web analytics

It’s been a long two years but progress has been made!

The second anniversary of my fall at Lake Mead is coming up in a few days and I’ve been reflecting on the past 24 months, where I’ve been, what has happened, what it’s been like to discover new things about me and my existence here on Planet Earth after all these years here. I can’t even begin to tell you all the stuff that’s been going through my head.

Poe the Dog – I’ll miss this big guy!

That fall at the lake was just the beginning of a year full of doctors and specialists, blood tests and more tests, a few more falls, surgery, new electronics in my body… and I’m sure I’m forgetting something! This second year hasn’t had as many medical visits as the year before it but I’ve been using it to continue to heal and get my body back to some kind of semblance of order. I haven’t been very good at documenting it all here on my blog but I’ve done a lot of Facebooking (a few years ago, who knew that word would even exist? Right up there with “scrapbooking” 😀 ) and have stayed connected to the world through the internet connection of virtual friends as well as a few “real life” friends who’ve helped me make it back to some kind of physical health and mental well-being.

As well as all the mental shenanigans going on in my head, I’ve spent some time over the past few months doing some short trips, from a week or so up to a month, to see if it was possible for me to continue to travel in my Mitsubishi Montero. I’m happy to say that I think it’s a go! My trips have been successful and now I have itchy feet. I’m about to make my way back to the state of Washington, because, check it out, I turn 65 years old in June and Medicare kicks in! I also have a checkup visit with the cardiologist about this electronic heart monitor I have in my chest (he isn’t going to be happy that I haven’t lost any weight but what can I say? Bleh. That’s what I can say. Because that’s the way I feel about it. Do I wish I could drop a few pounds? Sure. But life has gotten in the way of me taking my weight seriously enough to change my eating habits, although I certainly am more active now than I’ve been in a long time, and without paying attention to what goes in my mouth, I’m not going to lose any pounds. I haven’t gained any, though, and that’s a super duper good thing) and I have a “Welcome to Medicare” visit to schedule and attend. What a hoot. Medicare. I could write pages and pages about that complicated system, with all its choices and options and alternatives.

Last minute issues at the mechanic this morning – but it’s all fixed now!

It’s crazy that old people are expected to try and figure it out. Well, maybe most people don’t move around and don’t think about or even research what else is out there for them in the Medicare world so it isn’t overwhelming to them. I don’t know. What I do know is that it has taken me months to decide what to do with my Medicare coverage. I finally made a decision about a plan for the remainder of this year and we’ll see how it goes.

Today, I’m on my way to Gaviota State Beach just north of Santa Barbara, CA to go camping for a few days with some friends – it’s bound to be a fun get-away with the people I’ve been staying with since late last year – and then next weekend, they’ll head back home to Chino and I’ll head north on Highway 101. It’s time for me and Willie to start singing my favorite song again… On the Road Again!

See you on the road somewhere!

Front yard rose
Finally! Back on the Road Again!
Tagged on:             

13 thoughts on “Finally! Back on the Road Again!

  • April 19, 2017 at 2:02 pm
    Permalink

    Hi Lois. I have been following your road trips and I am very happy that you have been able to move forward. You are and probably always will be a role model for courage for me. I wish I had your guts to just leave everything behind and go where the wind takes me- so to speak. Of course there is better than a ten year age difference between us so that could explain a bit of my reluctance. I sincerely hope that everything goes well for you on your current journey and that your heart doctor gives you a thumbs up to continue on your merry way. I hope you found a good Medicare supplement because Medicare alone isn’t enough when you have health issues. Good luck and bon voyage once again!

    • April 20, 2017 at 8:57 am
      Permalink

      Hi Barbara! You are one of the people I’ve met on my traveling journey that I’ve stayed in touch with and that I’ve really enjoyed getting to know better. As you probably know, I didn’t “choose” to travel full-time… this lifestyle chose me; it comes with many challenges but so does any way of living, whether it’s on the road or in a house.

      I chose an Advantage plan, not a Medicare Supplement because I wanted the extra benefits that come with an Advantage plan. So far, I’m happy but I haven’t turned 65 yet! So we’ll see! All my current doctors are part of this plan – and it’s a PPO so I can go anywhere and see anyone I want. But here again, we’ll see!

      Thank you for all your encouragement and good wishes! One of these days I’ll find a place I can afford to settle down in and get another dog and cat. Until then, onward and upward! Cheers!

      • April 20, 2017 at 9:14 am
        Permalink

        We love our Advantage Plan, good choice! We have spent this year using ours!

        • April 25, 2017 at 12:59 pm
          Permalink

          I found that most of the Advantage plans are HMOs, Lorna, and that doesn’t work for me. But I found a couple that are available in WA so I chose one of them – and all my doctors are on the plan so it’ll be good! Yay!

          • April 25, 2017 at 2:00 pm
            Permalink

            Great, I wondered about how they might work with your travel, nice to know they are willing to be accommodating! I haven’t been on FB much, had knee replacement and had issues with meds. Will be very happy when I am back to ?”normal”, whatever that is? Are you back on the road? Hugs heading your way!

          • April 28, 2017 at 2:19 pm
            Permalink

            I hope your knee replacement is now healing up quickly and nicely… nothing worse than not healing after surgery or injury. My prayers are with you!

  • April 19, 2017 at 3:58 pm
    Permalink

    Always nice to know you are heading North. You have to go through Oregon, to get to Washington! Looking forward to seeing you before too long. Hugs!

    • April 20, 2017 at 8:40 am
      Permalink

      Hi Lorna! It’s really good to be back on the road… and I’m looking forward to seeing you both!

  • April 19, 2017 at 9:32 pm
    Permalink

    I’m so happy you get to follow your bliss once again! Happy to continue to meet you here and there!!
    😉

    • April 20, 2017 at 8:42 am
      Permalink

      Today is the five-year anniversary of the time we met in the parking lot on your lunch break, Debbie – it showed up on my FB memories! Remember that? Pretty cool, huh!

  • April 20, 2017 at 9:03 am
    Permalink

    What a hoot!! Here’s to the next 5 years, and the next and the next and so on!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • April 20, 2017 at 9:06 am
    Permalink

    Haha..and don’t forget the time we caught up with you at the casino off the 5 Fwy somewhere in Northern California…hahaha!! Yep…here and there but we make it happen!!

    • April 25, 2017 at 12:57 pm
      Permalink

      I love our little serendipitous meet-ups, Debbie! Here’s to the next one!

Comments are closed.