Lillie Exposed

Lillie is far from a "ham" and actually seemed to, as you'll see, get very tired of me photographing her!  Here are several photographs of sweet Lillie experiencing her new journey with me.  They are in order by caption (for the most part).

Ahh Motel!

Always Waiting

American Girl

"Are We There Yet?"

Asleep

Aunt Lillie, Niece Copper

Beach Comber

Beach Bather

Beverly Hills Hot

Bewildered In New York City

"Buzz Off!"

Camper Extraordinaire on the Outer Banks

Camper

Babied Camper

Camplife

Country Girl

Covered Bridge

Cozy

Done Exploring

Explorer

"Feed Me"

First Beach (San Diego)

First Ferry Ride (she's excited..NOT)

"Get your wine, Mom"

Glass Beach

Grand Canyon

Green Beans (Boston, MA)

Happy For A Motel Room (Canadian Border)

"I Can't Wait!"

"I Don't Get It!"

"I Prefer Red!"

"I Want Attention!"

"I will wait for you anywhere!"

"I'm Not Moving!"

"Is It Safe?"

"Is someone cooking dinner down there?"

Just To Be Close To You

"Keep Walking!"

"Love Me!"

Making Friends

Marina Life

Milk Bone

"Mom Doesn't Share!"

"Mom Loves Me!"

"More Please!"

Newport Beach Camp Life

No Room On The Seat

Not Fond Of Cold Wind

New York City Ferry

Observing Seattle

On Guard

Paddle Boater

Paddle Boater Extraordinaire

Patience

Patient at Another Vineyard (NY)

Punkin

"Ready Or Not!"

Rodeo Drive Lillie (CA)

Salmon!!

Sharing

Smile!!

"So Long As You're Happy!"

Soaked In Seattle

Sun Day

Sun Queen

"Thank God I'm In Here!!" (NYC)

Too Hot For A Hike! (AZ/UT)

Traveler

Unhappily Bathed

Vermont Views

Vineyard Patience

Walk Of Fame (CA)

"What?"

"Where's My Gift?"

"Which One Is My Plate?"

White Sands, NM

"You Know You Love Me!"

"You're Kidding!!"

"YUM!!"

Acceptance of the Good AND the Bad = Growing

Strangely, I'm very content with my life right now.  Why is that strange?  Well, there are many reasons that I find this strange but some of them are that I've drained my savings, I've drawn from my retirement, and I'm currently working a temporary job that pays a fourth of what I was making.  So why am I so content and how did I get here?

A year ago, I was chomping at the bit to get my road trip started and had expected to have a renter by then.  By the time a renter did come along in July, I was probably less diligent that I could have been.  I did, however, depend on the rental company that my renter used to do what their contract promised which was to do the entire screening process, that included credit and background checks.

They informed me that he had great credit and his background was clear.  Why was it then that just one month into it, my renter was late on payment and then had every excuse to not pay  me at all?  This renter was a man whose title was Financial Adviser for a non-profit organization; his job is teaching people how to manage their money.  Yet, this same man turned out to be an expert at working the system so he doesn't spend ANY money, period!

My trip ended less than six months after it began because I had to return to evict my renter (which I did get a judgement for).  That's when he informed me that he had filed Chapter 13 Bankruptcy which meant I couldn't get him out of my place!  I spent additional court fees filing a motion to get him out of my home and a month later (the end of December) he was out.....with $800-$1,000 worth of my stuff.  Yes, he stole from me.  What???  I filed theft charges against him but nothing has moved forward from that.  I don't think the police have any sense of urgency on resolving this or even care at all, for that matter.  Then, as it turns out, he never paid the first installment on his bankruptcy so it was dismissed.

I've stepped back from it because it is stressful.  I have the forms to file suit in small claims court against both my renter and the rental company and I will fill them out soon enough.  I honestly feel no sense of urgency on this due to the fact that, once I DO win, I will most likely never be paid.  Thanks State of Texas!!!  Yes, if I win I have absolutely no recourse in the state of  Texas of collecting on that judgement. 

As it turns out, my renter had a dangerous character of a boyfriend living in my condo with him as well as a small dog who apparently found my carpeting to be the best toilet.  After running my own background check, I found that my renter had spent 5 years in prison for auto theft, had filed Chapter 13 Bankruptcy  in the State of Tennessee (which was also dismissed due to non-payment), and has nine judgements against him; seven of those being evictions!  A check on his boyfriend brought to life a long history of convictions: theft, auto theft, 2 DWI's, prostitution, and organized crime.  These are the people living in my home, on my furniture, using my stuff!!  I was horrified!

