Ownership

It just struck me this morning as I was scrolling through some FB posts that we likely will never own a home 🏠 in the traditional sense ever again. I'm alright with that, as when we sold our home just before retirement our plan was to travel and see all we could before our health prevented it. 

We are well on our way visiting many people and places as our loose knit plan unfolds. Our trailer is our home, and we both love it. The space is generous, well organized, views change as we move, warm when we need it, and cool when we need it too. We have adapted well I'm thinking, and checking with Polly every once in a while, we both are very happy with what we have, and where we are going. 

So why was I thinking about a house? I'm always looking at the for sale signs around town here, actually everywhere, and thinking that would be a nice place! Gee, that is a nice place, like the look of this neighborhood. 😄 Then comes the thought, I don't want an anchor ⚓ , moving around as we do gives us the freedom to enjoy many places, that was how we started retirement, and how we will continue all going well. 

Where we are right now is a beautiful place, Jack & Wendy are so relaxed about do as you want, no pressure to be here or there, just do what we want or need to do while here. A few jobs they have lined up they call "Brent jobs" as Jack knows his limitations 😆, and I love to do them. 

Visiting Chris & Ciara's home 🏡 gives me the opportunity to do the things I like as well, I get to enjoy the maintenance of a home, without the responsibility of owning. I did like some of ownership, just not wanting it now. 

As I think while writing here, some of the plan I thought of is working out, visit here, then visit there, keep moving as our years go. We have family and friends in many places, seeing them all in one place is unlikely, so moving to there location is the best way to visit with them all. 

Planning ahead I see such a wonderful year ahead, all going well. A little maintenance on our trailer, and truck before we leave GP, and east we go towards family and friends, and sights we have seen before, and many we have not. I love to hear Polly explain where our next adventure is, where we are going, and what route we will take, I love that she's as excited to travel as I am. 

So a house would just get in the way, just as we knew it would when we began this journey into our older age. I believe this keeps us young in spirit, as we often get told, well Polly does, you don't look that old! 😆 

Act your age doesn't apply here 😂😄😆

Living this life we love ❤️ in many places 🤗

Sunday morning in Grande Prairie Alberta

I've been having fun building a shed here for Jack, he said he needed a place to store some lumber and outside Christmas decorations, so after looking on the internet under pallet shed plans this is being created. 

I'm not a builder, at least not a technical builder, so after getting this far I wake this morning thinking I should have done this, I could do this. And that's how my mind works on Sunday morning at 4:30am as the birds are chirping to each other, and the light starts coming in the window.

 I laugh at how my mind works. Coffee ☕ is ready, bright light out now, a light breeze today, and some clouds in the sky.  Looking like another beautiful day, yesterday was warm and sunny all day, and calm. Perfect day I'm thinking, and no buggs yet! They will come.🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟☕

Has been a fast almost 2weeks here, visiting Chris Ciara, Colton & Chase most days, but yesterday we stayed here at Jack & Wendy's, dinner was planned, roast beef with Yorkshire pudding Mmm 😋, like Sunday on Saturday.

I worked on the shed, Polly worked at cleaning the fridge, and making dessert, her love. 

We had happy hour outside in the sun, always moving just a little keeping our body's in the sun. Was a great afternoon to sit and yak, Jack always entertaining with a story or 2. 

Jack & Wendy worked on dinner later, I didn't take a photo of my plate, but was a really Mmm good dinner. 

Jack and Wendy's dog Charlie got a bite from their son's dog Walter last week, stiches, and a cone around his head, he's not liking this, so as we eat I see him trying to scratch in the living room, poor bugger I think. After dinner we all tied into desert, was good way to end a day. Not much energy left, soon off to our trailer, watch a bit of a show and bed. Dam I sleep good after working some of the day away. 

Today we be doing Sunday, no working for me, will start that again tomorrow. Today will go to the lake outside of town and visit with John & Matty, Jack & Wendy's Son and Daughter-in-law at there cabin. Be nice to see what that looks like, and have a visit with them. We haven't seen much of them, been busy with Colton 😃

I think I'll message Ciara, and go for a visit there early, when our little guy first wakes up. Just can't get enough of that little smile 😄😊

That's my Sunday report for today, I'm just loving the whole experience here in Grande Prairie. Not, home, but pretty close as is a nice time of year to be here, before the buggs, and after the snow. 

Love our life ❤️🤗

Friday 13th today

                 Early morning view

So much stigmata around Friday 13th, or should I say unlucky superstition day. I laugh as I peck on this phone, I never had it so good in my life, I could call this my "lucky day". Today Polly & I get to visit with our Son his Fiancee and his son, our grandsons, and top it off my granddaughter too, that's pretty darn lucky I'm thinking. Oh yeah and it's sunny to start the day.

