Alone and scared

[HoboPals]

Trapper John! He lived in a trailer at the hospital. It's been on the tip of my tongue. I hate when that happens!

I re-read your post, Amber, don't sell yourself short. You may not be a doctor or male or be as old as some of us in the group, but you've lived enough life to have a career and to raise a family on your own. You'll probably run into people who are younger than you, and the same age as you, too. It's the same in any circumstance in life. I didn't expect other people to be the highlights of my trip; I went to recapture memories and make new ones. Sometimes I met people at campgrounds and sometimes I didn't. There were times I didn't speak to anyone in a day; but that didn't bother me. Rving should be a snap in the light of all that you've accomplished in life, not to mention the joy of the freedom to see this great country. Be happy that you have more time to do it than most of us. Your cup is half full, not half empty.

[Wayne M]

Amber,
I just recently lost my mother. It was the Nurses in the hospital that took so much caring for her that got me and the family through the time. Nurses make the world of difference. Especially the ones who care for humanity.

As for being alone, make a check list. You can find several on-line at various places. Just do a google search for RV Checklist and from what you find, make one that fits your needs. Then use that checklist every time you get ready to move, even if it is just around the block. If you don't have a tire pressure monitoring system, check your tire air pressure before you move - every time, and keep them within specifications.

Good luck. Hope to see you at a campground (CG) someday.

[Good man]

Hey guys... Regarding the abilities of either the Golden Retriever or Labrador breed to be protectively agressive when the situation arises...
Please, please do not underestimate the capability of these wonderfully docile and social dogs to go absolutely stone cold Midieval and rip someone a new one if they sense a serious enough threat to their mistress or master.
Case in point: Many years ago, the house rules were that our Yellow Lab named "Alex" was to be brought into the house when my teenage daughter was ever at our rural home alone.
My wife at that time, (whom I now affectionately refer to as Mrs. Plaintiff!) chidded me that the big dog was so sweet-natured and playful she would be of little benefit in a tense situation. Being a country boy, I knew better.
We returned home late one evening and although we were not purposefully quiet, we apparently startled my daughter from a deep sleep. True to the plan, she had earlier admitted Alex into the house... all 90 pounds of her. Truth be known, the playful beast was probably snuggled in the coverlet on my daughter's bed... a definite breach of protocol for an outside "working dog"!
As my wife and I entered a long hallway on our way to the master bedroom, we suddenly saw a flash of fur and barred teeth launching toward us from the doorway to my daughter's room.
Alex apparently had taken her cue from my daughter's rising panic and had sprung up to challenge the perceived threat.
As she hurled toward us, whether it was due to the sound of our startled gasps, the recognition of our silhouettes, catching our scent, or some combination thereof ...she suddenly in mid-flight pulled back the extended claws, closed that gaping jaw with the menacing teeth and tucked her head ...all in her best efforts to abort the attack and dull the blunt force she knew her hurtling body would deliver upon us.
The force of the impact slammed my wife against me and knocked both of us head over heels back out into the living room. When we had somewhat recovered and determined that no real harm had come to us, the laughing started. ...and, admittedly, so did the "I-told-you-so's."
It was then that we noticed our beloved protector cowering with her nose hard-pressed against the front door between anxious glances back at us... wanting to make a quick exit and obviously fearing that she had commited some tremendous faux pas.
You can bet that the praise for her was lavish and the leftover steak from our evening out was hers as quickly as we could deliver it. "Goooood Girl, Alex!!"
In retrospect that evening, my wife made the comment that she remembered seeing at chest height and rising, an almost unrecognizable Alex ...wild-eyed, with jaws opened very wide, teeth totally exposed and her head tilted (rotated) in that last instant before she aborted the attack. I also caught that terrifying image and was attempting to shove my wife to the side because I knew the lethal purpose of that strange posturing.
I explained to her that Alex was preparing to hit the first "intruder" at the throat to instantly neutralize the foremost threat ...by crushing the larynx and simultaneously ripping out the jugular veins, most likely with fatal consequences, before moving on to the next threat. ...A chilling thought and a comforting thought all at the same time.
My daughter's account of it included a brief moment, before Alex sprang from the bedroom, of seeing Alex's head and neck suddenly "swell up" ...which she learned was the dog's defensive process of "getting her hackles up" ...a dog's way (and many other species' of animal) of appearing larger and more menacing to a foe.
The next day, and for many days following (...and ultimately not nearly enough of those days, to be sure) it was the usual routine of endless playing with the frisbee, interspersed with the constant cycle of jumping into the pool followed by climbing the ladder and shaking off at least 25 gallons of expensive chlorinated, Ph balanced pool water each cycle. ...All this unbounding love and joy to be with her family, without the slightest hint that a terrifyingly ferocious killer/protector was quietly contained and guardedly restrained within that wet dog fur, with its distinctive essence. ...Who knew?
Now, understand this, the domestication of dogs has altered these instinctive behaviors to a marked extent and not all dogs will exhibit this degree of protective behavior.
However, most of them can be counted upon to at least make a good showing of growling and ferocious barking as well as "hackling up" ...all to the discouragement of the bad guys. ...At least the one's who are averse to having sutures. Multiple sutures.
In suggesting that the OP of this thread get a dog, I am confident that our new friend, Amber, will intuitively know if that is the correct thing for her to do in view of her working hours. Keeping a dog in a coach with no "doggie door" leading out to a fenced yard is considerably different than leaving one at a brick and stix home for extended periods with those amenities.
Nonetheless, isn't it wonderful for those of us who can accommodate the company of a furry friend (or 3, or 2!) in our travels.
Sorry about the length of this epistle... but our four-legged companions deserve the ink and I get all caught up reminiscing about an astounding dog named Alex...
Bottom line... I'd be willing to bet those hertofore mentioned affable Goldies and Labs CAN indeed "take a bite outta crime" if the need ever arises.
...And please be sure you know it is my fervent hope that need doesn't arise for any of us.
Safe travels everyone,
Jim
P.S. Hey, Nurse Amber!... How are you liking all of the encouragement, respect and helpful advice you are getting from all your new friends here at irv2??? It's pretty amazing, huh??!! I particularly liked the "You GO Girl!" post! Let us know what we can do for you, dear lady.

