'June 3, 2005

Naples pier in Florida at sunset.
On April 3rd, we convoyed to Kissimmee, FL, camping at Sherwood Forest RV Resort. Sebastian and I reluctantly pulled out on our own three days later. It was a bittersweet parting. As much as I looked forward to going it alone, I would miss my sister, my best friend. Since we have reached retirement years, we have become very close. I married and moved away when I was a mere sprout of eighteen. She was just thirteen. We had very little in common back then. Through the years, we raised our families and were a bit closer but we never shared the closeness of sisters until I began spending vacations with them and then eventually camping together. We now share clothing, jewelry, secrets and deep love for one another. It was a tearful drive once I got out on the open road. Getting on the road was another matter. Emory, my ever-caring bro-in-law, agreed to lead me to a gas station where I would fit. I still haven't quite learned to accurately judge how much space I need to make a u-turn. Therefore, as I pulled forward away from the pump, I came right up to the bumper of a small parked car. I thought I had misjudged the distance between Bearfoot and the car. As my front end came up to the car bumper, I thought the worst case - I've got to remove my tow vehicle so I can back up and get out of this spot I've driven in. I started to get out of my seat but as I glanced to the left, I saw Emory jogging back to guide me through the turn. Was I glad to see him!! As it turned out, I could make the turn but it was close. One thing about pulling a car behind is the inability to back up. The car must be removed first. The process usually takes about 5 minutes but under pressure, it can seem like hours. I have discovered with my Blue Ox hitch that the car needs to be in line with the coach for me to get it off. If I get stuck in a u-turn position, I'm not sure I can get the car unhitched. I didn't have time to think of farewell tears until I got out on the open road. I went around Orlando via 417, the toll road. It was an easy trip under a cloudless sky with very little traffic. I connected with Hwy. 17 in Sanford and nosed Bearfoot North to a night's rest in Gross, FL right on the FL/GA border on the St. Mary's River. April 7th back on the road looking forward to a couple of days on the beach at Murrell's Inlet State Park, SC. Being a self-proclaimed beach bum, I've visited many beaches on both coasts and the Carribean. Murrell's Inlet SP rates in the top three. It bears little impact from man's occupation. The fresh water ponds are habitat for several alligators. But I am turned away since the park is full.

June 2, 2005

I am parked in Americamps RV park in Ashland, VA until Monday the 6th when I begin a new journey to New York State and Vermont but in the meantime I want to finish the beginning of the story of Bearfoot. We left off in St. Augustine, FL on my last post. February 1st, 2005, 6 days later and 6 days healthier, we head down to the Alligator Alley across FL, I75 West. I am still coughing but feeling much better as the weatherf finally warms up. now this is what I've been seeking for the last few weeks. There is little traffic and we stop mid-way for a picnic lunch in the sunshine.
Naples and the West Coast is all that it has been touted to be and more. (except for the traffic) Beautiful undeveloped beaches, superb climate, warm Gulf wters and lots to see and do. I join the Lake San Marino bike club right away. We meet twice a week and generally peddle between 15 and 20 miles each trip. There are about 50 of us, all over the age of 55 years. We divide into 3 groups; Fast, kinda fast and not so fast. Of course, I join the fast group! Never being one to take the conservative route.
About 3 miles out, I find I can't breathe. I stop and wait for the middle group to catch up. They are concerned when they slow up for me but I jump onto the end of their group. Our trip consists of biking to one of the many beaches taking a 20 minute break and returning a different route. On the way back we stop at MacDonald's for a snack. I find I have to stand up in the pedals quite often to relieve my aching butt. We pull into MacDonald's like a group of Harley riders. Roughly two and a half hours from the time we started out, we roll back into Lake San Marino RV Resort. Speaking of Harley's, one day as we crossed 8 lanes of traffic as a group, peddaling as fast as we could to beat the changing light, a large group of Harley riders waiting at the light began hooting and hollering, cheering in support backed up by a chorus of air horns from the numerous truckers. We waved and went on our way thankful to make it across one more time. For three nights after my first ride with the club, I was unable to sleep due to the burning pain in my thighs. Gratefully, it went away as did my lingering cough. I found myself swept up in a whirlwind of experiences; the Philharmonic, the Dinner Theater, Fifth Avenue, dances and parties at Lake San Marino, great restaurants, discovering Naples own Paul Todd and his music at St. John's church as well as in concert. Somehow we find time to play Spinner, a great Domino game, and Scrabble. We also take the dogs to Doggie Beach; a cove and sandbar devoted to dogs and their people since dogs are not allowed on Naples beaches. Sebastian is initially shy but then realizes digging in the sand under the salt water leads to clams. He pulls them out and throws them in the air. We call him the Clam Digger. He plays with his doggie cousin, Rose, a minature poodle. They are the best of friends.
Before I realize it, a month has passed. My sister, bro-in-law and I hold a meeting and decide to stay another month. Seeing the Panhandle will be postponed 'til another trip.

