After selling the RV and moving into a house two and a half years ago, I found myself more housebound than adventure bound.
I’ve always been a restless type of person with a need to explore, a need to travel, a need to see what’s around the corner, a need to venture beyond my comfort zone and challenge myself.
Perhaps that’s why I was feeling lost and out of sorts. I make a terrible homebody.
Life is lived forward but only understood backward.
After spending the better part of a month this past winter living on my couch suffering from cold and flu symptoms, I had plenty of time to reflect on my lackluster mood. Obviously, being sick didn’t help, but it was more than just that. It was time for me to dig deep and analyze my mood!
What was it about the RV lifestyle that made me feel so alive? Could I replicate some of that in my new stationary life? Was I subconsciously mourning my past?
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Buddha
Snap out of it!
First on my agenda was dusting off my camera and reconnecting with my local camera club.
March was the perfect time to do just that. Venturing around the Phoenix valley with my camera was energizing and helped put me back on track. I realized I needed to embrace the things that make me happy.
I needed to explore and capture the beauty around me. I needed to jump back into photography. I needed to hop in my little red truck and explore. I needed to start living and not merely existing.
I may not be traveling around immersing myself in a variety of landscapes like I once did, and I’m more than okay with that. That was then, this is now. I’m content living in the lovely state of Arizona amongst family and friends and diving into the surrounding landscape that I call home.
Turns out, I was never lost, just turned around.
“A flower does not use words to announce its arrival to the world; it simply blooms.” For this week’s Sunday Stills Photo Challenge, Terri asks us to share images of flowers. The desert is at its finest in Spring when the landscape is dotted with an array of color from wildflowers. There’s nothing like a beautiful field of wildflowers that’ll brighten any melancholy mood.
Live Laugh RV 
91 responses to “Not Lost, Just Turned Around”
I have been feeling the same way and been very sad today. I lived in Arkansas and we had a lot of land out in the country and we went hiking so often (my children and me)-and now I live in a subdivision and feel so disconnected
From nature mostly. Of course I have the sky and some trees-but no forest, no natural springs, not the wildlife. I connected on such a deep level with the natural part of Arkansas. If I tried to explore all of arkansas, much less the world I would never come to the end of it. And that’s amazing but it also makes me sad. I could never get enough of nature. I could stand at the feet of it forever. I ache for it. I do find beauty here where I can but it’s just not like it was before. It has definitely left its hole in me
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I’m sorry to hear about your sadness. I understand your struggles. I wish I could offer some advice, but what works for me may not work for you. I wish you success in find your joy.🌸
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Beautiful place, lovely flowers, and absolutely super photos
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Beautiful scenery… thank you for showing.
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I love this picture.
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Beautiful pictures
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Thank you!
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I love this!
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Thanks … appreciate the comment!
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Good scene
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Beautiful photos 💛
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Ingrid,
I followed your adventures when you guys were still on the road. Well in a few months I will be heading out there. Probably not as far an area as you did, well as least not at first :) I am happy to hear that you hear that you were merely turned around and not really lost!
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I hope you have a wonderful time. And never compare your adventure to someone else’s. Travel where, when, and how it works best for you. and above all, enjoy the journey. 🙂
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The scenery is amazing
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Thank you!
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A lovely post. And beautiful flowers. We haven’t got too many blooming right now. Send some Arizona sunshine up here. 😁☀️
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Unfortunately, our wildflower season is coming to an end… over way to soon. I’ll send you sunshine if you send me rain. 😁🌵🤣
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That sounds like a fair trade. I’ve got plenty. 😁 🌧️
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Thinking about what you wrote, I’ve been doing this all my life. The minute I am in a new area I don’t feel that I truly know it until and unless I have walked around the area a few times. My favorite thing to do is head out the door and see where the journey takes me. I always came back with stories, written or visual. Never realized it had to do with being a traveler at heart until I read your post.
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Yes, a traveler at heart … like minds understand 🙂
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So true. 😍
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Lovely post Ingrid, and I truly understand. We’re grounded at present, or should I say we’re in for repairs. One has to open fresh eyes and look at things differently. Enjoy!
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Oh no sorry to hear about the repairs. That was the thing I least liked about our mobile lifestyle. Hope you’re back out and about soon.
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Thanks Ingrid.
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Love all the flower pictures! Finally the desert marigolds are now popping in our neighborhood.
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I’ve seen the marigolds popping more around here too. Time to head out with the camera before it gets too hot. 🙂
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Beautiful landscape!
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It is lovely. I’m trying to get out more and explore my backyard. 🙂
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Until it gets too toasty!
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It’s already getting there. 🥵
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I love this SO much and can completely relate. I often need to take myself on day-dates to do as you suggest, reconnect. And turn myself back around. Thought provoking, Ingrid, and fabulous photos.
