2014  HIKING, CYCLING,

& RV TRAVEL ADVENTURES

 

   
 
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   "RUNNING AWAY WITH THE CIRCUS," AN ESSAY
   BY CHUCK WOODBURY RE: THE RV LIFESTYLE

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8

 
"I have never understood my need to be a drifter. Some people need to plant roots deeply   
and then stay planted. I never desired deep roots, but shallow ones
that could be easily replanted elsewhere."
 
~ Chuck Woodbury
 
 
If I was a better writer I could have written that! It pretty well describes my own itchy feet.

Chuck is my favorite author of all things that are RV-related. He has been a writer all of his life and edits the weekly RV Travel.com newsletter that I look forward to reading every Saturday morning.

I recently came across this essay again from Issue 635 dated April 26-May 2, 2014. I think I've included a link previously but can't remember for certain. You can read the relatively short essay here or click on the link to see it online, with a cute cartoon.

Here's Chuck's "circus" essay:

I came across a book recently about "Running Away With the Circus." But what it was really about was running away from one's present life and to a new one. Quitting an executive job to take up pottery-making would be an example. Retiring early to go full-time RVing would be another.

When you were young did you ever dream of joining the circus? I did. Oh, I was never serious about it, but I did ponder the idea of drifting from place to place gypsy-style. I have never understood my need to be a drifter. Some people need to plant roots firmly and then stay planted. I never desired deep roots, but shallow ones that could be easily replanted elsewhere.

I know people who love one place. They may try living in different towns, but never feel quite at home until they arrive in a special town where, for the first time, they feel complete. "This is it," they say, and that is where they remain forever.

I have never found such a place. My place has always been somewhere different from the place before. And my house — my very favorite house — has always been my motor-house, the one that allows me to live as a gypsy without being so conspicuous that people think me odd. I like waking up often in a different place, but I especially like it when I awake in such a place in my very own RV's bed. I believe this is like having your cake and eating it, too.

Right now, after months of being at home, I'm feeling a bit of what I felt as a young man when I dreamed of joining the circus — of seeing new places and having new experiences. Have you ever stood at the airport and watched a friend's plane take off to a place far away? Did you want to go? Did you feel envy? Did you feel left behind? That's how I feel right now. I must do something about this. My RV beckons.

Chuck Woodbury

Jim and I can definitely relate to that at this stage of our lives.

It's easy to subscribe to Chuck's free weekly newsletter, which I've recommended several times before. It contains all kinds of useful RVing information. You can also subscribe to his RV Daily Tips, which come to your e-box every weekday. Just go to RVTravel.com to get started.

Next entryshifting perspectives -- the differences between living/traveling full-time in our RV versus the extended trips we used to take

Happy trails,

Sue
"Runtrails & Company" - Sue Norwood, Jim O'Neil, Cody the ultra Lab, and Casey-pup

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© 2014 Sue Norwood and Jim O'Neil

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