I’m a little boggled that my half-decade anniversary of being on the road has come. That time span doesn’t feel real to me.
The last five years have been some of the best and most challenging of my life. Every time I thought I finally got a grip on my nomadic existence, something would come to bend it back out of shape. That is the nature of all lives, I guess, but mine was especially precarious. I think that establishing Saskatchewan residency will be the missing cement to the shaky foundation of my life.
When I set off five years ago, I dreamed of making a name for myself RVing, but dared not fathom of a future that would put me on the cover of an RVing magazine, being interviewed by a major TV morning show, that I would get quite the spread in one of Canada’s most prominent newspapers, or that strangers would knock on the door and say, “Hey, I recognize you from the blog!”
Five years ago, I could only only hope to winter in a sunny clime, feel the midnight sun on my face, summit a mountain, freeze my toes in the Arctic Ocean, never mind do so much more than all that. I also could not imagine the friends I would meet along the way or that I would one day find a place where I would belong.
My life’s in a little bit of a limbo right now as I am coming to grips with just how hard I have fallen in love with my little piece of Saskatchewan and the people who populate that world. I am just grateful that the last five years have reminded me that such contentment at being in a beloved location never lasts and restlessness is guaranteed to follow. Therefore, I have to find a balance between making Haven comfortable while still being able to wander.
When I started RVing, I really enjoyed blogging about my life and the odd adventure that I have. But living so publicly began to weigh on me and I found myself wondering if the decisions I was making were best for me or best for the blog.
This past spring, I came to the conclusion that blogging was no longer a good use of my time. I cherish the friendships I have made through this blog, but regularly blogging about my life is just not something I’m interested in doing anymore. I made the decision in the spring to review how I felt on my fifth anniversary and the sentiment still holds. So I’ve been thinking about this post for about six months.
I don’t want to be one of those bloggers who says, “I quit!” and then comes back a few weeks later, almost as though they are seeking attention. So this isn’t the final Travels With Miranda post. I just don’t know when, or even if, I’ll be back. I’m thinking that taking a break might help refresh me and maybe even motivate me to get through a backlog of technical post drafts stemming from the seminar this summer…
I really like the Travels With Miranda Facebook page for giving updates, so that’s where you can go to get updates on Miranda’s out of province inspection, winter plans, and more. It’s a public page, so you don’t need to be a member of Facebook; just bookmark the link. Soon as I hit publish on this post, I’m heading there to share some information of importance to Snowbirds (hint, I recently got a letter from the IRS).
I love and appreciate each and everyone of you who has followed me along the way, whether it was from the very beginning or if you came on board at a later date. I am so grateful for the advice, hospitality, and help in all forms that you have given me. I hope that you’ll still try to keep in touch because my days of adventure and wandering are far from over!
Wow! I didn’t see that one coming 🙁
Sounds like you have a bright future in store. Best of luck with your adventures.
I’ll miss you. But, I understand your need to move on. Well wishes to you for your future.
Will miss the blog. Rarely go to FB so have the feeling I’ll be out of the loop a lot. 🙂
Not a Facebook user either. However, understand the desire for change. Best of luck to you. Have so enjoyed your journey. Thank you for allowing us to view your world!
I’ve really enjoyed your blog and your adventures, and congratulate you on finding a life in a place you love. I hope you will publish an update now and then, but you have to do as you think best. I wish you a wonderful future.
So how do you follow / friend you on Facebook? All I see is “like”, and last time I did that to a page it spammed all my friends.
Wow, I’ve only been “along for the ride” for a few months, but I enjoyed the trip!
Au revoir, but not goodbye, I know our paths will cross again.
Thanks for all the interesting and/or informative posts.
I will miss the Blog but will check you out on Facebook. Keep in touch and get back to making the odd comment on my Blog, as we will probably be close to each other sometime this winter. Best of luck, Rae!
Thank to everyone who has commented. For those who do want to check in with me on Facebook, you can either simply bookmark the page and check it on occasion (again, no need to be on Facebook) or ‘like’ the page. If doing so spams your friends, then you need to update your privacy settings.
I don’t like Facebook either, but it’s the best compromise I’ve found. I do anticipate I’ll be making posts of a technical nature in the not so distant future, but there won’t be much, if any, of my personal story along with them.
Thank you for your understanding.
Thank you Rae for everything. Continue your life as you see fit and I’ll try follow your new site and Facebook (although I don’t Facebook either). Best wishes for continued success….
I’ll totally miss keeping up with your adventures–you are a most admirable young woman! But I totally understand that blogs can become an onerous responsibility at some point along the way, and understand your desire to not be tied to constant updates. I do see your posts on FB so glad that occasionally I will hear how you are doing. Meanwhile, I am thrilled about your new life at Haven and hope you have many happy years creating a life which is the perfect balance of Home Sweet Home and Home On Wheels. Best of luck and remember, our offer of a parking space (includes a hot shower!) in New Jersey is always open to you!
Hi Rae,
I started reading your blog after I read an article in an e-magazine January 2011 I received through my continued membership in Passport America.
I have quite enjoyed your mostly “ups” and some “downs” of “life on the road” and I will be catching up with you on Facebook.
So glad we got the chance to meet this winter. I’ll stay tuned on FB and you know how to get in touch with me. Good luck with the webpage. Holler if you pass this way going south.
I will miss you. I don’t do FB.
So sad that you will not be posting anymore…but happy for you that you are doing what is right for you and your life at this point. Thank you so much for all the sharing of your life….I thoroughly enjoyed your posts!! I will be going full-time in about two years and I will think of you often as I begin my journey….you have been the standard bearer for many of us….Hugs and much joy to you in the future….
I will miss this blog but will like you on FB as soon as I finish this comment. Thanks again for all your help with plans to travel in Canada. My baby did not go back to his mother until August 16. I left in my RV on the 24th, but had to shorten my route due to winter. I am in Kentucky now–headed to Maine, down to Key West, Florida, and back home to Texas before Christmas. I’m having a great time visiting some of my old favorite places from my tenting days, as well as discovering lots of new favorites. I will be in Monogahela National Forest in West Virginia in a few days.
Canadian travel is certainly in my future. Congratulations on finding your piece of Heaven!!!
I’ve enjoyed following your blog over the years. Felt bad for you through some of your ordeals..but slowly things are startng to fall in place and wish you nothing but the best in future.
Glad we had an opportunity to meet in Dawson!
Will watch for you on FB, bye!