And The Prettiest City Award Goes To

Seattle, WA, October 27 -- Remember that contest I made up? I declared Oregon the prettiest state overall. I still think that’s true, but I have to say -- certainly without having seen alot of cities in our country -- that Seattle has to be right up there among the most beautiful cities. The Sound on the west, and the Olympic mountains beyond, are breathtaking. Then there are all the lakes -- big and little -- scattered around the metro area. Plus hills throughout the city and the Cascade peaks so close on the east side. Right now many of them are dusted with snow, Mt. Rainier rises majestically --there’s no other way to describe it -- out of the southeast. Portland has a few hills and the Cascades/Mt. Hood but nothing like Seattle. Tons of parks, again, big and little. It is quite a bit bigger than Portland (I like Portland’s size better) and the traffic is awful, sounds like it’s bad just about any time of day or night. But it’s got the corner on pretty, I think.

I drove from the farthest southeast reaches of the metro area to north of Seattle to Mountlake Terrace yesterday afternoon to meet a friend -- I think it was probably close to 35 or more miles one way. We spent the afternoon enjoying the sunshine and just chatting. Tonight I drive to Queen Anne Hill for a gathering with high school classmates. Sunday I drive up to Sammamish to visit my late husband’s brother and his wife. Marty and Kerry are the family I stayed with right after John’s accident and they have been so kind and supportive of me. Then Monday I drive up to Northgate (almost to Mountlake Terrace) to see another friend who moved here from Portland about a year ago. So I will be putting lots of miles on my little Saturn this weekend and week. And hopefully I will have a little better understanding of how to get around in Seattle and environs.

It is very cold and clear -- I hope my water systems don’t freeze! This morning there is fog everywhere but the weather is expected to be clear and bright again today after the fog lifts.

I still have not completely ruled out more traveling. There are so many places in the US I haven’t see and would like to. But something else really piqued my interest the other day. I met a woman at the RV park in Portland, Monika, who is from Germany. She has been in the states five months and will be here another 6. She is taking a full year to just drive around the country. She bought a small rv (class c, which is maybe what I should have gotten as it would be easier to manuever into small spaces but not as livable) here in the states and just took off. She has been to Alaska and many of the northern states and was heading for the Oregon Coast and then California. I asked if it were possible for someone like me to do that in Europe. She said it was -- she has a small motorhome in Munich -- but that people tend to look at travelers as gypsies (real gypsies, not just figuratively). She also said the motorhomes in Europe are much smaller and that the rv parks really couldn’t accommodate something as large as mine. She has two dogs with her, a large dog and a medium sized. She flew them here from Germany. That seems very stressful -- I’m not sure I could fly Charlie. Especially all the time it would take to fly to Europe. Still, it’s something to think about. Maybe if he were a certified therapy dog he could fly inside the plane????

I have heard about programs where you can fly to Australia, New Zealand, etc. and caravan in rented rvs. That would be interesting, too. I would love to go to Mexico and Central America but NOT alone. It’s too dangerous. That would be the only time I might be tempted to have a gun, and then I’d probably get arrested and thrown in a Mexican jail (that actually happened to some constituents when I was working for the Senator).

I really need to follow up on my agent contacts. There is a writers conference in Portland in mid-November that has workshops on a variety of things, including marketing your writing. I think I will need to sign up and attend some of the workshops. Would I keep traveling if I had a writing market? Absolutely. Does that mean I have to be bribed to continue traveling? Not at all; but an incentive would give me the extra push I need. I’m one of those responsible people who delivers what I commit to deliver; so if I had an agent or publisher expecting something from me, I would definitely get it done. And maybe I just need to feel there’s some purpose in what I’m doing.

There are difficulties with my internet connection right now -- yesterday and today. Drives me crazy!! I am paying for service I’m not getting. I don’t think I can get ahold of them on the weekends and it’s undoubtedly their connection that I am having problems with -- not my computer. So who knows when I will get this blog posted, and the pictures I took of this beautiful place yesterday.

StillTravelinLady

Finding Beauty Wherever You Look

Black Diamond, WA, Oct. 23 -- When it is beautiful in the Northwest, it is incredible. Today and yesterday the weather was warm (high 60s, low 70s) with lots of sunshine and blue skies. I actually got a bit of a sunburn sitting outside yesterday afternoon. The leaves are gorgeous, the new snow on Mt. Hood and Mt. Rainier is glorious. These are the kinds of days where you wonder how you could possibly even consider living someplace else. They are even more wonderful when they follow on several days of rain, as these last two days have -- they most likely will be followed by at least a few days of rain. So they are a special treasure, a gift hidden among the rainy, windy fall days.

This afternoon I unhooked from the RV park in Northeast Portland and drove up I-5 to the Seattle area. I am actually a bit east and south of Seattle in a membership park. I outsmarted myself again and took a “shortcut” south of Tacoma through Puyallup but I turned the wrong way when the freeway ended and didn’t catch my connecting road. I did manage to get to Highway 18 eventually. I just figured I needed to be north and east and it all worked out.

The park here is on Lake Sawyer. After getting here and getting backed in and hooked up, I took Charlie on reconnaissance. There is a dock out onto the lake that looks right out at Mt. Rainier over the water. The sun was down far enough in the west and was casting a golden glow onto the mountain. I wish I’d had my camera!!

While driving up I admired all the beautiful fall colors. I saw a number of hawks along the freeway and, at one point, saw a ring-necked pheasant strolling along the freeway. That reminded me of my dad. He would take us on drives out into the country about this time of year and would always spot the pheasants in the fields before anyone else. This day was so amazing I can’t even find enough words to describe it.

I have a theory about beauty. My theory developed as a result of spending weeks in New England, watching and waiting for the fall colors. Since I was expecting beautiful colors, anticipating a treat for my eyes, I actually sought out the beauty. I looked for it. It sort of became a habit: I now look for beauty whereever I go, and Dang!! I usually find it! So my theory is that beauty is everywhere, if we look hard enough to find it, if we expect to find it. It can be found in such simple places as still water reflecting clouds in a blue sky, or the smile of a small child, or even a big golden retriever perched on the dashboard looking regal. Or it can be brilliant fall colors with a perfect white mountain rising up above and into a blue sky, or breathtaking sunsets. It can be the quiet whisper of leaves in the wind or a violin crying a sweet melody, perfect four-part harmony, or thelaughter of friends. It can be a gentle touch, a warm hug, a passionate kiss. The smell of rain after a dry spell or the smell of a vase of lilacs or the smell of brownies baking. We so often forget to look for beauty. It’s too easy to see the sadness, the sleazy, the disgusting.

