Living a mobile lifestyle with a partner in 250 square feet, requires the ability to communicate and compromise. Compromise becomes even more important when the individuals don’t always share common interests.
Compromise has never been a problem for hubby and me. I tell him where we’re going, what we’re doing, and he says, “Yes, Dear”. And that my friends is how to survive 30 plus years of marriage …. 😆
But in all seriousness, Al and I have always supported and encouraged each others interests and passions. We enjoy doing things together as well as separately. It works for us and has for over thirty years.
Al and I are fortunate in that we’ve both had the opportunity to travel extensively over the years internationally and domestically, but that travel was predominantly to metropolitan areas. Thus, we now enjoy focusing our travels on small towns, back country roads, and all things nature which makes this RV lifestyle a perfect fit. Neither one of us has a so called bucket list, but we do have a mental list of “wouldn’t mind visiting there”. It’s sort of a …… if it works fine, if it doesn’t work that’s fine too kind of list.
Al’s pretty laid back and easy going about our travels and for the most part leaves the planning up to me.
After I brief him on tentative plans, we’ll bounce ideas back and forth. He’ll occasionally add his two cents or express any concerns, and then the trip planning commences followed by a few necessary reservations. For the most part, he rolls with my whims.
On that note, last summer during our winter planning phase, Al mentioned how he really wanted to do a repeat of the previous January and meet up with his buddy again in Rockport, Texas, to engage in sportsman stuff. Initially, I wanted to stay in the desert southwest, but since this was something he really wanted to do, I felt it was my turn to roll with his whim and compromise.
Plus, I didn’t think returning to the area would be so bad. It would allow me the opportunity to commune with whooping cranes and all my other feathered friends while hubby was occupied elsewhere.
And then I got to thinking since we were coming to Texas anyway, this would be the perfect opportunity to explore some other areas along the Texas Gulf Coast, which is how we ended up spending time in Galveston and Port Aransas.
Although I have had a relatively nice time along the Texas Gulf Coast, all things considered, the lure of an Arizona sunset is hard to resist. The abundant sunshine and dry heat of the desert beckons.
As our scheduled stay in Texas was nearing an end, Al started dropping hints about extending our stay. He said something along the lines of, “We have no commitments in February. Why don’t we just stay here a little longer”?
He asks this question as the winds are howling, the rain is pouring, and I’m bundled up in layers of clothing trying to keep warm.
I ponder….. Keep that thought in mind while I digress for a moment….
From the moment we purchased the RV, Al made every effort to train me on all her workings and we split the driving so I’m comfortable towing her. When I became so ill last winter, it made an indelible impression upon us just how important it is that he and I are both able to handle all aspects of this lifestyle. With the exception of backing her up, I’m quite capable in the handling of all duties.
As for Al’s cross training, he has improved in doing laundry, vacuuming, and cooking (well, his culinary skills are still lacking, but edible. That’s a work in progress – hehe). Both of us can handle the demands of this lifestyle together and independently.
So back to me contemplating Al’s thoughts on extending our Texas stay. Remember the weather is nasty as we have this discussion. I wait for the loud furnace to shut off so I’m sure he can hear my response.
“You’d like to stay in Texas longer?” I confirm. He nods. “No problem honey, but please check with Denny to make sure his couch is a sleeper, because come Monday the jacks are coming up and the wheels will be rolling. Whether you’ll be sitting next to me is your choice. I’m flexible”.
Al burst out into laughter and said, “Ah, you are a wise one. Perhaps it was foolish of me to see to it that you can handle all aspects of this RV because I have no doubt to your capabilities. I assure you, when you have this puppy ready to roll, I’ll be sitting next to you”.
It was the best of times; exploring fun new places and getting together with fellow bloggers. It was the worst of times; nasty weather and illness. It was the age of wisdom; as we age, we hopefully become wiser. Al is second guessing the wisdom of his actions in making sure I can handle the RV by myself. It was the age of foolish; We’re never too old to act a little foolishly. It’s all about the laughter. In the end, I am no fool and would never dream of leaving my partner in crime beyond.
Arizona here WE come!
Live Laugh RV 