Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Thoughts After My First Season as a Snowbird


Are you wondering where I’ve been?  Sometimes I’ve wondered the same thing, what with some of the challenges I’ve faced.  Losing my dog was the worst.  Adjusting to the life style was a daily challenge.  The thing that worked for me was realizing that this is my first year/season and I have a HUGE learning curve to overcome.   At least the learning curve is huge for me.  I can’t speak for the rest of you. 

Now that the season is behind me, even though I’m still at the Voyager in Tucson, I can look back on it and reflect on what it’s been like.  Of course, I wish I knew then what I know now.  I’d probably do it quite a bit differently, but that’s the old “hindsight is 20/20” talking.  I didn’t have any experience when I came here and it’ll never be (I hope) as difficult as this first season.

The people I met made the whole thing worthwhile.  I met people from Calgary, Alberta, to New Mexico.  The people I hung out with were the partiers so there was a whole lot of eating and drinking going on.  Which translates to weight gain, but that’s enough on that subject. 

If it weren’t for Sandra, from Michigan, I think the story might have been quite different.  She knows a ton of people at the Voyager and my space was across the street from hers.  She’s a much more outgoing person than I am and I was fortunate that she liked me and I liked her and so she introduced me to all the people she knew or just met.  If I choose to come back here next year, it will be a lot easier because of the people I met this season.

But I haven’t decided whether to come back here next year.  I’m thinking that six months in one place is too long.  Even though I learned a new hobby, glass fusion, I found myself bored a lot of the time.  I missed the projects I came up with in my house.  Not that I miss my house, because I don’t.  I love the house I’m in, my 40’ Alfa, and that’s all I need right now. 

I heard more than once that if I got bored, it was my fault, because there wasn’t any reason to be bored at the Voyager.  I beg to differ.  I know that I’m searching for something and I haven’t found it yet.  I also know that if I keep doing what I’ve always done, nothing will change.  Glass fusion, pickle ball, bingo, to name a few, are not how I want to spend the rest of my life.  Wait…I forgot about Mah Jongg.  That I enjoyed, it really used my brain power.  The “real” Mah Jongg is so different from what I’ve been playing on the computer for years.  There’s no comparison. 

Maybe I’m done with Tucson.   I’m know I’m done with the brown.  Give me some green…please!!!  My Northwest side is coming out. 

I think the Voyager is too big for me.  Kind of like the Del Webb communities I checked out were too big.  I find them overwhelming.  This is good information for me.  The only way to figure out what I like and don’t like is to keep trying new things. 

I know that I would never recommend this park to anyone.  Someone in charge here has too many control issues and I don’t like being controlled.  I don’t like having to wear an identification badge.  I did that when I worked but I’m not working anymore.  

My latest negative encounter here was when they parked a Class A motorhome next to me.  Four days ago.  The park is almost empty, I’m loving the extra breathing room and they park a motorhome right next to me.  A smoker, no less, so when I go outside the first thing I smell is cigarette smoke.  AARGH.  With much difficulty, because they said I couldn’t leave that space until the 24th because I’d paid until then, I was able to move to a different space and now I don’t have anyone next to me, behind me, or across the street from me.  Aaaah, it feels so good. 

Living in a 33.5’ x 50’ RV space, surrounded by RVs, just about did me in. I felt hemmed in many times, hence the reaction to the motorhome debacle I just went through.  I’ve learned that I probably need more space, more privacy, and fewer barking dogs.  I was in the pet section so I shouldn’t complain too much.  After all, pets do live in the pet section, most of those pets are dogs and dogs bark. 

Pardon the rambling.  I realize I’ve missed writing in my blog so I think I’ll be writing more often.  Now that the partying has ended I have a lot more time on my hands!!! 






19 comments:

  1. It's good to have you back! Thank you for the update, and we are ready to hear more!

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  2. The kind of park you are in has never appealed to me for a long term stay. I'm not into partying or crafts or cramped parking. That's why volunteering at our nation's National Wildlife Refuges has worked for me. Lots of nature, a purpose for getting up in the morning, and socialization when and if I want it.

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  3. I agree with Judy. That might be more interesting for you. All our lives seem to have ups and downs, twists and turns, and I have been quite busy just settling inot my new (to me) home in PA and have not gotten to TX and AZ as planned. But I am sure I'll be heading out when its time to. Hoping you find something that sparks your interest. e all need a hobby or something that interests us.

