Two years ago this morning I set out on my journey. I can say I’m grateful beyond measure for this time and for this experience. It has been extraordinary in every sense, and for every day that I can continue on with the journey I’ll be rejoicing in this opportunity.
I’m not saying life is perfect or problem-free. I’ve had some bumps along the path and some rocks in the road, as you know if you have followed this blog. Life didn’t turn into lollipops and roses because I chose to do full-time RVing.
But…there are so many experiences and thoughts and sights along the road! I love the relative freedom to go where I choose to go, when I choose to go there, led by weather and whim. I love being able to watch the trees waving in the wind in Wyoming, the clouds moving through the mountains in Montana, daisies bobbing in the breeze, seeing a multitude of colors in a rock I found, or in an extravagant sunset. There is the grandeur of the snow capped Rocky Mountains to consider, and the sun glittering on the water in Lolo Creek, or the Salmon River, or the Pacific Ocean off the Oregon coast. I love looking out over a sea of stately saguaro in Arizona, with arms all lifted to the sky. Natures beauty is abundant. It’s everywhere, and with it comes wonder and amazement and joy.
There is another major aspect I love about this lifestyle, and it’s the lack of attachment to ‘things’. The sense of freedom this gives me is nothing less than exhilarating. Letting go of ‘stuff’ is liberating in a way that is hard to explain. It’s an ongoing process and can be painful at times, but the more I let go of, the better I seem to feel….there is a sense of breathing deeply….of floating or gliding or flying like a bird, in my spirit.
I’ve found that it’s true that having a lot of ‘things’ doesn’t make me happiest, and ‘things’ don’t necessarily give me security. Security is so relative….
Thank you for coming along with me on this journey by reading my blog! Since I’m solo and I love to write, this is how I share these experiences, and sharing somehow makes it all the more real for me.
Some of you who are reading this are contemplating your own adventure in the future, so I would encourage you to do whatever it takes to KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE! If this is the desire of your heart it’s well worth it to pursue.
Continue On. Focus On The Good.
Peace.
(Sorry no pictures today. Very weak internet where I am.)
Wandering Spirit 
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! I am very happy for you that your experience has been a positive one. It is great to hear about your experiences with releasing attachment to “stuff”.
Thanks Michael. Yes it’s been a big positive….even though there have been some rough spots. I can say, it’s all part of the experience.
It’s interesting to see how much of what we own is really needed and how much is just weight around our necks, holding us…anchoring us really. It’s hard to know until we start eliminating it.
Dear Mickey, I live vicariously through you and your adventures c Shiloh and Joy! I would never be brave enough to do what you do, but always thought that it would be a perfect way to spend retirement! We had a camper shell for several years and were too busy c work and our 6 kids/activities to really explore many California places. (Our teens used it as a clubhouse as it was parked on our driveway.) We sold it when 3 daughters were married within 9 months.! $$ Thanks for sharing your travels! Marie
Hi Marie. Well, I never had an RV or even had any experience RVing, until I bought Wandering Spirit used in 2013. I took her out once for practice for 2 nights, months before I left on my journey. I spent most of that time reading instructions from Arizona Eileen’s A-Z Casita Guide! I knew how to unlock the door…that was about it. 😀
I driveway camped in her from time to time.
So it’s been…and continues to be…a big learning experience, because you see Marie, I have a confession to make: I’m not really brave. I just take one day at a time and try to figure stuff out, and which way to go. And I keep trying to focus on the good and so far it’s working out!
A very happy anniversary! Are you happy with your truck or do you think a van would be better? Just wondering if you have Amy problems getting into the back?
Thank you Shelly.
I’m very happy with the truck. I like having all the stuff back there separate from the driving area…having separate compartments, if you will. I also like that the area that I either need to heat or air condition is smaller.
Getting into the back…so for physically getting in I have a step that extends out of the tailgate that is very handy for climbing up. Containers of stuff in the front of the truck bed can be hard to get to because I have to move things or climb over them so I put things up there that I rarely need.
The biggest problem has been when I’ve had to deal with the back injury. There have been long periods of time (many weeks) when I was unable to climb around back there. I don’t think it would have been much different with trying to reach things in a van though.
Under normal conditions, I think knowing where things are is the key! If I know where to look for that extra can of beans or my rag bag or the spare thingamajig, it helps a lot.
Thanks for your input.
Wonderfully expressed and happy anniversary!
Thank you Sharron. I hope you are keeping that dream alive in this difficult time! I hope to see you in Q this winter! Hang in there girlfriend.
I haven’t been with you from the beginning, but I’ve read every episode. I especially appreciate your discussions on decluttering, which I certainly need to do more. Happy Anniversary, and thanks for taking us along.
