Monday, October 28, 2013

Let's Make Tracks!


Officially on Saturday October 26th, Dave & I hit the open road at high noon. Ironically, the first direction we took was north to Belfast to tank up on fuel as the gas prices were 20 cents a gallon cheaper when compared to the Camden - Rockland area of Maine. We said goodbye to both our daughters, Meg & Cat, as well as our grandkids. Within an hour of our journey south, we knew our time to get to our southern destination was at it's limit. We received a text from our son-in-law, Matt, that it was now snowing very lightly up in Belfast where Meg and he were working that day.

We stopped in Rockland and Thomaston to see friends we hadn't seen in a while and stayed longer than planned, proving once again that old saying, "Goodbyes - even if only for a season or two are a hard thing to do."

By now it was 2pm. Even though we were "officially under way" for 2 hours, we realized that we would be running out of daylight before we reached our first stopping point in Massachusetts. Emotions, tensions, and thoughts ran the gamut over the next four hours. We made good time, even when factoring in a stop at a service area in Kennebunk. It was nice to stretch and have a little something to eat - considering we had totally forgotten to eat lunch!

Even though the sun was out in southern Maine, it was still windy. One thing we noticed with the Nomad, was how the wind affects driving it and the extra attention required when doing so. "Just getting used to driving something a lot bigger", we both commented. However, we were about to head down the Interstate, when we noticed another motorhome as well as a few 18 wheelers parked near us. Suddenly, we looked rather small...

Along the way, we paused & paid our tolls (with the route we planned we're trying to avoid those in spades), and a little red lady bug flew into sight - our 1st hitchhiker. Jill caught him (or her) and expelled the bug from the cab. Farther down the road, a 2nd hitchhiker made its presence known to David - unfortunately, it was squashed against a side window. A 3rd (and yes the last one - we checked) hitchhiker, this time an orange pumpkin bug, was released to the open road via rolling down the window. Dave & I said, "if these are the only problems we have while RV'ing, we'll take it!"

In Massachusetts, several on-ramps became treacherous as cars don't like to yield as they're supposed to; especially to a slower-moving RV. Most of the time we could move over a lane, but one time we could not. We couldn't brake either, due to traffic behind us, so it almost became a game of chicken between the Nomad and a Lexus. The driver of the other vehicle finally looked up and noticed us (!!!) as well as all the traffic behind us. At the last minute the Lexus drove into the break-down lane. Didn't brake or slow down, mind you, just merged along side us. As a last token of appreciation, she made sure we knew she was mad at us... as well as all the other traffic in her way. Oh well - peoples is peoples.

The only "challenging weather" we had was driving into a beautiful sunset. Gorgeous scenery, but a little too bright! We
also realized that we have a harder time driving at night, especially in strange territory. While we were familiar with the area where we were stopping for the night, all the landmarks we knew had either changed or were gone since the last time we were here almost 20 years ago. We decided to take Route 12 into Fitchburg, Massachusetts, since it was the flattest & straightest route. Believe it or not, Fitchburg is the 2nd hilliest city in the U.S., only behind San Francisco. While flat & straight, Route 12 turned out to be the bumpiest part of this first leg of the journey and the only time anything fell out of any cabinets.

We had a great turkey dinner with Jill's mother and step-father and a short visit as we were both physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. We had a space heater as well as some flashlights so we could spend our first night in the Nomad. Since we left two months after our initially planned departure date (August 31st) and some nights the temperatures were dipping below freezing, the RV is still winterized in the water & propane departments. If the RV had water on board, there was a good chance it would've froze. When we arrive in warmer climates, we'll be utilizing those systems.

When we finally relaxed on the queen bed in the Nomad, Jill let the all the stress of the day go. She cries when she's stressed, and it took her almost an hour and a half to unwind in order to go to sleep. Sometimes unwinding can be so hard to do. We both finally got into a deep restful sleep wrapped in each others arms - something we truly missed while residing at our oldest daughters' home.