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  4. Welcome back!! Funny, I was thinking about you this afternoon and this evening there is a new post!!
    This lifestyle is definitely a learning curve and you are doing what all of us do....learn!!
    I don't think your current campground would appeal to us either. I sure don't understand parking a MH right next to you in a campground that is almost empty. No logic there!

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  5. So glad to hear from you again. No sooner than I found your blog, spent a day reading it from beginning to end and enjoyed it thoroughly and then I got to the end and you were gone. I actually worried about you! Sounds like you'll be on the move soon enuf. Can't wait to hear more of your adventures. Welcome back :-D

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  6. I've wondered about you quite often these past months. Glad to see your post. I have been obsessed with food this spring and have lost some weight by eating healthier foods. Happy hour and parties can do you in. I guess one should bring healthier foods and water to drink.

    While you were gone Blogger changed their word verification. Most of us have turned it off and won't comment on blogs that are still using it.

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  7. Good to see you back. Your candor about your experiences is much appreciated. Looking forward to reading about where you head next.

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  8. Welcome back! I think I understand your dilemma. It sounds like you need to maybe try travelling more and spending only as much time in one place as you feel like. If you grow tired of the scenery outside move to another town or even state. Don't forget that you've got those wheels under your home. >;-)

    Sorry to hear about your dog.

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  9. Welcome back. We are all trying to find our place in this lifestyle.

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  10. Jeana... I have been wondering what happened to you. I can relate to a lot of what you said in this post. I still haven't found what I'm looking for and what I thought I would find while traveling in my motorhome. But I haven't given up yet. I'm learning a lot about myself in the process. Looking forward to reading your posts in the future.

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  11. So good to have u back - been wondering how u r. Weird of them parking someone so close to u in a practically empty park...sometimes there's no common sense for some folks. Sounds like u stayed there too long...I'm thinking 3 months would be absolutely max for me and that might be stretching it some. Hope u find new things and new adventures to allow u to enjoy urself. So sorry to hear about ur dog, they are wonderful companions. Well we have a 34' Allegro so come on over and we'll swap out. lol I want something a little larger but have hesitated in changing because I really like our floorplan. But I want something with the bus front end and a bit more room...will keep looking. That size is a lot for one person and especially a lady....being one myself I don't know that I'd want something that large....Good luck in ur next adventure and hoping it will bring u much more happiness. The only way we know for sure if we like something is to try it and ur doing good at that. Safe travels.

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  12. Good to see you back and posting again. I have missed your posts.

    Sorry about your loss.

    Take Care and keep learning.

    Sharon

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  13. Never know unless you try - so now you have tried and learned from the experience. That's always a good thing. I enjoy the desert for a time but the green of the Pacific Northwest is something I would not want to be away from for extended periods. Good luck to you as you continue your journey - both on the road and in your lifestyle.

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  14. Nice to see your back and writing again. Have safe travels when you get on the road again.

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  15. So happy to see you are back! I was worried that something had happened to you!
    I agree with some of the folks who have commented. Maybe you need to travel more? We really get itchy feet and BORED when we have been in one place too long. There is a big world out there to explore.
    By the way, we haven't been in that RV park but stop in Tucson twice a year when we are going to/from the boat in Mexico. My husband grew up & still has family there. Have tried several parks and haven't been impressed with any of them. You might enjoy staying in some of the State Parks. There are some gorgeous places out there.

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  16. Nice blog, Jeana. Thanks for sharing it with me. Please have safe travels. You have our number if you need to call and check on your "stuff."
    Butch Bryant

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  17. I have loved reading all of your posts. I lived in the PNW for a long time, so I know about the wet and gray. And I've been in AZ for 11 years, so I know about the brown too! I applaud that you overcame your fear of driving a big Class A. I'm terrified at the thought of it. I don't have my RV yet, thinking of a Class C about 26-29 feet. And I cried at the loss of your dog. I have dogs and I know from sad experience how painful it is to lose one.

    I hope you post soon, as I'm really curious about where you're going.

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  18. Just wondering where you are? It's been too long since we heard from you pretty lady....are you still alive?????

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