Now how can that be an unlucky day. 

Superstition can rule you if you let it. No 13th floor on a building, that's a big deal, always wondered, hmm, did they build it, and the elevator just Never stops there? Or is the 14th floor really the 13th, if so would it be unlucky to be on the fourteenth floor hahaha, I don't pay too much attention to it, but still it does happen yearly, and sometimes more than once. I do carry-on the stigmata by acknowledging the day saying at least once, Friday 13th today. 

So today's Friday 13th is a very good day here in Grande Prairie, for me anyway I'm looking forward to a day of hugs, laughs, smiles & absolute enjoyment. It's likely to be even better than I imagined as the plan I'm told is to go to the fair that's in town this weekend. Now that otta be fun for sure. The best part for me is to watch as kids are playing. I'm not too interested in a ride, cotton Candy, or throwing a ball at something and winning a prize, but I do look forward to the smile's I'll see on our grand children's faces. 

Photos are a for sure, as well as maybe a 🌭 hotdog, and the smells of the fairgrounds, so many memories built over the years and many fairs. Most at the Port Alberni district fall fair. This will be different, new memories, different fair, new faces, some of the very same smells though. I'm sure will be fun! I did see the forecast for today, 

Could be a fun afternoon, always love the lightning 🌩️⚡

Got to go, Chris is up, 😁🤗♥️

 Love my Life ❤️

Traveling Talking Learning TTL

Talking with people as we travel gives a good cross section of what people are thinking. This year was South to north through many different areas with different concerns for the areas they live, and the people that live there. Connecting the places and people I realized that world concerns all of us have, but local concerns are what people really care about. Things that effect there lives close to home, stuff that you might never hear about in another place not to far away. 

I did learn a long time ago as we traveled that the water, rains we complain about in one place is direly needed in another, and the sun hoped for in one place is something people hide from in other places. Weather is only one part of what guides us, directs us, pushes us. 

The amount of people, density that makes a huge difference. Some people are just fine with neighbors all around, all close, and some like miles between them and neighbors. We have been close mostly, as RV park life has us next to our neighbors, and I kinda like it. How close? Well not so you can hear everything, but sometimes that's the way it is. 

News, what people hear, see, read this all plays a part in how people act. World information is one thing, but local info, that's what effects them. 

We tried to stay warm as most snowbirds do as we traveled north, knowing we would have some cold no matter how much we tried to avoid it, part of heading back north 😊

I didn't think about the differences we would see as we traveled, the differences in how people think in different places. I know we are all different, but the outside influences effect us all different. All the outside differences, weather, news, and how we get it, location, density of our suroundings, our income, working, young, and older, we all are pressured to do this, do that, with whatever our knowledge is at the time. Some search before they make a decision, some act automatically. 

The outcome is what? Ahh shit, I'm thinking too deep now 🥴 lol 😆

I guess what I'm saying is this year I learned just a little more about people, and about myself. Good or bad, Happy or sad, we all are making our way the best we can. Sometimes I feel outside of the world, as I'm not "In it" working as a part of the rush of the world. Sometimes as I drive along with all the rushing people, I am so happy not to be "in it" at the same time feeling out of it! Funny hey.

I did learn this year that the water we cry about on the coast I call home, is something our southern friends would love to have, and believe me they are hard up for water, and are looking to wherever they can get it. 

Changes are coming everyday, I think that water and how it's controled is going to be a big deal in the future. That will be a local problem for many south or north. 

Listen to me sounding all worldly, who am I. 

Just another snowbird, heading North for the summer 😎😊

Loving our lives on the road 🤗❤️

Over the boarder feels the same 😊 but different

               This mornings view

Yesterday was a travel day, we knew it was going to be, but something's were a little different than we envisioned. Rain during the night was ok, but waking to the thought of unhooking the water & electric lines,  then dumping the sewer in the rain wasn't what I wanted. I made a plan with Polly, to get it done, then change outta my wet clothes, and off we would go. 

Polly was a little more about getting going, she was ready so out I went, and the rain had stopped. 😁 I love it when all seems to be working with us. All packed up outside, while Polly was making sandwiches, then before she was all ready I came in and brought the slides in the living room, Polly was still working in the bedroom, then she put that slide in as I sat waiting in the truck. 

After the last slide was in we huddled in the pickup, was freaking cold out, wind was blowing, but no rain. So off we go to the dump station, was a cold day to do this, but I had walked over and saw where it was and how I'd drive to it, was good. All went well and off we go on the road by 9:30 or so, all went well.

Then as we start out I remember we have to get a return document filled out before we can get through the boarder. I stopped, and did a little research, then as I was starting to fill out the form, a pickup is behind us on the small road leading out of the campground, so in gear and away we go. 