Before leaving town this morning I met my dear friend Kathleen at Mass and then we had breakfast and a great visit. I haven’t seen her in ages: she’s my friend who moved to Florida several years ago. She is always so down-to-earth and has so much common sense and is one of those people who is just good through and through. She’s a breath of fresh air and I have really missed her. She and her hubby are traveling this year, as well. They’re in the Northwest for football this fall because they are BIG Oregon Duck fans. So we spent about an hour-and-a-half catching up, giggling and laughing over coffee and oatmeal at Petite Provence, a very good restaurant/bakery near the church and where I used to live, It was so great to see her.

Last night I had dinner with several other girlfriends and it was great seeing them, too, and catching up. Most of them are either preparing to marry off their children (daughters) or have grandchildren. I’ve married my both kids off and am not expecting any more grandchildren beyond the three boys my son gifted me with when he married this spring. So we don’t have as much in common as we once did. But they’re good people and fun to be with -- part of my support system here in Portland. They were all wonderful when John died.

Now I will spend a bit more than a week reconnecting with friends and family here in the Seattle area. Then back to Portland for at least a week in November. There’s no point in planning too far ahead because my plans seem to change almost daily. Not sure yet about Thanksgiving or Christmas plans but hope to spend them with my kids if possible -- if not both at least one of them and their families. I may end up going to Coos Bay for Thanksgiving and then be in Portland/Vancouver for Christmas Eve since I fly out of Portland to my timeshare in Cabo San Lucas on Christmas morning. Such a busy life. Most of the time I love it. But this morning driving through Portland part of me was longing for a house and normal life. But my life isn’t normal and it probably won’t ever be normal again -- too many things have happened over the past four years. I don’t think “normal” is part of my life vocabulary any more. Who knows, though; it could happen. Just not highly likely.

I am praying for another beautiful day tomorrow but that’s almost as unlikely as me ever being normal, so I’ll just look for the beauty in whatever weather God sends me.
TravelinLady

Wondering About Wandering

Portland, OR, October 19 -- The Portland rains have come. We are having Pineapple Express kind of weather: very wet, windy and not too cold. The wind attacks the trees, shaking them violently, and sends the golden and crimson leaves swirling and dancing down into the gutters and storm sewers, causing plugged drains and high water in many intersections. Puddles and pools of water, enough to reflect back the color of the leaves that still sway from the branches.

This morning, early and not-so-bright, I left the cozy comfort of the Mo and headed south on 33rd , eventually making my way to St. Ignatius for the 7 a.m. Contemplative Prayer time. They have this every Friday morning in the Jesuit Chapel and I love it, when I can coax myself out of a warm bed. After the half-hour of completely quiet centering prayer, some of my friends go over to the parish office for coffee before returning for 8 a.m. Mass. It’s a beautiful way to start the morning. Especially when you see so many dear friends and people there. It’s like a private little club, only it’s open to whoever wants to take the time to slip away for a bit of prayer.

The Psalm was from the Israelites leaving captivity and returning home, exiles returning to their beloved land. “Those who sew with tears will reap rejoicing.” Comfort and hope. The homily focused on the Jesuits and their work with native peoples who were forced from their homes, the Trail of Tears, Wounded Knee and so many other campaigns without names. The message of coming back home from exile resonated with me, though mine hasn’t been all that long or all that hard and it wasn’t forced. But the joy of coming home is still very strong and deep for me. I want to keep that safe, warm feeling of being home.

A bit later Charlie and I met Tom and Nick at Peninsula Park in North Portland. I took Charlie’s tennis ball and thrower (thank you, Geri!!) and Charlie chased the ball over very muddy ground. Then the “boys” went wading in the fountain to rinse off the mud. Somewhere in all the excitement Charlie managed to slice open the pad on his paw. When I realized he was hurt and how serious it looked, I took him to his vet down on Powell and they managed to squeeze him in. They had to sedate him and suture the paw. He’s now got a bandage and plastic iv-drip bag on his paw and is a little groggy. We have to do a followup with the vet’s office next week and then when I get back from Seattle.

I’ve spent some time looking at Condos in Portland and Vancouver this week. I am perplexed. Being with my parish community last weekend and this week reminds me how much I love everyone here and how my heart longs to be back here. Living in a condo would be a good way to make that a regular part of my life again. But I’m not sure that’s where God is calling me. I have had a couple conversations that make me think it was premature for me to stop the traveling. Of course, that’s only their opinion, but I like to listen to other people -- we all have a piece of the truth, I think. There is still a bit of restless within me. Staying here near the airport and river, I feel the pull to travel more or still or again. Am I afraid that if I leave for too long, all the people I love will forget about me? That might be part of it, or just wanting to be here to celebrate and live and enjoy the abundance of blessings that Portland and St. Ignatius are for me.

On Thursday I had a wonderful conversation with my spiritual director from the second session I did of the Ignatian Spiritual Excercises in Everyday Life and shared with her my dream. She liked it and offered some wise advice and contacts which I need to follow up on. I have a couple of other people to talk to about this -- when they can fit me into their schedules or I can fit them into mine -- before I make any final life decisions.

So it feels like I am still on hold a bit, still waiting for God to whisper exactly what it is I should be doing with what is left of my one, wild, precious life. Will I take the safe route or is God beckoning me out of safety and into . . . what? Joy? Love? Exuberance and fulfillment? Is God encouraging me to embrace every gift with gusto? Have I failed to follow the advice of Hafiz: “Don’t surrender your loneliness so quickly. Let it cut more deep, let it ferment and season you as few human or even divine ingredients can. Something missing in my heart tonight has made my eyes so soft, my voice so tender, my need of God absolutely clear.” I notice a new tenderness, a softness or gentleness in myself these days that wasn't always there before. I started noticing it a couple months ago when I began tearing up at the littlest things. I have noticed I am being touched deeply by ordinary, everyday things: Seeing fathers walking their children home after school this afternoon. Seeing the woman who brought her elderly dog into the vet’s to be put to sleep, wanting to comfort her. Seeing all those dear friends at Mass this morning, and last Sunday. Their beauty breaks my heart and I hate the thought of leaving again. I feel that I have been tenderized. Touched deeply. Is there more tenderizing, more seasoning that I need? In the words of St. Brendan’s Prayer: “Shall I abandon, O King of Mysteries, the soft comforts of home? . . . Shall I say farewell to my beautiful land, placing myself under your yoke?” Only if I can determine it is truly what I am called to do. It is something I continue to wrestle with but will not make a decision about the next move until I need to make a decision and feel secure that it is God’s wish for me.