June 1, 2005

Photo of me, my sister, Gloria and Sebastian in Hilton Head, SC. Rosy bearly visible.
I am attempting to update my story beginning with the move aboard Bearfoot last Dec. Please forgive me if I appear to digress. I will catch up, I promise. There will also be breaks in the continuity of this journal since some days are travel days and there is no time for posting. There will be times when I will be in what I call "black out". Those are areas of this country where there isn't any web service available as well as cell phone service. Back to the story:
As I pulled into Marte's circular driveway, I realized Bearfoot actually blocked out her house from the road. We were facing southeast though and I arose early each day to witness the glorious sunrises visible in that part of the country due to the flatness and the proximity of the Gulf Stream near Cape Hatteras. An old friend, Gregory, who is the finest electrical engineer and mechanic I know came by. I told him of Bearfoot's tender state in a crosswind. He asked if I had checked the tire pressures. I had not since Colonial Truck in Ashland had presumably done so according to the maintanance I had paid for just a week before I left. Turns out, Bearfoot is very stable in the wind but with six tires carrying all different air pressures, some way over, some way under. It is a miracle we were able to go in a straight line in dead calm. Lesson for me was to take nothing for granted. Gregory fixed several wiring problems I had and blew up the tires. I had time to connect with several dear friends during my brief stay. I also connected with one of several people who needed assistanc e and guidance during their life journey. These dear people confirmed my purpose in taking "this medicine show on the road". My prayers had been answered on many levels as I left for Myrtle Beach, SC early the morning of January 15th, 2005. The cold temperatures seem to be following me and I eagerly turn Bearfoot onto Route 17 South.
Piece of cake with the right psi in the tires. I drive past Myrtle Beach to Point South, SC and the KOA there. Drove 246 miles this day - that is a long day for this gal. From South Point to Hilton Head, where I rendevous with my sister Gloria and her husband, Emory is not far. Hilton Head RV Park is lovely with concrete pads and all the amenities. It is quiet there so I get to pick out my own site by tooling around in a golf cart, map in hand.
Thermostat went on my water heater and it began spraying hot water all over outside the rv. A mobile repair man, Paul came quickly and in no time, it was repaired. First repair of many to come. Funny how I got through the freezing temps for two weeks in VA without any frozen pipes but what do you know, I woke up to a frozen drain on my graywater tank. The sun took care of that problem. January 22nd, we left for St. Augustine, FL in convoy. It's very relaxing for me to follow my bro-in-law's Adventurer. I do have to compromise though and follow him down I95. Jacksonville, FL was slow and congested. It took an hour just to cross the bridge over the river. We pulled into North Beach Campground at Vilano Beach on A1A and were able to park end to end in a huge pullthrough site. I really like the heavy canopy of Live Oaks here. The Atlantic on the East side and the Intercoastal Waterway on the West side. Lots of great seafood here too. I have developed a severe case of bronchitis. January 25th we rolled on out to I95 for the trip to Port St. Lucie, FL. We witness tremendous damage still visible from last season's hurricanes. Huge brush piles, scraggly forests and lots of blue tarp roofs. I need to sleep and heal myself from this bronchitis.