Morning came way too soon, yet we woke to a spectacular sunrise and quiet surroundings. Jill's mom & step-father went out for breakfast, while we got creative making coffee, toast, and egg sandwiches in the RV as we could only use one appliance at a time. While this is not our idea of cooking over an open fire, Jill wanted to stay warm and exceptions had to be made. Nothing is as we expected - which is still okay. We joined Mom at 10am for a 2nd cup of coffee as our first ones tasted a little funky. We substituted strawberry banana yogurt for our usual vanilla flavored milk. We started making a small list of some of the small necessities we "forgot".

We shared our youngest daughters' crock-pot chicken pot pie for lunch which was delicious and satisfying for all. Then it was a hike up the road about a mile & a half to meet some of my mom's friends at an old farm as well as to see an old high school chum. We had an awesome time! I am especially grateful to my friends' dog, Molly. She's a high-spirited dachshund, who ran out to the road & blocked our way. It was a good thing because we had a rough idea where they lived, but didn't know the exact house. When Molly's owner came out to retrieve the dog, we asked where a particular house was. He answered, "You're at that house". Cool!


We leave Tuesday the 29th for the next leg on our journey. Our next prolonged stopping point will be in Pennsylvania to visit with Dave's sister and her family. We'll be off the grid until the end of this week, but the weather looks like it's going to warm up here in the East, and not much rain in sight until Friday. Warmer... and no rain. Sounds good to us.

Until next time,
The Happy Campers,
Jill & Dave

Friday, October 25, 2013

Last Minute Adventures, Direction, & Guidance

We were watching a TV show the other night that involved a "think tank". In a think tank, numerous minds and their thought processes can come together for a common cause. In less than 24 hours as of this writing, the Nomad heads South. The creative abilities of Dave & I are solving the impressive amount of curiosities happening in Camden. We've witnessed a helicopter conspiracy, a renegade troll, and a local seal.

It's funny - we've been waiting for two months for all the dust to settle with various aspects in our lives, so we can finally start traveling. First out west, which will be delayed until next year, then south. The past 60 days seemed to crawl at times... nothing happening. Nothing to write about - no pictures to take. Then, out of the blue, situations get resolved, events happen, and suddenly there doesn't seem to be enough time to wrap things up here in this neck of the woods. One case in point is the helicopter conspiracy.

We were soaking up some sun on yet another warmer than average October day. We noticed a small helicopter circling around Hosmer Pond for two days. Intrigued by this oddity, we saw it land and quickly drove over to check things out. Here's your chance to say, "You guys really need to start traveling... you have no life."

Sure enough, it had landed in a small clearing. The pilot was in the process of adding fuel while the craft was
still running, so asking the pilot what he was up to was extremely dangerous. Instead, we asked a few locals if they knew anything about why it was here. Rumors were abound like the hundreds of Canadian geese that have been in our area as of late.
 - "I think he's giving helicopter rides."
 - "He's gathering water samples from the pond."
 - "I've heard he's taking aerial photos for a real estate company."
We snapped a few photos and didn't ponder the occurrence any further as we focused our attention to tying up the last remaining minor loose ends. Errands took us into town, but an alternative route led us to Rockport Harbor. 

As we poked around, we found a stuffed animal with it's butt sticking up in the air. He was wearing corduroy pants, and sheepskin vest, and had a face only a mother could love... a troll mother at that. We arranged and put him into multiple poses around the harbor until we realized that he was in fact a dog's chew / play toy, based on the faint odor of pooch. By that time, Dave even named him Gomaz. We left him at the harbor in his natural habitat.

While playing around, we also spotted a display case featuring windjammer cruises destined for Bermuda that was leaving in 12 days as well as a news report about Andre the famous seal. He was found as a pup just off shore and cared for, until healthy, by the Harbor Master. We've seen the movie that was made back in the 90's about Andre, and noted there were quite a few differences between reality and film.

