I waited in Tok for the correct axle to be delivered as the other option of installing a different type of axle did not work out. In that time, three weeks in all, I came to the realization that I no longer wanted to camp my way home, even with the correct axle and the camper in a back to new state. I was just over it. Maybe it was the three weeks waiting in a nice motel room with shower, tv, comfy bed etc. or maybe it was the almost two years on the road, but at that point in Alaska, I knew I was indeed over it.
So I printed up a flyer trying to sell the camper, passed it all over town, which in Tok, doesn’t take very long, and lo and behold I sold it in a few days to a nice couple. I was passing out flyers and ventured into one of the few gift shops in town and met a woman who told me her husband buys everything, so he would probably be interested.
That evening they met me at Tok RV, and bought the camper on the spot.
They decided to pay for the repair themselves which I of course deducted from the price, and we all were happy. The next morning I was on the road, heading for the lower 48. It only took me three days to drive through Canada as with no camper attached I could make great time. I stopped in Texas to visit an old friend that I had met in Carlsbad Cavern, New Mexico back in 2003, and had a great time. It was nice catching up. From Texas on to North Carolina for a great stay with my daughter and family. A larger family as it is, as I am now the grandfather of not only my very beautiful granddaughter Sydney but her little brother Jacob (photo below) too. Jake was born when I was in Fairbanks in July. It was a great thrill to hold the little guy. Actually he was born pretty big at 9 pounds. I spent an enjoyable week in North Carolina then headed back to Florida where I am now.
I have experienced some beautiful places and many of them would have been a wonderful place to call home, but Florida kept calling me back. I suppose there is something here that still has a hold on my heart.
I am working on a part time basis as a Lead Coordinator for a realtor friend and doing some consultant work in the real estate industry too, which is what I did for many years.
I am also in the process of putting together a photo essay of my time traveling, which will be called “My Life On The Road…A picture portrait of America as seen through the eyes of wanderer". Whether I try to have it published or just make it available to friends, I have not decided. I also have a mystery-thriller that I am writing. So between the two books, my sax playing, the book club I joined, working with real estate and just enjoying, I am pretty busy. A very good friend has asked me many times, “are you going to be able to just sit still’? Right now I am enjoying the “normal” life. I like where I am living, I like my bed, my frig, my TV and all the things most people take for granted every day.
It’s kind of silly really, as I had all of that my entire life, but after you’ve been camping for as long as I had, and you don’t really know when that will end, you miss all the things I mentioned. Getting back to it all is still something I am finding fantastic.
So If I had to sum it all up, which is what I am doing for this last entry, I would have to say that I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. It was an amazing ride. The beauty and diversity of America with it’s unique cities, landscapes, wildlife and people came together for me as a most memorable journey that gives me pause to the thought of someday doing it all over again, but for now that is a far away thought.
I would like to thank all of you who have followed my journey and who have been supportive with your comments. It was rewarding knowing that you were in some way also traveling with me, seeing what I saw and maybe planning your own adventure.
Do it!
Life is short. An old friend and mentor told me years ago;
“DON’T BE A MEMBER OF THE CUDDA, WUDDA, SHUDDA CLUB”!
TC...out...
