On the Road Again, New Prospect Fire Department celebrates 50 years, and Sue Arnold on Safari

About 6 weeks ago I decided to take another long road trip. I knew it would be dependent on how I feel at the time and if I could have enough medicine in order to be away for a month or so. I talked with Hospice and my doctor so we could plan and work together to make a trip possible. I’m signing out of Hospice before I leave, and will enroll again when I return if I need to.  Now, it’s a few days before I plan on leaving and it’s a go at this moment in time. During the past 10 days, I had several good days in a row. I didn’t need any breakthrough medicine for pain, or only needed a little in the late afternoon or at night. I still make myself get out every day, even if it’s just going to the grocery store, or sitting in the park to read a book. I’m still able to eat, even though it’s not much at a time.

When I had my condo, I left duplicate items such as linens, towels, a toaster oven, crock pot, pots and pans, utensils, bowls, etc. in my camper. Because I have removed everything from my camper to use in my apartment, I have to pack things again so I can use them on my trip. I’ve been putting things I need to take in piles on the floor, so all I will have to do is bring my camper here and load things into it. I usually take more than I need. If I forget anything important, I can get it at a store along the way. I am taking enough clothes so I won’t run out in a short time. If I have to do laundry, and I am not visiting with friends, I stop about every 2 or 3 weeks and find a laundromat. Sometimes, I wash items in the sink or at a faucet at a campground and lay them on a picnic table to dry. It’s worked well in the past. Sometimes there are campgrounds with no showers, so I wash myself with a washcloth. I’ve also been known to wash my hair outside at a faucet using a plastic cup to wash the soap away. I’ve also stopped at a beauty salon to have my hair washed. There is almost always a way to accomplish something if we look for it.

So, am I excited about leaving on a trip? I think so. Will it be as easy as living in an apartment? Not necessarily. But, I know from years of experience that I can do it. When I traveled in 2011 and 2012, I had serious health issues and even though it was difficult to drive some days, I did it anyway. Sometimes, I wasn’t able to travel, so I just stayed where I was camped and read books. I will take my time since I don’t have to be anywhere at any specific date or time. If I drive for an half hour, an hour or so, and I am tired, I will stop and take a nap or rest. I almost always stop every hour and a half or two for a snack or food, to get gas, or explore something of interest. Or if’s it raining hard, I find somewhere to stop until it slows down. If I want something to eat that needs to be warmed or cooked, it takes a bit of planning, but as I said, I’ve done it before. I always keep coldcuts and bread handy, it makes a quick and easy meal. Also, leftovers work well too. I’ve had some very interesting meals using what I have in my little fridge. I’ve adapted to eating lots of different foods cold. I’ve endured extreme temperatures both hot and cold.

I may not have Internet very often, so I will update my website when I can. I will try to keep the Travel Map tab up to date within a few days so you can see what part of the country I am in. For this trip, I am planning on visiting my friend Cindy in north Florida, then going to visit my firefighter friends in southeast Georgia, then a library in southeast Georgia, then if I’m still doing okay, I plan on going to western South Carolina to see my other firefighter friends. If after that I’m still able to travel, and I have enough medicine, I will look at the map and see where I want to go next. Western South Carolina is about 750 miles away, one way. I’m not sure how far in distance I want to travel to in case my health worsens and I need to get back to south Florida quickly. I’m expecting my health to continue as it has the past several weeks. However, I know from experience, it can change quickly either for better or worse. It’s happened both ways. I like to think positive and I’m hoping that God’s plan for me is to complete this trip and for me to be away for about 3 months. Perhaps longer, if things work out and I can get more medicine while I’m away if I need it.

I received these pictures from Chief Caruso in South Carolina. Last weekend, the New Prospect Volunteer Fire Department celebrated their 50th anniversary. Congratulations to the department. I met Chief Caruso on my trip last April when my check engine light came on. I met Chief Caruso when I was at the mechanic in Inman, South Carolina. This began my journey of contributing to volunteer fire departments. Chief Caruso and his wife Pam are now my friends and we stay in touch frequently. I’m planning on visiting them on my trip. They are also big NCIS fans like me. Chief Caruso is wearing the white shirt in the photo below on the left.

My friend Sue Arnold, from Arnold’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, went on a Safari in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, last weekend. She sent me these two pictures, but I have not talked with her yet to find out about her adventure and experience. When I do, I will write about it here, so check back another time. I want to know how she got up on the elephant, and what it felt like to ride it. Also, she got to sleep in a room of some sort with chimpanzees. That must have been so very cool.