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Thank you, Donna. As a fellow traveler, sitting in one spot for a prolonged period of time can be difficult. I’m trying to get out and explore all corners of the valley. Hope to see you Monday. 😊🌵📷
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That first poppy photo is really really nice. It’s hard sometimes to get those photos composed correctly w/ little lowers like that and you did a beautiful job w/ lovely depth of field and color. Kudos. Hope you are well!
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Awe, thank you so much Jenny. I just bought a prime lens the other day that I’m playing around with and capturing some lovely bokeh. I hope the flowers around here last a little longer so I can continue to practice with the new lens.📷
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Hey Ingrid,
I just read your post and wanted to say that your photos are absolutely stunning! It’s great to see you reconnecting with your passion for photography and finding beauty in your surroundings. Keep embracing the present and enjoying your new chapter in Arizona!
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Thank you! When I’m surrounded with beautiful landscapes, and Arizona provides an abundance, it’s easy to take lovely photos. I do enjoy living here. 🌵
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GREAT hummer shot. 👏
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Thank you … luck!
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After reading your post it seems you are now blooming again where you have been planted – wonderful and yet more wonderful!
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Awe, what a lovely comment, thank you. 😊
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Ingrid,
“Life is lived forward, but only understood backward.” That quote is so true, and makes me wonder why I waited so long to pick up a camera or buy an RV. Nevertheless, I am grateful to be enjoying both now and can’t wait to get back on the road in May. We will be traveling through Texas in late May and I wanted to ask you for the name of the State Park where you and Al spent a winter. It’s the one where you captured those amazing bird photos. Glad to hear you feeling better…hug those grandbabies! Joe
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We bounced around the TX Gulf Coast capturing amazing bird images along the way. Mustang Island SP and Goose Island SP were favorites. Goose Island is near the wintering grounds for whooping cranes on 8th St. Be sure and camp along the water at that park. Inland, the trees can present a problem (or they once did – hurricane Harvey may have rearranged) If you need more info, feel free to email me. I miss those TX excursions!
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We should never stop taking photographs. It stimulates the senses for more adventure/travel.
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I like that …. more adventures for sure! Thank you 🙂
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I love all your choices and your post. Some great thoughts. A local camera club would be fun, or just a buddy who likes taking pictures too.
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Thanks! Yes, it has been fun gathering with like minded folks and exploring our backyard with cameras. I’m loving it!📷🌵😊
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We suffer from wanderlust, ourselves, Ingrid. Not sure I am ready to settle down yet. Still a little young at 81. But you have the right idea for when we do settle. There is beauty where ever we land. Enjoy it!
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PS, I meant to add, beautiful photos!
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As long as you have the health and stamina, there’s no need to settle down. During our RV travels, we found a few places we could’ve settled. Family was our deciding factor and I have no complaints. Happy trails wherever your next adventure takes you. 🙂
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It was our RV travels that led us to Oregon, Ingrid, and family that led us to Virginia. Our daughter is still wondering when we will ‘settle down.’ Grin. Thanks.
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And thank you! 😊📷🌵
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Stunning photos of those California poppies in particular and a beautiful capture of that bird! It sounds as if you were going through almost a period of mourning for your past lifestyle, your past self. I’m glad you’ve reconnected with your camera. I found during the pandemic lockdowns that the idea of taking some photos was the main thing that motivated me to leave the house and it seems it’s doing the same for you 😀
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Yes, my camera and this blog have given me purpose to once again plan some adventures, even if those adventures are local. For those of us that have the travel bug, it can be difficult to find ourselves in a more stationary situation, but I seem to have found a way to adapt.
I’m loving the fields of poppies. They won’t last much longer though. They are never around long enough. 😊
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Feeling restless and unsettled can signal that something is missing in your life and be the catalyst for change. In picking up your camera, you seem to have found your equilibrium, and now we’re all benefiting from your newly found energy and artistic abilities. A win-win situation! Gorgeous photos, as usual, Ingrid!
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Yes, Mary … restless certainly describes my mood, but I seem to have found a way to combat that hitch itch. And since I don’t have to worry about travel planning (you know all too well how time consuming that is), I can focus on fine tuning my photography skills. I recently picked up a new lens that is challenging me. I look forward to your posts from you impending trip. That should be quite the adventure!
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She’s Baaaaack!
We have a huge beautiful backyard here in the surrounding Phoenix area. I am so glad you are getting out there and exploring it and photographing it again.
I love every single photo! WOW!
The hummingbird is incredible.
Have fun girlfriend! Can’t wait to see what comes next!
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Yes, I’m back and feeling better than I have in quite some time. I’m really enjoying my new passion for photography and challenging myself on each outing. We’re fortunate to call Arizona home. There’s no shortage of beauty to photograph. 😊📷🌵
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You have so much beauty right where you are – happy you are getting out to photograph it! And the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is spectacular year round, not to mention all the easy day and overnight trips you can make within Arizona.
