Road Traveled
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papas34
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I drove up from Quartszite to Lake Havasu on hyw 95?
I lived a very adventurous life, I made many mistakes but would never have ended up where I am today if I had not.
I'm as happy as a 59 year old man with my medical condition could ever wish.
I lived a very adventurous life, I made many mistakes but would never have ended up where I am today if I had not.
I'm as happy as a 59 year old man with my medical condition could ever wish.
WheelEstate USA
Well-known member
How did I get where I am? Drove here, LOL.
Well, let's begin in May 2012 when I fell and broke a couple ribs in my back. My left lung was punctured and I was put on oxygen therapy. As a result of this further tests showed I have severe COPD that would require inhalers and possibly being on O2 for life.
I lost a contract because I was unable to do my job hauling around an O2 tank. (the guy made up a BS story to cut me loose). My income was cut off and we only had a small savings...luckily, V.A. covers my medical.
We had a lot to consider all the sudden.
I had already applied for social security and it was due to begin the next month, but we could see it wouldn't cover rent, utilities, insurance on 2 vehicles, and all the other bills. It wasn't looking very good and one conversation lead to another till we came to talking about a mobile life. Neither of could think of anything better, or that we wanted more. We'd planned to travel after a few more years of saving, but now it seemed to be the best choice for us.
After some looking we found a motorhome we wanted and traded one of our vehicles for our new home. We moved into it on Aug 1 and continued to sell off antiques and collectibles, as well as everything else that didn't fit into our new lifestyle.
We certainly don't "live high on the hog", but with some creative budgeting, we had a wonderful 8 month summer trip covering 4700 miles. This winter we have a part time job as camp hosts that will allow us to save a bit of money for the next trip to who knows where.
Would I change anything?
Oh, there might be a few things, but mainly, I'd have hit the road when I sold the sailboat in 08, instead of going back to sticks and bricks.
Am I OK with my life?
Yes, I feel good about things as they are. I like my mate, my doggie, and my home, and I like myself.
So, owl, how do you answer those same questions?
Well, let's begin in May 2012 when I fell and broke a couple ribs in my back. My left lung was punctured and I was put on oxygen therapy. As a result of this further tests showed I have severe COPD that would require inhalers and possibly being on O2 for life.
I lost a contract because I was unable to do my job hauling around an O2 tank. (the guy made up a BS story to cut me loose). My income was cut off and we only had a small savings...luckily, V.A. covers my medical.
We had a lot to consider all the sudden.
I had already applied for social security and it was due to begin the next month, but we could see it wouldn't cover rent, utilities, insurance on 2 vehicles, and all the other bills. It wasn't looking very good and one conversation lead to another till we came to talking about a mobile life. Neither of could think of anything better, or that we wanted more. We'd planned to travel after a few more years of saving, but now it seemed to be the best choice for us.
After some looking we found a motorhome we wanted and traded one of our vehicles for our new home. We moved into it on Aug 1 and continued to sell off antiques and collectibles, as well as everything else that didn't fit into our new lifestyle.
We certainly don't "live high on the hog", but with some creative budgeting, we had a wonderful 8 month summer trip covering 4700 miles. This winter we have a part time job as camp hosts that will allow us to save a bit of money for the next trip to who knows where.
Would I change anything?
Oh, there might be a few things, but mainly, I'd have hit the road when I sold the sailboat in 08, instead of going back to sticks and bricks.
Am I OK with my life?
Yes, I feel good about things as they are. I like my mate, my doggie, and my home, and I like myself.
So, owl, how do you answer those same questions?
AltTransBikes
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Acquiescence. Yes. Not completely.
Patrick46
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papas34 said:
(to Quote my wife...) "Time stands still for no man"
Are there things I would have done differently???....YES...you bet, but seeing that time flows in only one direction, and that we can't go back and change things, well then there's no point in worrying about the past. Just try and learn the lessons life teaches us the FIRST time, so we don't hafta go back through them, over, and over, and over again!
but as Papa said....if I hadn't gone through the things I did, then I wouldn't have become who I am.
That's pretty profound right there!
Hippy New Year!!!
How do I answer the question? I swear I don't know. I am having the most amazing, wonderful life you wouldn't believe. Downsides, without question! But the upsides far outweigh them. I have had adventures all my life and enjoyed them all. I have always been confident and never questioned my ability to do what I set out to do. I have been fortunate enough to be around wonderful, helpful, interesting people forever. I hear people all the time talk about not liking people, not wanting to be around them. Describing themselves as loners, antisocial. I could never live that way. I get stimulation from the world and the people in it. Sitting in a remote place chewing on my innards is not for me. There is no joy there. I have found that most of lifes problems aren't about someone else, but more likely about you. (disclaimer) None of what I have said here should be taken as a challenge to you or your lifestyle or beliefs.
Lifemagician
Well-known member
I am the sum of my experiences.