Hi Ann, thank you! My pleasure. Yes decluttering is quite the project, isn’t it? And it isn’t like it really ever ends….but SO satisfying. That’s a lot of reading Ann! Wow.
Thank YOU for sharing your experiences with us. Congrats on the milestone.
Hi Marsha. It’s fun to share! 😊
Happy Anniversary – what a beautiful blog. I recently started to follow you but don’t always respond to a post. So happy all is well. I love your dogs.
Hi Alice, thank you and I’m glad you are here.
Oohhh, I love those puppies too!
Hi Mickey….Happy Anniversary. I love reading your blog. You are the best thing on FB. I really enjoy knowing where you are going next. I keep having this thought that someday I should fly to where you are to visit. Maybe I will. May you continue to have safe travels.
Hi Carol. Thank you! Good to know you are here? I follow you on FB and see you have been doing lots of traveling….retirement is great, isn’t it?
You can follow this blog without FB if you like. Just click on ‘follow’ somewhere on the screen. It asks for your email address. Then the blog shows up in your email whenever I post. You click on the title in email and you get the web version.
Maybe you knew all that already. 🙃
Hi Micky!! Congratulations to you, Joy & Shiloh on your two year anniversary! I SO understand what you are saying…the freedom..the joy and wonder being beyond compare. And I share your feelings on the non-importance of “things”…funny how those feelings expand the more “things” we let go. I see where you mentioned Bellingham…I’m planning on being there sometime in the not too distant future, but probably too late to catch up to you. One of my greatest desires is to one day meet you face to face and be able to share the truths we have in common. Something to look forward to!
May your days be filled with rainbows, and your heart be full of wonder….always.
HinPat (Freespirit),
Thank you. Funny about letting things go, isn’t it? The more I release, the more I want to release. In reasonable measure I mean. I have my limits. 😀 For instance this IPad that I’m typing on right now!
I did mention Bellingham, but it’s just a possibility. The plan is to visit my son and his wife in Lynnwood in September. I’ll be staying at an RV park in Bothell during that time. After that I don’t know….just know I want to see the fall colors.
I look very forward to meeting you too, Pat. Maybe it will be sooner than we think!
Thanks Mick. Always ever more peace in my own heart when I read about your experiences. Nice is an inadequate word, but the connection centers me. Strange but comforting. Thank you SO much for sharing 💛💛
Hey Mick. Thank you for sharing your journey, it always leaves me feeling more centered and at peace, connected. You are an inspiration everyday to live a less hectic, cluttered life & slow down. Nothing is more special than that. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Morgan. I’m so glad this blog radiates peace for you. There is enough turmoil in our world…way more than enough. Actually I think the world has gone crazy. Just my opinion of course. 😉
I think you probably posted and then didn’t see your comment show up so you wrote it again. Often WordPress has me ‘approve’ comments. That happens if someone comments for the first time or hasn’t commented in awhile, and then just randomly it seems. So that’s what happened.
It brings joy to my heart to read how happy-making this lifestyle has been for you! I know the feeling!!!
Virtual hugs,
Judie
Hi Judie, it’s good to know that you enjoy this lifestyle too. Hugs back to you, and thank you for commenting!
Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful life you’ve made. You’ve dealt with the challenges as they’ve arrived, in the ways that work best for you. Keep on keeping on; I enjoy going along on your journey.
Hi Marcia, yes so far so good with the challenges. One day at a time…
I’m glad you have been riding along with us…from near the beginning I’m thinking.
Let’s travel on!
Hi Micky – my how time fly’s! Remembering the countdowns on our phones?
Your blogs are always a great read and your experiences interesting – thank you!!
I sure do remember the countdowns Patty! 😀 So glad you showed me that app cuz it really helped me get through that last year+ ! We would sit down and before report I’d pull my phone out and say, ‘well, I only have 438 days till I retire!’ And on we went and some days the girls would ask me, ‘how many days Micky?’ ‘Down to 279!’ But then it was like 98, and 70, and then it started to fly. 50, 30, 14, 0!!! OMG! An exciting time!
2 years Congrats!! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Kathy. Thank you for reading!
Awww…congrats on the two year mark! It indeed marks something of significance. I envy that sense of freedom you feel. I crave that…and someday I’ll have. In the meantime I’ll continue to ride along with you…
I’m glad you are here Cindy, but I hope you can get that sense of freedom sooner rather than later. Hang in there.
Continued good luck! Best to always follow your gut instincts about a place, I’m glad you left that other one. Enjoy your week and fingers crossed for the Internet:-)
XO
Deb
Hi Deb, Well, I have internet now, no phone though. I’ve changed my plans all up and now I’m out in the middle of nowhere, and I mean nowhere! Nearest grocery is 60 miles away!
Ok so what is with Deborah Qhite? 😂