By the way - we didn't forget about the helicopter conspiracy. The day after trolling around Rockport Harbor, we heard what sounded like massive and loud gunshots in the hills around Hosmer Pond. Hunting? So soon? Later that day, the news broke about the noise. Apparently, the helicopter has "lost" its load of very large industrial batteries that it was transporting for a national utility company. A rigging broke and dropped at least a dozen batteries from a height of over 1000 feet. Only one battery survived the tumble. The remaining ones exploded on impact. At least no one was hurt, although the clean up was fairly extensive.

We realized that adventure can pop up at any time. As we head south - first Massachusetts, then Pennsylvania, and our final destination of Georgia - we are looking and hoping for sunny, warmer weather, fun and exciting times, meeting friendly new faces, and safe journeys. Good times, fellow Nomads!!

The Happy Campers,
Jill & Dave

Friday, October 18, 2013

Toof-less

Thank-you Alyssa for giving Grammy this title! It's Tuesday the 15th at 7:50 a.m. and Matt is taking the children out to greet the bus.  I had planned this day to be a writing one and am in front of my computer already.  I've eaten toast with jam and butter and had a cup or two of coffee and am still not wide awake yet.  So, if it seems that I am rambling here --I am.  It's been a while since our last blog and we apologize.  We've been writing, but it's been for other clients and another book project that will be available at the end of this week on Amazon.  Today's topic- space...to be more exact...personal space.

Alyssa has lost her first tooth this past weekend and it's been extremely hard not to laugh at her speech.  Just as Columbus has discovered a new world, Alyssa is adjusting her way of communicating.  She is over emphasizing her sounds and reminds me of cartoon characters I grew up with.  Hope the kids at school don't make fun of her!


Space...an image of the Genie telling Aladdin that he has "phenomenal cosmic power", but also has "itty-bitty living space" as he explains the pros and cons of his living as well as existing situation.



How important is it?  How much of it do we really need?  We already have everything we need - I've been told.  We have enough food and water for today...a shelter over us, clothes on our backs and enough money to get us around.  We went to a store that's relocating and David found some screaming deals on plastic storage bins and Velcro.  While he was in the store, a father and son were leaving.  They were getting into a jeep with the license plate - CAGED.  As the boy opened the door, out went a half deflated balloon bouncing across the parking lot.  The father ran after it and captured the run-a-way balloon. Much kudos to the dad for saving the day for his boy.

What interested me most, was the jeep.  Dave and I have been considering what type of smaller vehicle we should purchase to get around town in.  We've thought about motor-scooters, another Mopar, or a jeep. For those of you who know us personally, we love a fun ride.  We have had Mopars since the '80's and just sold the Mustang (read race-car) in order to purchase the NOMAD...so, two out of the three we haven't driven before...I considered the jeep again today-- caged--would I feel trapped in such a vehicle?  Or would I only be driving an uncovered, wind-in-my-face frame on wheels?  Dave and I have gotten rides from people who own a jeep and it's like riding in a "wet tent" when the soft top is on.  The benefits of the jeep is that we can carry groceries and other needed supplies with us...on a Moped, we'd get wet, have less space and couldn't communicate with each other while driving our own set of wheels....hmmmm....

Back at the Nomad, Tristan and Alyssa decided to hang out with Bampi as he adjusted his new finds to the camper.  The children got into a rousing game of hide-n-seek. ( I know, you're wondering- where do you hide in a camper?)  That's precisely what I thought when Dave told me of his afternoon adventures...He cleared out some space under the bed--so, there was spot #1 and Alyssa fit perfectly.  When she realized that Tristan wasn't coming after her, she came out and searched all over for him...she looked to the steering wheel and passenger seat--no Tristan...she knew he wasn't under the bed, nor in the isle.  The cabinet space is too small for him to fit into.  So, where could he be?  She went into the bathroom and then came out and asked, "Bampi, where's Tristan?"  Dave replied, "I don't know."  Tristan remained where he was until Alyssa left the camper in search of him...He came out a while later and said, "Ha, you didn't find me!" and Bampi, playing dumb - asked, " Where were you?"  "I'm not telling!" he replied triumphantly going off to ride his bike.  Dave shared with me that he was in the Head (shower stall).  It has a door and Alyssa hasn't gotten curious enough to open it yet.  I thought to myself- hmmm- Tristan gave me an idea of where I can go when I need to "hide".  I quietly thanked God for this idea.