As others have said, without them, the mistakes I have made, the fortunate opportunities I have had, I would not today be who I am.
I am happy with me and slowly the children are accepting my lifestyle. As owl says, there are downsides, but the upsides outnumber them. As a septuagenarian with a disability I have no intention of sitting around waiting to be carried out in a box.
Lifey
As others have said, without them, the mistakes I have made, the fortunate opportunities I have had, I would not today be who I am.
I am happy with me and slowly the children are accepting my lifestyle. As owl says, there are downsides, but the upsides outnumber them. As a septuagenarian with a disability I have no intention of sitting around waiting to be carried out in a box.
Lifey
ice_maiden
Well-known member
How did you get where you are ? By following life where it took me and making the best choices I could at the time, whether they were good or bad. Like everyone else it has made me who I am.
Would you change anything ? The only things I would have liked to have been different, are things I had no control over. So no I would not have changed anything I did.
Are you OK with your life ? At this point, I am happy with who I am and how I live. I am an odd mix of gregarious loner. (which is an oxymoron). I never meet a stranger but I can also spend days alone and never get bored or lonely. So yes, I am OK with my life...it suits me.
Would you change anything ? The only things I would have liked to have been different, are things I had no control over. So no I would not have changed anything I did.
Are you OK with your life ? At this point, I am happy with who I am and how I live. I am an odd mix of gregarious loner. (which is an oxymoron). I never meet a stranger but I can also spend days alone and never get bored or lonely. So yes, I am OK with my life...it suits me.
WanderingRain
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It's been very very interesting so far.
Now that I have the power of hindsight, I can see where my life would have changed but for a few key decisions. And I am glad I did not take those forks in the road. It would have been miserable. I could have been a regular working stiff in an office... Could have married early... just one of those working dads with a wife and kids... doing suburbanite stuff. Mowing lawns, attending PTA, whatever... (fuuuck!)... Just generally looking forward to weekends where I can relax. Good God, that kind of life seems like hell for me now.
But the biggest surprise was me finding out I am actually an atheist. It came as quite a shock. I certainly never, EVER set out to be one. My constant reading and study about religions and history just kind of gelled and one day... I just realized the awful implication of all that I have learned: OMG!
And to think this transformation happened in the 10 years I was living in Texas of all places.
Life is truly strange. The odd thing about it, is that once you know... you cannot unlearn it and believe again. It's definitely similar to finding out Santa Claus wasn't real. You just don't go back to believing again.
Naturally, there is fallout from such an event. Your dating pool becomes severely limited. If I was limited before as a former liberal, anything goes theist, it becomes even more limited now.
Still, better to be informed than not... and I see it now as a sort of blessing in disguise.
I could have wasted more years on that stuff. Now, I am truly free and with less worries.
It's been very very interesting!
Now that I have the power of hindsight, I can see where my life would have changed but for a few key decisions. And I am glad I did not take those forks in the road. It would have been miserable. I could have been a regular working stiff in an office... Could have married early... just one of those working dads with a wife and kids... doing suburbanite stuff. Mowing lawns, attending PTA, whatever... (fuuuck!)... Just generally looking forward to weekends where I can relax. Good God, that kind of life seems like hell for me now.
But the biggest surprise was me finding out I am actually an atheist. It came as quite a shock. I certainly never, EVER set out to be one. My constant reading and study about religions and history just kind of gelled and one day... I just realized the awful implication of all that I have learned: OMG!
And to think this transformation happened in the 10 years I was living in Texas of all places.
Life is truly strange. The odd thing about it, is that once you know... you cannot unlearn it and believe again. It's definitely similar to finding out Santa Claus wasn't real. You just don't go back to believing again.
Naturally, there is fallout from such an event. Your dating pool becomes severely limited. If I was limited before as a former liberal, anything goes theist, it becomes even more limited now.
Still, better to be informed than not... and I see it now as a sort of blessing in disguise.
I could have wasted more years on that stuff. Now, I am truly free and with less worries.
It's been very very interesting!
Lucky mike
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5 life changing events in 3 years has set a new mindset....it started out as a bucketlist as I traveled with a why me and waiting to die!
after a while I realized "Not Today!"....Life is meant to be lived in the moment. we run thru life and pass right by the most important simple things.....when I realized my life clock was counting down I stopped caring about just me, something I worked hard on to impress myself!!!
to be able to see life differently now is undescribable....to be able to really give back ,look and see your surroundings and realize your impact on everything you do is eye opening!!!
When I took off on my own after the news it all changed...Im 54....soon it will come , hopefully very quick but in the meantime......where would you rather be when it was time.
Sitting out with nature knowing you used each moment to your best ability or sitting in your recliner dreaming about it and asking yourself why!!
I will hold on to the steering wheel til its no longer possible...and then I'll figure it out!!
after a while I realized "Not Today!"....Life is meant to be lived in the moment. we run thru life and pass right by the most important simple things.....when I realized my life clock was counting down I stopped caring about just me, something I worked hard on to impress myself!!!
to be able to see life differently now is undescribable....to be able to really give back ,look and see your surroundings and realize your impact on everything you do is eye opening!!!
