(Written Mon 10/22 but posted 10/25)
I now understand (better?) the phrase “New Beginning,”
because that is what this is.
When we (I?) last talked, I was on a rant with Insurance companies.. Nothing has changed. Nothing will.
Look around your town .. ANY town ..
and tell me, who has the tallest building? Either a bank or an insurance company –
because THAT’s where the money is. But I
digress…
No, today’s scribbles are about a return to what I love the
most: “Going down the road” as
I travel the USA. I retired earlier this year.
Unless you’re a driver, it is unlikely you can comprehend the pleasure
of just going down the road. Whether
it’s my Harley or just my truck or my whole train – it doesn’t matter. The peace and solace that comes over me as I
become one-with-the-world around me .. if you don’t get it .. I can’t explain
it. Obviously I’m NOT taking about city
driving here – different subject there.
Need my Xanax – jk. And I know
I’m not talking to everybody. Many of
folk have shared how they can’t stay awake.
You guys – take the bus, please.
Today .. Sun 10/22 .. I am sitting in my camper (22’ fifth
wheel) at Rodman State Park, FL .. pretty much central Florida after just
having left Biketoberfest. Imagine:
towering live Oak trees draped with moss surrounding you on a stair-stepped
bluff leading down to a man-made canal some 100 yards across. The section of the campground I’m in fronts
along the canal with perhaps 20 back-in spaces.
I’m in the last spot before going back up the bluff to the
entrance. The next occupied space is 4
spots down – perhaps 150’ away. I love
FL State Parks .. always clean and nice.
This state likes tourists.
THIS is my version of retirement – at least to start. This is also my first RV, so there has been a
learning curve. My curve was probably
steeper than most because I (thought I) knew enough to make good
decisions. I have 20+ years trucking –
pulling big things – so the driving part is not intimidating. And I have done a
small amount of tent camping in my younger days – a 10-day trip around Lake
Superior into Canada with my 10 year old son is perhaps the best memory. And I have two good friends that have RVs and
I have been out with them multiple times over the years. So, I’m 80% there, right?
Perhaps so. But that other 20% has been a test at times. My biggest “What-where-you-thinking” moment
came when I discovered my plans to double pull (1 truck pulling 2 trailers – my
22’ fifth wheel and an 8’ utility trailer with my bike) is ILLEGAL in several
states – including Florida – where I live now.
At least I learned before I got out on the road and got in trouble, so
it could have been worse. I had
incorrectly assumed that because pulling a double COMMERCIALLY is legal in all
50 states that my combination would also be okay. Interstate trucking, being commercial, comes
under Federal rules. RVers are governed
by each states rules. Oooops.
So for this 3-week trip .. all within Florida .. it’s triple
miles as I have to back track each move to bring the second unit (usually the
camper) up. A steep learning curve, I
think I mentioned. But I have a plan
(surprise!).
I’m going to get a 22-24’ bumper pull camper – like maybe an
Airstream – and carry my motorcycle in the back of my pickup truck on a
motorcycle lift that I already own. This
will be legal in all 50 states. I have the truck and the lift. All I need is to trade campers.
In the meantime, I’m in route to Pensacola area for the
Southeast Regional HOG Rally two weeks from now. About 400 miles .. as the crow flies. A little bit more for me .. this time. But time is on my side for a change.
