A Circle Complete
Trip Start
Jul 07, 2008
1
22
24
Trip End
Jun 07, 2009
Tacoma,
Washington,
United States
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Over the past couple of months our journey has been long and varied. Our beautiful little Airstream Chimeranda has morphed into a 35 ft fifth wheel. We still call her Chimeranda, it seems to be our traveling name.
I learned that 35 ft over the internet is a lot smaller then 35 ft in real life. I didn't see the fifth wheel before I purchased it, I thought ten feet over the bed of my truck, okay it won't look much different. Imagine my surprise when I saw just exactly how big 35 ft is! Before we had one double bed that wasn't even a full double bed. No problem when Isa was sleeping length wise on the bed. But now her idea of sleeping is to have either her feet in my face or sleep on top of me. I found myself in six inches of bed. Not knowing when an end to our travels was in sight I decided for self preservation to go bigger. Everyone kept telling me pulling it would be so much easier. Well not exactly, pulling the Airstream was like having a fly on my butt, pulling the fifth wheel is more like having a T-Rex attached.
The space is wonderful. I have a bedroom with a queen bed that the three of us sleep in. Isa has the coolest play room ever. You walk in and there is a loft with a double bed. It has a shelf so she can set her animals on to play. Downstairs she has her kitchen set up with a slide out that contains her art room. There is a little table, two chairs and drawers of art supplies. The kids have a blast. When we are at someplace that has nice weather I'll pull out her kitchen things, some art things and kids play from one area to the next. It's been a nice way for her to meet new friends.
We traveled straight through to Oregon to pick up our fifth wheel. We were in Corvallis back where our cohousing community is and our condo. It was a bittersweet experience. Nice seeing people, very aware that some people either chose to ignore me, (not us) or gave dirty looks. The experience of the sound problem between my unit and the unit above has left some large rifts in our connections. It saddens me.
We stayed at our good friend Sally's house, that was wonderful. Her backyard is huge and both Lola and Isa had so much fun. Everyday Isa would go out and check for chicken eggs. Her favorite chicken is Maya, the saintly golden zen hen. Throughout the day I look in the backyard to see Isa carrying Maya around talking to her. Maya patiently accepted her new role as confidant. We got to see many of our favorite South End friends. We were only there for a short while before we headed on the road again.
From there we went to Hood River to watch our friend Leah race. Poor Isa was so sick it turned into a seven day sick and recovery journey. After a brief stay in Eastern Washington we headed over the pass to the North West. Our goal was Gig Harbor which is across the bridge from Tacoma. From there we could easily see and visit all of our family, Aunts, Uncles,brothers, sisters, cousins and friends. We've been for the summer, it's been so nice reconnecting with everyone. It is nice having the familiarity of those who've known me for so long.
This summer I wanted Isa to have some children to play with so I enrolled her in the Waldorf summer camp. It has been a grand adventure for her and she's had so much fun. This past two weeks is Mer people so she has played Mermaid and dolphins which is a favorite for her.
I am getting glimpses of restlessness in Isa, a longing to settle. As I watch those subtleties I've thought about where we could go and what I could do for work. I'm drawn back to the desert, it is so good for my body. As I've thought of work and the things I love I was reminded of how much I love the gentleness of Waldorf which led me to think about teaching again. There are Waldorf schools all over the US and Internationally, many looking for teachers. I've decided to go into the teaching program at Waldorf. I wanted to go to school in Oahu but can't because our puppy doesn't have all the vaccinations and would have to be quarantined for 120 days and you know that isn't happening. So Eugene it is. There is a great program there. We have friends in Eugene and I know that we will meet more.
We are going to live in our fifth wheel, it is the least expensive option. And already our home. I greet the new journey with excitement and apprehension. Curious to see what it will how this will work. Excited for the learning and worried about Isa, it will be a tough transition for her being with other people while I'm in school. Hoping that it nourishes her soul....
This part of the journey draws to a close, I miss it already. Thank you for following us on our way, because of you I knew we were never alone.
With love and gratitude,
Renee
