The Autumn of Our Boondocking Days

[Ray Eklund]

We experienced Tent Camping, then to RV Trailer Camping, to discover... that our Spring and Summers of our lives are now becoming memories of Summers' Past.

We miss those days, the most. We remember our previous Blue Heeler pups, growing into adults, to senior status and eventually their deaths in our arms. Each of our dogs were placed permanently, at our homes, to rest in peace. Wrapped in their favorite 'binky' blanket.

We now have three Blue Heelers and staggered their ages so we have an overlap of young to old on purpose. They are our friends and company at remote locations.

We have come to realize that we have entered the Autumn of our lives. The realization that time is short, has entered our calendar of things to do that we have not.

Tent Camping ended in 2006 with a new 23 foot Safari. Eight years of Spring experiences together with a home on wheels. For us and our two Blue Heelers. Only those who went from a tent to a travel trailer would understand.

The 2014 25 foot International was a huge increase in space. Our favorite length. We returned to our favorite Off the Grid Boondocking campsites frequented over and over. Sunrise and sunsets were just as wonderful as those days crawling out of a Tent.

With the 2019 27FBQ International... and the 2019 Oliver Elite II, both have their uses. Both are heavier trailers being towed by a 2016 F350 4x4 Diesel that has been as dependable as both of our current trailers. Tweaked by both of us, over time

We now have passed our Spring and Summer portions of our lives. Both of us now in our 70's and I, being the Senior explorer. Nancy always the younger.

Now at the Fall of our lives, we discovered, a year or two ago, there are few, if any precious camping locations to discover. We scour a stack western State Atlases and Geologic Maps each trip... and once eliminating places we cannot camp... we are back to where we can.

We return to our favorite places discovered, when we Tent Camped and then over the years in our Airstreams and now Oliver. Today, some of these places are no longer open to the public. Ranches we visited often in the past are now corporate ranches and we are not familiar faces or welcomed.

Autumn of our lives has arrived and soon the Winter of our lives is getting closer. We are outdoor people and do things that most would not. It keeps us looking forward to tomorrow's experiences in our home on wheels.

May your Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter of your lives be fulfilled by doing and not thinking about doing something new. Exploring is something we look forward to each year. One of us may pass and leave the other to be alone with memories.

This is to remind you that seasons change, like our lives. Do what you have not... this year. Tomorrow... may too late. Go and do something this year to remember at home, exhausted.

When your Winter arrives, your calendar has all of the months and days covered with what you have done and what you will be doing then...and looking forward to tomorrow.

[nvestysly]

Hi Ray,

I've heard it said that life is like a roll of toilet paper, it goes faster as you near the end! While I'm hopeful you and Nancy have many years remaining in your Autumn analogy, the topic is certainly one to be considered with much introspection. Here's to finding one more (at least) undiscovered boondocking site in your Autumn years! Cheers.

See Ya down the road.

[field & stream]

Perhaps especially for the Airstream crowd, who I hear is on the older side, these are excellent points eloquently made. A couple of age surveys have been done on this forum and only 2-4% of the respondents were in their 80’s.

We have found our range shrinking, both in hours/miles per day of driving and in the overall boundary of the territory we explore. Hikes are shorter and more moderate. Sometimes the deciding argument for going somewhere is that for all we know this could be our last chance.

This does not discourage us, it motivates us. Do what you can when you can. You just don’t know ……. like they say in South America, you could wake up in the morning dead.

[centennialman]

Ray.....so well written! I always enjoy reading your posts and hope there are many more. Thanks for sharing!

[GOUSC]

Originally Posted by centennialman

Ray.....so well written! I always enjoy reading your posts and hope there are many more. Thanks for sharing!

I agree. Well written Ray. One of your best.

[Kemmy]

Good words Ray. Many of us are in the same place.

[fossil5775]

Ugh, well said. We're right there with you! We just had this conversation within the past week- what's left to see, where is worth returning? We are doing as much as we can while we can. We start today from Missouri for the northeast for June, then up to the Canadian Atlantic provinces including Newfoundland for July & August. Safe travels to one & all! In the words of an old beer commercial, grab for all the gusto while you can!

[pjshier]

I remember the place, time, smell and weather of the day at the fence watching softball when a stranger remarked on the athleticism of the players and we lamented our mutual perceived advancement beyond that capacity to some degree. The memorable words were: "I am man enough to admit there are more grains in the bottom of my hour glass than in the top..." To this day he has no idea how those words first shocked then motivated me. Grateful and better for it.

[LNBright]

Good words, Ray.

[Baron 8TB]

Thank you Ray, as always, good words. My Nancy and me aren't too far behind you.

Safe travels.

Greg

[Mikebrady62]

Ray,
You may be in the autumn of your lives but my guess is you both could still out hike, dig, build etc... many in their prime of life.
None of us know when that last sunset will be, so live life and enjoy the sunrise!

[pond]

My eyes are blurry I can't see the trail. The same discussion is going on in my head after the backpacking trip to the Maze in Utah last week.

Very comforting, to the future! There's always Blick Art supplies. Hiking with a pencil?

[Jimroll]

Beautifully written. At 73 I can sympathize with you.

[ORtraveler]

Ray,
You hit all the points, the switch from tents to trailers amazed us and changed our lives. Our first was a T@B and we loved it. Then we stepped inside a Bambi Sport and thought wow. Might be too small for many, but small is how we roll. The dogs, we have two 14 year old min pins that go everywhere with us. One now needs to be carried soon after hitting the trail. We are still looking for the Airstream of dog carrier backpacks! We are both entering our 70s this summer, one of us recently got a new hip. Life goes on and we hit the road as much as we can March to November. We’ll keep going as long as we can. I loved your post, thank you for sharing.
Cate

[Genebuilder]

What a great thread.
Autumn is the best of the seasons of life. Life has been well lived, nature and life are robust and soon to evolve into an explosion of brilliant color magic, much as our lives will in the beautiful season of Autumn. There is much left to see and enjoy before the winter of our (dis)content sets in.

[Ray Eklund]

Sometimes Life is like an Apple Tree.

- A seed is planted and you water it.

- It begins to grow as a stem with two leaves.

- The stem becomes a twig, with small branches and more leaves.

- After Six to Ten Years, the Tree begins to produce Fruit.

- I expected Sweet and Firm Honey Crisp Apples.

I got Peaches. I like Peaches.

The End.

Thank you for your comments. Have a Peach.

[crazylev]

Well said (written) Ray!

[turk123]

Nice words, Ray. Now pass the peach cobbler.


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[TheParula]

Oh my gosh! You sound almost exactly lik my husband and my self. Except for the Boon-docking and truck . LOL

[xpcdoojk]

Nice. Impressed in MO