Happy Anniversary!

 

Today, a year ago, I left Port Orange, Florida and started heading west.  It doesn't seem like it, but it has been a full year that I've been traveling in my 5th wheel.  I traveled 6 hours that first day, something I have not done since, and what most seasoned RVers warn against, since most of us are not on time schedules.  

 

 

I have seen all sorts of interesting sights, parked overnight in WalMart parking lots, have been on amazingly poorly maintained main roads, and have been stuck on the side of the road waiting for tow trucks.  I have met all kinds of people, mostly very nice, and some are amazed that a woman would go exploring like this on her own.  I have been surprised that in the past year I have met quite a few women traveling in all sorts of RVs.  I have met many more solo women than I have men who travel alone, which surprised me since I found solo men sailors in the Caribbean outnumber solo females.

 

I have stayed at RV parks that were wonderful, with a pool and hot tubs and all sorts of amenities and activities.  But, I have also stayed in parks that were not much more than a run down trailer park full of long-term residents who didn't do much maintenance on their homes.  Since I am now in the southwest, I have been boondocking, camping on public lands with no facilities.  I'm beginning to like that more than being crowded in and hearing your neighbor sneezing.   When looking for a place to stay in a new area, I research available public lands first.  These photos were taken during last week's stay near Lake Havasu City in Arizona.

 

 

There were two other solo women there, which is surprising since it was a small campground.  We went on hikes together out in the desert, searching for cacti that had just started blooming.  In the evening on a few nights, we were invited to a campfire where a man was playing a guitar and singing.  We all got to meet some new people and had a great time under the starry skies.

 

 

Now I'm embarking on another year of exploring wonderful places to visit.  I'm looking forward to all the places I have planned for this next year.