TravelinLady

Reconnecting

Portland, OR October 15 -- As usual when I am back in Portland, I am busy. I have enjoyed seeing family and friends. Charlie and I have taken a couple walks with Nick and Tom -- Charlie is always so excited and happy to see Nick. I've gotten to see my son a couple times and will see him and my daughter tonight. I've been to church and seen lots of my friends. Leaving for awhile really makes you realize when you have treasured jewels back "home."

Saturday morning I went to a women's prayer/reflection/discussion group; most of the women are part of my parish but many I don't know well at all. It is always so good to be with others who share your beliefs and are willing to talk about their spiritual experiences. As always I had some little revelations about how deeply God loves us all. When I was in Michigan touring Mackinac Island, the tour guide saw a crow sitting on a tree and when it didn't move as we came close, he said: "He has a message for one of you." According to him, the Indians used to believe that crows were messengers. That intrigued me because I have always thought crows were just nasty, obnoxious squawkers. Saturday morning it dawned on me. A crow calling is God telling you how much he loves you. Beautiful leaves in fall, as pictured here: they are God sending you a message saying, "I love you so much I sent you this beauty." The trees and birds, the blue sky or the soft, misting clouds: these are all gifts; reminders of how beloved we all are by this most generous, forgiving, loving God.

After Mass Sunday I bought some of the Centennial CDs that were put together from the different music groups at St. Ignatius. Sarah and I had one song on it. I thought it turned out quite well. I would like to have had another on there but it wasn't my choice, and really I am happy that we had one at all. They are selling the cds as a fundraiser to help pay for our Centennial celebration expenses. The parish is 100 years old -- and I have been a member for nearly 25 of those years. Amazing!

Then I spent all afternoon -- despite the beauty of the day -- working on my taxes. It was difficult because my workspace is very cramped. I finally hooked up the printer and got things under control. Thankfully, according to my figures, I actually overpaid when I filed my extension. However, I will let the government apply the overage to next year's taxes. I have no clue what my situation will look like next year, with me taking early retirement. It is also possible that I will do some freelance or project work so would need to have a cushion for that. But it is such a relief to have them done, and I pray that I didn't do anything wrong or make any mistakes. I will probably give them, and last year's, to an accountant and have him look them over so that if we need to file corrected or amended returns next year, we can. I just had put it off too long and couldn't take it to him this late in the game. That's what I get for putting things off. I worry about them but then don't get motivated until it's the last minute.

This morning I spent some time on the internet, looking for literary agents. I have a list and actually sent an e-mail query to one of them, who is here in Portland and sounded promising. She represents the kind of things that my travels would fall under. I have a number of others to follow up with. I need to spend some time doing a "book summary" and formal query letter, as many of them want specifically that. Some others will take the manuscript itself, but since I don't actually have one -- only a blog at this point -- I would not be able to send them anything. However, they CAN go to the blog and see what I've done. Writing samples, etc. Most of my entries are saved in my documents, thought not all. Sometimes I write directly into the post, as now, rather than cutting and pasting from a saved document. Once again, though, it becomes more difficult not having a desk and filing system and the printer hooked up to a desktop. I love my MacBook but it is a little small for intense work.

All of this is telling me I really am longing once again to have a permanent base with permanent furniture and fixtures. I have asked a friend to check into the possibility of renting her friend's condo in Southeast Portland until it is sold. If I have a place to live, even temporarily, I could put the Mo on the market. That would buy me some time to figure out exactly where I want to be when I do land permanently. I have such competing desires. I would love to be somewhere rural, with a view, perhaps, or at least a couple acres, room for a garden; but I don't want too much maintenance work. I would love to be close to my parish in Southeast Portland but don't really want to pay Oregon income tax. I need to be fairly close to my chldren, but since they are about five hours apart, that may be tricky. And then there is that business I'm thinking about. There is much that appeals to me, but I am just not sure it is do-able, given my limited finances.

While I was helping out at the FoodBank fundraiser Friday, I ran into some old contacts/friends from my working days. They both encouraged me to follow up with them. One, who works for the Governor, suggested she could help me get some State communications projects. The other is a non-profit consultant. I have another friend who also does that. I will probably connect with them when I'm back in November, see how the land lies. I like having options and potential temporary projects. I am pretty sure I don't want to work full-time, permanently at this point if I don't have to. However, if I found something very fulfilling, I might reconsider that. I am so blessed to be able to have choices.

For now I need to find a place to get some laundry done. Another reason I'd like to have a permanent base.

TravelinLady

Back Home Again

Portland, OR, Oct. 10 -- “Hey it’s good to be back home again.” It’s one of those John Denver songs that springs to mind right now. Or, Dorothy’s chant: “there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.” Even if my “home” only consists at this time of a motorhome parked in an rv park in Northeast Portland, it just feels so darn good to be home. I’ve sent out an e-mail and made a few phone calls letting people know I’m back. If they’ve been reading along they would know it, but most people don’t really have time to keep track of my comings and goings. That’s okay.

The photo is of Mt. Rainier as seen from Ryegrass Summit coming into Ellensburg on Monday after leaving Moses Lake. I drove across 90 and then took 82 into Yakima, where I stayed for two nights at John’s mom’s. I left Yakima around 10 this morning and, thankfully, the wind wasn’t too bad in the Gorge, although it was pretty nasty in Goldendale so I feared the worst.

My plan right now -- always subject to change -- is to be here for a week, then go to Seaside for a few days, then up to Seattle. But because I have some things to take care of here, I may just pay for another week at this park and go straight to Seattle from here. It’s expensive to stay here so that’s part of my reluctance: $165 a week, whereas it’s free in my Thousand Trails sites (Seaside is the closest Thousand Trails campground to Portland) or $7 a week at my other membership park (which I’ll be staying at in the Seattle area). Besides, I need to take care of some paperwork (get those darn taxes done) and would like to go and look at some property in this area -- condos here in the Portland area and maybe some small acreages in Clark County, across the river. I’m thinking I don’t want to continue living in my motorhome all winter -- unless I take it someplace warm and sunny, and I’m tired of driving for now. But I also want to make sure I know what I’m doing before I buy something and sell the Mo.

