Happy Halloween!

My canine model & traveling buddy Sofie-Darla was a good sport during our “photo shoot” this morning.

She was paid handsomely in treats for her time and effort.

Behind the scenes: Her sticking her tongue out at me was a pretty good indication as to how she really felt about the Costume Photos idea!

Happy Halloween from me, Sofie-Darla, & the Kitty Crew!

AmyO.

Trip #2: Livingston TX to Waco TX

TRIP #2

Date: Sun., Nov. 09, 2014

Depart: 11:22 a.m.

Arrive: 4:11 p.m.

Traveled: 188 miles

State(s) Travelled: Texas

Gas Stops: 1 (Took 3 tries!)

New Experiences:

1. Unexpected Detour
2. Construction cement barrier
3. Busy Gas Stations

Incidents: 1

Exiting the gas station, spare tire scraped the sloped ramp. No damage to tire. Minor bend to metal secure bar. Oops!

 

Here we are in Livingston, about to hit the road.

And upon arrival in Waco, TX! My awesome rescue dog, Sofie-Darla, was sooooo happy to be out of the truck.

Yes, what normally should have taken about 4 hours took 5 hours. I had to go at the speed in which I was comfortable, so that meant going about 55 mph on I-45 while other cars were whipping past me at 70+mph. No one honked at me, at least that I was aware.

I have to admit that the stress-factor of the long drive was pretty intense! At one point, when I was instructed by police to detour around Huntsville, my jaw was chattering so badly that I’m sure I looked like a crackhead, or really, really cold. I couldn’t make it stop either! Fortunately, I didn’t give a darn at that point… I just wanted to hurry up and get to Waco – in one piece!

There was a lot of self-talk going on, “You can do this. You can do this.” At about two hours into the drive, I thought, “You know, Amy, you’re not ‘trail-blazing’ here. There are a lot of people, and a lot of single ladies at that, who do this. If it’s too much, you can always go get an apartment.”

WHAT?!?! Yes, the thought of an apartment was enough to snap me out of the “fear.” Later that night, after I was set up in Waco, I wrote a note to myself that included the phrase, “This kind of fear will NEVER stop me!”

The confidence I gained from RV Driving School played a big roll in my driving abilities, and Trip #2 was a huge milestone!

 

NEXT UP: TRIP #3… Waco to San Antonio

 

 

Rain Chasing!

For the past couple of weeks, rain has eluded me.

I’ve watched it on weather radar tracking closer, closer… only to skirt around me at the last minute, or rain itself out before it gets here.

So today, for the third day in a row, there were some pop-up rain showers in the area.

Was this rain headed my way? Of course not!

So I loaded up my 9-year-old rescue dog Sofie-Darla, and hit the road.

If rain won’t come to me, I’ll go to it!

Thirty minutes later, I pulled over on the shoulder of a wooded back road, listening to the melodic patter of light rain on the hood of my vehicle. I could smell the fresh hydration of summer green leaves on nearby trees.

Overjoyed, I stood in the rain, letting the raindrops dampen my hair, arms and dress.

It was heavenly!

Shortly thereafter, I got back in my car and drove away… happy, smiling, content.

On the way back to my RV some 30 miles away, I realized it didn’t bother me one bit that I was returning to a blistering sun, with no breeze, and a heat index of 104.

I chased rain today… and caught it!

I’m a happy girl.

Make it happen,

Amy O.