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Yes, Arizona has some beautiful scenery. I’m actually meeting a group of fellow bloggers at the Desert Botanical Garden on Monday. I hope to capture some pretty images there. I haven’t been to the garden since 2019.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for a return to Page in the fall 🤞
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Those are great plans! We hope to return to Page in the next year or so too! And of course the botanical garden!
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Hope you feel better. I has covid again and I had the winter blues so I totally understand what you were feeling. I’m such hungry traveller not sure I can go without but finding satisfaction in photography is very appealing.
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I’m doing much better, thank you, and I hope you are as well. Those winter blues can be tough to shake. I do enjoy time behind the lens and need to make it a priority. Fortunately, I live in a scenic location. 🌵
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Beautiful photos, every single one!
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Thank you Egidio. I love the desert this time of year 🌵
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Now that you have a beautiful second grandbaby, staying close to home is a wonderful choice. So glad to read you’ve joined your photography club again. All those poppies are just exquisite, Ingrid! I miss seeing them. Thanks for sharing with Sunday Still this week. We’re on our way to Portland this week and I’m hoping for a new set of pics!
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I’m looking forward to a new set of photos from you. Yes, one of the main reasons we settled here was family, and of course, no regrets. The landscape is beautiful right now and I’m trying to enjoy every minute before the heat arrives.
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Very beautiful photography, Ingrid! You seem to really miss traveling. ❤️
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Yes, I do miss the travel, but I’m a firm believer in ‘chapters in life’ and do my best to embrace change … whatever that change might look like.
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Oh you too! I think of them as an Era but it’s the same thing really. My sister and I talked about this a while back since so many in our family have passed. Life cycles…
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Yes, life cycles. During football season, as we and friends dealt with health issues, I’d say we’re in the 4th quarter of life. 🏈🤪 Keeping it real. Hopefully, all of us will keep plugging away for another twenty plus years.🙂
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That’s a good way to describe human life cycles, Ingrid. My dad just turned 96 on 3rd April! He’s an amazing man. ❤️🙏🏻
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Hi Ingrid,
Love hearing from you and seeing what you are up to – the photos are beautiful! It’ll be another month before we have them in Colorado, and with all our moisture they should be beautiful…. Hugs, Dick and Steph
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OMG, so nice to hear from you. So, you are still in CO? We miss our CO visits. I’m still working on AL to get a nimble little rig. I can’t seem to convince him on a van 🤪 Be sure and let us know if you’ll be visiting Phx next winter.🌵
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We can find wonder and joy anywhere if this is what we are looking for.
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You are so right about that. I know we made the right decision to settle here and I do very much enjoy it, but a part of me misses the RV travel.
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Hi Ingrid…I think we are kindred souls. A travelers wanderlust is a bit of a blessing and a curse. It’s the closest thing to addiction that I can relate to!!!
I am relieved to hear that you are finding a way to feed your wanderlust while being more stationary. Gives me some hope that we will as well when eventually when we decide to put the jacks down and stop traveling so much in the future.
As always, your photography will bring so many of us joy as well. Big hugs …
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Awe, thank you. I definitely agree … wanderlust can be both a blessing and a curse. I do enjoy our house and know we made the right decision to settle here, but there are days the open road calls. That’s when I find alternative diversions. Keep me posted when the jacks are down. 🙂
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Ingrid, I can relate to feeling the need to get out and explore. I’m glad you have found places close to home to explore and photograph. I love all of your desert flowers! The colors are so vibrant and make me smile.
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I know you can relate, Beth. I’m finding great joy in exploring more of the Phoenix valley and returning to some favorites. The desert is so pretty right now.
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“The shadow proves the sunshine.” Those darker days, while difficult, remind us why the better days are so good. I hope you didn’t get your truck dirty 😀
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Not get the truck dirty? What’s the fun in that 🤣 I’m back to hiking as well which feels great. White Tanks tomorrow 🥾
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WOW…absolutely WOW!
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Thanks, George. You’ll need to elaborate next time I see you. 😁
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So very pretty! I love your photos.
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Thank you so much. 🌵
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Glad you found your footing. Armed with my camera strapped across my shoulder helps me see and appreciate the world around me. Go forth and shoot.
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There is something special about seeing the world around us through our lenses. My camera also gives me purpose to get out and explore. Thus, lots more shooting in my future.📷
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I agree…I always take my camera on my walks…even in town. I am always looking for stuff to snap and am never disappointed!
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When I carry my camera, I always notice more than when I don’t. There’s always something that demands to be photographed. 📷
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I totally get it….I take my phone on all my walks and am pleasantly surprised at what is around me everyday that I was overlooking…even in town!
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I don’t always carry my camera, thus it’s great to have my iPhone at the ready. I never know what interesting tidbit I might stumble across making for the perfect image.
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