Day Two
11:49 PM Edit This 9 Comments »
Sleep was much easier last night with the absence of the train and all.
We woke up, still a little tired and sore, but ever so happy to be free of the house, the slum-lords and all of the stuff. We moved from train central to a little RV park, called Pecan Grove, nestled in the center of Austin.
Jeff headed into work for the day, and the kids and I walked to Zilker park early enough to beat the intensity of the heat. We played in the sand and met some new friends. I even got to talk about lusting after spiritual enlightenment books with a fellow junkie and the beauty and difficulty of healing diets. Then it was off to the Zilker Zepher train for a scorching but beautiful twenty minute ride around town lake and Zilker. And, in the spirit of Austin, we even had the treat of live music as we rounded the corner of the tracks. The train slowed to a crawl for the guy with his guitar and harmonica; playing away for the occasional dollar and delight of the passengers. We had the pleasure of passing him twice, and being that we were in the very last seat, got to exchange a few words about shyness, creativity and brilliance ;-)
In my lap, Neeka dozed off in the balmy heat and I quietly said good-bye to all of the things that make Austin so very unique.
We grabbed some lunch from the nearby Whole Foods and met some of our full-timing RV neighbors on our way to the park's laundromat.
Neeka delighted in checking out the different RV's and gardens and Quinn added to his rock collection.
The truly awesome people we bought our RV from continue to inspire us every day... Mike and Leslie, We love you guys!!! I could not have asked for better people to make such an important purchase from. Anyone else and I would have had, at the very least, a little worry about the security of an older vehicle like this one. I don't have that. Mike and Leslie have gone out of their way and remind us that there are still, very much, kind, caring and inspiring people all around us.
Pictures coming soon!
On our list for tomorrow:
Try to trade the van in for something tow-able
Acquire the few things we still need for the road
Ship some packages to family
On a side note, on our way into the RV park( in a town who's motto is Keep Austin Weird) we saw a sign saying No School Buses
I inquired about why they had this rule and was told that it was because of appearance. "They don't look nice" I was told. As opposed to the many mildewed, duct taped and otherwise weather beaten, decades old, RV's I thought to myself.
I suspect this is a rule rooted in more upsetting prejudice than vehicle body-style and am wondering, as we daydream of painting paisley on our RV, just what "looks nice" to the various park owners across the country...
Do you suppose a prayer for world peace on the side of our RV will keep us from hooking up on the road?
When in Rome, or Let it all hang out??
We woke up, still a little tired and sore, but ever so happy to be free of the house, the slum-lords and all of the stuff. We moved from train central to a little RV park, called Pecan Grove, nestled in the center of Austin.
Jeff headed into work for the day, and the kids and I walked to Zilker park early enough to beat the intensity of the heat. We played in the sand and met some new friends. I even got to talk about lusting after spiritual enlightenment books with a fellow junkie and the beauty and difficulty of healing diets. Then it was off to the Zilker Zepher train for a scorching but beautiful twenty minute ride around town lake and Zilker. And, in the spirit of Austin, we even had the treat of live music as we rounded the corner of the tracks. The train slowed to a crawl for the guy with his guitar and harmonica; playing away for the occasional dollar and delight of the passengers. We had the pleasure of passing him twice, and being that we were in the very last seat, got to exchange a few words about shyness, creativity and brilliance ;-)
In my lap, Neeka dozed off in the balmy heat and I quietly said good-bye to all of the things that make Austin so very unique.
We grabbed some lunch from the nearby Whole Foods and met some of our full-timing RV neighbors on our way to the park's laundromat.
Neeka delighted in checking out the different RV's and gardens and Quinn added to his rock collection.
The truly awesome people we bought our RV from continue to inspire us every day... Mike and Leslie, We love you guys!!! I could not have asked for better people to make such an important purchase from. Anyone else and I would have had, at the very least, a little worry about the security of an older vehicle like this one. I don't have that. Mike and Leslie have gone out of their way and remind us that there are still, very much, kind, caring and inspiring people all around us.
Pictures coming soon!
On our list for tomorrow:
Try to trade the van in for something tow-able
Acquire the few things we still need for the road
Ship some packages to family
On a side note, on our way into the RV park( in a town who's motto is Keep Austin Weird) we saw a sign saying No School Buses
I inquired about why they had this rule and was told that it was because of appearance. "They don't look nice" I was told. As opposed to the many mildewed, duct taped and otherwise weather beaten, decades old, RV's I thought to myself.
I suspect this is a rule rooted in more upsetting prejudice than vehicle body-style and am wondering, as we daydream of painting paisley on our RV, just what "looks nice" to the various park owners across the country...
Do you suppose a prayer for world peace on the side of our RV will keep us from hooking up on the road?
When in Rome, or Let it all hang out??
Posts
9 comments:
I say take the middle path.
I just found you via the NY Times article and just had to share my happiness for what you're doing. My family lives in Austin too, and after some recent loses and hard times, we've decided to simplify our lives as much as we can (or as much as we're comfortable with for now). We've sold and given away much of our stuff: TV, DVD player, loads of clothes and furniture. There is still so much to do, but it feels good to be a little less burdened. Good luck to you and your beautiful family and you take it all several steps further!
Every time I read your posts my heart beats faster! I love what you are doing, and you have been an inspiration to my husband and I. We are making changes in our lives too, and I'm excited to see what is coming. :) God Bless!
I love when people post book lists and recommendations, just as you have on the side bar!!! thank you so much for sharing your life. You are a beeeautiful family!!
Shine ON!!
When we lived in an rv we encountered many parks that would not allow us to stay because of the age of our vehicle, even though it was in great condition, clean, and well-maintained.
You guys are awesome. Love the blog and am glad I found it. I have three grown homeschooled kids and would love to do exactly what you are doing. Hubby would freak though.
I am hoping the day will come that he realized as I have that stuff weighs you down and freedom awaits when you realize this.
If you are ever in Maine, I have forty acres you are welcome to enjoy anytime. Laura littleladsbasket@yahoo.com
Just found your blog. Am inspired, as are many, I am sure. My family and I live in Michigan, but we are currently planning to move to Poland, to assist missionaries. I cannot wait to be free of our home and our stuff. People are treasure; stuff isn't.
An old co-worker sent the NY Times article to me, and I about flipped out. My wife and I are in San Antonio and we are in the process of doing the same thing.
The house is almost empty, we have a truck and fifth wheel, travelled with it some so far, but have had trouble selling the house.
So right now we are throwing money at it to get it fixed up enough that someone will buy it, and we can get out from under it even if we are still paying on it for a few months after.
My wife keeps updates on her blog http://www.jacqdesign.com/blog/
Hopefully we all will get out and going and meet up at some point!
Jeremy.
What about this for the side of the van (it's by anthropologist Margaret Mead):
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
That one's been moving me to tears since I first saw it painted on the side of a building at my camp in 1987...
love and love,
jodi
Post a Comment