Undecided...

Just a few random thoughts on getting old…
Emotional wellbeing… now there's a topic. Getting older brings many things to mind. Your life in the past, your life now, and thoughts of your life in the future. Thoughts of health issues. Thoughts of getting older and what will happen later in life. And naturally and eventually, thoughts of… well, to put it bluntly… thought's of the end, and dying. As youthful immortality fades with age, our own mortality becomes ever increasingly oblivious and inevitable. Not much comfort in the possibilities. More and more of your friends are having serious health issues and passing away. When you were a working productive part of society your were merely just a number, just one of the small parts that made the whole thing work, easily replaced by another worker. When older, society as we know it here… well… you're even less then that number. Your usefulness to society is all but gone. Your experience and wisdom falls on deaf ears, and that's even if there was even someone to even listen. And technology has steadily passed you by making you not only old, but outdated as well. While you are slowing down the world is ever increasing it's speed to keep outpacing you, leaving you further and further behind. 
Emotional wellbeing… questionable as to what it really is. I guess we all want the same thing… I live as healthy as we can for as long as we can. Perhaps my grandfather had the chance to get it right. He lived basically healthy until he was well into his eighties… and then was gone in the blink of an eye… not having to suffer with personal health problems. Of course living well into you eighties means seeing almost everyone you knew die before you. All the heartache and despair of witnessing so many, if not mostly all, die before you. Seeing the world pass you by, in leaps and bounds, past your experience. Having experienced so much of life so long and seeing so many things. Trying to remember all the good in your life, and good in the world, as it's overshadowed by war, crime, dishonestly, greed, and every other negative trait that permeates society. The longer you live the more negative you've been exposed to. It all seems a bit overwhelming. You've watched your grandparents die, your parents die… aunts and uncles all gone. Many loose a spouse, and in the worse case scenario you loose a child or grandchild. Not sure how people bear this. Is it more selfish to want to live longer knowing that most will die before you… or spare yourself the heartache and pass on at a more average age… sparing yourself the heartache, and leaving others to endure your loss. Can you ever reach a point of emotional wellbeing living so long past the average age of dying and seeing so many go before you. 
All good thoughts and questions. But I guess it's like most people say… Life goes on. But how does one cheerfully live on having seen most of your family and friends go before you. And there are those that you can not bear to loose, but it happens. Society is done with you… and compassion as far as society goes was never much to begin with. How does one feel to live to be well beyond the average in years. How does one feel to be ninety? … having lost so much? 
Surely all the good memories are a least somewhat tainted by the losses. Every good memory will conclude with a final negative thought. How does one get by this reality? 
Looking back… you know how you felt at different times in your life… but probably couldn't have predicted or known how you would have felt in advance… lets say 5–10 years in advance. Feelings are a product of experience, and the most recent experiences generally have a greater influence on today's feelings verses those from your more distant past. 
Well… I guess we won't have any of the answers unless we may be fortunate enough to actually get there… into our seventies, eighties , or nineties. And I guess everyone's experiences and feelings will be different… just a they were in a younger life. 
Good days… sad days… and hopefully the emotional wellbeing to see and remember mostly the good while discarding the not so good. One day at a time… stopping to smell the roses… and just enjoy still being alive… and counting your blessings for what you still have… and fond memories of what is now gone. Yep, life is worth living to the fullest. Hoping to touch someone else's life, making their life a little happier and brighter… making your own life all the more precious… both to others and yourself. 
Well, as I said, just some random thoughts… of someone that's getting older, day by day.                   

