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Apr 25

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Ready , set….. and her side

What have I done!!  We chronicle the outward steps of dreaming, buying  an RV, selling a house , sorting, packing, planning.  We fret about insurance, how to get our mail and Wi-Fi connections.  Those day to day problems we must handle take our time and energy, leaving us with nothing but the dark hours of the night to face the real issues.  I have five children, their spouses and eight grandchildren.  That is 18 people that enrich my life.  I have worked for 30 years with friends who have supported me through professional and personal adversities. I have a 97 year-old father for whom I have provided support and comfort for the 21 years since Mom died.  How can I walk away from that?  How do I shake the feeling I am abandoning them?  Where is my strength to leave the friends that support me? Who will help me find the balance when my husband and I fight?  What if I am not there to see my grandchild beam with pride after an accomplishment.  What if those I love need me! How do I leave the life I have built?

And – I am tired.  I have hosted 21 years of Christmas gatherings.  Despite the support and help from my children, I ran full out for the days of their visit.  Then I washed every sheet and towel I owned before heading back to work.  Then I did it again  each summer. At work I gave my all, often for more then eight hours a day.  On  weekends I trekked to check on my father. I have lived the busy life of a working woman with a husband, home and responsibilities.  I knew it was taking a toll on my health and I ignored the signs.  I did not know how to stop and was afraid of what I would lose.

We have all heard the advice to live in the present. Look forward, not back. Savor the moment. After tears and angst,  I accept it is time for me to rest and heal.  I will trust that my bonds with family and friends will endure. I believe that others with more energy than me will step up to keep my small world turning.  I bow to my age, say “yes” to this next stage in my life.  Let the RV roll and the adventures  begin!

Apr 24

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Ready, set,……set,…….

First step was an early delivery. Back last Fall we committed to the decision to go exploring the Country as soon as Denise could retire. We cemented that decision with the purchase of a 2017 Tiffin Phaeton 36GH motor home. Since it was a factory order and had yet to be built, we planned on taking delivery sometime in March of this year. Then the phone rang in November. Seems our coach would be at the dealer in N Tonawanda, NY by the end of the month .. ‘when did we want to come get it?’  So, ready or not, off to NY we went after scrambling to get a towable car.

 We were now the proud owners (along with the bank) of a brand new Tiffin motor home – no looking back.

That set in motion a series of related activities and what we assumed would be time consuming delays. House went on the market expecting at least a couple months breathing space. House sold in 2 weeks. A short timeline to get what we were keeping into storage and disposing of the rest. The process of upgrading my driving license to comply with Maryland MVA rules took a bit longer, and actually was accomplished just days before we had to vacate the house, move into the coach, and move it to an RV park – step 2.

Granite Hills RV Park – Fairfield, PA

Given the early season, the closest open  park meant an hour commute for Denise to work. It was about 10 days before a local park opened, which is where we sit as I write this (Yogi Bear RV Park).

Finally, step 3, the day came for her official retirement, and life began to improve.  

That said, she had promised to remain available for training and consulting for at least a couple weeks.

Fellow traveler, Cricket, was beginning to become impatient…….

 

So, now we wait. Time is spent doing the odd errands, arranging and re-arranging addresses, insurances (never simple), and planning our early travel with stops on the way to the Tiffin factory in Red Bay, AL – a visit with friends, a stop to see family, and a bit of sightseeing.

With all arrangements done and reservations made, our departure date is finally set for April 27th ! Barring last minute issued, it is now a “Go” – step 5.

Stay tuned for reports along the way: Verona, VA, Williamsburg, VA, FT Chiswell, TN and Loudon, TN, Chattanooga, TN for a few days, then Red Bay.

 

Reviews:

Granite Hills RV park (Fairfield, PA) – 10 day stay, FH 50a. Friendly, helpful folks. Pleasant atmosphere and scenery. Modest, roomy sites on gravel – well maintained. Did not use bath/shower facilities.

Yogi Bear/Jellystone RV park (Williasmport, MD) – Friendly staff, lots of kid activities, store and café. Gravel sites, easy in/out, well maintained. Sites, a bit narrow for the price, included table and fire pit. Opening weekend – lots of kids! Then dead quiet ……