“Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.” – Gilda Radner
Me, Pepper and Cayenne. — Photo by T.C. Ornelas
Hello Cayenne
Ten years ago I sold my home and traded in my car for a new RV, which I named Gypsy Lee, in honor of my wanderlust and a grandfather I never knew but from whom my mother claimed I inherited my rootless ways.
Me and Gypsy Lee in 2004, 140,000 miles ago.
I lived on the road for nine years before settling in a Tucson apartment a year ago, during which time Gypsy Lee, a 21-foot motor home continued to be my only means of transportation.
This past weekend, I parked Gypsy Lee at my daughter’s house and drove away in a bright, red new car that I named Cayenne. I thought it was a fitting name to go with my canine companion, Pepper, and this flower child who still loves to wear tie-dye.
Over the past few months, I came to understand that driving an RV in a crowded city was holding me back from doing things, like attending a play where there was no parking or driving on city streets at night. There was also Gypsy’s gas guzzling stomach to consider, which meant I mostly only drove her for errands once a week because of the cost of keeping her fed.
My beloved Maggie, who spent the first eight years with me in Gypsy Lee. She is still missed
I knew I was going to eventually have to give her up, but sensibly had decided to keep her one more year for financial reasons.
Then it finally dawned on me that while I’m, thankfully, healthy and physically active now, I’m going to be 75 this year. Now is not the time for me to slow down. I need to keep running as fast as I can, as far as I can, and as hard as I can for as long as I can.
So on Saturday it was good-bye Gypsy Lee. We had an awesome 10 years together. I will always treasure the memories we made during our 140,000 miles on the road.
And hello, Cayenne. You’ve got a lot to live up to in sharing your life with me and Pepper.
Oh, and the first place I visited yesterday, after waiting a year to do so, was Tucson’s downtown main library, where Gypsy Lee couldn’t go because there was no parking space for her.
The Wondering-Wanderer’s blog pick of the day.
Bean’s Pat: You gotta do what you gotta do to survive http://tinyurl.com/k8tor9v This is a story that made me feel blessed for everything I have – and for the power of starting over, which I once had to do in life. Although my situation wasn’t as drastic as this story, I did have to borrow money to pay rent for a while.
Pat Bean's blog 
Just another transition for you Pat. Your joy of life and sense of adventure are great qualities and cayenne is a beauty.
Thanks for the support Mike. I hope to live up to your kind words.
Always sad to say good bye to a set of wheels that served one well.
And Gypsy Lee did just that. Never once broke down although I did have a blow out once.
What a bittersweet moment. All the passenger who’ve been with you on Gypsy Lee know you, Pepper, and Cayenne will manage the transition seamlessly. I have asked the Association of Road Warriors to change your status from Active to Emeritus. Best of luck. AL
I like the sound of that Road Warrior emeritus. But I’ve already got two road trips, one to Texas and one to Wyoming, planned over the next seven months. Cayenne will get to strut her stuff.
Mom, Great decision… You needed to do this for a while. You are already happier with Cayienne! You and her will have great adventures together:-)
Thanks Trish. I accidently left the caption and credit off the photo when I posted it. But it’s fixed now.
You had some great times with Gypsy Lee, Pat. But if it no longer fits where you are in life, then sure, you move on. I’m 70 and am thinking about retiring our RV one of these days…but I’m not quite there yet.
Love the name Cayenne.
Thanks Bob. I think Gypsy Lee is going to stay in the family for a while. I have a daughter and son-in-law with three growing boys and she will be ideal for them for camping trips.
Hi, Pat. Your new wheels are beautiful. And thanks for putting in the photo of Maggie. What a sweet girl.
Sweet isn’t actually what Maggie was. But I really did love her and still miss her. Hopefully my book, :Travels with Maggie, will get published this year.
You go. What a great little sporty car for your newest adventures!!
It will be easier to pull of the road to watch birds I spot. Thanks Judy.
Can’t wait to read the adventures of Pat, Pepper, and Cayenne; it’s gonna be awesome!
I hope we don’t disappoint. Thanks for stopping by Dawn.
Goodbye Gypsy Lee – Hello! New Adventures – Wishing You the BEST!!!
Thanks. I’m looking forward to the new adventures.
Wow, how exciting. We do have to make changes, but I also think about how many years I have left and that motivates me to do all I can with what is left for me.
Thanks Pat. I hear you. When you have more years behind you than ahead of you, you can’t afford to waste time.
Keep on keeping on, girl. Many miles to go in your new ride before you’re done! Congratulations on embracing change.
Thanks Len. Are you going to be in Austin in April. I hope so.
More adventures, and a snazzy car to take you there. You’re right. It’s not time to slow down.
Thanks Kathy. Age, I think, has more to do with attitude than years. And while I know one day I will slow down, it not this day.
Pat, good for you! Changes are not easy but you found the “good” to focus on! That is what keeps us ‘old gals’ young. We look for the good when we need to make a change. Gypsy Lee will provide you with lots of fun memories from now on. Plus your readers are probably much like me, we enjoy thinking about what we have only dreamed about. By the way loved your post on Mount Lemmon. When my daughter and her young family lived in Tucson in mid 80s, I visited and we drove out to Mount Lemmon. Our oldest grandson was just about a year old. He is now an attorney in Oklahoma City and turns 30 next month. Thanks for the memory flashback!
Wow, what a beauty! Go Pat Go!
I will and thanks Alex