So once again I’m back in Portland and once again my calendar is filling up. Yay!!! I am actually going to volunteer to help with a fundraiser for the Oregon Food Bank this Friday night. That will be a good way to reconnect with my community. I need to spend some time with my kids and their families. I need to see my friends. I need to see the play my brother is in, which starts tomorrow night. I want to touch base with some of my contacts here, start figuring out what I really want to do next. I also want to try to find a literary agent and see if I can market a book on my travels -- really, my blog. We’ll see. It’s worth a shot, anyway. I mean, heck, John Steinbeck did it, Charles Kurault did it, why not me? ‘Course so few people even read this that I’m not sure a book would have any kind of audience. Maybe I need to spice it up more. Whattaya think?

I connected with my brother this afternoon and we got the dogs together for a walk. Charlie was absolutely delighted -- as excited as I’ve ever seen him -- when Tom drove up and he saw Nick. He was whining and just couldn’t wait to see his old buddy. So dogs definitely remember: dogs, people, places. Sometimes I think I was crazy to sell my home. I had a good thing with Tom and Nick there. I could take off and leave Charlie with them and never worry about him. Now if I want to go anywhere for an extended period of time, I have to figure out what to do with Charlie. But it’s okay; he’s worth it. And it will all work out. I am glad I was able to do this traveling. I think it’s truly helped me see things in a different light. It also has helped me appreciate more what I have here in Portland, with all my friends, my family, by community.

Will I write more? It’s gotten to be a good habit so whenever I have anything worth writing, I’ll write more. If I decide to start this new business, that will be a whole ‘nother book’s worth of journaling, though maybe not so many photos. If I don’t, well, I’m sure everyone will want to keep track of my exciting life. Will I find Mr. Right and True Love? Will I find a new career or job that I love? Will I go to Costa Rica for Massage Therapy School? Will I buy a sailboat and sail around the world? Will I ever get a book written and published? Will I ever start painting again (one of the reasons I was taking this time off)? Will I ever get organized (another of the reasons for taking this time off)? So many mysteries still to be explored. So, stay tuned, and thanks for accompanying me on this journey. Hope you’ve enjoyed it more than I have. Joke, okay?? I have enjoyed parts of it; much of it has been a challenge and challenges are really good for you. But I’m glad I did it and really have no regrets at all. Regrets wouldn’t matter anyway; you make choices, you live with the outcome, you learn what you can, and you move on. I think that’s what life is about -- it’s not being stagnant, staying put, being “comfortable.” You stop living when you start getting too comfortable. At least that’s how I view life; I know other people have different needs and wants. So, who knows what adventures and challenges lie ahead.

TravelinLady

Too Smart By Half

Moses Lake, WA Oct. 7 -- Yes, you read it right. I left Columbus, MT, this morning at 8 a.m. and drove 616 miles to Moses Lake, Washington. Why? No good reason except that I just kept pressing to see how far I could get. But c’mon -- 11 hours of driving? You’re insane!!! Yup, I think that’s possible.

I was ripping through Montana to make sure I avoided the possibilities of snowfall, although I found plenty of snow, thankfully not on the road. In Bozeman it was right up to the freeway, not just way up in the mountains. Then I didn’t know where to stay in western Montana and I thought I’d go just a bit farther, and then didn’t see anything that looked that promising in Idaho. And then I was in Washington and I didn’t want to be on the east side of Spokane and have to deal with traffic in the morning so I just kept going. By crossing into Washington I gained an extra hour from driving from Mountain to Pacific Time. I realized I had a membership park in Moses Lake so called them. Usually the office closes at 4 on Sundays, she told me when she called me back, but she just happened to be in the office and just happened to check voicemails. How lucky was that?

Of course, I forgot that one little incidental: I was driving west in the late afternoon. So I had the sun in my eyes, along with a very heavy, gusty wind and driving tracks worn in the road. It was not a very fun last couple hours. Too smart for my own good. So I am exhausted, Charlie is wiped out, and we’re just going to take it easy in the morning.

But I have to say, it was a day of absolutely glorious visuals -- the blue sky and sunshine (after clouds and drizzles yesterday and not being able to stay warm) sparkling on freshly fallen snow, mostly on the higher peaks. Evergreens dusted in snow. The Yellowstone River winding through valleys flanked by golden deciduous trees and deep green evergreens. Log homes perched on bluffs with smoke curling out of chimneys. I was absolutely smiling from the beauty of it all. The sunshine also made it quite a bit warmer today than yesterday.

By the time I got to Missoula, the snow was gone but so were the blue skies. But the trees from Western Montana through Spokane were in full color. Mostly golds -- willows, birches, aspens -- but some brilliant reds and deep purples. I’m not sure what the purples were. The reds included Sumac and Euonymous (also known as “burning bush” for good reason). There were also maples and sweetgums that rivaled anything I saw in New England, though certainly not in the massive numbers that you’d see in the Northeast. One thing that struck me: I have always thought the silver mining area around Kellogg, Idaho, is incredibly tortured and ugly. But today, the absence of evergreen forests allowed the deciduous trees and shrubs to show off their brilliant colors; and the area was actually beautiful. How comforting to know that something humans have made so incredibly ugly can be brought back into beauty by our Creator.

Tomorrow Charlie and I will sleep in a bit, maybe take a nice little walk down by the lake, and then head for Yakima, which is probably only a couple hours away, at most. We’ll spend some time with John’s mom and probably park there for the night. Then Tuesday we’ll head to the Portland area, at least for a few days. I may end up moving from membership park to membership park on the coast to keep my costs down until I figure out what I’m going to do on a more permanent basis or sell the Mo if I can. Most of the parks are ON the coast, for one thing, and I really don’t want to deal with snow and freezing conditions with the Mo. When I was parked in Columbus, MT, I couldn’t hook up my water because it was too cold and would have frozen.

I will post my blogs for last night and tonight in the morning since I didn’t have wifi in Montana and it’s not in the Mo tonight -- I have to go over to the lounge and I’m too tired tonight. Now I think I’ll just curl up with a book and relax until it’s time to crawl into bed.

TravelinLady

Winter Comes Early to the High Plains Area

Columbus, MT, Oct. 6 -- Well, I have a new contender -- probably front-runner -- for the windiest state: Wyoming. And it was freezing all day -- I couldn’t get warm. I finally stopped and put a pair of jeans on over the knit pants I was wearing, as well as some heavy ski socks and my cowboy boots. Had my fleece jacket on and finally put one of my throws over my lap while I was driving. Damn it was cold!!! I stopped at an information booth and asked about the best routes -- whether to just continue on 90 up to Billings, or take a more scenic route. He strongly recommended staying on 90 -- there was a winter storm warning and snow expected in the higher places. He understood 90 was fine, though. Holy Cow! I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer to come through the mountains. So, eight hours and 438 miles later -- I felt like I was running trying to beat the storm. I ran through rain in a few places but no snow. But I can see it on the hills around here (“here” being about 40 miles west of Billings).

