Xsplorin

I have long known that as much fun it is to travel and see the world, I would not want to be a road warrior or long-haul truck driver. I am too fond of the creature comforts of home. So giving in to this bucket-list dream of traveling the US for a while in an RV requires that I adjust. It reminds me of the framed print that hangs in our guest bathroom that reads “OK, so this isn’t necessarily home sweet home, adjust!” (Thanks again, to a long-ago dear friend Carol Hughes!) I should have brought that sign with us.

In the few weeks we’ve been on the road, I’ve adjusted easily to the smaller living space. Having access to all the outside space makes it manageable. Dennis and I have found a way to dance around each other when moving from spot to spot within our travel home. Finding things I packed, or thought I packed, is not as easy. I spend too much time looking for an item in one plastic bin or another. Sooner or later I will have a mental picture of where most everything is stored and this issue will resolve. (Still can’t believe I left my can of matcha green tea at home!)

Despite my love of cooking and baking, I’ve simplified our dinners to many one-dish “grain, greens and bean” combos. These dinners are healthy, quick and easy to both prepare and clean up after the meal. Herbs and spices make them flavorful. I’ll share some of these combos in future blog posts.

Adjusting to life without make-up most days is something I’ve transitioned to over the last several months of underemployment. Family and friends who know me well know that I generally wear make-up more than I don’t. For me, that’s just a part of who I am. I like face paint, thanks to growing up with the myriad Cover Girl, Revlon and Maybelline ads of Cosmopolitan magazine. Actually, I like all kinds of paint, but that’s for another post.

What has been tough to adjust to is riding in the RV and not being afraid of this boxy thing going over the edge of cliff-hugging, curvy roads either by force of wind or Dennis’ looking at all the scenic views rather than the road. I should not be so fearful of the latter; he really is a very good driver. And safe. He’s never had an accident while I’ve been in a vehicle with him, although there may have been a few close calls. Still, I dread when we have to take the next leg of our journey. Seriously, I’ve been thinking about driving the SmartCar for the next 2-hour journey to Colorado rather than endure the trip in Harvey (our pet name for the RV.)  I must focus on overcoming this fear of traveling in Harvey as conscientiously as I work on my fear of heights while hiking some of these astounding park trails. If it sounds like I’m quite the scared-y cat, don’t worry! I’ll adjust.