As we are driving down the highway, about 10 minutes away, a call from the campground, we left our rear plastic blocks from under the Jack's. At first I say we will come get them, then call back later and tell the woman we will not be coming back for them. Polly and I talk this over for awhile, going through how it happened, I did this, she did that, but really was that we did it all a little different because so cold out, we just didn't do our usual ✔️ check. Another lesson as we go.

The drive started out with wind, we noticed how the sign on the side of the highway was half gone, and the fence was all smashed down. Wind was wicked here, but off we go. Rains started, as we travel that turns to snow, sure glad we have a full tank, and are inside a warm pickup. 

As we progress towards the boarder, the wind gets worse, and it's snowing harder, wondering if we might be driving into worse weather I asked a local guy at a gas station were he had come from, and told him where we were headed, he said, be ok, may get snow, but won't be much, road will be clear. Made me feel a bit better, but still was windy, cold and snowing. 

Note; Asking for information as we drive from people that have just been there is something I have learned along the way, so much to be learned from people that have just been where you are headed.

We took a left at this junction, then I see the wind turbines on the hill, oh yeah we're going for some real wind now 😳, and as we go over the hill the trailer and truck were being pushed around, and the others on the highway were getting the same, we all slow to 55mph, and take the wind head on. After about an hour, the weather changes, we are about 2 hours from the boarder, and the rain stops, wind stops, and sun comes out! We pull over at a rest stop and have lunch at 2:00, warm out, this is nice. Eat our sandwiches, and finish the document for entering Canada, now we're ready. 

Off we go towards the boarder, through Grand Falls, Polly called it "light city" so many signal 🚦🚦🚦 lights on the way through. Traffic was not too bad, then onto highway 15, and north we go, very good highway, and light to no traffic. Polly likes this 😁 so do I.

Planning where to get our last fuel, I go to Gas buddy, says last station with Diesel is at Sunburst, so we turn off there, very small town, by the railroad, we find the station, and a cardlock, but I can use Visa, so all good. Fill up at $5.40 a gallon, last time in the states for awhile.

Off to the boarder now, when we get there there are 2 lanes open for us, as we get a little closer I see we can choose which one to be in😆 always trying to get the fastest moving lane, I move to what seems like a better lane. Of course, as soon as I'm in this faster lane, the boarder guard comes out, shuts the gate, and tells us to merge into one lane, he does a good job of making sure each takes their turn, then off he goes. I guess I can't be lucky all the time lol. 

On a positive note the boarder Crossing went faster with him gone, and when it was our turn, after a few questions, off we went through. Was another easy crossing 👍 the boarder guard said our "Arrivecan" checked out ok, glad I did this earlier.

We found our campsite 8 Flags, not far from the boarder, in a small town called Milk River.

We setup, made dinner, was good, we were both hungry.

After dinner I went for a stroll through the town. I didn't start out to do that, but as I walked to the river through the campground, then under the bridge, and up onto a train track, i walked along shooting photos of the sun setting, was such a beautiful sky. 

Soon I was into the town, looking around at the buildings, and thinking to myself how the town was an up and moving place at one time. As I walked around, not a car, or a person around, it felt deserted.

         Tumbleweed rolling through town

                     Empty store's

I was still thinking I was in USA, I found myself kind of in and out of still being in the states. Maybe because I was in Alberta, not like going home? I'm not sure, but was an odd feeling. 

Canada and USA so close in our relationship, it's that line in the sand that makes it different.

Too bad, so much to like about both countries, happy we can still travel between them easily, if we fill out the right forms lol. 

We're home, in our country, but still not home. Will be nice to see our family in Grande Prairie, and visit places here just the same. I saw I sign on the bridge yesterday by the swallows nests, made me think. 

 I guess it's true, as we have been making our home where ever we are now for the last 6 years 🤗♥️

Loving this life of travel, taking our home with us👍

North from Utah to Colorado, now Wyoming

Ponderosa campground is our home right now

Our trip north saw much different land as well as animals as we drove by. Elk, Deer, Antelope or Pronghorn & cattle so many kinds of cattle, Polly always saying "Black Angus!" As we saw many so black cattle. 

I didn't get many photos, as we traveled, driving hauling our trailer makes it very difficult to pull over, or even slow down, so I write it instead. In Colorado, and much of Wyoming there were many pronghorn, small heards as well as pairs, seldom did we see single animals.

          Pronghorn from the museum

We only saw a few deer, and all the elk we saw were dead on the side of the road. Once we saw a big white dog eating away on a dead elk, and after that 3 more elk that were just bones.  The most wildlife we saw were the pronghorn, mind you we traveled in daylight, not too early, not too late, never at night.