I spent more time than usual today listening to local radio stations because I wanted to get some idea about the weather. They are predicting snow by midnight and then slowing by morning, with highs tomorrow in the 50s and on Monday clear back up to the 70s. However, it will definitely be in the low 30s tonight -- 31 is what I heard for Sheridan, Wyo. Somewhere around there for Billings. Most of the stations here are Country Western. Interesting songs. “I want to check you for ticks,” is an example. And the gal who sings about keying her cheating man’s car, and slicing up his leather seats, using a baseball bat on his headlights and slashing all four tires. Wonder if he was worth it???? Lots of this music talks about heartbreak and cheating lovers. But there’s some good stuff too. I have to admit “God Bless the USA” brought tears to my eyes. Still, it’s thought provoking -- clearly it represents where some people are in their lives. So what are we here for? What’s it all about, Alfie?

And in the spirit of so many of these CW songs, I have a new category: Best Buttes (that’s buttes with an “e” at the end, okay? We’re not talkin’ about cowboys here.) That would be Wyoming; there are some really interesting piles of rock and sand that rise up out of the flat prairie. But I think overall I’ll pass on Wyoming; especially if winter starts on October 6. That’s outrageous!

Columbus puts me within 300 miles of Missoula, a bit more than 400 miles to the border, I think. But there are lots of mountain ranges in between (including Bozeman Pass at 5,760 and Homestake at 6,375 feet) so I’m not sure how far I’ll make it tomorrow. I guess I’ll likely be in the Spokane area Monday night and then on to Yakima for Tuesday night. Or it’s possible that I could make it all the way to Yakima by Monday night. Then probably make it to Portland Tuesday or Wednesday sometime.

I have been wondering why I am pressing myself, why I am in such a hurry to get home. What seems to be the urgency? Especially since I don’t know where I’ll be staying or what I’ll be doing when I get back. So far I haven’t given myself any good reasons. I’m facing a very big mystery and it freaks me out just a little. But I guess I just feel more comfortable dealing with the unknown when I at least know where I am and have friends and family around.

I really think I’m ready to settle some place. I am tired of traveling. I don’t like dealing with things like early winter storms and below-freezing temperatures when I am driving and living in a motorhome. (I couldn’t hook up to water tonight because it’s supposed to freeze.) I am seriously thinking I’ll try to sell it when I get back to the Northwest. It’s the perfect time for people who are looking at becoming snowbirds and flying away to the sunny warm south for the winter. But since I will probably literally be flying there in January I don’t think I need my Mo. So if you know anyone who is thinking about heading south for the winter, have I got a deal for them!! I keep thinking I would keep it and do the snowbird thing myself if I had a partner in crime. But honestly, it is just too hard emotionally for me to keep doing this alone. Physically I have no problems. I just don’t like the stress of facing difficulties alone (like early winter storms) and doing everything alone. It’s been a great opportunity, and I’ve learned and grown a lot. But it just isn’t fun for me. So, time to find something that’s a bit more fun. I AM, after all, supposed to be retired.

TravelinLady

The Awesome Tour

Rapid City, SD, October 5 -- I’ve decided I’m going to call this several-months’ adventure the Totally Awesome Tour. After seeing some of the beauty I experienced today, I can only say if I were part of the Sioux Nation, I would have fought to keep this land, too. The Black Hills country is a mixture of pine forests, steeply rolling prairie land, amazing granite spires, and beautiful little lakes nestled in small valleys. I assume the name “black hills” comes from the pine forests that cover much of the area, because the soil appears to be quite red to me.

I spent a couple hours at Mount Rushmore being awed by not only the beauty and the overwhelming amount of work that went into creating it, but by the patriotism and dedication that were behind it. It was conceived and designed and sculpted (with the help of about 400 workers and lots of dynamite) by a Danish immigrant, Gutzon Borglum, over the course of 14 years. Of course, it depicts four US presidents, chosen by Mr. Borglum because of their contributions to the founding, expansion, preservation and development of the U.S. It’s only a coincidence that two of the Presidents were Republicans (probably the two best Republican Presidents we’ve ever had, as well). The heads are about 60 feet from chin to the top of their heads and the figures would be about 465 feet tall if they were fully constructed and to scale.

The granite peak was chosen by the sculptor for its hardness and he liked the southeast exposure that has the faces looking into the dawn. There is an “Avenue of Flags” that has the flags of every state, as well as the years they were inducted into the Union. Do you know which state was first? I didn’t -- I assumed Massachusetts, but Massachusetts was sixth. Pennsylvania was second. First was -- Delaware. Who knew?!

After tearing myself away from Mount Rushmore (with a very tasty ice cream cone to mark the occasion -- hey, a girl’s gotta eat breakfast!) I headed for Custer State Park. This was a real treat. I saw all kinds of animals: white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, wild turkeys, prairie dogs, bison, and I had seen a couple of mountain goats at Rushmore. They had just held the annual Buffalo Roundup (the name persists, even here in South Dakota where they should know better) on Monday so most of the park’s beasts were in the corrals for sorting, marking, and distribution either back to the park or to the auction house. However, I did see three “big, mean, nasty” bulls (that quote is for a park volunteer) who didn’t have enough sense to come in off the range.

Seems like I managed to miss the best color in New England -- I was early and it was late -- but I hit the color here perfectly. There are no gorgeous reds, it’s mostly all the golds of aspen, birch and willow. But mixed in with the green of the Ponderosa pines, it is beautiful in a more understated way.

The road through the park was tortuous in some places: 10 mph horseshoe bends and s-curves. I went through some tunnels in the granite that were chiseled out leaving barely enough room for one car at a time with maybe a foot of clearance on each side. A bit nerve-wracking. But at least they were short tunnels. The granite formations known as the Needles are breathtaking, and the road takes you right in among some of them -- hence the need for the tunnels.

I stopped for lunch -- a buffalo burger, of course -- at one of the lodges before making my way out of the park.

Charlie wasn’t too happy at being dropped off for the day at the groomers, but he was SOOOOO happy to see me when I picked him up. And he smelled SOOOOO much better. So it’s been a productive couple of days. Gotten to within a few days of Portland, got some laundry done, saw some beautiful sights -- both man-made and God-made -- and got Charlie cleaned up some.

