As kids, we learn constantly. But I think that as adults, we tend to learn in spurts, because we decide there is something new we want to learn about. I learned to be a yoga teacher at age 52, and then I learned how to publish a book at 55. Now I'm 56, and I'm learning all about how to live in an RV. I'm doing pretty well so far, but I confess that at times it seems overwhelming. I think it's because we're learning to live in it WHILE we are also driving it back to Santa Fe.
Honestly, the living in it is easy, but the driving is a bit hair-raising. RVPainter is doing all the driving and I'm the navigator. He's doing great and loves driving the RV, even on these bumpity highways with the trucks whizzing by. It works out because he would be a terrible navigator and I'd be a petrified driver - I'd have us in a ditch and he'd have us facing the wrong way!
We made it to Oklahoma City last night which was WAAAAAY too long a drive. But we wanted to get close because we need to have our Leveling system checked out at a service place here this morning. The Leveler is a hydraulic system that lowers these "feet" to the ground that then automatically level the RV. That all works fine, but there is an alarm that goes off if you try to drive and the levelers are down - and that is going off even when the levelers are up. That would be okay except that you can't turn it off, so it beep-beep-beeped at us all the way.
So hopefully they'll be able to get us squared away today. Next stop is Amarillo, but we're just going to go for four hours and stop, regardless. Skies look threatening, though, so if weather is bad, we stay put. It's a new way of living and I have to remind myself that it's actually okay if we don't "get somewhere" today. That's something I'm learning too.
Sometimes I think I'd rather stop learning for a bit and just have a rest! But we are always called to challenge ourselves in new ways I think.
I'll be really glad though, when we get to Santa Fe and can settle down for a few weeks. Then the learning can happen in a familiar environment, which always works best for me.
Something new every day...it makes you young.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I feel like it's making me OLD ;D.
DeleteI admire you and envy your new adventure!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura :D
DeleteWe drove from Arkansas to South Dakota one summer and our car broke down in Topeka, Kansas. I loved that drive, but I was a kid. I've always wanted to take my dad on a summer RV trip. I think he would like it. We we Learn a lot.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny - I think as kids we don't mind as much because we aren't responsible for getting things fixed! You should do that trip with your dad, sounds like fun.
DeleteLearning is a great L post! Good for you for learning so many wonderful things - especially how to teach yoga. Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa and JR .. that alarm sounds a nuisance .. and I hope you can get it fixed, so you have a more enjoyable trip towards Santa Fe ...
ReplyDeleteGood luck and lots of fun .. cheers Hilary
I know how hard it is to drive a camper van as I tried and gave up myself. One of the problems is the aching ankles. We had several great yerars traveling around the UK at weekends. I envy you and this experience!
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteSure enjoying your adventure! My DW and I have been toying with getting a "C" in as much that our house has not sold...........we have been planning on getting an Entegra Anthem and full timing.........but we are growing tired of waiting for the right buyers to come along! So maybe a "C" for awhile might work for us.
Sounds like your DH is a lite sleeper.........which is my modus operandi, too! Guess our ancestors must have been night guards for the tribe..LOL!
I'm afraid you have bitten off a pretty big bite....to cover so many miles so quickly..........especially as newbies. Have you bought a trucker's atlas? You will tend to get better (meaning smoother) roads if your follow routes approved for tall vehicles. And, many routes are not heavily travelled! And you don't have to worry about overhead clearance!
Well, best wishes, and I look forward to hearing about your new adventures!
Dennis
PS Dinah and I are 67 & 69 respectively, so can relate to your activities!
Thank you for the tip! You are so right - we totally bit off more than we should have. Today we fought high winds all the way along I-40 and are SO glad to be safely in Santa Fe tonight. We will definitely look for other routes - I doubt we will EVER travel I-40 again!
DeleteOH, that constant beeping would drive me nuts after while. I hope you get it fixed and take a short drive the next day. A little R&R is in order. :)
ReplyDeleteMelissa, today we were driving from Brevard, NC to Chattanooga, via hwy. 64/74. I saw so many nice RV camping places (one called River's Edge RV Resort, or something like that, was particularly nice!). Just thought of you. If you ever come to this neck of the woods, 64 is a curvy highway, but oh-so beautiful, and there seem to be may RV places to park/camp by rivers. So nice. Happy traveling!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that tip M.K. - we are definitely looking for "alternate routes" after these first few days of travel. It was hair-raising at times!
DeleteSounds like you are having an amazing adventure! I imagine driving an RV is hard especially in high winds, we have a Motability van for my stepson who is disabled and it can be hair-raising at times and I imagine it's not as big as your vehicle, after all we can't live in it.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to always be learning I think, I'm certainly picking up lots of things in the A-Z!
Winds were dreadful on I-40 today and we were terrified!
DeleteLearning is fine as a child, but as an adult it can be just plain scary. I love hearing about your adventure but sadly fear I would be tooooo chicken to try it out for myself.
ReplyDeleteOooh that beeping would get to me. You must be hearing it in your sleep! I'm learning a lot through the random subjects this challenge is throwing up. It's fantastic and making me realise I don't know enough!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a terrific adventure, even if it gets challenging at times.
ReplyDeleteEllie, who has 3 blogs in the challenge
Ellie's Blank Book
Ellie's Couch
Help Michigan Pets