Traveling Across the US to Gather Spoons

Last year Randy and I started planning this trip and then decided to postpone it due to the economic and political climate. Then we realized if we waited for conditions to be right, we might never hit the road. So we started planning, set a date, and recently climbed into our motorhome and began our adventure.

Our plan is to travel across the US starting in Idaho and ending up in Maine. The map above shows the first leg. Eventually, we must consider the return voyage but not just yet. My goal, between embroidering, reading, sightseeing, and walking the dogs, is to share our adventures for anyone who wants to vicariously ride along. Articles will encompass the following topics and so much more:

• How to plan an extended trip
• Tips and Tricks
• Play and Stay
• Humor
• Dog Stories - Dagney and Francisco

All articles are available to read for free on Vocal Media or on our Facebook page RVing in Retirement.

What's this talk about spoons?

Throughout our married life, whenever we visit a new state I purchase a spoon. Now40 years later, my memory is fading and when we talk of traveling, I ask Randy, "Have we been there?" He even hesitates sometimes and we head to the kitchen to check out the spoon collection.

There is either an empty space where a spoon should sit, they are arranged alphabetical, telling us we have a place to explore or a spoon sparks memories of a past adventure. So this trip was planned to gather spoon from all the US states we have not visited. I hope to add 20 plus spoons and fill up the holes in our display case.

Telling the children

After a year of sporadic travel, we finally are going for an extended trip 90+ days.

As I contemplate strategies to announce such a shocking idea to our children who have always been the center of our universe, the reason the sun rises and sets, our motivation for worry and anxiety, I composed the following letter template.

Be aware we believe sarcasm is an effective form of communication and humor is the best way to address a serious topic. After completing this form letter, making copies for our daughters, sealing them into addressed envelopes and adding postage, we will have plenty of time to climb in our home on wheels to escape before the kids determine we have lost our minds and admit us to an old folks' home.

This form letter is shared so other retired parents who are experiencing similar feelings can walk in our shoes and share our resources. We would also love to hear any suggestions that have helped you successfully run away from home.

Though there are other greetings you could use at the start of this letter, it is important to start on a positive note if you want to be heard. It's like luring a bee with honey and then killing them with bug spray.

Dear Precious Child,

Lately, it has become painfully clear that your father and I want to travel and explore the world. We are writing to inform you of our intentions. (Circle all that apply.)

We have

• Spent your inheritance
• Secured a reverse mortgage
• Sold the house

Emptied our savings and cashed in our retirement funds

We have invested in a

• Travel trailer
• Motorhome
• Timeshare
• Fifth wheel

We are leaving immediately to seek adventure and relive our youth. When we arrive at our undisclosed location, we will be in contact but don't try to follow us because we will not be staying in any one place for too long. There will be no moss growing on these old bones.

You may not understand and be thinking

• You don't love me anymore
• You can't take care of yourselves
• It's not fair
• You are both senile

Be assured, you are and always will be the light of our eyes, our pride and joy but it is time we

• Experience freedom
• Live the dream
• See the world
• Shuck all responsibility

Once you are over the shock, take a moment to examine your emotions. We suggest several activities to help you accept our decision.

• Drink a glass of wine
• Dedicate hours to pray for understanding
• Buy a keg of beer
• Schedule a counseling session with Dr. Phil

I realize you are busy and were hoping for support

• Babysitting the children
• Financially to make ends meet
• Chauffeuring kids to events
• Helping you meet your goals

However, you are an adult insert age _____ and it's time you survive without us.

We have made this decision in sound mind. We have decided it is time to party, celebrate, and selfishly put ourselves first. Expect to see us

• When the turns in the road steer us back
• At a time of our choosing but don't hold your breath
• During the holidays
• On our birthdays to pick up the gifts

To everything there is a time: a time to laugh, a time to cry, a time to work but this is our time to travel.

Love you to the moon and back,

Mom and Dad

We are not alone

Of course Dagney and Cisco are riding along. Yesterday morning Cisco climbed in the motor home and refused to get out. He wasn't about to be left behind. Dagney, on the other hand, simple glued herself to my side. When Randy left to fill the gas tank, I laid on the living room carpet and asked Dagney what toys she wanted to pack. One by one she searched them out and deposited everything she wanted to take into a pile - which included EVERY toy we own.

When Randy returned we loaded the dogs and all their "friends" and headed out.

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