Once again, it was a long day but very well spent. And I only spent a little bit of time obsessing over what I’m going to do when I get back to the Northwest.

Travelin’Lady

And the Winners Are . . .

Rapid City, South Dakota, October 4 -- Ahhhh, a much better day. It started with a golden sunrise. Actually, the sun coming up looked very much like the sun going down yesterday evening -- lots of gold and just a hint of pink. I pulled out just before 8 a.m. Central Time. Driving across South Dakota we picked up an hour because we drove into Mountain Time. The speed limit was also 75, although I kept it mostly just under 70. So we made good progress. We bought biodiesel a couple times today and it’s cheaper than full diesel. That’s cool. They use soybeans here for biodiesel.

So other than the constant wind and lane closures for road repairs every 100 or 150 miles, it was a pretty uneventful day. I did manage to get scheduled into the rv park I have a membership in so am there tonight. Wifi in the Mo again. That’s several nights in a row. Really nice! Plus I got here early enough to do laundry. Tomorrow will be a very eventful day: I will take Charlie to the groomer’s for a bath -- which he needs desperately as he is getting quite smelly -- and (since I’ve been taking my showers all along) I will go and visit Mt. Rushmore, Crazyhorse Monument and spend a little time in Custer State Park ).

On the advice of a South Dakota Information officer, I took the cutoff to the Badlands National Park. However, it was $15 for a 35-mile drive and I just didn’t feel like paying that. So I pulled into a scenic overlook, snapped a few pics (above) and went back out to I-90 and on to Rapid City. The rock formations are very interesting and I can see why they are called “bad”lands.

As I was driving over these 385 miles today my mind started to wander to all the things I’ve seen on this trip -- mostly lots of freeways and rest stops. So I decided to invent a contest, with me being the sole judge. The categories will be whatever I feel like making into categories.

So far the nominees include:

For Best Rest Stops on an Interstate Freeway System: Iowa, for rest stops just about every 35 miles, with plenty of parking for big rigs, free wifi, and dump stations for rvs at just about every stop. Plus they have really nice dog walk trails at just about every stop. I think they will be hard to beat. And I think I could have camped overnight there if push came to shove -- I didn’t see any signs forbidding overnights as they have in other states.

For Most Wind: right now it’s a tossup between North Dakota and South Dakota, but South is slightly ahead in this blowhard category. It really never has stopped blowing since I entered this state yesterday afternoon.

For Most Annoying Signs: South Dakota, no question about that! Although they got a little less obnoxious after we passed the turnoff for Wall Drugs.

For Easiest Access to Diesel Fuel, Food and Coffee Breaks: New York on the Throughway System. But at the same time:
For Most Expensive Roads to Drive On: Again, New York wins.

For Least Dog-Friendly State: This was close; between Maine and New York but at the last minute New York saved itself by allowing dogs at the Roosevelt Memorial grounds in Hyde Park. Maine never did bail itself out by allowing dogs on beaches so they’ll be hard to beat.

For Most Scary Lightening Storms: Minnesota, without a doubt.

For Prettiest Lakes: Again, Minnesota, hands down.

For Most Moose Crossing Signs: Maine, although Minnesota and New Hampshire also had some.

For Prettiest Mountains: I have to go with Montana on this, mostly because they have so many.

For Cutest Little Harbor Towns: It’s a tie between Maine and Door County, Wisconsin.

For Most Spectacular Natural Wonder: That, of course, is New York’s Niagara Falls.

For Most Historic: I’m going with Pennsylvania, although Massachusetts is right up there.

And finally, the category we’ve all been waiting for: For the Prettiest State overall. I have seen lots of beautiful places, but truly when it comes down to overall beauty -- encompassing much of the beautiful spots of others states -- there were two very close contestants. Washington and Oregon. I would go with Oregon because of Central Oregon (which Washington can’t match), Crater Lake, and the Oregon Coast, since Washington’s coast isn’t as nice. Although with the Puget Sound, Island County and San Juan County, it is very close. So, no matter which one I end up in, I’m a winner!

TravelinLady

Lost in South Dakota

Somewhere in South Dakota, Oct. 3 -- This started out as a pretty laid-back day. We weren’t in a great hurry this morning because I was meeting my friend, Beth, in Omaha at 11:30 and was only a couple hours east of there. So around 9 we left the rv park in central Iowa, just west of Des Moines. It was a lovely morning: blue sky, no wind, very little traffic. Unfortunately, the day went downhill from there.

There was an accident on the freeway just ahead of me and I had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the cars ahead of me. When I had talked to Beth last night, I asked her to find a place with a really big parking lot. One of my fears in driving this big rig is getting stuck in some spot where I can’t turn around or get out. Well, that happened. I found a good spot to park where I was out of the way and not blocking anyone. When I came out of the restaurant and walked across the parking lot it looked like someone had blocked me in. Sure enough, some idiot in a pickup had parked right in front of me. I was really aggravated and didn’t know what to do. I thought about waiting but who knows how long it might have been. Finally someone suggested I check with the construction crew that was working there. Sure enough. I found the culprit. I used some of that colorful language I have been known to use on occasion, though I am never proud of myself afterwards.

Then I started to try to find my way out of the parking lot and got part way and realized that two cars were parked in an area that prevented me from making the turn to get out. They were not in official parking sites; they were just pulled up along a curb that should have been a fire lane. So there I sat. While I waited some guy whom I had blocked in with the Mo came out and was trying to leave. I couldn’t back up and I couldn’t go forward. So I ended up unhooking my car -- I hate having to do that -- and let him out. Using more colorful language, of course. I went in and talked to the manager and eventually the people came out who were blocking me and left. While I was waiting for them, some smart alec coming out to get in his car suggested to his friend that HE drive my Mo out. I told him -- once again using my colorful language -- that no one would be able to make that turn until the owners of the cars came out and moved. Why do men think they are so wonderful??? Why do they think women are so incapable? Grrrrrrr.

Then I got the Mo turned and realized I couldn’t make the next turn to get out. About that time some friendly guy offered to help if he could. I was near tears. I was angry and frustrated and just a little frightened that I might have to park there for the night. I thanked him and told him, tongue in cheek, that I was driving across the country looking for Good Samaritans and that I had done this on purpose. I can’t believe he thought I was serious. Anyway, I ended up backing the Mo up quite a ways, and then driving it back pretty much to where I had first parked and making a wide enough loop that allowed me a straight shot out of the parking lot. I hooked the car back up before leaving. But it was that horrible nightmare: what do I do if I get into a place that I can’t get out of? I guess I now know: last resort, unhook the car. That way I can back up and maneuver better. So back east on 80 to 29 and north to SouDakota. There was heavy road construction in some spots, and it took quite awhile to get through. But wait, there’s more.

