While meandering along San Antonio’s River Walk, I saw three people standing and chatting. After I asked if one of them would take my picture (something I did numerous times on this adventure), the woman volunteered to snap my pic. She said goodbye to her friends/colleagues and had me pose in multiple locations so she could take a variety of photos (something most people don’t do when taking another person’s photos!). When I asked her where the Pearl Brewery is, a place recommended to me for an afternoon refreshment, she offered to show me since she was heading in that same direction. During our walk, I mentioned that I was finishing a five month solo cross country road trip. She asked me NOT “What were your three favorite locations?” or “Did you ever feel scared?” or “What are COVID masking policies in other states?” – all three questions I’ve been asked multiple times. Instead she asked me two EXTRAORDINARY and DEEP questions, which I’m going to answer here…

– What did I learn about myself?: I learned so much about myself! The most surprising things? How competent I am, how much I enjoy my time alone even though I’m most definitely an extrovert, how much I’m able to find joy/happiness/wonder/surprise in even the smallest of adventures/locations/experiences, how I can be both flexible and inflexible depending on the circumstances, how much I love traveling (okay, this isn’t so new, eh?!)!

– What am I going to do differently after this trip?: This question is, in my opinion, even deeper than her first question. And I don’t really have a good answer yet! I know that I want – I need! – to contribute to the world in some meaningful way. I know that it’s important to me to help reduce how much we “otherize” people. I know I have skills, talents, and abilities that can be put to good use. How I do this…I’m still not sure. What excites me most about being retired is not being beholden, so a formal program or organization does not interest me. My hope is that as I share my goal and keep my heart, mind, and ears open, the right opportunity will present itself.

Five months – too long or too short?: In some ways, five months was not long enough. There are so many other places I want to see! However, in other ways, five months was too long. I love my family, friends, home, and community so much that five months was a bit too long.

Connectedness – power of technology: Technology ROCKS! (Yes, I am a BURKE!) Most vitally, it helped me stay connected with my friends and family. Phone calls, texts, emails…they all helped me be able to share what was happening with me and allowed me to know what was happening in their lives. Technology also assisted me in planning my trip – routes, campgrounds, sights, weather, etc. My phone got as big of a workout as my legs! ALSO, my Facebook travel log connected me with so many friends and families while allowing me to keep a record of my adventures and fostering my enjoyment of writing and photography! The support and encouragement – and excitement! – of so many of my travel log friends inspired me.

Future blog: Several friends have asked me if I’m going to write a book. At this time, I don’t think so (never say never!). Next year, however, I’m going to transfer my travel log to a blog to preserve the writings and photos and to remove it from the Facebook platform. I already have a name: Chapter 5: Active Retirement! From composing my travel log, I have rediscovered my joy in writing. At the start, I struggled with each word or phrase – I kept hearing others’ criticism of my writing while I wrote. As my adventure continued, I began to enjoy the writing itself! I also realized how much I love taking photos! It’s time for me to buy a “real camera” – any suggestions for a good starter camera? – so I can develop my photography skills.

When I was ready to give up – right at the start!: The first week was the hardest! Not because I was lonely or scared or confused. But because of my misadventures with Addie. At my first campground in Clear Lake, CA, Addie’s awning wouldn’t close. When I kept trying to close it, I noticed I was standing on a yellow jacket nest – and received a bunch of yellow jacket stings on my left leg. Very painful and itchy! Then, the awning pulled out from the rivets. I slid the awning into Addie and went to my friends Kate and Chuck’s house. Their driveway goes up at an angle and then flattens out. Being concerned about bottoming out on the driveway, when I made my sharp right turn into the driveway, I hit the low wall of the righthand side and gave Addie her big boo boo. Luckily, the boo boo is cosmetic and not structural. Chuck cleaned up Addie, and they’re storing the awning for me – YAY! This was all during my first week! With Kate and Chuck’s encouragement, support, and humor – and a bit of wine! – I was ready to continue my trip. That first week, though, was tough!

   – They’re doing great! Having independent adult children allows me to explore and travel knowing that they’re fine.

   – He did great, too! With Emmett (grandson born May 20), his new cabin in Calaveras County, his home projects, and his work and volunteer schedule, I don’t even think he realized I was gone. (Just kidding!)

   – Off the top of my head…

   – Addie and I are joined at the hip! I’m definitely keeping her. I’ll be fixing her boo boo, changing her curtains, and doing a few other minor repairs/upgrades, and then she and I will head out on more adventures.

   – Let’s see… Northridge, Hawaii, Dorrington, Minneapolis, Felton, Charleston, …

   – Hugged Emmett!!! (See attached photo!)

   – YES.

   – This was an adventure of a lifetime. At times, I don’t believe it really happened. And then I think back over a date or a place or a person, and I’m blown away by the overall experience of this trip. I am so happy I have the health, time, and resources to have taken this trip. I am sad that it’s over. I am excited for new adventures. I am tired. I am contented. I am ready to be at home and back on the road!