r-pod

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

A New Chapter. Our Vamper, “Second Chance,” Gets a Friend.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Turn the page to a new chapter in our lives and here we are. 

We were up early Sunday morning with the birds so we could be on the road by 7:30 a.m. We drove about an hour to check out this used 2017 Forest River 180 R-pod that was for sale. It was hardly used since the owner purchased it new and has only 1,400 miles.

As we were driving down the road I looked over at John. The past few years he has earned some gray hair with it mostly showing at his temples. It endears me to him even more. What a privilege to experience mid-life with him. His biological father died at the age of 36-years old when John was just seven. At times this moves through me in an emotional way and has me feeling blessed to be this far in my journey with John.

A mix of emotions struck me as I looked over at John and said, “Here we are. Just two middle-aged folk up early goin’ to look at a camper! How did we get here so fast?”

John still has six years until retirement, or as we like to call it, a new phase in our lives. But for now we hope to travel to warmer climates in the winter more as his work schedule allows.

So as many of you know a few years ago we began converting one of John’s Chevy work vans to a camper and we took it on a few runs. It served its purpose well. We dubbed it “The Vamper” and also named it “Second Chance.” It represented to us that even though we were hit hard by the fall of the economy in 2008, this was our ticket to do some exploring away from home.  It also allowed us to take our dogs along. 

I’m grateful that we experienced life in this way traveling when we could in our van converted to a camper.

As we thought about longer trips away – more than a week – we didn’t feel the Vamper would be all that comfortable. We aren’t able to stand up in it, it does not have a bathroom (though we have a portable toilet) and it also still needs a kitchen. With John’s full work schedule, it’s been a challenge to finish.

So while we weren’t really looking, it all began with John spotting a camper van for sale in our town. One thing led to another and lots of discussion and here we were driving to look at this R-pod. 

On a side-note, being the sentimental gal that I am as we discussed buying something that would be more comfortable I became emotional. It felt so bittersweet. We had traveled in the van with both our dogs, Kylie and Gidget. Now both gone. It felt like if we got an upgraded van camper that it was like saying goodbye to that part of our life too. Though of course, the memories stay with us always.

As you can see by the photo above, we purchased the R-pod. It is in mint condition and we got a good deal on it. It has a full bathroom, great storage, a kitchen with two-burner stove, convection oven, a nice sized refrigerator, a quaint kitchen table, and queen sized bed.

The bonus is that our Vamper will pull the R-pod. Which means we feel incredibly blessed to travel with that much more storage space! We half-joking also said that the vamper could be like my writing cottage on wheels. Oh, the possibilities!

Sunday evening we celebrated with an adult beverage sitting inside the R-pod right in our driveway. At one point with a grin on his face, John said, “Now, you aren’t going to girly it all up are you?” 

The first trip we hope to take with it is to Arizona the winter of 2020. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to moving things from the vamper into the R-pod and organizing…plus no doubt, a few “girly” touches may just magically appear.  🙂

XO,

Barbara

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