I stopped to check my atlases and books for a place to stay. There was a place marked that looked good so when I came to that exit, I turned. The sign said the rv park was less than a mile up the road. So I drove, and drove, and drove. And I was out in the country and there was no place for me to turn around (without, of course, unhooking the car again). All the roads going off this main road were unpaved. I figured that would be jumping into the fire. FINALLY I found a paved road and ended up making a big (18 mile) square, but never finding an rv park.

After driving through heavy wind and over very bumpy (washboardy) roads, I finally pulled into this funky little place. It’s a gas station and convenience store. And motel. And rv park. It’s only $20 for the night for a pull-through spot, with 50 amp power, water, sewer and I THINK wifi. I’m less than a 1/4 mile off the freeway so it’s a bit noisy, but who cares. I can drive in and out and stop for diesel on the way out. Probably even grab some coffee.

I’m not too far south of Sioux Falls, SD. I will drive through tomorrow and see if I can make it to the other park by 5. However, I didn’t think I could get there on time so I don’t have reservations for tomorrow night. Maybe I can find some place else to park for the night. I’m not sure I’m supposed to see Mt. Rushmore.

I did have two good things happen today. It was nice seeing Beth and catching up with her. She is only a couple years older than my daughter but I enjoyed her company when she was with the choir. We went out from time to time -- she really didn’t know anyone in Portland and I always like to have someone to do things with. I had a pretty good steak -- I got one large enough to have half for dinner tonight. But it was definitely NOT worth the hassle I went through to get it.

The other good thing was getting a phone call from my son. He called to see how I was doing because he remembered this was the anniversary of John’s death. What a sweet and thoughtful thing. I was wandering lost through cornfields somewhere in South Dakota when he called so I was feeling very upset and frustrated. It made me feel so much better to hear from him. Thanks, Karl.

So, couple more days of South Dakota, then Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington and back home in about a week, I think. Whew! I’ll be glad when I can really settle somewhere for longer than a couple nights. Throughout this trip, the longest I’ve stayed anyplace was a couple weeks in Minnesota while we were canoeing and I was getting my RV fixed. I’ve stayed a week at two places in Maine, but other than that it’s been two or three days. That gets wearing!

TravelinLady

The Heartland, Bread Basket, Hog Heaven

Des Moines, IA, October 2 -- Another exhausting day. Charlie slept and slept while I drove and drove. I left the RV park in Illinois -- I almost forget, the days are running together -- before 8 and we pulled into an rv park here just west of Des Moines at 4. I actually took some photos of the sunrise this morning -- so proof that I was really up before the sun today. It surprises me how quickly it is getting dark now, but it IS a couple weeks past the Autumnal Equinox.

We rain into rain in Iowa - buckets and buckets of it in some places. It was so heavy in a couple spots I had to slow down to about 45 mph because I couldn’t see enough to drive faster. I was going to try to make it to Omaha tonight but it’s another 130 miles and I just didn’t have it in me. I will meet a friend for lunch tomorrow in Omaha -- or somewhere reasonably close. Beth was at our parish for a couple years and sang in the choir and played the flute. She moved back home to Omaha this summer. So that will make two St. Ignatius choir friends who’ve moved away whom I’ve been able to connect with. But no Omaha steak for dinner tonight. I’ll open a can of soup or stew or something equally unimpressive. Driving for 8 hours doesn’t leave me much energy to cook. I am incredibly tired. I was able to open a bottle of Iowa wine that I bought at the RV park’s convenience store. It’s okay -- a little weird; nothing close to Oregon quality.

Today I was able to fuel up with biodiesel. They make alot of it here -- with corn or soybeans. And it was actually cheaper than full diesel. That’s amazing and wonderful. I have watched for it along the way and really haven’t seen it anywhere but in Oregon and here in the mid-West. It’s a bit of a shock to spend all day driving and only cover parts of two states --- I’m obviously back in the western part of the country where things (States especially) are BIGGER. I think I’ve counted 25 states covered so far. Not too shabby! I'm not sure if I was actually in New Jersey (don't ask) and I can't remember if we made it to Nevada when we were in Yosemite and went over Tioga Pass, but I THINK we did.

Because Kentucky seemed just too far out of the way, I decided to try to get back there maybe next spring for the Derby, take my daughter with me, maybe. But I will plan to head north out of Omaha and into South Dakota. I’ve made reservations for a couple nights at one of the membership parks there that was highly recommended. That way I’ll get to see Mt. Rushmore, maybe the Crazyhorse Monument, and the Back Hills. Then through parts of Wyoming, into Montana and through the Idaho Panhandle again. I think I’ll stop by Yakima and visit my mother-in-law and pick up my snowtires for the Saturn, and anything else I may have left there. I’m thinking I’ll be there maybe Wednesday or Thursday.

Then back to Portland by Karl’s birthday next Saturday if possible. And Kristin will be in Portland on the 15th so I will want to see her, too. I can’t wait to see my kids and give them hugs, and their spouses and Dee’s boys. I hope I’m back in time to attend Mass on Sunday. I miss my family and parish community very much.

I have been thinking alot about that and where I will relocate over the past couple of days with my hands and feet occupied with driving but my brain looking for things to worry about. I wish I could be close to St. Ignatius and Portland. I don’t think I can afford the kind of place I want and still be very close. Even within an hour or two would be okay. But my daughter wants me to come down to the Southern Oregon Coast. She thinks I could find what I’m looking for there and be able to afford it. So I am incredibly torn. I keep thinking I’ll just leave it all in God’s hands but, of course, I’m not very good at “letting go and letting God.” I know God understands and loves me even when I am controlling and flakey and worried. But it would really be so much easier on me if I could just not worry about it and know it will work out.

It is interesting, though, to look at my experiences the last few months and know that God has indeed been there so many times. But I don’t think God says, “Sit back, darlin’, and just let me take care of everything. Don’t lift a finger.” No, I think God helps by sending the Spirit of Inspiration, of Ideas, of Aha’s! and sometimes just the right people. It was one of those that sent me on this journey, and another that is sending me home. And it was one of those that gave me the germ of an idea that may work into my next career, if I can find the right place and put the pieces together. And once we get that inspiration, we have work to do to make it come to fruition. Of course we will continue to receive guidance when and if we seek it. But we do have to put some effort and energy into the project, too, I think.