There are curtains that separate the driving cab from the living space. There is the bathroom way in back with it's own door and the shower with another door.  Are curtains and two doors enough?  You can fit a chair in the Head; it's big enough.  Don't get me wrong, I love Dave - and he says, "The feeling is mutual," but I NEED my SPACE! ....and he NEEDS his.

Psychologically it's been proven that every person requires at least 3 ft. around them in order to feel safe. I cannot do crowds anymore.  My anxiety levels go through the roof.  I don't stand in lines for long before I start cracking jokes...and public restrooms are a nightmare for me.  You are probably wondering how on Earth is she going to travel over 1000 miles in a 24 ft. enclosed RV?  I am too!  Dave says, "At least in the RV, it is your own personal space."

Signing off for now,
The Happy Campers
Jill and Dave

Expecting to Go at Anytime

The latest concern about the Nomad is how much weight can it really take?  The original fliers and brochures give adult human weight to be at 150 lbs.  I don't know about you, but I don't know too many adults in this weight range and I'm sure not one of them.

While in the hospital building this morning, we noticed this sign on a door we passed by. It was advertising "Express Birth Delivery" classes. We wondered how on Earth one could have an express baby birth & delivery. The baby comes when it's good and ready to come. All we could think of is, "are these classes anything like speed dating? You deliver a baby in 6 minutes or a bell goes off?"

While in the doctors office, I was weighted. This has always posed a problem for me as I love to eat. I eat anything sticky, gooey and chewy.  I eat everything NOW whether it be raw or cooked.  I eat with my fingers or with a fork...I could eat all day long if weight gain wasn't an issue in my life.I eat for many reasons other than actual hunger: the food is there, it's calling to me, it's sweet, it's salty, I'm tired, lonely, angry or upset, emotional, PMSN, or I'm in pain.

We've been at Meg's for six weeks and I've gained 20 lbs. (that's 3 1/3 lbs. a week).  Where did my self- discipline go? How can this be? Oh yeah - wait a minute - I was at the doctors' office with my clothes on and full from a large breakfast.  This is not how to find a persons' true weight. Yet, on the other hand, if I am on the road in Nomad, I won't be naked and starving myself either.  So, the question becomes: what is my true weight and how did the pamphlet people come up with these absurd numbers for a persons' weight?

Drastic times call for drastic measures!  We all have our quick weight loss regimes, and my routine begins NOW!  On a construction site the carpenter uses a plumb line to make a straight line.  I am going to plumb myself- keep on the straight and narrow and stay within the Nomads' weight limits by:
  
1) fasting (eating only when I'm hungry)
2) have smaller portions
3) take a mile or two walk every day
4) eat no sugar or white flour products as they get stuck in my intestines

I bet you're wondering - why doesn't she just eliminate all the books she's taking with her, or some of her clothes, or the tent that's in being stored in our shower or the art work?  I would if I could.  One of the goals of this journey is to improve the quality of our lives.  So far, Dave and I have had a month to grow into bigger selves than we were. (It's as if a person needs a week off from the 8-6 a day work week per year that they've worked in order to overcome burn-out.  So after years in the corporate world, Dave needed this time to explore his life.)  He's become a better photographer and journalist.  We shed our outer skin (and trappings) and are flexing our wings- beating them in the wind in order to gain strength before we fly.

