Head em up Move em Out

[Liz]

Aren't we all so fortunate to have the capacity and the enthusiasm for the RV lifestyle, full or part time. And I so agree, that every place has it's own rich beauty, arid dry expanses, to lowland forest lakes and waterways...and all in between.
I wrote this short poem years ago and have made some paintings with these words on them:

Alone by the River,
Gazing High to the Peaks,
The Fresh Mountain Wind Through My Hair,
My Soul is Restored, My Spirit Renewed,
For It's God That I Feel When I'm There.

Love the poem!

[Nasoosie]

I love your poem, KD----it has the cadence, rhythm, and rhyming which I find so pleasurable in poetry. I've not learned how to appreciate completely blank verse. Robert Service poems are among some of my favorites for their rhythm and rhyming.

Keep on writing!

[JoanE]

I keep reading how people are so friendly that you meet but I didn't find that to be so, maybe because then not many women were traveling alone and the couples were definitely not open to bring friendly to a single woman. I did not have a dog with me for the first time ...........

I have not shared your experience regarding couples not open to a single woman. As a youngster, I was very shy. At some point in my teenage years, I read an article for shy teens extorting us to stop thinking only of ourselves and to make the other person feel at ease (cause they might be shy too). I am still not overly outgoing, but I have found that advice to be good. I frequently go places alone - concerts, restaurants, etc. I never hesitate to initiate or respond to people and have found couples very receptive, as a rule. I do have friends who would NEVER go to a restaurant alone. They feel uncomfortable. Although I generally do not like to call attention to myself, I have also gotten on a stage with a band at a club and played the drums on a dare, was selected from the audience to lead everyone in a risque song in the Keys. Getting out of your comfort zone can be exhilarating and fun. If no one gets hurt in the process, you realize that most of the time, you take yourself too seriously.

Having a dog is definitely an ice breaker. Just this morning I sat down for breakfast at a cafe next to a giant German Shepard. This dog looked like a small pony! You better believe that I chatted with the couple at that table. I was astounded at the size of their dog. They were tickled that I was so interested.

That said, some people do prefer to be in a crowd. I seek solitude, even when married, I always needed my "alone time". But when I am feeling a little too "alone", I just call a friend or go someplace to be around other people. Hopefully, you will be able to find the right situation for you.

[mtngal]

This thread has been so interesting to read. I love the different points of view, and experience. For me, nature has always been my connection to the spiritual in this life. Sometimes that means being 'alone' and sometimes sharing with someone I love, and sometimes with friends.

I also love reading the 'nature' threads here. How lucky are we to have this wonderful way to share? And members who can so eloquently describe their experiences?

About being alone, I've been on my own for many years now, but have to say I have NEVER left so connected. Cell phones, texting, e-mail, forums, chatting, and now face book. No way do I agree with those that say technology is isolating!

[Acadianmom]

I find that I am less likely to stop and tour something I am passing when I'm alone. I enjoy the GTG's and rallies I attend but also have my own space. I like to travel with my sister but I'm not into stopping at every garage sale and flea market in 200 miles. One of these years I'm going to take her on the 400 mile garage sale that I have heard about. The advantage of traveling alone is you can stop when you want and eat when and where you want. When I travel alone I seldom eat out or I will pick up a meal to go and eat on it for a couple of days.

The main reason I got a motorhome years ago was to visit my mother. My dad had no patience with kids and a visit was no fun for the kids or me. We had a place to retreat to when everyone had enough.

I have really enjoyed the women only rallies. Everyone doesn't have to do the same thing. Whatever activities are planned you can participate or not. I tried out several Good Sam chapters in my area and they weren't fun for me. All they want to do is play cards and cook. I sure don't want to go somewhere for the weekend just to cook.

Martha

[BarbaraRose]

Although I generally do not like to call attention to myself, I have also gotten on a stage with a band at a club and played the drums on a dare, was selected from the audience to lead everyone in a risque song in the Keys. Getting out of your comfort zone can be exhilarating and fun.

Joan, I think you will fit in quite nicely at GTG's with the women here!

I enjoy my quiet solitude but also need to be in the mix of a group of people at times too. Sometimes, when I am alone out in nature, I wish I had someone to share the experience with, but also appreciate that I have freedom to sit and enjoy it as long as I want without worrying about someone else's agenda. I think a dog would be good for me in those situations!

[Liz]

appreciate that I have freedom to sit and enjoy it as long as I want without worrying about someone else's agenda. I think a dog would be good for me in those situations!

But then you would have to worry about the dog's agenda. And they do have one.

[BirdbyBird]

Herschel here...... I had to woof when I read that remark about "our" agendas. We are just thinking about your health and need to get out and walk a bit and maybe meet some interesting things/people/stuff. We think of it has team work. It all works out. Roe and I use the quiet silent patient "look" to get our hoomans to remember our preferred activities. Luckily our preferred activities are closely matched to our hoomans and we know how to be patient, understanding and forgiving....enthusiastic, appreciative, excellent listeners....

And there is a reason none of you have met Blondie....Stuart and Izzy's Ma. Years ago when we started visiting the nursing homes Blondie would dance in the doors and have a wonderful time greeting everyone for the first 30 seconds and then she would want to "move along" right away. When we would be in the room with the GHL's pa, the nurses would later laugh and say "Blondie came today didn't she? We could hear her whining from the nurses station...." The dog always wants to go and NOW would be a good time. We love her but as a traveling companion she is a bit too pushy in her agenda. She follows directions and is obedient but lets you know it is not her first choice and she has a "better" idea. So Blondie now has trained the husband to follow her agenda. She has him trained to take her frequently through the drive through at the coffee place (where bones are passed out) and to include her in "ride along" errands. When I saw the dog bed from Costco out in the Pottery Man Cave I knew that she had managed to break that barrier also.

[Carolinagal]

Kd, I enjoyed your narrative very much, I could see what you were writing. You may enjoy your time out alone , soaking in nature, but when you set and write what you saw and feel, you have a crowd Thank you and please keep writing of your experiences out there, I'm really getting a sense of Oregon and wish I could travel there again.

The difference of opinions on this thread are very interesting. I'm probably a mixture of all that has been said. I love my alone time, but also cherish my time with family and friends.

When you're moved and settled, waiting with bated breathe here to know what your new location is like. Your poem says it like it is !!!

CArol