Well, it’s finally quit raining -- at least for awhile (see you Portland people aren’t the only ones with rain!!) -- so I think it’s time for Charlie to go chase some of the squirrels that have been shaking their tails at him and sneaking the walnuts lying on the ground outside of the Mo. Who knows what tomorrow may bring, where I’ll be. Maybe I can at least do another post and/or check e-mail at a rest stop -- Iowa has it at all the stops along I-80 -- Thanks, Iowa!!

TravelinLady

Collecting Maps, Labels, States

Champaign, IL, October 1 -- Today Charlie and I (Charlie not so much) put in another long day -- 402 miles. We left the campground in eastern Ohio just before 8 a.m. It took awhile to fill the tank because we apparently stopped at a very popular station. We skirted Columbus and headed into Indiana where we met wind. Yes, that wind I talked about in yesterday’s post. It’s like by writing about it I invited it. So it was rough driving for awhile and I stopped several times just to rest my arms and hands, tired from fighting the wheel. While driving around Indianapolis I ran into some rain which did a nice job of washing the windshield.

Somewhere in Indiana, I think, we crossed into Central time. Now I’m only two hours ahead of Portland. It makes me feel closer, somehow. We drove all the way through Indiana only stopping (again for Charlie) for potty breaks and a quick breakfast at Cracker Barrell (for the record, I don’t care for grits) and into Illinois. We’re staying at a little rv park (really, all it is is parking and hookups, but it’s also cheap) in the middle of cornfields -- we got here around 4:00 Central Time so about 9 hours of traveling. Ugh! Is it weird to be happy that I’m back in flat land with lots of farms and wide open spaces? I think I am strange; I actually appreciate this country. But I also appreciated the other parts of the country I’ve seen. It all takes on a different perspective when you are driving a big motorhome.

So I have this great collection of state highway maps now . . . if you ever need one I’ve got them from just about every state north of the Mason-Dixon. Three more today -- Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. I think I need to go to South Dakota to see the Black Hills but also because otherwise it will be just about the only northern state I don’t have a map for. Okay, I missed getting them from Rhode Island, New Jersey and Delaware. (I don’t think I missed that much.) Tomorrow should take me through Iowa and into Nebraska.

I was thinking a little today about what I will do when I get back to the Northwest. Where I will stay, what I will do with myself. It’s all still a big mystery. I feel like I am exchanging the mystery of where I’ll be spending the next night to where I’ll be spending the next weeks and months. I guess I’m learning to live with uncertainty and the sense that things will work out, that the things that are supposed to happen will.

I also feel a bit like the prodigal daughter: I haven’t totally spent my inheritance (what inheritance???) and I certainly didn’t spend anything on dissolute living or prostitutes (only on a lobster and some carrot cake) . However, I have learned some important lessons on these travels. Lessons about our country and myself, lessons about the goodness of people and the goodness of God. Was it a mistake to leave my job, to sell my house and all my things? Did I misread or misunderstand? I don’t think so at all. It was time to make changes. I had waited almost 4 years to do something different. It was time. The changes are still happening and aren’t totally worked out yet, but one of the things I have learned by driving in heavy wind: you just hunker down and hold on to the wheel and accept that eventually you will ride out the difficult times. Persistence. You can get through anything if you have faith in yourself and your God. Sometimes just dwelling on the negatives is enough to spook you; better to tell yourself you can do it -- because you can, you know. You can.

One of my negatives is this whole thing of being alone. This weekend was difficult -- exploring alone, it felt that everyone else was part of a couple, or foursome or group. Parents and children, elderly parents with sons or daughters and grandchildren, couples -- young and old. I was the only person walking and driving around the battlefield alone. That is a little ironic, thinking about how many women were left widowed, how many mothers were left childless because of the war, and that battle in particular. But to my mind, it seems almost unnatural for a person to be traveling alone, doing things that people do as families, or at least couples. I struggle with it, with the belief that people think I am strange to be doing these things alone. Do people think I am doing this alone because no one will do it with me, because I am so unlikable, so difficult to be around that I have to be alone? (Omigosh, that’s not true is it? You’d tell me if it was true, wouldn’t you??) It shouldn’t matter what other people might think, but I find myself feeling uncomfortable, conspicuous, like I don’t quite fit in with the rest of the tourists. In truth, probably no one even notices me or that I am alone. (They’re all too busy admiring Charlie.) But truth isn’t always relevant in dealing with emotions.

Sometimes it really gets to me, but there is also a sense in me that, as hard as it gets, I will survive. I have survived. Wednesday will be the fourth anniversary of John’s death. I honestly didn’t expect to still be alone four years after John died. In truth, I am more alone now than I was right after he died. My children are both married; I have retired so no longer have coworkers for companionship. I am thousands of miles from family and friends. In fact, for the first couple of weeks after the accident, I was surrounded by friends and family, cradled by their support and concern and love. But because of this decision I made to follow John and my plans to travel, I have alienated myself. I have been blessed to make many new friends along the way but every time I move I have to start over.

What am I learning here? Am I learning how difficult it is to be a stranger? To be different, and not fit into the normal expectations? How many people fall into that category? Many. The immigrants, the handicapped, those who have different traditions, people from different races; Republicans (that’s a joke, okay?). Actually, seeing so many Amish Saturday made me realize that they fit in well in their own communities but would probably feel very uncomfortable in much of my world. This lifestyle of living and traveling in an RV seems to be a middle-class, white, couple -- mostly older couples -- and family activity. I have seen very few African American families in the campgrounds. Other than the Sturbridge, Mass., campground, I have rarely, if ever, seen Latinos, or Asians or Muslims/Middle Easterners. It this because they don’t feel welcomed?

Maybe this sense of being different, feeling like I stick out, is to teach me compassion for those who don’t fit into our normal expectations, to be more broadminded and open to possibilities. This may be a way to further my understanding, to help me see the beauty and dignity and individuality in each of us and get past the limits we place on ourselves and others, limits that are defined by labels we give each other and ourselves, and those labels given to us by others that we just accept without thought. I certainly am familiar with some of mine, even though I don’t think they’re all true. They are ways of describing the person I am, but like a photograph, they only capture the faintest representation; they aren’t me. So, too, the labels I put on people, that we all put on people. They might not even be right, but we stick them on and then use them to define that person, those people. So maybe this experience of being outside the normal box is a way to help me understand that.

But right now the label I like is --
Travelin’BackHomeLady