[amber1962]

Thanks for all the overwhelming welcoming responses. I am impressed by all of you. I hope to say thank you to each and every one of you. I feel great about joining. Still, scared, but much less so.
Amber

[Glassalley52]

Hey - on the subject of dogs. Great piece on Goldies - mine was like that. I have adopted a Jack Russell from an elderly lady that has cancer. This dog may be little, but no one gets near me...not even my husband.

Dogs are great for protection, but in my opinion, even better for companionship and unconditional love. Nothing like wake up to a wet nose in your neck on a cold morning.

[HoboPals]

I have no doubt in my mind that my gentle giant would jump to action if he felt I was in danger. That's why he is such a great and loyal pup.

[millred1]

Amber, 1st. of all take that first step (or) mile, You will find that there are no more accepting people on earth than those you will find while at an RV park. You will find the doctors in the huge Motorhomes and the un employed in a pop up or tent to treat you the same. never hesitate to ask for help. We are all here for 1 anonther. And as we are taking off for a cross country adventure of our own, Maybe we can help one another someday.

[DFR]

Amber, first of all the fact you have fear is a good thing. This will preclude you from jumping in both feet only to forget to check the depth of the water. As others have said, learn as much as you can, do your research before going and count on the others on this site for as much help as you need. People here are more than willing to help. Most of all, enjoy your time on the road.

[bluepill]

They may be trite, but I find them true:

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

The journey of one thousand miles begins with the first step.


May you find peace in your coming days and steps.

[swamphog]

Amber,
your in good hands on this site, the help is here, the people are great, the friendship you just started will go further then you will ever know, you can say this is an "extended family" as it is a family.

[Dogpatch]

That's right RickO. This should be a reminder to all of us that post! The way you present your replies can be taken the wrong way by people. Don't be hasty to reply and read your email before you click the post button. Always read what you have written and see how you would take it if you were the receiver of the reply or a reader.

[spooky67]

I know it is scary but you have an idea so do it. Learn how to use the mirrors and use them. I dare say there will be some one around to help if you need it if not ask!
Ask your patients if you made a difference or not. keep the oil and antifreeze up and you should be fine. What kind of bus was it? I drive an MCI 9 for work and other than light bulbs very little has to be done to it and I drive 30 to 60,000 miles a year depending on how much i want to work.
It is a newworld every day so go out and live it, My wife is an LPN sometimes i think it would be fun do some of that traveling nurse thing but she likes to be at home.
anyway good luck and what ever happens it will work out and like some one else said if it feels right or wrong or too good to be true...it probably is.
Richard

[zoemorn]

Doctors more revered? maybe, but I've certainly met plenty of people who talk about "how great their nurse" was (or wasnt) so nurses definitely impact people as much and sometimes more than the doctor! Consider which actually sees the patient the most?
Abused, Neglected - been there, feel your pain, as I'm sure more here than would want to admit can speak to, just based on the statistics. My family is considering RVing, in which case my wife would then be an "RVer" and she's only in her 30's, i'm sure that the majority of RVers are retirees, I think there may be a growing segment that aren't, but rather are interested in this alternate lifestyle (ha, not to confuse it with other 'alternative lifestyles'). Ha, in any case you certainly aren't "old" or obsolete - nor have to be ever in your life. I think there are many here that would agree with the "old as you feel" mentality, and that you have the world to offer others as long as you're still breathing so get after it! I also have lived much of my life fairly 'independent' and caring for another and know that you've accomplished much by raising 2 kids as a single mother. And how daring you are to use your retirement for such a feat as 'taking to the road.' I hope you blog your adventures no matter how little or great they are daily, staying in touch with this forum, and others.
I'm not yet an RVer, currently living vicariously through all the nice folk here, as my family decides whether we can undertake that life or not, we're running the numbers and exploring options right now. We'd like to at least do it for a year or so if nothing else. But I will say from talking to folks here, and what reading I've done about the RV lifestyle, a big component to the experience is the meeting of other folks that are usually inviting of company and friendly. Being mostly introverted, I have to expend effort to be social and sometimes have to warm up to people before I am so. Don't know if you're that way, but understanding personality traits about yourself will help you figure out how to relate to others in meaningful ways.
I'm of "faith" - i don't know if i'm "religious" or not. Trying not to judge others is a good call, that regardless of belief system should adhere to, and will surely help you meet some interesting people.
First Post? congrats! ha! I mentioned "blogging" that may be a new term or idea to you... its original use was kind of like for "journaling" and having it be read online shared to private or public. All kinds of ways to do this, and of course there's all the social media networks like facebook that one can basically do this (facebook has character limits to posts though so if you're wordy like me...) i'd recommend blogger.com to create your own blog, its free, you just register and get started. that way you can then link us your blog address and we can follow along for the ride.
praying for your safe travels and meeting cool real people! welcome to this forum!

[Glassalley52]

Amber - have you gone anywhere yet?