R and R

Unfortunately my blog posting hasn't gotten off to a very auspicious beginning. Internet access has not been available at any of the campgrounds that we have stayed at so we have been relying on our Verizon connection. That has been some what of a bust also. I certainly hope connections get better!

We are currently at a campground on Cowanesque Lake in the northern tier of PA. The weather has been beautiful allowing us to spend a lot of time relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. We've also had time to visit with friends and relatives.

Friday we will pack up and move the motor home to Bob's cousin's house. She and her husband will be traveling with us. There we will do the final loading with departure set for Monday if all goes well.

Let the Journey Begin!

Bob and I have talked about taking a trip to Alaska for several years. When we mentioned the possibility to his cousin and her husband they decided they would like to share the adventure with us. But it was always in the future . . . "when we retire".

Well the future arrived and I discovered I wasn't as mentally prepared as I thought I would be. Surprisingly it's somewhat scary to pack up and say goodbye to your family, your home, and even your pets and to realize that you won't be back for at least 3-4 months. I did a lot of procrastinating which I paid for in the end. The past few days have been a blur of frantic activity and frazzled nerves. It has seemed like anything that could go wrong did go wrong.

But we are now relaxing in a campground in Virginia on our way to Pennsylvania to meet up with our traveling companions. It's actually happening! We're going to do this. Wow!

No more pencils, no more books, no more "teacher" dirty looks!

I said goodbye to my last set of students on Friday and will say goodbye to the school next Tuesday. This past week people have asked me how I was feeling. Was I sad, was I excited? I can honestly say neither. At the end of every school year we pack up and say goodbye. However, come next August I probably will be able to answer that question. What my answer will be at that time . . . I have no idea. Hopefully we will still be in Alaska having the time of our lives and so grateful that we don't have to stop and head back to work. What I will miss will be the camaraderie and fellowship of my co-workers. I have been blessed in my teaching career to have always worked in schools with great faculty and administration.

I did make a startling discovery this week. Well, I don't know if startling is exactly the right word but it did make me stop and think. Bob has been retired for about a week. On Monday I had a dentist appointment right after school and I stopped at home for a quick tooth brushing before I went for my appointment. When I walked in the door I found Bob all ready to accompany me. I had no problem with that, in fact I was happy to be chauffeured, but like I said it did make me think. Bob has always worked 8-5, five days a week, about fifty weeks a year. I, on the other hand, have usually been able to leave work by three and have extended holidays and all summer to do what I wanted to do. If I wanted to go shopping after school or spend 4 hours wandering through a store during summer vacation I just did it. No having to tell someone where I was going or justifying why I wanted to go. Hm-m-m, things will definitely be different now. Food for thought!