How did I get here?  I scrubbed and vacuumed my place from top to bottom when I finally got back in.  I changed the locks and the garage door opener.  I bought a steamer and cleaned what I could of my carpets and hardwoods.  I laid on my couch, watched movies, closed myself off, and pitied myself for where I had ended up because this wasn't the plan, dammit!! 

How did I get here?  The friends that I've welcomed into my life and my family rock!!  That's how I've gotten Here.  They truly have my back!  I've decided to sell my awesome condo as renting doesn't seem to be my thing!  I'm off of the couch and working a job that is totally out of my comfort zone but that has reconnected me to the world.  It's completely opened me up to going for more unconventional money making opportunities as I don't want to be stuck in an office again.

Why am I so content?  I've regained my self-confidence by the positive response at my place of work, by my success and by the inter-personal interactions and new relationships that it's giving me.  I'm working hard for little money but there is actual satisfaction that I haven't felt in years!

The Bad - I injured my back (but I don't think it's permanent), I'm not happy with my body (there are very limited times that I've BEEN happy with it....what girl is?), and I'm broke.

The Good - I am surviving, learning, growing, and happy!  I know I'll be traveling again soon.  Lillie wants to get back on the road too but she is adjusting to my absences while I'm working.  She gets bored but then I load her into the Jeep and we ride.  She is purely happy at those times.  Who can ask for more???

2013 Summarized

It's Christmas Eve 2013 and I feel as though I've been through the wringer this year.  It started out depressing and stressful and hopeful and is ending depressing and stressful.  I AM hopeful for so much for next year but for now, other than my months of doing what I set out to do (traveling), it's been a pretty tough year for me.  That is unusual, as positivity and aversion to drama is something I strive to keep constant in my life.  I've been in a dark place for a few weeks now but I'm starting to see the light at the end of the maelstrom.  I'll have an extensive post about that at another time!!  Once I get into the light, that may be when I can write about it! 

It is pretty amazing that I've been to so many places and seen so many incredible things and haven't encountered any man-hungry beasts or vile humans along the way.  No serial killers, perverts, mamma's boys, bears, cougars, or rattle snakes.  That's pretty fantastic, especially considering everyone else's fears for me!!  It's also pretty awesome how I've come to love the camping lifestyle and have come to appreciate the generosity and hospitality of others when I've always been so independent.

I've driven approximately 18,000 miles in the past 5 months.  The colorful landscape and people were something that I wasn't prepared for.  I had  no idea of the riches awaiting me on my American Road Trip.  It was a gift that both Lillie and I have grown from.

Lillie has met so many people and aliens (children) on our journey.  She tucked her fears away and represented herself as a healer, a friend, trusting, and a teacher to strangers.  She was rewarded with love and attention and, hopefully, has learned to fear less. She's certainly learned to trust more.

From the extensive heat of the beginning of our trip (115F in Arizona being the worst) to cold camping in Maine (mid-40's), Lillie has unhappily learned to deal with parkas and paw protection.  Watching her tip-toe across the hot pavement from shadow to shadow was not comfortable for either of us....so you wear what ya gotta wear!!

Our journey started with us driving from Dallas, TX to Carlsbad, NM.  We then wandered NM to northern AZ to lower UT and lower NV to AZ to an unexpected quick night stop in the San Bernandino Mountains in CA.  From there, we drove to San Diego, CA and followed the Pacific Coast Hwy all of the way up the CA coastline and the OR and WA coastlines.  After being turned away at the Canadian border and staying in Seattle, WA for a bit, we worked our way down through OR, ID, UT, AZ, NM, and back to TX.  Then we drove from TX to AR, TN, KY, OH, PA, NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, MD, DE, DC, VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, LA, and back to TX.  Yes, I missed Florida!!  I didn't quite make my goal of going the complete west and east coasts...by only ONE state.  By my count, Lillie has been in 33 states!  Including my previous travels, I'm close to having hit all 50!

Tonight, Lillie is happily gnawing on a bone in the place she considers home outside of the Jeep....because it's where we've been the longest for any time during this journey.  Our trip isn't over, just delayed for now.  This lifestyle isn't something you can just quit and forget.  It's an addiction that grows with every different experience, person, and place!  Lillie and I are happiest on the road!

Merry Christmas and Happiest of New Years, Everyone!!

 

 

Photo Journal of Fall in New England 2013

My youngest daughter moved back to upstate New York to await her Army husband's return from Afghanistan.  It turned out that the original arrival date wasn't going to be the actual homecoming so she was up there alone.  Since I was traveling....a free bird....I had the time, the desire, and the opportunity to be with my baby girl!!   It turned out to also be the absolute PERFECT time to be in New England for God's amazing pallet!!  Here are just a few examples from New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Virginia!!!  These are all unedited iPhone pictures.