I've made a decision.
In ten short months, I will join the ranks of empty nesters. As a single mom of an amazing young man, I realize that "my work here is finished." No, I'm not done being a mom...but I am done with those 18 years between birth and college. Next summer my incredible son will start the next chapter of his life and I will start the next chapter of mine.
I've always had dreams of travel. Ever since I can remember I've wanted to explore the wide open road. I love driving. I love the adventure of visiting different towns and learning everything I can about locations.
I think cemeteries are amazing.
The United States of America are beautiful and filled with so much just waiting to be discovered by everyone willing to venture out of their safe hamlet.
I want to venture out. I want to see it all. I want to explore Civil War sites, all of our National Parks and funky little hideaway kitschy tourist haunts. I want to work at Walt Disney World and dress in period clothing at Williamsburg, VA while telling stories about life during the 16th century.
Some people who know me think I've already experience adventure in my life. I spent 18 years living in Alaska after growing up in Southern California. Then - life change as it is known to do - and I moved my the two of us to Texas just four short years ago. After 23 years of marriage, my husband and I went our separate ways...giving each other our blessing to move forward and follow our dreams.
My son has told me to live for me this time and after some small research, I've realized that living the life of a full-time RV-er is actually a real possibility.
Today I am starting out - dream in hand - and plan to get myself into a position to hit the road sometime in 2015. I know. It seems so far away. But for me - someone who has no real finances, credit or even an RV - three years is a blink of an eye.
So now I need to start planning.
There is so much to do and planning it seems a tad overwhelming. But it's also exciting. First things first. I need to downsize. I've got about 100 boxes in my garage that I need to go through and let go of. Thankfully, I only live in a 1,100 square foot apartment and am only partial to a few pieces of furniture. So, in the end - when I take the step to move into an RV - it'll be easier to give up the big stuff.
It's the smaller stuff that will be difficult. I expect I will maintain a storage area somewhere...or the attic of a relative's home. But, in the end, I will find myself much lighter in the material department and much richer in experience.
The second thing I need to find ASAP is a way to make money on the road. For me, that will more than likely mean writing. It's what I do and have done for over 30 years. I expect this to be more difficult than letting go of memories.
So - here it is. My first blog about the next chapter of my life. I will come back here once or twice a week and talk about what I've found and what can help me move forward in my desire of freedom.
Hopefully, you will find something that helps you on your journey. Or maybe you have some tips or directions for me? I'm open to any information you may have. Or questions. If you are starting this process too - and you have questions, maybe we can find the answers together. This is so much more than just my quest to find me. This is yours too.
This is the call of the road. The desire to get back to people. The need to continue learning and growing.
This is the next chapter of a life of wonder.
This is the first day of the rest of my life.
