Texas, and then 'stuck in Alabama'

Hello All,

I haven’t posted anything for quite some time.

Thought I’d do a little catching up.
The internet is pretty sketchy here and I won't be including photos with this post.

I was in Texas for over a month in total and had some great experiences there. After my brother’s race I headed to Whitney TX, to Lake Whitney Campground for about 10 days. It was pretty quiet there because all amenities and activities were closed down due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Actually I had noisy neighbors, so I moved to a different site after several days. Over there I met a woman 15 years older than me who actually also graduated from Barnstable High School in Hyannis, MA. I think that's the first person I've ever met that also graduated from there too. Anyway I spent a fair amount of time reading, writing, playing music, and aimlessly wandering while I was there.

Next I met up with some new friends I met back at Peace River campground in FL. We have stayed in touch since we first met. We each stayed this time at a Core of Engineers park in Ennis, TX. A beautiful spot located on a lake. We enjoyed meals and great conversation together. They really helped me with my new website and a plan for ways to spread the love through my music. I’m really so grateful to them. Thanks Don and Alicia! You guys rock!

From Texas, I was in Tennessee for a few days, just outside of Memphis. I really wanted to go to Sun Studios and walk around Beale Street, etc. But sadly everything was closed down. Oh well. I will have to make another trip there sometime in the future.

Now I am at a campground called Hidden Cove RV resort in Arley Alabama. It is located all along beautiful Smith Lake and is very pretty. Unfortunately there's really bad internet connection and almost no Verizon service here. This is the first place I haven't been able to at least use my phone as a hot spot. I bought their internet service and it helps with wi-fi calling at least. Of course all of the amenities and activities are also closed here, other than laundry facilities.

The sites are very large in the new section where I am located, which is nice. I've met some great people here. I met three musicians within the first 48 hours. I pulled together a live music event in front of my site during the first week. It was really fun and seemed to feel good for everyone.

I can see that we, as full time travelers, live on the outside, compared to our friends and loved ones currently living in stable communities. Most of us are certainly connected to the world at large, some more than others, AND we are also part of a community of travelers. We are in survival mode like everyone else, but in a different way.

This organization called Thousand Trails has had to make adjustments like all other businesses, and they’re allowing all current guests to stay until the end of April at no charge. They're also not allowing new guests to come in to their other campgrounds until the end of April, so I guess that's the strategy.

I’ve decided to stay on here for at least a couple of more weeks, and I am super grateful for a safe place to stay for now. I feel so very grateful for the freedoms I have, and for the other people here.

All of this down time has forced me to find or discover more creative places inside myself. Writing songs, making greeting cards, creating jewelry, other writing projects, and progressing with online presence for my music are some of the ways I am spending my time. Walking, yoga, hand weight exercise, and online support meetings are definitely helping me stay balanced. 

On Easter Sunday, we were in the path of severe weather and nearby tornadoes. Many of us gathered in the clubhouse, tracking the storm and waiting until we may or may not need to get into the underground storm shelter. At the 9 PM Tornado alarm, we piled into the bunker for about 45 minutes. About 50 people and several dogs. It was dark. A first time experience for me. But we all escaped unharmed and our rigs were undamaged. A joint feeling of gratitude could be felt throughout the campground in the morning. I felt grateful, but sad to see there was a lot of destruction elsewhere from that storm.

I'm amazed by what is happening during this time in history. The seeds of change, existing in the heart of every difficult challenge, creates a strength and resiliency not previously found.