When you don’t know what else to do…you go to plan B. In this case however it’s a Jayco Melbourne motorhome, B+ 31ft RV.

Selling unwanted or un-needed items including your home is not for the faint of heart. Plans are to store what I need to set up a future residence, and pack bare minimum in the rv and just go.

Explaining this plan to family and friends I get one of two reactions: “YES! That’s Awesome! I’m happy for you!” or deer in the headlights look and then silence. The silent ones think I’m nuts! Doesn’t matter, it’s my journey not theirs!

What brought me to this decision? Caregiving for my parents for over ten years. Dealing with multiple health issues with my dad, who passed in February 2022 of Kidney disease, and then I brought my mom home with me and gave her 24/7 care until she passed April 2023 from dementia. The challenges a caregiver faces take its toll mentally and physically. It’s a journey only another caregiver can understand. After my mother’s funeral, I was still sleep deprived and my system was completely depleted, and so I ended up with covid the first time I went out. Ten full days of trying to stay hydrated, slept, and tried to eat what I could…I had a lot of time to think.

For the first time in over ten years, I didn’t have someone to take care of. I could leave the house without worrying about someone falling or hurting themselves. Someone once told me they felt so empty after their parents had passed; their time and focus was filled with caregiving for them, that once they were gone, there’s an emptiness that is profound.

My home was filled with their things and memories that I now was faced with deciding what to do with it all. Plus finalizing property, probate, and insurance so I could pay for the funeral was a pain that had to be dealt with.

What’s next now? I’ve been working from home, which was a blessing since I was taking them to appointments or taking care of them. Although I lost clients and had to hold off from projects because of time, which took a toll financially. I didn’t give up on the idea – and working outside the home at the time was not an option.

Working from home can be from anywhere! I have always wanted to travel – so why not do both? I can continue my business (Whiskey Wishes and Bourbon Dishes) and travel at the same time! Plus, traveling to distilleries to interview owners, and being able to stay there to write/blog and take pictures – and of course taste test products – doesn’t sound so bad!

I’ll have time to write and work on books, sightsee, hike…it will be more than an adventure! It will be a healing trail. It will be a time to feed my body and soul. After researching dementia and watching my mother die from it, I want to try to eat foods that will nourish my mind, exercise so movement will sustain my focus, and challenge my mind with activities while living on the road. If prevention can keep me from getting dementia – that’s what I’m going to do. Am I fooling myself? I don’t think so.

This isn’t a midlife crisis thing. It’s a wake-up call to live life to its fullest each and everyday. If I’m going to live to my late 90’s like my folks did, I’m going to do it fearlessly! This may be a couple of years’ journey or it could be more. There’s no deadline.

So, if you want to follow along and see where I am and how I’m doing, this blog will be where I’m going to share my thoughts on this journey!

Travel, drink bourbon and meet cool people! Sounds like a great plan B+!

Most campgrounds are gated, clean, and full of campers who are friendly, happy, helpful, and full of life!

Homemade Lemoncello! (Linda, if your neighbor ever gives up this recipe – I want it!)

 Thanks for reading!