Pt 2 How a Soul's Cry Set This Adventure in Motion
Suddenly, without warning, I found myself unexpectedly overcome with tears as the rumbling of the mighty coach’s engine disappeared around the corner trying to understand the emotions...
Last week, I started part 1 Welcome to Trains, Planes, and RVing, if you missed it, catch up here.
How a Soul's Cry Set This Adventure in Motion
I believe there was a deep soul cry that set this adventure in motion. In fact, it felt like foreshadowing. Let me explain. A couple of years prior, during the holidays, my in-laws were visiting. Just to take a step back, as a blended family, our holiday tradition with the kids was to do something as family instead of purchasing useless holiday gifts. This year it was Flagstaff Arizona for snowboarding. But, I must confess – I'm no fan of snow or cold. While the others hit the slopes, I preferred to cozy up indoors by the fireplace with my work. I am no ski bunny.
The next thing I know, plans are made for all the kids, grand kids, cousins, sisters, brothers, friends —you name it, all heading for Flagstaff on Christmas morning in the in-laws 45 foot coach parked out front of our home. The motorcoach’s generator purred all night while everyone slept nice and warm inside. Some coffee and goodbyes and I bid them farewell from the foot of the driveway excited to have some alone time. Suddenly, without warning, I found myself unexpectedly overcome with tears as the rumbling of the mighty coach’s engine disappeared around the corner. It caught me completely off guard. Why was I sobbing uncontrollably? Was there something my soul was trying to tell me?
Suddenly, a childhood song by Johnny Cash, echoed in my mind: "On the road again, I just can’t wait to get on the road again...” Standing at the end of the driveway, amidst the mild December weather of Arizona, I was transported back to family camping trips of yore, surrounded by the scent of pine needles and the earth after a gentle rain.
Was it possible that I yearned for freedom once more? Was a part of me craving the great outdoors and a taste of adventure? Before marrying my husband and settling into life in the USA, I had been quite the traveler visiting far off of tropical islands. But living in a state with palm trees and beautiful weather, I had slipped into a quiet, mundane routine mesmerized or hypnotized, I am not quite sure which.
As the coach vanished from sight, a dormant part of me stirred. Yet, as I returned indoors, a cup of coffee and awaiting work helped to quell the stirring feeling.
A year later, a similar scene played out. This time, my husband accompanied his parents to visit friends and family in another state. Despite being invited, I chose to stay behind. The soft hum of the generator overnight had me peering out the window with curiosity. What was it like inside that beast? As I allowed my imagination to wander, I envisioned myself driving down the road, singing camping songs, and sipping libations until sleep claimed me.
After some hot coffee and a a hearty breakfast for everyone, I found myself once again at the foot of the driveway. "Are you sure you don’t want to come?" My mother-in-law asked. I declined, citing our furry companions' aversion to their canine campmate and wanting my husband to have quality time with his parents.
As the diesel engine roared to life for their departure, excitement bubbled within me at the thought of their new adventure and the prospect of some quiet time for myself. But as they rounded the corner, a familiar quelling , as lump formed in my throat, and tears flowed once more. Still baffled trying to understand the emotions; it was as if the inner child within me yearned to play, explore, and be free. Maybe? Was my wandering soul needing a little of the wild side? I really do not know. Despite having no inclination to join them and eagerly anticipating my alone time – which I cherished – there I was, sobbing once again trying to understand what the heck was going on.
*******
"Sure? I guess? Let’s do it?" I muttered, my words tinged with uncertainty, as if my overthinking brain and deep-seated fear were betraying me. My in-laws had decided to swap out the road life for a home in Arizona their coach was up for sale.
I was terrified of the change, yet here I was, presented with an opportunity to take ownership and embrace freedom without any time to really think about it. How was it that fear overshadowed the obvious true adventure my heart desired? This had me questioning other aspects of my life. How much had I allowed fear to stifle my freedom? Had I become so stagnant in my palm tree mundane life that I had silenced my soul's nomadic desires?
We purchased their coach. In a whirlwind thanks to my in-laws, our house underwent renovations and fetched top dollar in the hot market. Our SUV was gone, our possessions were gone, and now we were thrust into a lifestyle about which we knew absolutely nothing and I mean N*O*T*H*I*N*G. Honestly, its taken us 4 years to finally figure things out. I wish I were kidding. Looking back I keep thinking, what the heck were we thinking? We have made some pretty dumb decisions. And, yet, I can still laugh about it, well, now, I can.
For the first three months while our old life overlapped with our new, we stayed in an RV park in Sun City, Arizona. Note to self: do not decide to try the RV life during snowbird season. I had no idea so many RVers flocked to Arizona to escape the cold and snow. We were lucky to snag the last spot in the park.
I thought I had everything I needed packed into the motorcoach, but it was chaos. What I thought I needed, I didn't, and what I gave away, I needed. Our first RV neighbor, parked next to us, shared our rookie woes. We chuckled over the parade of Amazon vehicles shuttling between our coaches. We also commiserated over the RV lingo, learning terms like boondocking, hookups, shore power, and more. We felt like sorority pledges, navigating the ins and outs and hoping to fit in. It was a relief to have a fellow newbie to laugh with, someone who understood the challenges we were facing.
We were spoiled in that park, with picnic tables, ample space, and activities galore. Little did I know then that not all parks were created equal. The most important lesson I learned? What to say when calling an RV park for a reservation— but, I will save that for next time.
Next week I will share with you all, the biggest hurdle, the age of our coach.
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My goal is to release new posts weekly on Wednesdays. And, I'll strive to stick to this routine. If you have any questions or comments, please share them in the comments section, and I'll be sure to respond. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I can't wait to continue sharing my adventures with you.
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