Friday, September 4, 2015

Don't Wait Too Long

Location: Highway 509 RV Park; Mansfield, Louisiana

Don't wait too long. 
How many times have we heard that advice, but we just keep on, keeping on. I heeded that advice back on April 11, 2014 when I retired and hit the road to see what I could see. There had been reminders from my friends who died early and without warning or got incapacitated before they were able to do some things they had planned to do. Some had talked and planned for decades and was simply waiting for the day to arrive. Something else arrived instead and their dreams and plans were suddenly changed. That something else was different for each of them, but the common thing was the change in their life. Some had postponed their dreams in search of a little more money in retirement by working "just one more year" or waiting for a loan to be paid off. Whatever the reason, and there were many that made a lot of sense at the time, it delayed their plans. We all make decisions based on the best information and feeling that we have at the time. But we also must live with the consequences of our decisions. 

The sad thing is that we never know if we waited too long, until we have actually waited too long.

It was a year ago this week that I was visiting the headwaters of the Mighty Mississippi River. That is Lake Itasca in the background with the beginning of the Mississippi River in the lower right. 

Ya'll take care of each other. I'll Cya down the road.


  

14 comments:

  1. Good message...
    Itasca is a favorite place of mine, I used to live 20 minutes away and that's where we went to go camping, I could go home in the morning & evening to deal with the chickens/goats.

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    1. Hello Rob. I liked that park very much. The whole area had a nice peaceful vib about it. Take care.

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  2. Darrell, you sure hit the nail on the proverbial head with this one. I have seen so many individuals adjust there entire life to accumulating just a few more dollars before they do the things they say they desire. I have a friend that is doing this presently. If you are over sixty it is a crap shoot if the next day you ever leave your home again. Double the negative odds if you have a spouse. Unfortunately most who read your words will not recognize that they apply to them - always others!

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    1. I agree Martin, but hopefully, whatever comes their way, they will deal with it.

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  3. I am one of the worst about postponing my plans for travel. Been retired for 7 years now. They will put on my tombstone my favorite saying, "One of these days I'm gonna. . . . . . . .".
    Don

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    1. Hey Don. A lot of it is just taking that first step. It is always the hardest.

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  4. I hear your words loud and clear. I am about to make some changes the first of the year. I already have my truck and trailer. Plans are in the works for our first trip.

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    1. That's great news Don. Planning for the trips can be almost as fun as the traveling. Good luck on your travels, be safe. Maybe cya down the road.

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  5. Excellent posting and good advise, we are in our 10year fulltime and wish we would have started sooner.

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    1. Hello George. I sure hope I will be able to tell someone those exact words in the future. Be safe on the road.

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  6. Darrell, I could not agree with you more. When people ask me for advice about life in an RV, those 4 words are the first out of my mouth. Take advantage of the opportunity when it presents itself, it may not be there for long. All the best and looking forward to you getting back on the road. Shawn

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    1. Hello Shawn. I've been enjoying your travels through the Northwest. Very pretty country. Ya'll take care and maybe our paths will cross again. Cya.

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  7. We haven't heard from you for awhile ---Hope all is well

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    1. Hello Jenny, You must be reading my mind. I was beginning to make a post when your comment came through. :)

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