Uncle Walter

We leave this Friday for a weekend trip up the mountain to Serrano Campground near Lake Arrowhead. We will meet my cousin and his wife, Janet - they are fun, happy and still honeymooning though they've been married for a while. We love people like this!
We are coming close to the 3rd anniversary of our travels in R Joyride (Airstream travel trailer). While each trip has special memories, there are only about 5 or 6 that we cherish and have been filed away as genuinely fulfilling and make the trip really memorable. Our shakedown trip was a quick weekend in San Diego County. We went to Santee Lakes and were so excited to be pulling our home on wheels. I remember being so nervous when I got out and behind the trailer to help Robin back it up into our space. A guy in a neighboring campsite must have sensed it because he came over and whispered to Robin - "do you want my help instead?" I was so touched but felt the pressure when Robin winked at me and said, "I have the best partner for the job already, thank you". I sucked in my breath, gave clear signals that were audible and concise and we set up camp in less than 12 minutes! Whew! I think we have it down to 7 minutes now and most work is done without questions or verbal communication.
It was during this weekend that Robin told me of his Uncle Walter who crossed the country several times on motorcycle, lived in an honest to goodness log cabin in the woods and raised chickens and lived off the land. He loved his motorcycle, which I believe was an Indian, one of the first, and I think Robin said it was like in 1909.  When it was well worn from the road, Walter visited corporate headquarters and asked for a new one - for free - in exchange for his old one along with his promise to promote Indian motorcycles as the best. I think his motorcycle may well still be on display in their corporate office's grand lobby! Uncle Walter got his free motorcycle. Love this story. . . and I loved the look on Robin's face while he was sharing it.

. . .






It seems that we are always in the midst of working towards. . . . getting ready for . . . . looking forward to . . . . My husband and I have been married for over 23 years now. We used to be preparing our children for their future, looking forward to their independence and seeing where life takes them, in the recent past,

we were both responsible for our elderly mothers and their well-being and care. And now the focus is inward. We are preparing for retirement, getting ready for coupledom, looking forward to rest, time together, the rewards of our years of working and preparing. It is a weird time, one that you question, look back and wonder. We are not complaining because we realize that we are the lucky ones. Every month, with this economy, we are lucky to have survived and are squeaking by - by past standards, I guess. We have a beautiful home, nearly paid for, an on-going business that may not produce as much as in the past, but it is keeping us clothed, fed and warm. Our children are all doing well in their own lives and are happy. Now, it's about us. Things no longer have value or importance. It's experiences that warm us and keep us focused. We look forward to time with friends, children, grandchild, and co-workers. And, now to nurture ourselves - our little home on wheels. The Airstream. It really is a cozy nest that we look forward to pulling to destinations, whether close or far, so that we can just be.
In September we will take 10 days to explore Southern Oregon. We studied and found so much to see and do - so we made a conscious decision to just enjoy. We will go to Ashland and see a play and eat a gourmet Oregonian dinner. We will explore historical spots, take time to fish, walk trails and see waterfalls, covered bridges and craggy coasts. What we really look forward to is just being. 3 hour meals, cozy nights in front of a fire, following a winding road together, holding hands. Life is good.