Fulltime Rving... A Life on the Road plus a potpourri of amusements, interests & perceptions.

Chronicles our adventures in a not so conventional lifestyle... Full-time Rving. Retired and sold the house in 2003, bought the Rv of our dreams, and travel doing what we want, when we want. Plus a lot of other topics thrown in to keep it interesting... or at least I hope so. Stories & photos of our adventures and our life on the road. Hope you enjoy reading it from time to time. UPDATE: RV - LATELY STATIONARY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE OF VIRGINIA... FROM THE VALLEY TO THE MOUNTAINS.

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Happy ☺

Happy... a concept that's as different as people are different.

I remember back to 7th grade. A teacher asked the class, one by one, what they wanted to be in life. There were all sorts of expected answers ranging from professions and careers, to being rich and famous and powerful. Lofty ambitions to be sure. I carefully considering everyone elses answers and thought about my response when it was my turn to give an answer. So the teacher asked me... "what do you want to be in life?" My answer was to simply be "happy". He replied that he didn't think I understood the question. My response was... I don't think you understood my answer. Enough said.
And with a few bumps along the way, I have been happy all my life.

One of those bumps was my first wife. Another was that 1972 Pinto.

If I'd have to keep and live with one, it would be the Pinto. I wouldn't recommend my first wife... satans demon in the flesh.

Such is the way to happiness.

A cool hat helps too!

Marvelous

It's a marvelous night for roaring fire. There's a chill in the air and the warmth of the fire feels oh so good. It warms the hands, the heart, and these old bones. There's something ancestral about gathering around the fire just as people have done for thousands of years. Looking up at the dark night sky following sparks from the fire reaching towards hundreds of stars sprinkled across the night sky. The smell of the wood burning, the crackling of the fire... there's something primal and yet comforting about a nice fire. Perhaps it's the ancient feeling of having light where there was only darkness, or fending off wild animals making you feel safe. Gathering around the fire to tell stories of fantastic adventures and scary stories handed down through the generations. Telling stories of things that go bump in the night as everyone moves closer to the fire, staring cautiously into the shadows created by the flickering light of the fire. But that's another story best sooted for Halloween. For now, we'll simply enjoy gathering around the fire.

A walk in the woods

A walk in the woods. There's always lots of interesting things to find in the woods. Today resulted in finding man-made structures. The walk didn't start this way, but we ended up finding several interesting things. Certainly not wonders of the ancient world, nevertheless interesting. All the normal questions came to mind. Who built them? ... And when we they built? What was their life like?

Up here on top of the mountain, isolated far away from the communities, or villages in the valley below. The fireplaces were built so long ago that the building which was obviously made of wood was now completely gone... with not the slightest trace. Stone does have the ability to last forever. Perhaps somewhat broken and shifted around, but remaining forever.

All in all... Still pretty cool to find.

Most important

Most important... Memorize the pattern and pathways.

But...

They're all looking the same from the ground. Did anyone bring water? Food? Bread crumbs to drop along the way? How about a flare! I don't have a signal on my phone! Arggg! That's pirate talk for being hopelessly lost on land. Can we eat that corn?
Wait... Have we been down this path before ? Looks very familiar.
Do they come in to get you if you don't come out? What do you mean in the morning? Who wanted to do this?
Let's go out to the corn maze... it will be fun!
Somebody is gonna get tripped in the dark.

11 more years

11 more years until 2032.

So what happens in 2032? There will be no more gasoline powered cars... they will all be electric. Police will not carry firearms... only "stun" rods. Criminals will be Cryo-frozen to serve their sentance. Three shells will replace toilet paper... Idoeno, paper shortage? Monitoring devices will issue warnings and citations for failure to comply with the verbal profanity act... Dammit. Exchange of bodily fluids of any kind is not permitted... including but not limited to kissing... so there's no more of that either! Burgers... what are they made of?... ratta!... Where's the beef? Clearly not here. Favorite songs are from TV and radio commercials from the 1960s. Bol-og-na! And most notable... All restaurants no matter what they serve are Taco Bells. After all, they did win the restaurant wars.

So... we have lots to look forward to... and only 11 more years to wait. And now... The rest of the story.

Hero's

Hero's ... Saviors?

Thank god that congress is going to save us all!

(yes, I'm absolutely completely sarcastic)

Congress will be painting themselves as saviors of the American people. Just as they have done several times in past years, congress has failed to do their job to develop a budget to keep the government doors open and functioning. Failed to accomplish their primary job, given months of knowing the dead line. Now threatening a government shutdown with devastating economic results. Figuratively holding a gun to our heads so that, in order to accomplish one necessary budget issue (keeping the government open), they have legislated excessive record debts for programs that are attached to the budget... things that can wait until the pandemic recovery is secured. **** Politics! **** They accomplish almost nothing positive but except for greed and political turmoil... While accomplished their spending agenda... no doubt which will be in their own best interests.

But... when they finally accomplish this one necessary issue to keep the government open, they will hail themselves as savoirs. While at the same time, getting what they wanted after holding our feet to the fire.

It was once said the system is so dysfunctional that nothing will ever change. Not true... things will and are getting worse.

Thanks congress for your political and self serving agendas.

Speaks volumes about your integrity.

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Sharp?

Is that knife really sharp?

I guess so...

Park maintenance

Park maintenance. Be it covid... or the budget... or lack of manpower. Some park maintenance on Skyline Drive is not what it use to be in some areas. Overlook stone walls typically were weed free and cut down for a nice appearance. This year is different in many places. Tall weeds on both sides of the overlook walls... and now typical of walls along the roads not at the overlooks. Kinda sad but these are a sign of these times.
Walls that have been there since the 1930s. Hopefully things will improve for October / November... and for sure for next year.

Say it...

Say it... Repeat it...

For the better... Or for the worse.

Heads up...

Heads up!

Despite the beauty of nature, caution while hiking needs to be a major concern, especially hiking in the wilderness. And this still applies even though in a national park, where help could be hours away. Caution with practically ever step, while being overwhelmed with the beauty of nature. Age too plays a role. As you get older there's the sense of being sure footed as if you were 20 something again. So, enjoy the walk or the hike, being ever mindful of footing.

Watch out for talking rocks too.

Scary

Now that's scary... scary delicious 😋

Jack & Sally

Ring... ring...

Ring... ring, ring.

Go ahead... push the button.

An apple a day...

An apple a day. Wow... 23 different varieties. I tend to go for the sweeter apples... usually Gala. So long as they are sweet and crisp! The crisper the better.

Relax

Relax... It's National Coffee Day

Peace on retirement

Peace in retirement.

Nothing less should be expected.

Nothing less should be tolerated.

So why poke the bear?

Knowing how bears are.

After the Storm

After the storm. The skies started to clear, and as the sun was going down, bright sunlight illuminated the higher clouds with vibrant colors. Photos really can't express the beauty.

Signs

Country Signs... ya won't see these in the city.

No Tricks

No tricks... Just treats.

Yum!

Frytyme

Fry time... the only questions are... what kind of fries? ... and what you are going to enjoy them with? Yep... fries are on my mind!

Who makes the best french fries? ... Fast food? No way!
What type of fries are the best? ... Boardwalk style fresh cut potatoes, fried up fresh, served hot.

The last question... how do you enjoy them? Heinz ketchup, brown gravy, hot cheese, hot sauce, bacon, peppers, onions, special sauces?

Note: ketchup and sauces... never pour them on in fries... dip them, one by one as you enjoy the hot fries.