Lady Traveler Fever

Lake Michigan @ Silver Lake Park sand dunes 2016

Anything, everything, little or big

becomes an adventure

when the right person shares it.

I'm sitting in my living room, sipping water and taking my morning vitamins,

daydreaming of our past road trips, 

and planning for our next big road trip to California.

Rob walks in from our screened porch and notices that familiar look on my face.

"Where are you now? Here? Myrtle Beach? Lake Michigan? California?"

"All of the above. I feel that vagabond spirit coming over me."

"And I can see it. I have an idea.
Why don't we go to Dreyer Island next week for a few days?"

Yes!

Upon returning home a few weeks ago, we decided to stay home for the summer.

The decision sounded good at the moment.

Traveling in our home-on-wheels three weeks after my knee replacement surgery

was the perfect Physical Therapy for me.

But now, the thought of lounging around our home for two months,

sitting in our screened porch in the evenings 

while thunder storms surround us.

Ahh, nothing could be finah

than to be in Carolina...

Daydreaming in Springfield, Missouri 2015
Shawn Watson Photography

That lasted until mid-July.

Hot July. Hotter August on the way.

Now we shall pack a few items,

and off we'll go,

just an hour north on Lake Murray,

to Dreyer Island.

Everywhere I go people say to me,

"I wish I could travel like you."

Last week at a writers conference

I met a woman face-to-face that 

friended me on Facebook.

Smiling, she told me,

"When I grow up I want to be just like you."

Smiling, I simply answered,

"We never know where our journey will take us.

We must learn to be happy right where we are.

We must be happy with who we are.

Then we can enjoy our journey

wherever it takes us."

Dreaming of Myrtle Beach, SC

God has given each of us a unique journey.

Through good times and challenges

your journey will change you, and will influence those around you,

even those you have never met face-to-face.

Always take a moment to encourage those who seem lost,

or someone who just might need a hug.

Now Popcorn must take me for my morning walk,

which is part of my PT.

I wish you oceans of cool summer blessings!

Share each other's burdens,

and in this way

obey the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

www.sharonleaf.com

Lady is traveling the USA--North to Indiana and Other Delightful Destinations, Part 1

I'll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for 
Your truth and Your wisdom.
Psalm 119:45 the Message

One of many cities we traveled through on our recent road trip

I started out trying to blog once a week.

Didn't work.
How about every other week?
Nope.
So I'm shooting for once a month.
I'm trying.
Okay, now that's over ...
lets hit the road!

We left June 4th.  Our destination:  a Fleetwood RV rally in Decatur, Indiana.

We are considered RVNewbies since we just bought our
40' American Tradition in January ... almost on a whim.
We blame it God for dropping this 2004 beauty in our laps.

After three jaunts to a few local favorite places in our home state of South Carolina
--Myrtle Beach, Hunting Island, Dreyer Island--
we decided to take it a step further.
After all, we're considered 'glampers' now, so here we go ...

After hours of traveling through the beautiful Appalachian Mountains,
we spent the first night at a Super Walmart just north of Knoxville, Tennessee,
the town where my Daddy was born.
(We have decided to drive no more than five hours a day,
stopping at rest strops for lunch, walks, and short naps.
Lovely, and fun!)

We loved driving through green Kentucky where
horses--and bourbon--abound.
Again, we stayed at another fun-friendly Super Walmart
where we shop for food and necessities.
Note: If you want an entertaining evening of 'people-watching',
then you must plan to stop at a Super Walmart.
Another Note: Always call Walmart before you arrive to make sure they allow RV overnighters
because each state varies.

The next day we crossed the state line to Ohio
where we spent the afternoon and night
at a nice KOA in Wapakoneta, Ohio.
(you might have to get your map out for this one)
The pool was just what my bionic knee needed.
Nine weeks after my knee replacement surgery,
I'm still in pain and swollen and I'm still learning to pace myself.
I use my magic walking cane, when needed,
and lots of prayer, always.

My first swim since my April knee replacement surgery...feels so good!

The next morning we were ready to hit the road to our destination,
The Fleetwood Rally in Decatur, Indiana,
but first we had to cross the Ohio/Indiana state line.
It's always fun to cross state lines.
I took lots of videos, which I shall post when I figure out how to do it.

The Fleetwood Rally... 200+ of these big beautiful babies!

Berne, Indiana is a lovely Amish town near Decatur
that was founded in 1820 by a large group from Switzerland.

Berne, IN reminds us of Solvang, CA

The 'rowdy rally ladies' loaded into two buses for Fort Wayne IN for
afternoon tea at a beautiful downtown museum and gardens.

Away we go to Fort Wayne!