Trying New Blog Program

Decided to try a new Blog Program… Why? Because Microsoft Windows Live Writer, for whatever reason has stopped working. “Live Writer has encountered a problem and needs to close”. “Sorry for the inconvenience”. I have used Live Writer for over two years without any problems. “Sorry” just doesn't satisfy the problem. Checked internet for solutions and only found numerous postings of the same problem going back over a year, with no answers to resolve the problem. I would have thought that Microsoft would have either resolved the problem, announced something about the problems and it's solutions, or at least provide some kind of tech support. Tried everything, without results. Or, if they changed something to leave older pc's outdated, at least post something besides “Sorry”… maybe just a quick note when “reporting problems” to say… “You're out of luck… Live writer won't work for you anymore… no solutions… don't waste time trying to fix it”.  
So now I'm trying a new writer program. If it works out I'll share with everyone. Currently it will only publish text only without photos. Waiting for tech support to advise on how to correct this problem. Couldn't find a free program to use with “Blogger”. So this is a 30 day trial with a $39.99 one time fee to purchase.
If you have any suggestions or know of a free writer program please share your info at RvCampingToday@hotmail.com 
Thanks… Rich  

Dining Out…

First trip out of the campground… went to Hannibal, Missouri and Quincy, Illinois, which was just across the Mississippi River from Hannibal. Both seem to be older towns dating back into the early 1800’s. Still lots of old homes standing, some good, some not so good, some abandoned… but never the less, all interesting to see the architecture of decades long ago. Our primary task was to scope it all out, see a few places, do a little shopping, and have dinner. Went to Quincy Mall… Sears, Penney’s, and another big store kinda like Lord & Taylor (didn’t even like the prices of the reduced stuff on the mall walk)… a bit too ritzy for me. Overall the mall was fairly small with about maybe 50-60 other stores. It had one really nice place to eat… Krieger’s Sports Bar. After we did some shopping we decided to try Krieger’s. Looked really nice and the photos of the food looked really good. Okay, I know, the photos looked good. Prices were fair. Now here’s the good part… first time out to eat… great experience. Shelly got the Glazed Salmon… really good. I got the baby back ribs… a bit more then I usually spend, but this was kinda a reward benefit type meal after 4 driving days to get here, and doing the rv set up. So we both needed a treat for all the work. Back to the ribs… the ribs were cooked to perfection. Very lean and meaty, well done falling off the bones, tender and juicy, seared on the outside… just perfect. Now for the sauce. Tried different sauces in Texas… okay, good, good, and good. But this sauce was new exciting and over the top… wow. Seemed to be honey based for sweetness, a little tangy to go with with the sweetness, with a peachy, woody, smoky flavor and aroma… and a little something special to set it all off.. perhaps a little bourbon. Hands down the best ribs and sauce that I have ever had. Bares repeating…. the best ribs & sauce I’ve ever had. So to the rest of the staff and coworkers… we can definitely recommend Krieger's at the Quincy Mall.  Shopping… got just about everything we needed… the highlight was definitely the dinner. Sampling of the menu.

   

Rving Lifestyle

Reflecting back on the past nine years. First off, where did the time go… and yes, it’s true, when you get older, time goes by really fast. I caught the Rving bug back in the early 80’s… got my first Rv in 1983… a small 20’ Class C Motorhome. Used it for many years while I was still working the regular job. Vacations, weekend getaways, and lots and lots of day trips. Met a lot of folks in our travels over the years, that either Rved fulltime (have sold their lifelong house and live in their rv) or part time Rvers (those that still have a house and travel in the Rv for extended times of the year). The part time Rvers are commonly referred to as “snowbirds” because they generally stay in the home (usually up north) in the summer time, and live in their rv for the winter, traveling to the south and milder climates of the winter. I can certainly tell you… when you get older, wintering in the south when it’s cold and snowy in the north… well, ya just can’t beat it… hands down, a great move for tired aching bones. Anyway, in talking to all those folks about full time rving, seeing their lifestyle… well, I caught that bug too. Stayed with a convention life to get the 30 years in with the company to get the full pension… and basically, took the money and drove off into the sunset at 49½ years old. Had planned it for ten years, knew exactly what I wanted to do, and how to do it… and made it happen. Like most decisions in life, this was one of those “no going back” decisions that worked out to be 95% of what I expected, knowing what was down the road in the new lifestyle that I had chosen… and it’s all been to the good… and most unbelievably good. We knew most everything except for all the “where’s”. We had general ideas and plans of where to go in our travels… but ya never know where the winds of adventure will take you… and that’s the beauty of it all… new places and new experiences to always keep things fresh and inspire you. I just couldn’t see spending the next 15 years of my working life ( age 49½ to age 65 ) at the same job, doing he same thing, living in the same house, seeing and doing all the same things… then retiring after I’m mostly physically used up, to stay in the same house, basically waiting to die. Sad to put it that way, but that’s how it seems to mostly work out. Just wanted something different. Plus the odd’s were that 53% don’t live to see age 65, and those that do have a 61% of dying before age 70. Those that survive this are usually physically used up, have limiting medical conditions, and live a stationary life… waiting for the end to come. Life and living is about choices… and some choices seem to have few options… rving give you more options for more adventures and experiences… or at least that’s the way I see it.

