Tag: slowing down

St Petersburg, FL

We have completed our two week sit in St Petersburg. This weekend I mowed the lawn, vacuumed the house, swept the side patio, cleaned the pool and did laundry. Ricky swept the deck of the pool, cleaned the cat (he’s too old to groom himself), the litter box and took out the trash. Kenny took the dog for a run, helped me clean and packed, made breakfast and lunch and studied Spanish. Kenny joked that I’m made for house sitting because he saw the look of satisfaction on my face when all was clean and done before noon.

I realize that I enjoy yard work and a clean home. I don’t mind a little physical labor especially when I don’t have to do it on my only day off from work. The house work here reminds me of the house in Monroe, but much easier since the house is smaller and everything is so well organized for me. The house in Monroe was therapeutic and taught me I can accomplish great and difficult things on my own. I must admit I had quite a bit of help from neighbors, now adopted family and my Mom. The house was finally beautiful and complete and had served its purpose. I have no regrets selling it, but I do sometimes miss gardening, pets and living close to nature.

Fast forward ten+ years and I’m fortunate to find a way to satisfy those needs without giving up travel. I believe there is more than enough to enjoy without owning my own home and pets for now. We can provide a service to the home owners and pets and benefit from their hospitality. Longer stays like this one allow us to live like locals and really enjoy the pets. There is no rush to see or do everything and surprisingly we love this pace, unlike our crazy trips of past. We are thoroughly enjoying each other’s company, free time, cooking together and playing with Looper, Hunter and Lilly. St Petersburg has lots of nice parks and beaches to enjoy as well.

I will miss this place and the pets who have welcomed us into their pack. Their owners have been generous and trusting and I have enjoyed my short conversations with them. These connections alter ones perceptions of the world for the better. I believe people are inherently kind, if we only slow down long enough to take the time to get to know each other. Everyone has a story and I look forward to weaving more of these stories into our lives. Thank you Anne and Pete.

  • Fort Desoto Park
  • Veterans Memorial Park
  • Pass-a-grille Beach
  • Sunset dinner on the beach

Slowing down

I rushed to do things most days, to get to places and plan ahead. Then suddenly I realize I’m here on a beach in Kiptopeke, VA playing with my son smiling back at me. I realize this is where I am supposed to be, there’s nowhere else to be and nothing else to do. Thich Nhat Han would be proud. I finally understand what it means to be truly present and it is blissful, yet transient.

This is our first trip as full time travelers, and I still don’t quite now how to feel about all of this. Quite honestly it’s a little unnerving being on unfamiliar ground. Unlike a vacation where you’re excited and get to run away from life’s responsibilities for a short while, we actually have to learn to navigate relationships, education, meals, lodging and budgets while on the road. Throw in a little pandemic into the mix and it’s not the glamorous life you might imagine. It’s a work in progress and it’s hard to give up type A personality controlling behavior habits.

There are glimmers of benefits to slowing down that I can see already. The most obvious are the happy smiles and hugs from my little boy who suffered from the fear and isolation of the pandemic. I am more present and attuned to his needs and moods and thus can respond more thoughtfully instead of reacting to his behavior. I hope we will continue to develop happier relationships wherever we are in the world.

As I reflect on the 4 nights we spent camping at two different camp sites in two states – Kiptopeke VA and St James Island SC, Kiptopeke was by far my favorite. It is a small state park and beach which had a cool breeze despite the 90+ degree weather and shallow water with gentle waves perfect for relaxing and watching crabs burrow in the sand. The water park at St James saved that stop and was a welcome distraction from the hoards of flies and mosquitoes at the camp site. Surprisingly the night we spent between both sites at a truck stop was not so bad and we have discovered that truck stops down south sell all sorts of things we’ve never seen before!