Ride Along With Me

A Traveling Teacher's Trek of Discovery, Rediscovery, Felines Frolicking, and Fun

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Countdown to Florida


Today is monumental, at least for me. Today I am committed to a new venture that will change my life completely. Today I am planning the rest of my life. Yesterday it was a dream.

In fact, this dream started in high school. The adventurous side of my spirit always wanted to buy a camper and travel across the U.S. Like many dreams, it got pushed aside for the so-called 'demands' of life. Those 'demands' are draining.

Over the years, I've watched the spark drain out of my spirit. Sure there have been other things that contributed to this dampening. The usual broken heart sagas, years of my mother declining with dementia, and my father's death in 2002 all contributed to the demise of my dreams. However, today is a new day.

Today I have decided to take that trip. I plan to make it to Winter Park, Florida to Full Sail University graduation. For the last year, my hope and spirit have been in a process of restoration through the inspiring Education Media Design and Technology master's program at Full Sail. Hopefully my colleagues will support me in this new endeavor. I truly believe that they are a huge part of the inspiration that has been restoring my soul.

Today I called a man about an RV. The one I want is more expensive than the money I have. One RV seller said that I wouldn't get out of the state with an RV that fit my budget. I don't believe him! Some people are just pessimistic because their box is tight and small with no exit signs anywhere. I have hope. Have it with me. Do you have an RV I could buy or use? It's worth asking!

Today I have two people who will let me stay in their driveways along the way. Today I need to start planning my route because there are more people I want to see.

Why do I want an RV instead of simply driving my car? First, I do not want to leave my 'family' behind. My family includes my faithful felines whose loving faces have greeted me at the door, cuddled, and kept my heart warm. I can't imagine leaving them. The car just is too small. I might even sell it.

Second, the cost of staying in hotels along the way and in Florida for two months is rather expensive (not to mention, they probably don't want three cats). Then, it's also possible that this lovely little movable camper may become my home for awhile.

Today I am entertaining ideas about how to make this trip more interesting to blog. One idea is to use my sweet Tippy as my mascot and take pictures of her everywhere we stop. She will have to make her contributions to the blog, too, of course. Another is to teach something along the way. This would take more planning, but could be an interesting concept. I could give away books along the way to encourage reading. (Maybe Tippy could read some books!)

Today I begin. Will you join me? I hate traveling alone.


20 comments:

  1. A quote from some friends of mine who took a year off to go sailing..."Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did" okay, so they stole it too...good luck on your journey, I will travel with you. Sharon

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  2. Thanks, Sharon! I agree with you wholeheartedly. Thanks for joining me!

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  3. GO FOR IT!!! I love this new "spark" in you... keep us posted!
    Sharyn

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  4. Sounds like Spring has sprung for you!

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  5. You will never, ever regret any of this journey!

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  6. I will watch with interest as your story unfolds!

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  7. Fantastic. Thanks for the invite. I'll keep up with your travel udates.

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  8. Leave the cats....take the Cannoli

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  9. Hey Diane - sounds like a fun adventure! If you'd like, you, Tippy, and your other two cats are welcome to park on my driveway for a few days in the Denver, CO area. It would be fun to see you! You could also meet Pip and Heidi Cat. Pip is my Lab / Golden Retriever.

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  10. Sounds fun! I hear RV's are really CHEAP right now because they get terrible gas mileage. Keep looking! I swear by Craig's List-(listings-if you don't know about it.)
    Good luck.

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  11. Diane, I am so proud of you! You've made lemonade from your lemons. Can't wait to hear about all of the adventures. Be careful (sorry, the mother in me).

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  12. This sounds like an amazing adventure. There are endless amounts of possibility. I think you should take pics of Tippy along the way. I do this with "pig and duck". It definitely makes the trip more interesting and people give you priceless looks when they see you take a picture of something not human. Another thought is you could schedule ahead of time to volunteer at a couple of different places along the way.


    Here is a video about pig and duck ... forgive how bad it is ... I made it the first month of EMDT and it definitely needs to be fixed.

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  13. I am so jealous! My ex and I had this same dream, although we were leaving Florida to visit California!
    I guess both of my dreams have gone away!
    Post as many pics as you can! I can't wait to see them!

    One other tip, I heard from a globe hopper friend of mine that you should never stay on the South side of a city--bad digs!
    Be careful, and we'll see you on June 4th!

    Bonnie
    Which graduation date will you be in Diane?
    I took a LOA, also, so I thought we would at least have each other!

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  14. God will keep you, Sis. I know that you will face difficulties but He will guide you. I pray that you find the ministry that He has planned for you. You are an incredibly gifted sister. I wish I had the creativity that you do.

    Love you brother, David

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  15. Di,
    Good luck and God bless!! I think you should start doing a podcast from the road, too! LOL Amazing! I wish you only good things!! Hang in there. Take a deep breath - and jump!
    -Amy

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  16. Can't wait to share in your adventure. Praying for your safety and excited for your adventure. I have a driveway in Wichita, Kansas if you need one. Not sure if that falls into your route but it never has anything in it.
    Jamie Allison

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  17. Emily,
    I LOVE pig and duck. They made me smile. Thanks for sharing your link! Please feel free to share more!!

    Bonnie,
    I'll be graduating after the July class... beginning of August, Lord willing! I'm looking forward to seeing you!

    Thanks everyone for your comments! Keep 'em coming!

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  18. Awesome, Diane (my 13 yr old would say "Beast!, Diane")
    We EMD classmates (and instructor types) are just a group of folks who inspire each other. Sounds perfect to me. FUNctional. Good luck on the vehicle: sacrifice some space for a newer year and get a total check up (hoses, coolant, etc) before you leave! No, I'm talking about your RV.....
    This blog is a great idea!
    Keith

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  19. Hi Diane, I havent been keeping up but checked back on you today...what is the story, girl?

    Don

    iseethathand@gmail.com

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