FIXITFRANKS TRAVELS & WORDS OF NEAR WISDOM: Gypsy Life = Destination Unknown

If this doesn't fit our current lifestyle I don't know what does. This message was left just for us!

To this point, we had had the pleasure of staying at full service campgrounds or at locations where I knew what to expect and what to bring in order to be prepared. We went from Branson to Beaver Lake, Arkansas where I have had a spot reserved out on the peninsula at the Dam Site for Beaver Lake. I had camped at this site many years ago with a couple motorcycle buddies and vowed that someday I would return, during the season, and spend some time here. The campground is operated by the US Corp of Engineers and the spaces are large and very accommodating. When I made the reservation, I knew that sewer was not available but neglected to read the part where water was also not available at the site.

I got Matilda backed into our reserved spot and proceeded to connect everything then realized that there was no water hook up. There was a water hydrant located just out of the reach of the hoses I had with me so I decided to do a bit of problem solving and devised a way to get my tank filled without having to spend a lot of money for a long hose. I had to go into Eureka Springs to buy some groceries so while I was at the store I picked up a two and one half gallon container of water. I poured this water into the tank then used the empty container to top off my water tank from the nearby hydrant. Worked out just fine with minimal expense.

The water issue is the only negative we found about staying at this camp site. The spaces were large and had very nice shade. The weather was hot, but the almost constant breeze that came across the lake made sitting outside under the trees feel very nice. We had a very pleasant rain shower almost every day and we both just relaxed and enjoyed the quiet and beauty that this site provided.

We are both beginning to feel more at ease with this life style that we have chosen. Cindy has been walking more and more as her knee is getting better and I have learned to relax to the point that the two of us did something that we have not done for years. I bought a table game while we were in town and we sat down during the heat of the day and spent some quality time just playing Yahtzee.

I want to go into an observation that I have had during our outings. I have noticed and am guilty myself of participating in this behavior. Why is it that when families are out in the camp environment the man will do things that there is absolutely no way he would do at home? I have no problem sweeping out Matilda, or cooking breakfast, or cooking any other meal. I actually enjoy doing these things and absolutely dreaded the same activities at our sticks and stone home.

The time we spent on this outing was calm and peaceful. We did have a visit from our friends from Branson and we went out for a good dinner together, then returned to our site and the four of us just sat around and we all relaxed, something we all really needed more than we realized. I do have to acknowledge that another plus that I enjoyed while at this site was that the internet was not readily available. We had phone and text but the internet was very minimal. It really felt good to not have that for a while. The lack of the internet brought back the old way of actually talking to each other and just sitting back and relaxing and enjoying life.

We had a very nice view from every window of Matilda and the surrounding area was just majestic! We did decide that when we traveled to areas that are great for fishing, we will start doing some fishing. I haven’t been fishing in ages and I guess the reason we haven’t done any to date is simply that I have no fishing gear. I have always had the mindset that just sitting and waiting for a fish to bite was a real waste of time, time that could be of better use doing something. I have to admit that I can see the therapeutic advantage to just sitting, waiting and relaxing. Our next outing at a lake or near a fishing area, we will do some fishing. I’m going to pick up some basic gear and we are going to learn to drown some worms!

I did find one thing very fitting about our campsite. The picnic table shelter at our site, someone had painted on the trim board the very fitting and appropriate “Gypsy life=Destination unknown”. It just feels like everything continues to point to the fact that this is the life Cindy and I are supposed to be living, and we really couldn’t agree more!

I did notice while we were driving around Branson that I had an unusual noise in the front end of Brutus and just couldn't locate the cause, well, while at this site I discovered that I had a failing wheel bearing. I made some temporary modifications so that we could get home to where I could take care of the problem properly. I didn't get upset or anything, after all, if you drive a 300,000 plus mileage vehicle, some things are to be expected.

Well, here are some pictures of the scenery we had for the week. We are looking forward to our next “scheduled” outing but until then, we’ll be satisfied going back to our base and spending some time with the kids and grandkids. Life Is GREAT!

This is where Cindy sits most of the time. She loves the window and being able to do craft stuff at the table. The picture behind Cindy is of one of our granddaughters. Family pictures hanging in Matilda just make it more of a home.