Happy late Thanksgiving from the road! When I was planning my time in Arizona, I had no idea that I would be so busy. I have been composing this blog post in my head for a month but it is only now on my last day of traveling that I have the time and energy to sit down and write.

Today is the last day on my drive back to Washington, we’re in Ashland, OR staying at an adorable house called the “Red Dragon House”. I chose to travel a different route than in October, this one taking us through California where there were more charging options, rest stops and rental houses. The first day we travelled from Phoenix to Palm Springs where we stayed in an mid century modern house with a beautiful pool. The next day we drove to Fresno, we won’t be staying there again. Never trust a house that has only perfect reviews, these must have been written by friends and family. Today we will drive to the Tri-Cities with a stop in Bend to see my new triathlon coach (teaser to read on!)

*The travelling dogs in their car palace*

This route is a bit longer and I’ve had to deal with more traffic, but it has paid off big time. The dogs have done great staying houses as opposed to hotels. Right now they are chasing each other around playing, this never happened in hotels. I’m already starting to plot my course in the spring and will avoid the central valley of CA, instead heading to Reno before moving on to Vegas. We were covered in fog and cloud cover from just north of LA all the way to Mt. Shasta.

My time in Arizona was more than I could have ever wished for, it feels as if I have come up for air after being under water for some time. Obie remains a constant in my life, the grief is still there but it is transforming into a warm embrace as opposed to a weight. I am sad that he couldn’t experience the RV resort life in Arizona, he would have loved it so much. The moon and his spirit has been a constant presence watching over us. In February, I started the process to have some of his ashes turned into a diamond necklace and that arrived earlier this month. Just another way to keep him with me (that sounded kind of creepy…)

The past two months have been packed with so much, it’s hard to figure out where to start. My RV spot is finished and it is my perfect desert oasis. My plants are thriving and I guess you could say I am as well. I know that I am powered by the sun and for the most part, the weather has been perfect. It does get chilly at night (into the 40’s at times) but the days typically get into the 70’s and 80’s. The last week and half was uncharacteristically raining and cold, it was conditioning me to return to winter in the PNW.

*Turkey trot of a different nature (poker run with shots at each stop). I was able to scramble for constumes but we didn’t win, already planning for next year!*

The dogs have adjusted to desert life and don’t even notice the jets anymore. It’s pretty cool living in an airshow, seeing the jets flying all of their maneuvers. Lightening storms still freak Penny out and we got caught out in one while on a walk. Arizona storms are something to behold! On most days, we start off with a long walk with a new friend and her dogs. Penny and Molly, a beautiful German Shepard, are best friends and play all the time they are together.

*Molly, Chewie and Penny. Just missing Allie who is on the other side of Melissa.*

The people are what have made my time this fall in Arizona so special, I was sad to leave on Tuesday and am looking forward to being back. From the first day I arrived, Tim’s sister Debbie and her husband Dave along with their friends Melissa and Scott, adopted me into their circle. They fed me, helped with things around my RV spot. Dave installed electricity in my shed and he and Scott installed my outside TV on my shed door. Debbie and Melissa have become good friends and I have never felt alone. They completely spoiled me on my birthday with a homemade pizza party and flowers. Tim’s arrival was delayed until two weeks ago and with the whole gang there, every day is full of fun and laughter.

*At my birthday dinner with my new ebike*

A typical day starts with a long walk with Melissa and the dogs, then it’s putting around the RV doing anything that needs to be done, afternoons are for golf or running errands, probably 5 nights a week we do a group dinner followed by games (either watched or played). Some nights are capped off with a trip to the hot tub. I always fall into bed tired but with a smile on my face.

I’ve also started playing golf again and riding my bikes. I bought a new set of clubs, took a lesson, hit the driving range a few times and played three rounds of golf in the last three weeks. I am really happy with how it is coming back to me, I’m hitting the ball better than I did before but still have a lot of work to improve. The key is that I’m having fun. I have a neighbor who is a triathlete and we’ve been riding bikes every weekend. I never knew how much I missed being on my bikes until I got back on, it’s like a piece of my puzzle is back in place.

*Tim, Melissa, Derek and I playing Wigwam golf course*

One of my retirement gifts was a generous gift certificate to the spa at the Biltmore hotel. I scheduled an entire day of services on the day before my birthday. One of the sessions was an astrology reading which was fascinating. The key take aways were that the weight that I’ve been carrying for the last decade will drop away when Pluto comes out of retrograde and I will experience a new level of energy like I never have in my life. Whether you believe in this stuff or not, I’m ready to turn the page on this year! She also reinforced something I already knew, I need to say no as much as I say yes. Easier said than done but I’ve been more mindful of the commitments I take on.

With this anticipated burst of energy in mind, along with a deferred entry to the half Ironman traithlon in the Tri-Cities next September, I have recommitted to triathlon training and signed on with a coach. I’ve known him for almost as long as I’ve been in triathlon. I’m excited to see how my body responds to consistent training after the last few years of winging it. I want to have a solid race next fall and now have more time to devote to it. Yes, I do recognize the irony of saying I have more time when my days are so full. I guess it would be better stated that I am ready to make my training a priority and don’t have a full time job to content with at the same time.

*Riding the New River trail with Jennifer*

I made a quick trip home in October for a Boys & Girls Club event with Jermaine Kearse (former Husky and Seahawk player.) It was strange to be there without the dogs and I realized that home is really where the dogs are. Each night in the rental houses, they have climbed onto the bed or couch and curled up around me. I am so thankful and feel so fortunate to experience all of these things with amazing people! I hope that you are able to take a moment this Thanksgiving and think deeply about who is important to you and to communicate your love to them. I cannot wait to see all of my kids over the next few days, I have missed them so much. I’m also looking forward to reconnecting with my friends, I am surrounded by the best people and am so grateful.

*Jermaine Kearse signing my jersey, I figured if I already owned his jersey, I needed to be at the event!*

If you thought the last few months have been busy in my life, just wait until you hear what is in store for the next three months! But it’s time to load the car and start on our last travel day, so I’ll share that in my next blog.

Time flies when you are having fun

Feeling at home in the desert