Lingering at the Coast a Little Longer

Ilwaco, Wash., July 26 -- Am I afraid to leave the Northwest, or what? Actually, one more layover to take care of some final things in Portland.

Sometimes after I’ve been in Portland it takes me a couple days (at least) to wind down. It’s been a busy July. Much busier than I expected it to be. Originally my plans called for me to be in Hoods Canal for two weeks, just kind of vegging. Instead, I went south out of Yakima to Sun River, then farther south to California, first the Russian River area then on to Yosemite on the east side of the state. Lots of challenges to deal with. I’ve now added 6,000 miles to the Mo; close to doubling the mileage from when I bought it.

I returned to Oregon, staying in Florence for a few days. Steve came to visit and I spent time with Kristin and Ryan. Then the Mo had to go in for servicing; mostly routine but also some little things that needed fixing. Five days and $1,800 later it’s good to go (I HOPE!). So now I’m in Ilwaco for the week. I return to Portland Monday for a couple last things before heading east. Those “last things” seem to be like rabbits breeding; more and more keep coming!!

I have been working on my trip planning to get back to Minnesota, with a stopover in Rapid City, SD, for a day or two to see the sights there. With that stopover I am looking at about 9 days’ travel time. I could reduce that by just pulling into Walmart parking lots along I-94 so I may do that. Traveling freeways is very fast but not very scenic. You miss some beautiful country that way. Driving up from Junction City to Astoria/Ilwaco, I took 99W much of the way, then 47 north out of McMinnville to 26. Saw some parts of Oregon I’ve never seen, even though they’re fairly close to Portland. Beautiful country.

Ilwaco/Seaview/Longbeach are intriguing. The prices are still somewhat affordable. I think I could buy a house here and just retire (or buy a lot and park my rv). It is tempting. This traveling has its challenges. There is security in having a place to call home, a place to hang your hat and leave your boots by the door. Especially if it’s got a nice yard, with beautiful flowers. But I know this is also the beautiful time here; in November it will be horribly ugly and depressing. So that’s when you take the motorhome south.

I have been avoiding God, I think. Not taking the time to get down into the depths of my soul. Or maybe I’m expecting too much of myself. Maybe just being away, without all the Portland distractions, is enough. I have been “talking” to God, just not taking as much time to listen as I think I should be.

There are so many interesting possibilities. I could buy a little cabin here and set up my office and studio and write and paint (there is a well-known watercolor artist who lives a bit north of here who does clinics, etc. Maybe he’d take me on as a student.)

Or I could use it as a sanctuary when I’m not out in the world doing things.

I came across an interesting opportunity the other day. Habitat for Humanity has programs through which you can travel to different parts of the country and help build Habitat homes. That piques my interest very much. Stay someplace for a couple weeks; help construct a home; learn a few skills; get relatively inexpensive rent for my rv space; explore during my free time. Then maybe I could come back and build my own home if I bought a lot here when I’m tired of traveling. Fascinating possibilities. I will definitely check into it.

Sometimes when you have so many doors open, so many possibilities, so many opportunities, it makes it incredibly hard to decide what to do next. So I keep looking for God’s guidance in that. BUT I’d better start doing a better job of listening or it will be closing my eyes and picking whatever door comes into my grasp first. While I think I would be happy with any or all of the possibilities, it might not be the best for me, it might not be where my heart is really leading me. And I’m not getting any younger so the time for mistakes and missteps is limited. And I’m certainly not getting any richer, so my financial capabilities are also limited. But then, if I truly trust God to lead me, none of that should really matter. I should have the faith that I will be able to go and do whatever it is God wants of me. Assuming God actually wants something from me.

I had an interesting discussion with my friend and pastor, Fr. Peter, last week. He suggested that perhaps God doesn’t have a “specific” plan for us but rather wants us to make the plan and offer it to Him. “Surprise me,” God says. “See what you can come up with that will delight you and me.” Well, that makes it even harder in some ways. I have to come up with the plan myself; I can’t just buy into one that is already set in place for me. Aiyiyi!!

Well, looks like I’d better start doing some planning . . .

TravelinLady