Any good political organizer knows the importance of finding campaigns that are doable and winnable. And then there are times when you just look around for an easy win in order to give some credibility to the cause and to galvanize the troops to boost their confidence. And then there were times when you just throw in the towel, declare it a win, and go out for a beer.
After 7 months and 27,000 miles, 37 states and 2,854 gallons of gas we have decided it is time to put the Big Pig out to pasture and start planning the Victory Party. What a long, strange, wonderful, introspective, eye opening trip it has been. In these past 7 months we have slept in 33 RV Parks, 5 Wal-Mart parking lots, 22 friend’s and family’s homes, 17 hotels and 2 trains…but never at the wheel.
Back in June we were thinking we would get through the entire school year but the kids were longing to be with other kids, I was longing to be with a larger community that talks more, and Evan was longing to be with people who weren’t whining. Although Evan would much prefer to be attending Spring training in Florida and teaching math through baseball statistics than digging through our storage facility looking for computer cables so he can connect up the technology to start the job search, even he is appreciating the normalcy of living in a house that doesn’t move.
Last week we signed a 6 month lease on a 3 bedroom flat in Brookline, MA. Brookline is known throughout the state for its excellent public schools. Given our long history in Boston and numerous friends on the ground with open arms, it has been a soft landing. The kids have completed a day and a half of school and initial indications are that Headmasters Penelope Snodgrass and Reginald Higgenbothem from RV Elementary have kept them up to speed!
In the words of Simon, “Mom, our 3 bedroom apartment feels like a mansion. Our old house in London must have been a palace.” It is all about perspective. Spend 7 months in an RV and anyplace is a step up.
I have been amazed at how quickly you can put a life back together. Kind of like a blow up bed. Pull it out of the box, add some hot air and next thing you know you are sleeping comfortably. It is wild to think a mere month ago we were flying back from Hawaii and here we are getting ready for the 6th grade dance and looking at the merits of gerbils vs. hamsters for a pet.
Where is the Big Pig? Comfortably parked on our friend’s horse farm in Carlisle, MA. The same horse farm where we were married 14 years ago. We will be cleaning it up to sell in the next couple of weeks. Needless to say, if anyone is interested in having their own adventure – please be in touch for a test drive!
Over the next couple of months we are both hoping to land meaningful employment in the Boston area, and then buying a house and staying put…for awhile. As our fellow travelers can attest - once a traveler, always a traveler.
We will keep the web site up and posting blogs about our reentry, stream of consciousness writing, poems, jokes, and who knows – information about our next adventure.
Thank you all for your interest in our family’s odyssey and support along the way!
Yours in Everlasting Adventure,
Wendy
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I'm surprised and relieved to learn that you have landed somewhere, and landed on your feet. With dances, schools, and apartments, it sounds like you've all hit the ground running.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it odd how quickly you can slot back into 'normal life'. And yet the adventure will stay with you for a long time to come.
I really hope you will continue your blog. I've greatly enjoyed reading along with you on your journey. Hope all continues to be well there, and that you find everything you're looking for... in life, and in your storage. :)