Full-timing for two years–Her Retrospective…

As we do every 6 months we celebrate our retirement anniversary and prepare dinner and open a special bottle of wine. We celebrate every six months in order to discuss our lifestyle and what we may or may not want to change about our lifestyle. To discuss where we want to go and what we want to see. It is in a sense a sort of planning session and a six month wrap up all in one…

We began the celebration enjoying Happy Hour in our “backyard” space behind the motorhome site we are renting in our former home, College Station, Texas. The site gives us a wonderful view of the football stadium, Kyle Field where we have fond memories of attending games since the 1970’s. During the last years of John’s working life, it was especially fun for him as he became a statistician in the press box. As an added bonus I received free tickets to attend the games with friends or family. We toasted to these fond memories and pondered what the excitement level and atmosphere must have been like at the games this year with Johnny Football’s magical Heisman Award winning season…. We will certainly always follow Texas Aggie Sports and hope to attend a variety of games while here for our three week stay.

We also discussed what a surprise it is to realize we have been on the road for TWO whole years now! Our first year was dedicated to watching our daughter’s games her senior year of college in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. We then toured the entire East Coast. This year we explored desert areas in Texas and Arizona, reconnected with dear friends in New Mexico, Washington and Oregon. We again marveled at beautiful sights along the west coast as well as Lake Tahoe and Crater Lake. My favorite place was San Diego because of the expansive water views, the wonderful beach/bay biking opportunities in and around our site, beautiful Coronado Island, breathtaking La Jolla, and just the wonderful walks we found in the harbor and city parks there. It was extremely hard for me to leave that area and I will be anxious to return one day.

After reminiscing about our years in College Station as well as our first and second year of travel we sat down inside our beloved motorhome for a wonderful dinner John prepared: Shrimp Diablo, wild rice, green leaf and spinach salad, and grilled asparagus. John asked as he always does at these 6 month talks whether or not I am still enjoying our lifestyle and asking what challenges I might have. I shared that I would like new dining chairs as they have never really been comfortable and are a little worn. I also said that I might like to take a cruise in the next year because although this lifestyle feels like a vacation every day, I still might enjoy a cruise vacation. I told him I will also feel happier once we complete our, overdue, once a year spring cleaning. There’s just something about a deep clean that makes me really happy. John echoed many of the same feelings as far as continued enjoyment of the lifestyle and we both agreed we want to continue. We also talked about what our itinerary might be for this next year but I think I will let John address this in a future blog…

In conclusion I am so thankful for the time I have spent with my darling husband on this adventure. I tell old friends who cannot comprehend how I could leave my old life behind that I have traded “things” for “experiences” and these experiences have been priceless. Not only have I seen some of the most beautiful sights but I have also cherished the friends and family I have reconnected with as well as the new friends we have met who also enjoy this lifestyle These friends have enriched my life more than I can express. Thank you John for taking me out of my comfort zone for this adventure of a lifetime!