I'm in the process of full-timing. During the past month I've made the decision to sell my home and wander the roads. I'm sure some of my friends think I've lost it and I know my son does but I think he's coming around. Many of you here are old enough to remember the old Rt 66 tv series. From the first episode I knew that was the life for me. After finishing highschool my parents gave me a new 1965 Mustang...that was all it took. It might not have been the Corvette on the show, but it was sporty and paid for. I worked 2 full-time jobs for a year, lived at home and saved nearly every penny I earned. On New Years Day 1967, I started the wheels turning. I made it 11 months before I was called by Uncle Sam...not Good Sam, Uncle Sam. The story's too long but they never called me after my physical which I passed, so all they did was interupt a great sorjourn along the backroads. While I've had a great life, I can honestly say, that was the best year of my life. All during the time that life got in the way...it's always been right there in my mind.....not as a memory, but a goal. That's what I've tried getting my son to understand. I think he does....he's always known me as a free spirit, but my daughter-in-law ain't buying it. Without being able to display at least moments of sanity, she'd have me committed.
The Los Angeles County museum has a time-line on the wall that I took my son to see that really puts things into perspective. The base line extends maybe 75 or 100 ft and that represents the length of time the planet has existed. Then there are many lines of varying lengths representing the different geologic ages and they may be 3 ft or 20 ft. Then they have a line that's about as long as a pencils diameter that represents the time man has lived on the planet. It becomes apparent quickly that an individual life wouldn't even be the diameter of a single atom. So in the grand scheme of things, we're here for but a split-second in time. I knew this from the time I was a teen and knew I wanted to pack as much as I possibly could into my split-second. And, really I think I've done pretty well. I've done more in my 61-years than most people would do in 100 so now I want to slow down and see the leaves on the trees and hear the water tumble over the stream bed...I want to have no particular place to be and no particular time to be there.
tumwatergal said
12:10 AM Nov 13, 2009
Sounds like a plan! Sometimes even our loved ones never "get it". We've always been travelers. Maybe for a week's vacation or two, maybe for 2 months, now going full-time. We have kids and "grands" we miss sometimes, but we also spend time in their towns by them for a few months a year. Life is short, and we want to do what is best for us, too. Love the kids, but we deserve some time to pursue our dreams....and you do too! Have a great time.
Speedhitch said
07:52 AM Nov 13, 2009
Denny...the wall seems like a good perspective of the time we have here. I would agree with you that we don't have much time to do all the things we dream about...and getting those things done before we leave is what this is all about. I hope that you stay the course and see all the things this wonderful country has to offer. Please let us know how it is all going.
Luvglass said
08:03 AM Nov 13, 2009
One shot and no do overs!
The older you get the more you realize this, and many of us decide to do what WE want to do with the rest of our lives.
Let the others hold their dreams for the next round.
Racerguy said
09:51 AM Nov 13, 2009
Fred hit the nail on the head.
Happytrails said
12:01 PM Nov 13, 2009
Unfortunately Mike and I were never able to attend a LOW (Life on Wheels) rally but I saw a video once where Gaylord Maxwell holds a tape measure up and drops it about 76 (or so) inches representing the average lifespan. He then reaches down to the mark that represents his age, say 62 and shows what is left.......not much in comparison. Fred is so very right. One shot and no do overs.
Follow your dream and see all the places and things you have waited so long to see. Don't worry about what others think. As Joe said, many of our friends and family don't get it and thats ok. They don't have to. It only matter that WE get it.
Keep us updated and let us know how things progress. Good luck!!!!!
Roz said
03:43 PM Nov 13, 2009
I think Gaylord did that with every class of LOW for at least his last ten years. He was 84 when we were last there.
Another analogy is a single strand of hair from one side of infinity to the other represents time, and a simple pencil mark on this strand is your lifespan here on earth. Yet each of is infinitely important to our Maker.
The Los Angeles County museum has a time-line on the wall that I took my son to see that really puts things into perspective. The base line extends maybe 75 or 100 ft and that represents the length of time the planet has existed. Then there are many lines of varying lengths representing the different geologic ages and they may be 3 ft or 20 ft. Then they have a line that's about as long as a pencils diameter that represents the time man has lived on the planet. It becomes apparent quickly that an individual life wouldn't even be the diameter of a single atom. So in the grand scheme of things, we're here for but a split-second in time. I knew this from the time I was a teen and knew I wanted to pack as much as I possibly could into my split-second. And, really I think I've done pretty well. I've done more in my 61-years than most people would do in 100 so now I want to slow down and see the leaves on the trees and hear the water tumble over the stream bed...I want to have no particular place to be and no particular time to be there.
Another analogy is a single strand of hair from one side of infinity to the other represents time, and a simple pencil mark on this strand is your lifespan here on earth. Yet each of is infinitely important to our Maker.
We need to use our time wisely and to honor Him.