get creative and clear out the literal “mess” in the lines. Like a boat toilet, you cannot put butt wipes in the toilet. Lesson learned.
In Memphis the second night of ABCon I fell down some steps going back out to the RV and broke my big toe again (second time in 10 months, same toe), this was careless on my part, as I had not been drinking. The outside light did not come on and I missed a half step down onto the asphalt driveway causing me to fall, getting skinned up and breaking the toe. My clumsiness does not improve with age.
Seeing friends along the way has been wonderful. Spending time taking a break from the road, even for a few hours, is so nice having the opportunity to share what is happening with each other. Meeting the new friends who are also on the road is another great experience, as everyone has stories to tell about the places they have been and what they want us to see during our travels. There are many wonderful people in campgrounds across America.
Key West sunset
The past six weeks have not disappointed, so we continue Traveling Life’s Highways anticipating the positive experiences that lie ahead.