I pulled out of Marika’s driveway on Wednesday morning, August 1 and arrived at Country Hills RV Park, my overnight destination in Beaumont, California seven hours later. It was a long day but relatively easy driving across the desert.
I met up with my friend Kathi who lives near Beaumont and we enjoyed some delicious Thai food and catch-up conversations. Bedtime came early and Laddy and I both slept long and deep. In the morning we took a walk through the high desert, ate our breakfasts outside while we watched hummingbirds and I readied the RV for the drive the rest of the way to Morro Bay.
But as I sat there in the quiet of the morning, I realized I just wasn’t up for a second day of freeways and mountain passes and six more hours behind the wheel.
So I changed the plan.
I decided to drive only half the way and stay overnight in Ventura where my friend Leslie lives. I had planned to camp at the nearby state park, but Leslie said I could park on the street in front of her house, just two short blocks from the beach.
Leslie is a Buddhist, and being around her calming, non-judging energy was exactly what I needed. We talked, I cried, I made myself lunch and then I had to take a nap.
I didn’t realize how exhausting all of the driving AND all of the emotions of this journey would be.
After my nap, Laddy and I took our first walk on the beach. Pelicans and gulls flew over our heads but I was still too tired to walk very far or even take my shoes off to get my feet wet. I wasn’t sure how comfortable Laddy would be off leash with other dogs coming up for smells, but he did fine.
We hung out in the RV until bedtime, him asleep in my bed and me watching Project Runway on Hulu using a neighbor’s free wifi.
Friday morning, after a good night’s sleep, I still wasn’t ready to get behind the wheel. My body just wanted to rest. So I chose to stay another day and night in Ventura, being gentle and forgiving with myself and my changing plans.
We walked, I wrote, we napped and walked some more. I finished the last of Marika’s grilled chicken for dinner. While I wanted to join Leslie for First Friday Art Walk at her Studio, I knew the four hour commitment would be too long for me. So instead, Laddy and I took an evening harbor walk and I watched TV until bedtime.
I pulled out early on Saturday morning, rested and ready for the three hours of driving, ready to reach my destination.
The drive was easy, with very little traffic, just rolling hills, vineyards and horses feeding on fresh hay. I drove to the back bay first to walk around a bit. I had lunch in the RV overlooking a frenzy of pelicans feeding on a clump of kelp, then drove into Morro Bay, stopping at the market for some provisions before checking in.
The office at the RV Park was closed when I arrived but a man was standing right there, and he showed me how to figure out where my spot was. And then he was there again when I was ready to pull in, happy to help me back in so I didn’t have to stress about that either. Blessings!
I video chatted with Marika for a while, testing out the connections and it’s fast enough to rely on for work. YEAH! I told her that I’d been invited to do a presentation at the local Mac User’s Group, but was concerned about backing in after dark. She suggested I ask someone for a ride. I did, and the president said he’d be happy to come get me, even though he lives in Shell Beach! So I can relax about that too.
So we’re settling in. And I still can’t believe I am finally here.
Laddy and I have taken several short exploring walks. There’s a green grass park at the end of the street where we played a little low-impact frisbee. The beach is a little further the other way. And the trolley that goes downtown and to the Embarcadero stops right in front of the RV Park, so that will be a fun adventure, too.
This drive from there to here has been such an opportunity to check in with myself, with my body, my energy and ignore what is on the calendar. For a person who lives and thrives with a schedule, this is the new definition of freedom. And so far, it is working.
I’d love to hear how you honor your own body and energy, the voice within. Please share by clicking on the Comments below.
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what a wonderful story of letting life unfold! It sounds like a lovely relaxing trip!
I am honoring my body by doing research into ways to have a healthy thyroid. After 10 years on thyroid medicine I have realized than many symptoms I have are connected to thyroid. I have discovered that I should not be eating cruciferous vegetables (which I usually eat LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of) or soy (goodby fake meat. sigh). And that synthetic thyroid medicine only deals with the storage component of the thyroid. And lots of other things. Just a few adjustments have dispersed my depression (which my doc wanted to medicate – and I refused)(also listening to my body). I am paying attention to my rhythms when making art and not forcing myself to continue when I’m tired (just as well – things don’t go well then, anyways). Love your story Ruth! Thank you for sharing!
Tammy, Bravo to you for knowing you better than anyone. Our bodies talk to us and often, we are too busy or too pre-planned to pay attention. I wish you much relief and wellness as you fine tune your lifestyle to fit your life.
Hi there…makes me teary happy to know you are there, brave one. I love it when a dream comes together. I am learning to honor myself by not overcommiting…especially during the week. AND, I hated getting up at 5AM for a 6AM gym appt…so I finally got my slot moved so I no longer dread going. It’s the little things 😉 Much love to you!
Anna, bravo to you for taking action on the little things. The little things ARE the big things. Are you scheduling ANNA TIME into your calendar during the week so that you have some down time? It’s the secret to balance for me, though, these days, I have so much wonderful me time, Laddy time, walking time, writing time, bigger dreaming time….love to you, too!
My dear Ruth,
We have known each other since the 80’s. Your Computer knowledge and teachings made me very successful during my career with US West / Dex. It was an easy phone call to make an appointment and you would run to my rescue to answer my latest questions. During the last 8 years of my retirement, you have still come to my rescue and I thank you for that.
I have enjoyed your story, I think you should write a book!!! It could be in the travel section as well as the self help group.
Your story was exciting to read and I wanted to know more, as you acknowledged there was nothing HOLDING YOU BACK but yourself. What a great accomplishment to discover that in itself. I was crossing my fingers seeing you all set up in the more expensive place. When that fell through, I was prepared for you to be in the furnished studio, to save some cash and get your bearings. Your story truly kept me turning the pages!
I have a best friend who lives in Morro Bay, which was my initial interest in your story. I will hook you up with her. She lives there with her husband and have summered there for years until finally committing to live there full time. They too, love that COLD weather up there.
There is nothing better than learning about yourself, your strengths and weak spots and understanding the importance of letting go and going with the flow. Whenever things became challenging to me I would read Deepak Chopra. I still have his Creating Affluence book on my desk and glance through it from time to time.
May I quote the A from his A – Z steps of affluence and happiness.
“A STANDS FOR ALL POSSIBILITIES, ABSOLUTE, AUTHORITY, AFFLUENCE AND ABUNDANCE. The true nature of our ground state and that of the universe is that it is a field of all possibilities. In our most primordial forms, we are a field of all possibilities. From this level it is possible to create anything. This field is our own essential nature. It is our inner self. It is also called the absolute, and it is the ultimate authority. It is intrinsically affluent because it gives rise to the infinite diversity and abundance of the universe.”
I wish you well Ruth, keep those newsletters coming and keep challenging yourself. You have built a VERY successful business and you are your own boss. Don’t be so hard on yourself!! smile and smell the sea and enjoy all the new friends you will meet…..and along the way – when it’s right – there will be another person to share your journey with you, but right now Laddy is there for you!! Sending smiles your way!!!!!