Monday, November 14, 2011

The Jitters

[caption id="attachment_166" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Road less Travelled"]Roadless Travelled[/caption]

 

Wow.  I can't believe l have the jitters.  Why, you may ask?  Guess what, l'm going to tell you.  It's part  therapy, part entertainment, to get it out. And  calms my nerves.

I saw an ad for a van on Craigslist 2 weeks ago.  I was really interested in it.  The catch was, l was out of town for 3 weeks, and wouldn't be back in town until after the person had left the country.  I was a little down about that.  But then l thought, it wasn't meant to be.  My Mom always said "everything happens for a reason".  So with those words, you tend to deal with things a little more gently.

Well, last night l got an e-mail from the guy, and as it seems, his plans have changed and he will be in town longer.  And he hasn't sold it yet.

Last night, l was feeling, great, how perfect.

This morning l woke up and was feeling "Oh shit, l might actually have to buy this thing and go travel."

The feeling l experienced this morning, reminds me of the same one l experienced when l had decided to go across America in my car 10
years ago.  I had the jitters just prior to leaving.  I think when you put a dream out there, and think about it constantly, when the planning all comes together, there comes a point when you have to do it.  You have to jump.

I’m pretty adventurous, l’ve travelled a lot, l change my life constantly for the “new” thrill, and  l still have the jitters about this  adventure?  I guess  experiencing  the jitters again has made me realize, that me, who can change things so easily, can still get the jitters, l guess l  now have to be more understanding for all the people that don’t like change, how DAMN SCARY change can be.

For my first road trip I put all my stuff in storage, dropped my cats off at my sisters then drove around US for almost 2 months.  It was a great experience, except it was too fast.  I did as l call them “20 minute” tours of all the places l stopped in.  l felt l was in a race to finish it.  I didn't take anytime to stop and experience the places l was in.  I wish l had, but l was to programed to feel guilty for having so much time off.

I was planning on staying at hostels along the way, but l also spent many a night in my car in the Walmart parking lot.  It was chilly sometimes.  I wasn't really prepared to use my car as a sleeping arrangement, but l did.

I bought a US park pass and l made a point of at least doing the “20 minute” tour of every park along the way.  This time l want to do it slower.  I want to smell the roses.  I want to breath deep.  I want to write as l go.   I wrote the first time too, little snippets home to a select e-mail list (Blogs didn't exhist then).  My original plan was to write more, but l was too busy flying through all the town, l forgot to make time.  Ok, l didn't forget, l just felt that there was always a fire under my butt and l had to keep moving.

Last time when l experienced these feeling prior to a trip I spoke to a very good friend of mine who travelled all the time.  She had spent year long furloughs in places like South America, Asia, Spain.  She said even she got nervous before a long  trip.  10 years ago l breathed deep and jumped in. That’s all l have to do this time to.  Breath deep and jump.

8 comments:

  1. walden creek rv steveNovember 14, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    I will be regular follower of your site!

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  2. I think its great that you will have time to visit each locale and time to stop to smell the roses. With this new found extra time, please do not spend any of it in those Walmart parking lots :)

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  3. Ah Greg, your just jealous. There is a Walmart in Newmarket if you want to truly experience Wally World. :-) Here is a virtual Hug!

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  4. Hey Tammy... found you over at Glenn's place and thought I'd stop by and say howdy!

    I traveled all over when I was young, but for the past 15 years or so haven't gotten to go much of anywhere. The bug's been nipping at me for a few years though and when money and time converge I very well may be hitting the road myself.

    Really interested to follow your experience, especially from the female perspective. I think we gals deal with some different issues than the guys do and I'm excited to see how it turns out for you.

    Maria

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  5. Thanks Deb. You know Virginia will be on my stop when l get rolling. :-)

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  6. Thanks Maria! It's a demanding mistress that travel bug. Once bitten, it is hard to ignore. There are different issues, and l might just find out exactly how to cope (l hope!!) Cheers!

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