We’re starting our 4th week in one place, Flat Rock NC. So far so good! It’s given us a chance to do some RV maintenance. Join a Sam’s Club, have our eye Rx’s updated, and stock up on K Cups. Bruce began a contract. I’ve taken quilt tops to a long arm quilter so I can mail them off for Christmas gifts. And we’ve gone back to swimming at the local YMCA.
It’s been a welcome respite from the road
We have another 5 weeks to go before we take off again. In our next phase we head west, shorter stays and less sightseeing. We’ll make a token day of it in San Antonio TX, and we’re planning a week in New Orleans LA, and a couple of days in Laurel MI (HGTV tourism). But most of our trip will be getting across the country to Arizona.
Back in May I took a week’s trip to Tucson to see a friend who was in crisis. We’ve known this couple for 35+ yrs and she is like a younger sister to me. We talked them into living in Tucson (over other options) while we were living in Phoenix. A week after they settled in Tucson, we moved to Illinois…
Murphy’s Law in full swing
Our plan on the next leg of our journey is to stay in Tucson for a month and spend time with our friends. Fellowship, encouragement, family, a healthy slice of Kingdom Life. After that we head to Mesa for a month so I can observe and pick the brain of a friend who has a sewing store.
But in the meantime…
We’ve done some exploring out here in Flat Rock. We visited Chimney Rock State Park, and the little village. We took the 26 story elevator that was built into the rock, up to the top where the view is spectacular.
We had a visit with friends from IL for an evening and a day. Lovely to see familiar faces! We ate outside, had an evening fire and shared our life stories,
This area has been dangerously dry. Fire pits are banned, but propane was fine until last week, and now even that is banned.
We met another couple today who are local natives, and have been living on the road for 5 years. They volunteer in national parks and love it. They gave some local recommendations for holiday fun, one we will definitely check out,
the National Gingerbread House competition in Asheville!
And no one can stay here long without visiting Brevard falls and the Blue Ridge Highway at some point.
This week with Thanksgiving ahead, we decided we’d attend the potluck here at the campground. We’ve met so many lovely folks, and there are full time residents along with migrant campers. I’m taking my sourdough stuffing and Bruce is bringing his fruit salad. We haven’t done a lot of the social events at our campsites, but since we’re here for awhile we’ll give it a try.
But for Christmas…Ben and Carolyn will be with us and we’re so excited!
Makes this mama a happy camper
To that end, I actually decorated. I avoided all the fall decor even though it’s some of my favorite stuff. And I haven’t gone crazy (not yet anyway) with the Christmas stuff. But a little nod here and there and some color in our brown house is adding some joy to my world.
As Bruce reminds me, we have to be able to store it somewhere!
When we began our journey, we had no idea what our end would look like or when it would happen. We sort of thought by summer ‘24 we’d be done and settled somewhere. But recently, we felt a strong check not to rule out, another year of travel and exploration. So while we’ll spend the summer near friends and family, the rest of the year is open for more travel.
2024 here we come!
As one of my friends observed, “it seems to be an elixir for Bruce” and she wasn’t wrong. His physical and mental health are finding a peace and healing through this journey that we didn’t anticipate. Rather than finding all of the details of RV life a burden, they are challenges that give his body and mind an opportunity to learn, research and solve.
It hasn’t been a burden for me either. My life has always revolved around Bruce’s work and the obligations of our world, wherever we’ve lived. I worked when needed and was home when needed. Making this kind of life thrive, relieves the routine of ‘same ol, same ol’ for me. I’m the reservation manager, cook, laundry expert, seamstress and director of entertainment.
Job flexibility is never bad
As we approach Thanksgiving Day this week, we find we have much to be thankful for. We’ve remained healthy, the bills are paid, we’re safe and warm, all our vehicles are working well and meeting our needs, and we’ve been able to explore parts of our country without the demands of a 40 hr job or expensive flights/hotels.
All in all, it’s been a fabulous 5 months
Happy Thanksgiving!!
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