I've honed my writing and painting skills - I need the books I have to prime my inner muse.  I plan to sell or give away a lot of the abstracts as we move around (or find a gallery to sell from) thus unloading a good 100 lbs. of masonite board...and getting some cash to continue.  The tent is for business purposes.  I can set up my art roadside or at rest areas when we stop.  I have to have my clothes and accessories to present myself well.

I feel best about myself when I begin at my personal baseline - naked and before breakfast to weigh in. (Ha, I lost 3lbs. since yesterday! YES!!!!)  I made changes to my dinner last night and also had a smaller portion. I made sure I got out for a walk as well...a power strut walk... to raise my heartbeat.  (No more ambling around and trying to photograph something new or interesting...).  It took six weeks to put on the extra poundage and it'll take six weeks to take it off.  Using self-discipline and patience with myself, I know I can do this.

Having my own kitchen, under my control, helps.  There will be no temptations aboard the Nomad! No renegade drinks or snacks!  Offenders - and yes, Captain, this means you - will be thrown overboard!  So, Captain- are you within the weight limits?  Care to join my efforts?

"Blessings come in disguise.  And challenges can be a blessing."  - Diane Lane





Thursday, October 3, 2013

Where We're Going & What We're Doing


We're going to bring back an old school memory - a little review before we move ahead. This review will also contain a fun little game called, "Then and Now". It will help bring everyone up to speed on a few things as well as answer a few questions that have been popping up more and more.

One of the most frequently asked questions and/or spoken statements we've been hearing lately is, "I thought you guys had already left" or "OK - When are you guys really leaving?" At this point in time, the answer is "In God's time, not ours". Yes - we are relocating out of Maine; we're just trying to tie up a few loose ends before we leave. The problem is, the timing of these loose ends is mostly out of our control.

Back in June and July, our original game plan was to be on the road by the end of August / beginning of September. By now, we all realize that's been shot to you know where. To say that numerous aspects of this journey got delayed would be an understatement and a half. It took longer than expected to sell the possessions we weren't taking with us as well as our vehicles, to find a decent candidate for an RV, to bring the camper home, to make the necessary repairs, as well as dozens of other aspects that must be considered and dealt with prior to taking a serious road trip.

Everything seemed to take a week at a time - especially the part of purchasing the RV then getting it home, then with the repairs we knew it needed. We'll admit this is something we didn't plan for. But when dealing with the multitudes of people that were involved in one way or another (from the seller to parts & tire vendors, the DMV, etc), it's no wonder it took as long as it did.

Another hurdle we had to deal with was where we were heading. Back in the throws of summer, we were planning on heading out to Washington State. While that is still a major part of the plan, and we will get there in due time, that aspect of it has been delayed. We are now pointing the compass to southern coastal Georgia at least for the winter season through the end of April. We never thought we'd be snow birds, but things change in one's life and we are going with the flow.

While some of these hurdles have brought about feelings of frustration and uncertainty, there are silver linings in these delayed happenings. The first thought that comes to mind is the weather. Washington and Oregon are getting some wild wind and rain storms that are very unusual for this time of year. It's also been 15 to 20 degrees colder than normal in parts of the Pacific Northwest where we would have been driving through.
The second thing that pops into our minds is the recent government shutdown. What does this have to do with us? Simple - all the national parks we wanted to stay at and visit are now closed until this matter gets resolved. Never mind that most of the parks we wanted to see were at the tail end of our journey out west - and if we had left at the beginning of September, we would have landed smack dab in the middle of these closures, since we were allowing about 4-5 weeks for this trek.

There are several other facets that fall into the category of, "...if we left when we wanted to, this unfortunate thing or that one would have happened". So, at this juncture, we're taking life one day at a time and we are grateful we missed the snow in Grand Rapids, MI. We have to - we have no choice. It is the ultimate of letting go and let it all work out for their greater good.

Until next time,
The Happy Campers,
Jill & Dave