“One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more.” — Thomas Jefferson
Plopping myself down and feeling the wind on my face as I let a river sing to me is one of my favorite things to do when traveling. This photo of the Virgin River was taken in Zion National Park. -- Photo by Pat Bean
Travels With Maggie
I got my birthday wish. The shop just called and said my RV, Gypsy Lee, is ready to go. Tomorrow night I will be dancing my on the road jig with my dog, Maggie, looking on.
“I’m free, I’m free, I’m free,” I’ll sing in my tone-deaf voice. Just singing is freedom in itself because it’s not something I do in front of anyone. Those who know me well have even said how much they appreciate my consideration.
But singing and dancing just for myself is what I’ve done every spring for the past seven years after leaving my beloved family – and they are very loved – behind after hopping around between them in Texas and Arkansas each winter.
Sometimes too much of a good thing is too much.
Finding trails to hike with Maggie is also high on my travel list of things to do. -- Photo by Pat Bean
I’ve long known moms out there who don’t want an empty nest. They’ve always made me feel guilty because of the space I seem to need.
I remember when all my children were at home – five, with nine years separating the youngest from the oldest; what I wanted most in those days for my birthday was just a day to myself at home alone. Never got it.
Lately, I’ve been coming across more and more women like myself, who brazenly admit they treasure their time alone. I wonder if perhaps, like me, they finally feel secure enough to admit it. Heaven forbid I would have said such a thing not too many years ago. I would have damaged my children’s egos – or so I thought.
These days, after winter’s end, I think my children are just as happy to wave good-bye to me for a while. And that doesn’t hurt my feelings at all. The time spent apart will just make our next time together all the sweeter.
Or so I suspect.
Pat Bean's blog 
I love the Jefferson quote. And it’s true — one does reflect more when traveling alone (and, in my case, read and write more). I hope your trip is a wonderfully reflective and refreshing one.
thank you for posting enjoyed this too can see you dancing haahhahahahahah
I have always been vocal about needing my time alone. It has created problems with friends and former husbands, and even at times, this one doesn’t get it either. But I will not sacrifice that for anyone or anything. It is my sanity. I think the happiest times in my life have been when I lived alone, and I look forward to the time when I can do that again.
Recently a friend, who has lived alone for many years, has expressed how wonderful it was to live alone. I laughed to myself as for 15 years she called me up once a year and asked me to read cards for and tell her when she was going to have a man in her life!!
I think that with age, I have stopped worrying about other people’s issues. Dr. Seuss said it best: those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
Great post, Pat. I’m so glad to hear that Gypsy Lee is better, and that you’ll be back on the road again soon. 🙂
I think some people are just better suited to solitude. Most of the time I cannot wait to get out of work where all these PEOPLE are around, back to my isolated castle 🙂 Of course my castle doesn’t have the wheels yours does!
Oh, time alone! I’ve always been pretty vocal about my appreciation for my own space and time to myself. My friends and family don’t always understand, but they’ve at least come to realize that when I say I need some space I’m not kidding. I get a little… unpleasant… when I’m overwhelmed with too many people for too long a period of time. In accepting this, they’ve also learned to accept that I’m probably not going to stick in one spot long. I’ll wander and see the world, and then come home to catch up. Then do it again. At least it keeps us all sane.