Success!

We completed the main projects before Labor Day and successfully camped at two different state parks for a total of nine nights. The first two nights were incredibly hot and humid, but the second outing was absolutely wonderful. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves and are excited for our next trip.

I'm getting used to driving a large vehicle and figuring out the systems. I had a slight problem with the awning on the first trip, but no one was hurt and Mr. Q was able to fix it. I successfully dumped the waste tanks by myself (which involved packing up the RV, driving it to the dump station and then driving back, re-parking/leveling and setting up the awning again). The generator is leaking oil and the house battery needs replacing, but neither problem will stop us from doing a bit more exploring this fall. I think I'm ready to leave the state on a solo trip with the kids!

Freedom to Fly

Everyone once in a while, I learn something new about myself. Often times, it is with the help of the amazing man that I call Mr. Q. Last weekend, I was struck by a life-altering jolt thanks to an idea of his.

It's no secret that I've found life as a homeowner overwhelming. For the past year, I've felt trapped by our commitment to this house. For years, I was able to test my wings a bit more each time that we moved. When we returned to New England, I felt my wings were being clipped. Mr. Q helped me to see that feeling like I was forced into this situation was a major factor in my finding it so oppressive. After all, he said, it's happened before. Why is it that what was glaringly obvious to him completely baffled me?

A short while later, he said something about me hitting the road with the kids in an RV. My brain was spinning so fast at that point that I'm not sure exactly what he said, but I suddenly felt more alive than I had in a long time. Traveling in an RV is something we'd both love to do and he's willing to find a way to make it work, even if that means me going without him. He's giving me the freedom to fly and even nudging me out of the nest!

In the week since our discussion, he's continued to be supportive of the idea. Things are fairly nebulous right now. There are an infinite number of details to work out and we have to make some significant financial changes to buy a rig, but I'm confident that we're at the beginning of a new amazing journey. I hope that giving in to the wanderlust for a few more years will eventually soothe my desire to travel. In the meantime, I think it will give the younger kids an amazing childhood!