So what’s one of the first great revelations of fulltime rving? The concept of family, friends, and others, that are in a conventional lifestyle, and how they look at what you are doing. First there’s the natural reaction… OMG, you’re going to leave your job, sell your home (hey, it’s just a house and a place to live), and wonder around the country like a gypsy… where will you go, what will you do, where will you stay? It’s like they think you are going to just aimlessly wonder around sleeping in your car and using gas station bathrooms and no doubt have your picture in the post office or live under the interstate overpass. They don’t see a very bright picture. Then there’s the folks that have an adventurer dreamer version that romanticizes about driving off into the sunset and living a carefree life happily ever after… and how great that would be… oh, they wish they could do it too. Actually, thank goodness, we are much closer to the driving off into the sunset and living happily ever after version of this perception. There are many other earlier entries that detail our rving experience… just check them out.

As with everything, no matter how well researched and thought out, there’s always going to be pleasant surprises along the way. One of those is the friends you make along the way… lifelong friends that are part of your rving family. Some of them you may not see for months or years at a time, but reunions make it seem like it was only a short while ago since you were together. Another surprise was the 6 seasons that we worked at Disney World as seasonal cast members… it was like a part time job where we could come and go with the seasons as we pleased. Lots of great memories with family and friends that could only be tagged… “priceless”. There are also many entries about our Disney experiences. Another unexpected surprise of traveling around to different states, which has both good and bad impact… food! One of the great joys in life is the food. Well, you grow up in an area and miss all the good foods particular to that area that you have now left behind… and you miss them… sometimes a lot! But you do find new foods and ways they are prepared as you travel around this great country… ah, yes… truly yummy. And then you move on leaving them behind too… but you find new places and new foods that take their place too… or at least help you miss your favorites a bit less. This is especially true with foods from our home state… nothing can take the place of hometown favorites that you enjoyed all your life. In our case, the bay area in Maryland… so we miss great crab cakes, good steamed crabs and shrimp, and crab soup. Then there’s all the local favorites like Utz potato chips, Martins potato rolls, Rapa scrapple, snowballs, corned beef sandwiches, and many other local favorite brands that ya just can’t get at the local store in your new temporary location that is far, far, away from where you grew up. Sometimes the pain is eased a bit by a new delight like I had today. We went to Quincy Illinois and had the best rack of baby back ribs ever. Hands down, the best ever… so I got to forget about how much I miss my favorites from back home, at least for a little while. Then there’s “workamping”… taking seasonal jobs around the country at different resorts and campgrounds. Ya help them out, have some fun, make some extra spending money, experience new places, have new adventures, met lots of folks, and make new friends… and then move on to a new area, and do it all again. So if you’re not independently wealthy or living on a congressman's pension, this is a good way to see new places and have new experiences without having a lot of expenditures. We workamp part of every year and basically get our rv site, electric, propane, water and sewer, cable, internet, and some other perks including use of the parks facilities for free. Currently we are working fulltime doing Resort Activities…so we get all this included for free plus 40 hours salary for each of us… paid to play and have fun with the big kids (adults) and the little kids. Now, we’re not going to get rich, but it is a nice way to take care of life’s necessities and needs. No mortgage, no rent, no utility bills, no property taxes, very little maintenance compared to a house, and no lawn to cut. On the occasion that you have a “bad” neighbor every once in a while… not to worry, it’s only temporary, they’ll be gone soon, or you have the option of rolling down the street or across the state to leave their memory behind. 

