People Can Change

Our current location: Gunnison, Colorado

Things around us can change, circumstances can change, our dreams can change and our outlook on things can change.  All of those changes have happend to us over the past 11 years.  Some for the better and some not, but changed they are!

We are sitting here in our motorhome this weekend just doing nothing particular.  We've been tearing around the country the past 2 weeks doing a lot of sightseeing and touring and we have finally worn down.  This altitude of 7,700 feet has probably contributed to that as well.  We are enjoying this down time and it has got me reflecting on how Bruce and I have changed our attitudes regarding RV travel since we began doing it in 1988. 

Back in the day we were vacationers.  We still had kids in high school so we were firmly planted in our stix-n-bricks home down there in Orange County, California.  On vacations we'd pick several places to travel to in the RV and they were mostly geared to keeping our daughter happy to be stuck with Mom and Dad in a motorhome of all things!  Our son was old enough to stay home, and he was working part-time at Disneyland during that time.   Then when both the kids were grown up enough to stay home we took off on RV trips alone or we'd take Bruce's Mom along with us.  We had also moved up to Olympia, Washington by this time.

We liked to see most anything.  We were just happy to be able to go.  However, we didn't really enjoy those dry, dusty, look for miles and miles and see nothing places.  We'd hurry through those spots as fast as we could so we could get to someplace more beautiful.  We didn't appreciate places with barren hills and sagebrush scattered around.  Cactus?  Fuhgeddaboutit.  This is where we have probably changed the most over the years, especially these past 11 years.

Since being able to become fulltime RVer's in 2008 we have been very aware of our blessings in that regard.  We take nothing for granted anymore.   These grateful hearts have opened our eyes to the beauty of the entire world around us.  Even those sagebrushy places!   We try to look at our surroundings, no matter what they may be, with our eyes of appreciation..  Here in Gunnison it is dry and warm and the wind blows a bit everyday.  The nearby hills are multi shades of beige, yellow and tan and the sagebrush is plentiful.  Yet, it is so beautiful with the contrast of the blue sky against those hills.  We haven't been in a hurry to quickly "get out of  

Dodge" anymore.  We are soaking in this beautiful landscape and savoring our time here.  Who knows if we'll come back to this area.  There are a whole bunch of places to see.

We look at maps now to find new adventures, and we aren't looking for those beautiful places.  The beautiful places are everywhere we want to be.  The highway of life is just like this road sign....full of turns and curves.  We are appreciating every turn this road is taking us on.  We can't wait to see what is around the bend or in the next town. 

Today happens to be my 59th Birthday.  I could have a bad attitude about seeing the big 6-0 lurking around the next bend in the road, but I choose to appreciate the fact that I have reached this 59th Birthday.  Some don't.  I am also looking forward to being an RV fulltimer through my entire 60's and into my 70's if we're given the opportunity.   Maxine has the right idea when she says, "attitude is everything."  I hope all of you are seeing your opportunities with eyes of appreciation.  Have a great day...I will!

Until next time.....so long for now!