on the road again

We left Sunday from the parking lot of our community recreation center with lots of hugs ,smiles,and good wishes from about fifty of our friends, neighbors , and members of our Happy Camper club, who were there to wave "goodbye".


Two of our chaplains said prayers for us and we felt blessed that they would take time on a Sunday to be there with us. We certainly need divine help to tackle a trip so long and complex.


As we turned North on to I 95 someone started to sing "On The Road Again" into the walkie talkie and we knew this was it, we were on our way at last, but the roar was even louder when we turned left three hours later on to I 10 and we realized we were finally heading WEST.


A long first day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and we finally pulled off the road and circled the wagons after driving 300 plus miles. Our first night was spent in a very large open field in a very basic campground, water, sewer, electric, that was it....no trees, no pool, no amenities at all.


But what is ambience to a Happy Camper? We can make our own. So we pulled out the tablecloth and put it on a very worn picnic table and then we set the plastic forks and spoons and plates in their places and we were ready for a great dinner complete with a champagne toast.


The ladies brought out Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, and salad for us all to enjoy and a toast was given to our first tonight of togetherness and a wonderful trip to come. Each heart was filled with gratitude for the good fortune which brought us together and for the promise of a wonderful summer of adventure.


It was a lovely evening and when the bugs began to bite, as they always do, we left for the comfort of our motorhomes and for our hot showers, to play cards, to watch TV or to read our email and I couldn't help wondering, what did those poor pioneers do with their nights?


This trip has been so long in the planning and now I know it will go by so fast and on the first evening I could see the last evening and how sorry I will be to have it over.


But living in the present, as we must, I went to bed early and enjoyed knowing we are living in the dream.