Many of my blog entries cover in more detail our adventures “On the Road”. They are listed by an archive of “dates” when posted and “labels” as to particular topics. Some are trivial, some factual, some flights of fantasy, and some rare one’s are actually serious (go figure). Some offer insights, some even perhaps offer words of wisdom, and some are just playful in their intent. Ya just never know what you will find there… but it all reveals our thoughts, feelings, and adventures while Rving. A great lifestyle… so you see, you can drive off into the sunset and live happily ever after. Ya just need to find that special someone to share it with to make it all worth while and memorable. Fortunately… I have the love of my life to share all my adventures with… Shelly. Yep… life is very sweet indeed!

Now it’s not like being on vacation 52 weeks a year. Most days are more normal… daily living is somewhat convention like a house and job (sometimes) with meals at home, Tv at night, etc, etc. Vacations are as long as you want (or can afford)… and living in general is where ever you want it to be. Follow the weather or let the wind be your guide… it’s like living on flex time with flex places… what ever or where ever you want to be… plain, simple, and easy. Uncomplicated!  It’s the whole idea of you doing more of what you want to do… and not being “locked” into a job and house with no end in sight.

So if you are have an adventurer dreamer outlook on life and can see rving as riding off into the sunset and living happily ever after… well maybe you need to read more, and talk to rvers. Check out rv’s at a dealer as see what they have to offer. There’s all kinds of options to fit every need and want. So it’s happy dreaming and happy trails to you.

So just how does it all work, and what do we have? …  the same things as we did before. Just like a house… living room, complete kitchen, dining area, complete bathroom, bedroom with king sleep number bed, deck patio attached to rv… and all the creature comforts… computers and internet, Direct Tv, surround sound entertainment systems (Tv and music) in the living room and bedroom, video games, ceiling fans, lights, fireplace, basement, generator, washer & dryer… yep… everything except my favorite hot-tub spa… that’s another thing I really miss from the house. Plus it’s all moveable at a moments notice… well, maybe several moments. The freedom to move to anywhere we want… anytime.   

Nine years later… sharing adventures together… priceless. No regrets, with only few mistakes (like those battery scooters)… a great lifestyle for those less than the rich and famous.

Hope you enjoy the reading… have a nice day. After all… it is exactly what you make of it!

Current location… Mark Twain Landing… Missouri

Front yard view from our patio.

Yep… live is sweet! and Sweeter with Shelly!

  

          

Around the World…

I’m somewhat amazed that my little personal blog reaches all over the world. Kinda like my very own two minutes of fame as it were. If anyone would like to communicate via email, I’d enjoy hearing from readers around the world. Your first name, where you live, and maybe a little bit about yourself… what you do, what you like… whatever. Share what you want. Perhaps what you most enjoy about reading my blog. Look forward to hearing from those near and far.

RvCampingToday@hotmail.com

Thanks, Richard

The Move to Missouri

The move from Texas to Missouri was mostly uneventful. Four days driving at about 250 miles per day. We stopped at Thousand Trails on Lake Tawakoni east of Dallas. Couple of days to relax (and repair rv slide) right on the lake. Great view and a couple days to just chill. View of the lake right out our windows. 

Then drove the rest of the way to Missouri… stopped at Gore, Oklahoma… Springfield, Missouri… then up to Mark Twain Landing. Great campground with lots of great campsites and facilities… including a waterpark with slides, lazy river, and a wave pool. We settled on a site at the top of the hill overlooking the lake. We are kinda all by ourselves except for several cabins. Here’s a view of our front yard looking out to the lake.

Here’s a view looking from the lake to the rv.

So, we’re getting settled in for another great season, at another great park. Lots of the team from Texas is here, so it’s like family and friends all over again. Really nice. So yall enjoy your spring and summer… and have lots of fun. Each day is just what you make it… and magical moments & precious memories can be made any where you want… it’s all up to you.