With eager excitement, like a dog with two tails, I drove my trusty GMC Canyon pulling my travel trailer out of my driveway on September 22. I returned yesterday, two weeks and two thousand miles later, exhausted and with my two tails dragging, but my heart and mind filled with precious memories of time spent with dear family and sights worth seeing.
In south Georgia I enjoyed a good visit with a cousin and her husband, reminiscing over old times and family long gone. They sent me on my way with prayer, and I headed to Edisto Beach, South Carolina, where my sister-in-law joined me. I indulged my fascination and enjoyment of old churches and graveyards, got to see the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in many a year, the Charleston Tea Plantation–the only place in the U.S. where tea is grown–and the Angel Tree–a 300-400-year-old live oak.
Hurricane Ian’s approach cut this bit of vacation short. I went scurrying up to Hickory, North Carolina, which was directly in the path of Ian, but I was not going to miss seeing another dear cousin. There were a few bumpy hours of rain and wind buffeting the camper, but many more hours of chatting and laughing with my cousin. From there I headed west through the mountains and had the opportunity to meet up with a long-time internet friend, seeing each other face to face for the first time. What a treat! I saw the fog of the Smoky Mountains, and enjoyed blessed coolness. Then it was back into Alabama and staying at one of the best campgrounds I have ever encountered–Deerlick Creek, a Corps of Engineer campground outside Tuscaloosa. It was flip-flop weather again!
I was asked several times if I had written while camping. The implication is that I have all those hours of traveling alone. I did start out with the idea that I would blog about my trip as I went along. That idea is laughable now. When one is traveling alone in an RV, doing all the work to set up and take down, feeding and walking the dog, and myself, and seeing the sights and visiting family and friends–maintaining a life on the road–there is not a spare moment. I didn’t even have time for email! I fell exhausted into bed each night.
Yet, while there was no time to write, and I’m no good at dictating to a recording–I got into a near fight with Siri when she wouldn’t do as I expected her to do–the miles of highway driving gave me plenty of time to think, to ponder myself and where I am going in this last part of my life on earth. I returned home with my artist’s well filled with fresh sights and insights, sounds and scents and memories, and new solid confidence about both my capabilities and God’s capabilities.
Once I did not believe I could handle an RV. I learned I can. Once I didn’t believe I could possibly make a long trip alone. I did, and I thought that was a one-time adventure. Now here I have done it a second time.
We can all generally do more than we believe we can do. It has taken me a lifetime, but I now know that when a dream calls and nags, the thing to do it to step out and try. And I’ve learned that a nap followed by a cup of tea solves a myriad of problems.
Curtiss Ann Matlock 
Thanks cousin for sharing pictures of your 2 weeks visiting/traveling/camping. You are so inspiring with your camping and your life! I’m sure there is a book coming in future about my pioneering cousin, with her dog and camping.
🙏🏻Thanks for taking time out to visit❤️
💕MaryFrances 💕
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You’re amazing, Curtiss Ann! I admire you and your writing very much.
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Irene– thank you for taking the time to post your kind praise. You give me a boost to keep writing.
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What fun!
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So glad you made it home safely, we’ll talk soon
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Welcome home!
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Sent from my iPhone
Good morning, Curtis Ann
I loved your trip report ! You are definitely inspirational to me! I’m so happy for you …finding your strength and grit and really experiencing joy from your journeys.
An update from here …my husband is in 3 years of vascular dementia and Parkinson’s. He’s a little worse every day …with so many health issues to deal with besides the ones I just mentioned . It breaks my heart because he worked his butt off for 40+ years as a dentist then shortly after retiring evidently started having mini strokes .
Anyway …it’s been life changing for me, too. I’ve also found a strength I didn’t know existed within . I feel like a widow caring for a child . It’s exhausting and depressing, but that’s where we are .
He adores our little grand twins …we’re certainly fortunate they live very near by . He lights up when they are with him .
Thanks for your wonderful posts ! I hope I’ll have a chance to meet up with some of my relatives one day …but I probably won’t be camping along the way 🤣🤣🤣
Love to you….Dana Smith
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Oh, Dana, you have been an inspiration to me, too, getting me not running but walking regularly. You have amazing strength within, and are a great blessing to your husband. Yes, your walk is that of a widow with a living husband, and not an easy one. Unfortunately, I have know a number of women in your shoes. You can do this, with God’s help. I am cheering you on in this special run. Rest as you can.
XxOO
CurtissAnn
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Hi CurtissAnn ….I really enjoyed reading this and love all the pictures. It sounds like you’re having a wonderful time. I think life in the South is somehow more relaxing and down to Earth than elsewhere. I gotta keep this for all those beautiful pictures…Love, Cousin Jim
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Jim, I think the life you have there in Hemet, with your wonderful gardening, is a relaxing heaven on earth. When I read you note, the memory of where I heard the phrase: “Home again, home again, jiggity jig,” popped into my mind. It was from my grandmother Willie Parsons Henderson–Aunt Attalee’s aunt. Our side of the family! Grandmother Willie was a great one for sayings like that. I suddenly see and hear her often saying “Jiggity jig.” Sending love, cousin, and hello to Ted. Thank you for reading my meanderings.
XxxOO
CurtissAnn
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What an awesome trip! You were so close to me! I live in Mooresville, right down the interstate from Hickory! Did you see a big lake, Lake Norman? I live very close to that!
I bet it feels good to be home and sleeping in your own bed once again! 🤗💜
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Oh, Susan, another connection we have–Carolina girls! My route took me over to Highway 321, so too far from the lake to see it. Girlfriend, I sure hope if I get up that way again, we can meet! In the meantime, it is lovely to know a bit of what the area you live in looks like.
Hugs,
CurtissAnn
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