Butterflies galore among the gardens

That evening there was wine tasting on Main Street,
all from the local farmers.
(they have to have something to do in their off-season)
Afternoon tea and evening wine...ya can't beat that.
YUM!

Decatur is a lovely artsy town.
Main Street is scattered with various art work
from the locals. 

Y'all know how I love to travel.

We have met some brave and adventurous people

who are full-time RVers.

I admit that I'm often tempted to throw all cares to the wind,

sell everything, and take off to places unknown.

But so far I have come back to my senses and I smile big

as we slowly pull into our posh neighborhood.
On a golf course, I might add. But we don't golf.
And we don't live in one of those posh houses.
We fell in love with one of those cozy brick patio homes that overlooks a pond
filled with fish,
and deer grazing just before dawn.

I sigh as we continue to drive down to the end of our street

(which happens to be a convenient culdesac for us to load and unload our 40-foot coach)

and pull into our somewhat snug driveway.

Ahh, home sweet home.
So that's why we are not 'full-timers' ... yet.

My new friend!

Yes, we travel to beautiful places across the USA
but my favorite part is meeting all of the
beautiful people along the way.
I love listening to their stories,
then sharing mine for anyone who will listen.
When I corner them long enough,
(one of my famous marketing skills)
they want to buy my book
LADY and the SEA*.

Next time in Part 2, we'll travel north to Lake Michigan,
south to Wheeling, West Virginia,
Winston-Salem, NC and more,
so stay tuned.
Until then,

I wish you oceans of safe travels!


God invites you to vacation in His splendor.
He invites you to feel the touch of His hand.
He invites you to feast at His table.
He wants to spend time with you.

*To order LADY and the SEA and LADY on the RUN  go to:  www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

www.sharonleaf.com

Daughter's 50th, and other Surgical Moments

Sunrise at Hunting Island, SC 2016

May your footsteps set you upon a lifetime journey of love.
May you wake each day with His blessings
and sleep each night in His keeping.
And may you always walk in His tender care.

Hello... how are you?
Now, may I ask,
when does one have the time to write?

I know, I know,

a writer must make time to write.
Just as a
painter must make time to paint that priceless picture,
or the photographer must make time for those magnificent photo shoots,

So, lets talk a little about guilt
because I know we all go through this
at one time or another.

Confession:
I'm guilty of sleeping until after 7,

sipping my first cup of coffee until 8 or 9 while reading, watching TV,
or watching a sunrise.

By the time I put on my face,

get dressed, make the bed,

eat breakfast, clean kitchen,

put in a load of laundry or two,

take Popcorn for her morning walk,

It's lunchtime.

And so the days go.

However, I do have lots of fun in-between.
No guilt there.
After all, I am retired.

Between the process of all my long-awaited 

pre-op surgery appointments, classes, etc.
over the last two months,

I have been spending lots of time at the gym

swimming and working out

to prepare my body for my upcoming knee replacement surgery.
Brownie points here.

Jacquie's 50th Birthday Bash
Family & Friends
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!"

And then there was my daughter's big

50th BIRTHDAY KARAOKE PARTY
last Saturday night.

I always over-extend myself at her parties

because I have so much fun

singing old and new songs from

all genres.

Now I'm hoarse and my knee really hurts.

But worth all the pain for a night

of pure celebration.
More brownie points.

Speaking of age...
Golly, I don't feel 70 until

I realize that I now have a daughter who is

50!

I'm old,

But young at heart.

And that's what matters.
More brownie points to feeling young.

As I continue to prepare for my surgery,

which shall FINALLY take place this Monday morning,

My heart is full of thankfulness

for the many blessings in my life,
including the best ortho-surgeon in the south
(thus the long waiting list for surgery).
I also know that I am in the hands of the great physician,
Jesus,
not to forget my Robinski and family and friends.

Then after three weeks of in-house rehab,

Robinski will gently load me into 

Moon River,
(I named her just the other day; so appropriate, don't you think?)

our 40-foot American Tradition coach,

and off we'll travel to Myrtle Beach for a week...

or more.

Moon River is ready to travel

I know I'll find time to write on the road.
Then: no more guilt.
But don't expect too much while

I'm mending from my surgery.

Strangely, as I write this blog,
I feel the guilt melting away.
After all, what is really meaningful in this life anyway?
Yep,
God, Family, and Friends.

So as you read this,
I hope you are being set free from the guilt you may be feeling.
Make sure your priorities are in order,
then go out and make this a beautiful day.

And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

I shall soon return as
Lady Traveler aka the Bionic Woman!

Until next time,
Keep traveling on your journey of love

Stand at the crossroads and look...
ask where the good way is,
and walk in it, 
and you will find rest for your souls.
Joshua 6:16

Here's wishing you oceans of springtime blessings.

www.sharonleaf.com