May 30, 2005

This is me at Lake Anna, Virginia.
Day of memorials and memories - a time to reflect on where we are and where we are going.
I left Ashland, VA, Americamps, which was a practical decision based on my need to rid Bearfoot of wastewater and fill my propane tank. I had used most of my propane heating the MH (motorhome) through what seemed like a lengthy period of extraordinary cold temps. I waited until 9 a.m. to leave thereby avoiding most of the rush traffic. Normally, I avoid I95 as well as other super highways but I planned to roll on down I95 as far as Petersburg, VA, then get off on Hwy. 301 which is much less traveled. The wind was howling, a cross wind on the "beam". Reminded me of many sailing experiences years ago when we would have welcomed a beam wind. Incidently, I had a "wet dream back then - a dream where my husband at that time and I would live aboard and sail the waterways. That was not to be but now the dream is real, broader without the restrictions imposed by water. The many highways call me. Curiously, my MH is a Land Yacht and I tow a dinghy, so called by RVers and sailors alike. The wind keeps blowing me out of my lane. The MH was rocking and shifting. I slowed to a snail's pace in the right hand lane and white knuckled it to Rt. 301. All my furies came out, doubts, fears and insecurities. I wondered if I had the "right stuff" for this type of travel. By the way, I had no prior experience driving a vehicle of this size. I had towed some horse trailers many years back and more recently pulled a fifth-wheel camper trailer. But not much to prepare me for Bearfoot who weighs in at a hefty 10 tons. It is also a cab over the engine design so that the driver sits over the left front wheel. For the first 100 miles I felt like I was driving in the middle of the road but by being vigilant with the side mirrors, I learned to place the vehicle between the lines. That is until I met a tractor trailer face to face - white knuckle, hold your breath scary. My dad was a trucker. He died in '97 but I call on his spirit quite often as I am confronted with uncomfortable moments on the road. Those concrete barriors are the pits too. When I wobbled off 301, I found the wind just as formidable there. In fact, more so because the road is only 2 lanes and is narrow. I went back on I95 and drove as far as I64 in NC. I went East and by the time I got to Chocowinnity on Rt. 17, I couldn't see straight. I was in truth still recovering from eye surgery five days earlier. I pulled into Twin Lakes Campground in Chocowinnity and called my friend, Marte in Oriental, NC to tell her I'd be along the following morning. I vowed never to push myself beyond my limitations which are much greater than they were ten years ago. Self-imposed limitations are not a direct result of age but I'd like to think they come from wisdom.

May 29,2005

This is my first post in what I hope will be a long and interesting account of my lengthy road trip aboard the 36' Airstream Land Yacht Motorhome called Bearfoot. The actual live-aboard journey began last December 11th, 2004 in Goochland, VA. After a year of soul searching, I sold my home, packed up my books, tools and some furnishings, put them in storage and moved aboard. It was really an immediate test of determination and courage since the temperature dropped below freezing for over a week. Several people offered warm beds and companionship but the need to stay "with the ship" seemed an important part of my transition to a simpler life. In addition to dealing with my fears of frozen pipes and overheated gas furnaces, an eye condition I have had since 1997 managed to drop my lids down to nearly closed. I could no longer drive. All my hopes and dreams of going on the road, travelling around this Country touching as many people as possible dissolved before my closed eyes. I have what is called Benign Essential Blepharospasm (BEB) but more on that later. Website: www.blepharospasm.com or dystonia.com. Eyelid surgery was required immediately if I was to sit in the driver's seat of Bearfoot and head south towards warmer weather. By January 6, 2005, I was pulling out of Goochland in a strong cross wind headed for Oriental, NC.