When I took off on my own after the news it all changed...Im 54....soon it will come , hopefully very quick but in the meantime......where would you rather be when it was time.
Sitting out with nature knowing you used each moment to your best ability or sitting in your recliner dreaming about it and asking yourself why!!
I will hold on to the steering wheel til its no longer possible...and then I'll figure it out!!
If you are able to step out of the harness, life will take over. I've heard folks say, life happens when you aren't looking. The smallest change in your attitude about your life, what you want, where you want to go, who you share it with, can have the most amazing implications. We all read about folks who have had or are living amazing lives. Nothing is really stopping you. Amaze yourself, I would love to read about it.
I got tired of the Louisiana consumer mindset. I had a great paying job in La and it didn't make me happy like I thought it would. As I have gotten older I have felt like rent is for suckers and most people know have way too much and appreciate little.
I feel like this might be coming off a little self righteous but I really wanted to put some of these ideas to the test. I have been much happier since moving into my 24' motorhome. It has presented great challenges but I have never felt so alive.
I feel like this might be coming off a little self righteous but I really wanted to put some of these ideas to the test. I have been much happier since moving into my 24' motorhome. It has presented great challenges but I have never felt so alive.
WanderingRain
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I second all the great feelings of getting out of a cage. It IS a cage and by god, it's great to be free of it. I often look at our fellow human beings and wonder why it is they still do what they do --run the treadmill of life till it wears them down.
I've already attended way too many funerals and noticed that the deceased always never get to do what it is they wanted to do in their lives... Their deepest wishes went unfulfilled. Each time I attend a funeral where I know that, it gives me the willies. And makes me determined not to be one of those who did not live life to the fullest.
Even my well off relatives and friends seem tied down with all their possessions. If there is one thing this new life has taught me is to value possessions less and people more. It's been a wonderful journey and I could not imagine it any other way.
I've already attended way too many funerals and noticed that the deceased always never get to do what it is they wanted to do in their lives... Their deepest wishes went unfulfilled. Each time I attend a funeral where I know that, it gives me the willies. And makes me determined not to be one of those who did not live life to the fullest.
Even my well off relatives and friends seem tied down with all their possessions. If there is one thing this new life has taught me is to value possessions less and people more. It's been a wonderful journey and I could not imagine it any other way.
Lucky mike
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Absolutely Wandering rain!!
3 years ago my life was jeopardized with 3 life changing events ...the first a simple pain in my shoulder and neck that lead to the discovery of severe spinal steno-sis paraplegia at 3 levels.....90 days later I endured a quad plus bypass and the discovery of 2 mortal aneurisms.......while I laid in that hospital I became the second victim of the " Serial Infector" David Kwiakowski.( Exeter Hospital NH)..I got to add HIV/HVC to my list.
During this down time....I got to look my life over and now understand how finite it really is....how if it is a dream or a thought you dont put it off , you go and you live it!!
"Stuff" is nothing but a trophy in life......Im hoping on the last of my days that when its time your allowed to take your memories and achievements with you.....Hearses dont come with luggage Racks !
Im not an old buck , at 54 I've got to see and do alot....but GO Do It ! and dont look back is a better way to look at life!!!
3 years ago my life was jeopardized with 3 life changing events ...the first a simple pain in my shoulder and neck that lead to the discovery of severe spinal steno-sis paraplegia at 3 levels.....90 days later I endured a quad plus bypass and the discovery of 2 mortal aneurisms.......while I laid in that hospital I became the second victim of the " Serial Infector" David Kwiakowski.( Exeter Hospital NH)..I got to add HIV/HVC to my list.
During this down time....I got to look my life over and now understand how finite it really is....how if it is a dream or a thought you dont put it off , you go and you live it!!
"Stuff" is nothing but a trophy in life......Im hoping on the last of my days that when its time your allowed to take your memories and achievements with you.....Hearses dont come with luggage Racks !
Im not an old buck , at 54 I've got to see and do alot....but GO Do It ! and dont look back is a better way to look at life!!!
WanderingRain
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Indeed, Lucky Mike.
I often wonder what my life would be if I hadn't stumbled upon this site and others... and got me thinking about this alternative lifestyle. It's like finding a treasure, to be honest. like waking up literally and seeing the matrix for what it is. a bunch of numbers and digits. In our case, it's seeing the world and all its pretensions transparently with new eyes. We can see this "game" for what it is.
I often wonder what my life would be if I hadn't stumbled upon this site and others... and got me thinking about this alternative lifestyle. It's like finding a treasure, to be honest. like waking up literally and seeing the matrix for what it is. a bunch of numbers and digits. In our case, it's seeing the world and all its pretensions transparently with new eyes. We can see this "game" for what it is.
