On the Road Again …
Well, friends, here I am again. Who knew when I set off on my first RV adventure 10 months ago that I’d be super excited to do it all over again? I wasn’t sure I was even going to like it, you know? But I guess I had an inkling. I mean, not too many people would sell their house, buy an RV and plan a 14,000+, 5-month, 31-state adventure and expect not to like it, right?
I am definitely hooked. At least for this season of life. If you’re not totally familiar with the impetus for these adventures, let me fill you in. Back in June of 2024, I lost my beloved husband of almost 33 years after a long illness. Then I lost my post-retirement job (and a third of my income), and became in empty nester, all within 6 months. It was a rough time, a lonely time. But I didn’t want the adversity to define me, or to spend my days feeling sorry for myself, or wondering Why me? Why Michael?
That’s just life. My faith in God and my family got me through those times. Now it was time to make some lemonade after processing those sour lemons. So make lemonade, I did! My friends encouraged me to keep a blog of that trip, so they could ‘live vicariously through me’ … no pressure, right? And I’m so glad I did! I faced so many new adventures each and every week that there was no way I could remember everything. I ended up turning it into a book, and called it Driving Miss Maisie, because my beloved Goldendoodle Maisie made all the difference in the world on that trip. She’s so special, and I’m so excited to have her by my side when we explore a whole other part of the country this year! (If you’re interested, the book is available on Amazon here).
I’m so blessed to have loving family members by my side as well. Although both my parents have passed, my three sibs have helped me process those lemons, along with my two daughters. I am especially grateful that my sister Sarah and her husband Tony allowed me to bunk with them after my traveling adventures last year. The quality time we were able to spend together these past 5 months has been truly incredible. I will definitely miss her daily presence in my life but at the same time am looking forward to exploring the Pacific coast!
So, let’s go!