Alexis Hartz, Author

Well, I've been absent for a few days, my apologies to my loyal readers!  I've been winterizing the coach in preparation for a trip to Phoenix --- to fly to San Francisco for a few days --- then back to the coach to my early winter options. With that being said we'll start with winterizing.  Not much to it, just getting all of the water out of all of the places that the water is stored.  The one place that I forgot was my flower pitcher on kitchen table.  Of all the help that I received from fellow rver's in the process, no one mentioned that vessel!  The coach is officially in storage for the next two weeks. Colette, my sweet friend and park receptionist,  asked if I was planning to stay with them on a monthly basis when I returned. I am undecided.  Yesterday I woke to the first hard frost of the season, fresh snow on the mountain tops, and the thermometer's mercury continues to fall. I'm not sure that my warm-blooded Phoenix...

Some of you are familiar with the TV program called Sunday Morning.   It includes segments on various subject matters interspersed with commentaries and opinions.  Today's Blog's title is inspired by that program with a casual twist. Several of you have written to me and asked questions, so here are the answers: How am I liking it, and is it getting old yet?   I am loving it!  I'm really enjoying the simplicity of it.  Everything you need and nothing you don't.  A few epiphanies that I have had: I cleaned the entire coach, front to back, bathroom, kitchen, even vacuuming and it took me a whole 40 minutes!  Fantastic! Much better that a whole day of house cleaning! I can sit at my kitchen table and reach books on my living room couch without taking a step.  The kitchen counter doubles as an end table for the living room, no dusting required. Are you cooking or eating out?  Doing dishes or disposable everything? Since I've b...

Should I share with you the splendor of the cottonwood trees in their majestic autumn gold foilage, or the sweet smell of the river valley before a rain, or the calming comfort of a night sky painted with greys, the clouds giving way to the moon's nearly full glow? Oh how I wish I could.  You'll have to excuse me, I'm going to listen to the pitter patter of a steady rain tonight.  It's a treat that this gal from the desert craves, and it's long overdue.

Last Friday, after a week of enjoying a mini-vacation in Durango, I decided to seek out someone who might need help.  (After all, that is part of the travel plans.)  I stopped by the Soup Kitchen and committed myself to a week of service which began yesterday. ---- More on that later. Anyway, after my shift today my neighbor knocked on my door and ordered me to come over and "talk rv" with him and his wife.  Before I had my thongs on he was not headed back to his rv as I expected, but rather to the opposite side of mine where he quickly openend all of my utility compartments.  By that time his wife was introducing herself and looking over his shoulder, commenting to each other about my set-up.Without hesitation he began undoing hoses and cords and pipes and reconnecting them through the appropriate lower openings.  When he got to the waste pipes, he offered the lead to her, and as she adjusted the fittings, she turned to me and proudly announc...

Bayfield, Colorado  Incorporated in 1906 Population:  2,087 Land Area:  1.08 square miles Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't have my camera for my evening walk tonight. I walked from one end of Bayfield to the other. I saw a couple cruising Main Street. . . . on their horses. I saw a winter's worth of firewood stacked on the front porch of a house. I saw a black and white goat in a front yard, "mowing" the lawn with it's front teeth. I saw two young boys in a front yard, trying their best to load a bike on an old rusty red wagon.  They saw me walking by and spoke a little more loudly to each other, "We sure could use some help, couldn't we?"  And the other replied back to his friend, "Yep, sure could!"  Aah!  That's my cue!  I helped them load the bike. As soon as it was done (taking all of 30 seconds), their little cherub-like faces turned up towards me with clearly spoken thanks.  Sweet little angels! Boys at that kinderg...

Today was a typical Saturday.  Get up and clean the house, do a little home repair and improvement, and take the afternoon off.  It's probably the closest to normal that I've been since I purchased this home. When it's not on the road, Coach Life is pretty much the same as permanent home life. I even have wireless internet service and cable tv service --- and, actually more channels that I get at home.  Since I've been close to Durango, CO, I've been visiting with my son Nick, and his wife, Kristen.  That's normal. I visit them regularly on weekends throughout the year. We enjoy each other's company. It's easy to think about staying here close to them, but that's not part of the plan.  I'm in a process of blending the old normal with the new normal.  Spending time with Nick and Kristen is part of a day that also includes formulating the next trip leg, researching another income lead, learning something new a...

So many people that hear of my adventure tell me that they wish that they could do it, or think it's great to have such freedom. . . and courage. . . I had to chuckle today when a friend told me that years ago she thought I was just day dreaming when I would talk about traveling in an RV.  Yes, I was just day dreaming then.  Our minds are amazing machines.  Just like guided missiles, our brains are set up to hone in on a target (goal) and decipher the path to get there.  A series of events occurring in precisely the right order, all at precisely the right time created the opportunity to transform my day dream into reality.  It's as simple as that. Well, that and a heaping lot of prayers! So, what is your day dream?  I'd love to know. .. .