Motorhome in Motion: Finding Normalcy

We've remained in one place for two whole weeks now - and look forward to 2 1/2 more! What a relief to not have to pack everything up day after day, to keep the coffee pot and toaster plugged in, and to have the time to get to know the area where we are staying. Our life feels almost "normal" again. The stay in Salt Lake City has afforded us the opportunity to get some things done that needed doing - like a crown for the tooth Bonnie broke over a month ago, some RV repairs (a new battery terminal bolt, a new light fixture, new running lights, an oil change, and remounting a leaky toilet), new brake pads on the car, laundry, shopping, rearranging of stuff, and, of course, relaxing.

Life returning to "normal" has been good in other ways, as well. And by normal, I mean doing the same things we would do if we lived here all the time - even if we are living in a non-insulated small rectangular box on wheels. (It has its challenges, which I will address in my next post!) The best part of being here is spending time with Erin, Charlie, and Phin. We help with some transportation issues, getting Phin places when his parents are working. We go to the local UU church together - and even managed to attend the church's auction - which has been nice for a change. We missed that part of our routine. We spent an afternoon watching some World Cup Short Track Speed Skating competition, which was a lot of fun, even if we didn't know any of the participants. And most amazing of all, Erin and I attended a performance of Come From Away, a new Broadway musical set in the days following 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland, where 38 planes (that's 7000 people from all over the world) are stranded for 5 days when US air space was closed. It's about hospitality, writ LARGE, compassion, fear, friendship, and lives changed by the experience. The Canadian hosts were inspiring and both the story and the music were compelling (a must-see,if you can!). Combined with a pre-theater dinner at a nearby Vegan restaurant, it was the most perfect (belated) birthday gift any mother could ask for - a special evening with my daughter!

In the two weeks we've been here, it has turned from fall to winter (cold, no snow), and we've gone from riding bikes along the Jordan River to bundling up just to walk. But we are enjoying the sunshine and the sights. One cool thing - I found some indoor tennis courts not far from Erin's house and have signed up to participate in 1 1/2 hour workouts twice a week while I'm here. What fun it has been to hit again - although my back may disagree. (Ice and Aleve work miracles) We've appreciated taking the rapid transit into town (and not having to find parking), walking around Temple Square, attending an organ recital at the Tabernacle, and visiting the main library. Lew attended a special Veteran's Day Concert at the tabernacle which he said was outstanding. Later this week we plan to drive up to see the Golden Spike Monument and the Spiral Jetty (art in the great Salt Lake), celebrate our son-in-law's birthday, take in an afternoon performance of King Lear, and spend some time with old neighbors from Colorado. Other activities on our future agenda include Thanksgiving with Charlie's extended family, the Utah Natural History Museum, the Christmas lights extravaganza downtown, a winter farmer's market, and who knows what else?

Normalcy means lazing around in the morning, making phone calls, paying bills, reading books, taking long walks, watching TV, picking up the "house", doing laundry, and just hangin' out. I'm glad we are interspersing these longer stays with the short ones. It's all good.