Roll with the Changes and It’s Time for Us to Fly…Again.

Posted by Barbara Techel
Our R-pod nestled in the trees on top of the hill in this beautiful KOA in Trenton, GA

Two song titles are bouncing around in my mind as we have one more sleep in this campground in Georgia tonight — Time for Me to Fly and Roll with the Changes — both by REO Speedwagon. I realize I’m showing my age, but I will always love REO!

We are leaving a day early as all-day rain is expected here tomorrow…again. Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama have certainly had their share of rain this spring season….and we rolled with the changes rolling between all three states to get the best weather we could. Alabama was never on our radar to visit this trip, but it all worked out. I’d not have met Harley the black Lab otherwise!

Another view of our campsite in Trenton, GA

One thing we know for sure…we are no longer big city people. Well, I suppose to be fair, John never really was. I thought I wanted to be when I was younger. But I’ve definitely changed in that department. I’m yearning for my quiet and peaceful Joyful Pause Cottage and to be within four walls again with a solid foundation. This campground in Georgia has been awesome though with quiet and beautiful rolling hills and the one in Blue Ridge was also lovely in a different kind of way.

Traveling certainly gives you a perspective on life. And traveling during Covid times has offered that as well. One disappointment was not being able to get tickets for Rock City Gardens in Chattanooga. They only sell a limited amount each day and were sold out for the week.

Traveling you are witness to more poverty and the homeless also. One day driving through Alabama I noticed a woman walking up the hill to the underpass. When I looked further up, I saw another woman re-arranging cardboard box sides in an effort to what looked like more privacy.

I was moved to tears. I just can’t imagine being homeless. So many thoughts rolled through my mind. Then compassion flooded my heart followed by deep gratitude for the life I have. 

I never thought I’d say I lived out of a camper for three weeks, but by golly, we did it. And John and I only had one short-fuse moment with each other. While I’m ready to head back home and we have two sleeps yet in Kentucky, we are already giving thought to next year’s travels. Right now, something in one spot for three weeks and not as much sightseeing, but even more relaxing.  Will see. But it’s fun to dream about another adventure.

We will leave sunny skies and 75 degrees to a low of 24 degrees overnight tomorrow evening and arrive home in Wisconsin in time for weather in the mid-60s. What a roller coaster with the weather which included moving as we did to avoid the tornadic weather that broke out around these parts.

Roll with the changes…at home or traveling…it’s all part of this big experience called life. I’ve definitely learned to roll with more ease and patience on this trip.

XO

Barb

Respecting Mother Nature

Posted by Barbara Techel

Friday morning we woke up to what looked like a lake outside our camper. We left Blue Ridge, GA on Wednesday due to so much rain that was predicted to only encounter more rain here in Montgomery, AL. The good news is the water receded by mid-day along with the fact we weren’t in the line of over twenty tornados that went through Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee, and Alabama.

We made this detour after looking at the weather map and realizing Tennesse was going to get hit with a lot of rain also. Our plan had been to stay in Georgia through Sunday, March 28th, and then head to Chattanooga, TN until April 1st. We canceled our campground in Chattanooga and booked this campground for 7 days.

It was a bit nerve-wracking for a couple of hours as we watched The Weather Channel and then the strong thunderstorm that went through overnight and rain, rain, and more rain that fell all night. It felt vulnerable being in our small R-pod. But we made the plan that if really bad weather was headed our way, the safest place to be was in our van. Though honestly, that didn’t feel any too comforting either.

All one can really do is surrender and pray, which I did my best to do. By mid-day yesterday the sun was peeking through the clouds and our walk through the Zoo was a welcome, grounding, and pleasant one. The animals always help me feel better. I posted photos on my Facebook page if you’d like to see them.

I’ve thought often about 2020 and most of 2021 also and how we are really learning to live in the present moment and also be okay with change. This trip has been much the same experience with assessing, reassessing, and learning to go with the flow.

My respect for Mother Nature has also deepened to a new level too.

Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, there is so much traffic and everything feels fast. I’m yearning for a slower pace and more green. For a big city, there isn’t too much to really see here either. Or anything that is of interest to us. Visiting the downtown area on Thursday it almost felt deserted in many ways too. This had me wondering if the pandemic is the cause.

After some research last night and my need for some green space, I discovered a park called Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park. The photos show lots of green, water, stone structures, and an outdoor museum. Free and open to the public and open seven days a week. This is where we will head today. After that, a trip to the grocery store and re-stock some supplies as we will head out of here tomorrow morning.

…And back to our original plan and finish up the last leg of our adventure in Chattanooga, TN.  🙂 I had to chuckle because I booked, changed our booking with different dates, canceled, and now re-booked again at the same campground there.

A part of me is looking forward to returning home to a foundation without wheels and familiarity. Back to a pace of more structure and quiet. But this trip has definitely taught me to go with the flow and to trust that all is working out as it should. And for me, it always makes my heart grow fonder for home sweet home.

I enjoy traveling, but I love my home too.

XO

Barb

Meet Harley. Campground Director.

Posted by Barbara Techel

We had to call and wait for the owner of the campground to come to check us in when we arrived early this afternoon. Seems it is pretty much a one-man operation.

Well, that is, until the owner pulled up in his golf cart and to my complete joy he had with him his campground director extraordinaire. Of course, I had to ask right away, what the dog’s name was. “Harley,” the owner said.

As you can see, Harley takes his job quite seriously. Though he did get a little cat nap inside the office while the owner checked us in. Because, well you know, every employee deserves a break.

But soon enough, it was time to go back to work as we needed to be taken to our campsite. No better way, I think, than to have Harley take us there.

Thought you might enjoy meeting Harley, as much as I did. He is super sweet and I hope to run into him a few times while we are here for the week in Alabama with much warmer weather. Ahhhhh, yes. Going to enjoy this.

XO

Barb