As for the changes, from high desert to high treed area's, not like the trees of the coast, more pine and juniper. Red rock of Utah, to the grey, light colours of north Wyoming, today white everywhere, snow day. 

Hawks on the highway we saw regularly, always hunting for something. Ravens were all along our trip, they are the one bird we see regularly. 

 

The chirping birds are here, spring has sprung, trees just starting to bloom. I like seeing the opening of new growth on trees as we move north, each place is just starting as we move further north, like seeing the bloom over and over.

Snow yesterday, just a little made for a change, shorts been off a few days now, light snow this Sunday morning. Love the sound of the birds outside. Sip my coffee ☕, spill a little on myself, hmm I laugh, such a calm beautiful morning ♥️

Buffalo Bills Center of the West yesterday was WOW, so much to see, was tired after 2 hours, a very good experience. Polly and I going back again today to cover more. Just so much to take in.

Dinner out last night with Polly's Cousin Pam, and her husband Charlie was great 😃 so much to talk about, they are thinking of travel as they approach retirement, it has been over 20 years since we have seen Pam so much to remember, so much has changed. 

The talk was Great, meeting Charlie was really good, learning of their meeting & transition from Washington state to Wyoming was interesting, Charlie has led an interesting life. 

Pam was like we remembered, such a fun loving person, and welcoming. Dinner on Monday at their house, looking forward to this.

 Renewing friendships, and making new friends always a pleasure. Seeing a new place, and imersing ourselves in our surrounding's is a real treat, especially when the suroundings are as beautiful as here, and because of all the western movies I watched when young, is somewhat familiar. 

As we talked later at our trailer, we saw deer all around the campground, Charlie got some photos he sent me.

Looking forward to today, another beautiful day with Polly discovering the past here in Cody Wyoming. I think lunch at the Irma is in the cards again today 😄

Love our life ♥️🤗

What's wasting a day?

Sitting here in the sun, a warm still day, light breeze is great. So am I wasting my day? What is it that drives us to go, what is it that pushes us to feel better if we are on the move? Hike, walk, drive, go here, go there see this, see that? Do this do that? Accomplish something, then we did something. Even writing here is doing something. 

I can hear Polly busy in the trailer now, she is in gear today, clean and organize. Me I'm sitting here pecking on my phone 📱and thinking it's ok. Realizing that Polly is in motion, I'm going to go for a walk about while she has here busyness time. I let her know I'ma gonna walkabout. 

The campsite is arranged in loops, we are on B loop, and to leave here the way it's layed out you drive around the loop each time you leave. So on my walk I head in the same clockwise direction.

 The first camper I see and talk with is in his boat. He's under the dash doing some work it looks like, when I come by his head pops up, I say Hi, and then conversation goes. He asks where I'm from, notices my accent 🤪 and we yak about fishing here, what he catches, what the lake is like, we talk about Mexico, he knows right away when I say San Carlos, he partied in Peurto Penasco when he was younger. We talk about lots in a short time, I never asked why camping in the boat, but thinking after, I think was there camper, as they didn't have one yet. So multi use boat.

I say by, and off I go, next meeting was a man from New York, he told me in a very short time this old trailer he brought from New York, he has another in California he leaves there full time. This conversation was much shorter than the last, but he was really nice to talk with. 

Next was a couple from Texas, they were going on a boat trip today, they were from Dallas, I told them of friends we know in Groves/Port Arthur area, they were happy to talk, but also wanted to get going. 

Next on my loop walk was a couple of kids, he had here on a leash. She was so smiley and cute, they both were. She had a huge star on her shirt. I told he liked it, he did the talking, not much, but some. I said good bye as I continued, and as soon as I started away, the little girl started talking, she was waving and saying goodbye. A short meeting.

Later in seeing them again I found out from the parents, the kids play dog and owner, taking turns, that was what the leash was about. If I never asked, I'd never know? That's me, I ask, I look, I see, I immerse myself in the moment. And that's what I did while Polly was busy. 

Was that a was of time? I don't think so, just like now, sitting here with the early morning sun at my back, reflecting in my glasses, coffee ☕ is good. Am I wasting time? Should I be doing, gathering, moving, the dove flew on our trailer now, it's cooing, I'm smiling to myself. Some people don't like this sound, I'm kinda partial to it. 

Today we go to see something I've been wanting to do for along time, Antelope canyon walkthrough. I'm sure will be interesting, when I was in the Ladysmith camera club I saw shots from here, always wanted to see it myself. 

Away we go, doing something again. 

Polly did Finnish her cleaning 🧹 when I got back I couldn't get in the trailer, floor's were wet 😆, so I waited outside in the sun, while they dried, wasted some more time. 

Love this life so much ♥️🤗