Reflections

As I re-read some of the travel posts, I am more and more aware that often the posts are more informational rather than travel oriented. This is not what I meant for this to be. The focus will be changing as I continue from here on in.

As we ramble around Texas bearing up but barely, under the heatwave here, people delight in informing me that this summer is not as hot as last summer. For me however, I wasn't here the whole summer and this is this summer and for me, it is HOT and humid. I am relegated to staying inside except for small bursts of activity. Driving in the car to see things is great as there is ac in the car, and more than not, at the places that we are going to visit. And hopefully, the end is in sight...

Even though we are now back in the USA and enjoying ourselves as we re-immerse into American culture and ways of life, we find ourselves continuing to look back on our time in Peace Corps. It was a time when we felt active, maybe too active at the specific time, a time that offered us self-satisfaction and fulfillment, and a time of interesting experiences. It is definitely hard to leave that behind and look for something new and exciting. This is our goal of the day, of the week: find something that offers the same and even more.

Texas State Parks/Geocaching/HEATwave ...

We finished up our whirlwind tour of Europe with Brooke with a further 2 weeks of exploring the South of France by ourselves. We, of course, traveled by train first to Albi, where we explored the first of many cathedrals, chateaux, fortified castles and restaurants. Then on to Arles, again by train, this time however we had a mix-up in our tickets. Here we also added bicycles as a form of transportation. From there to Avignon, and then back to the Loire Valley and cooler temps. We experienced heat waves without a cloud in the very blue skies, in the areas of Southern France but as soon as we headed north, rain and cool temperatures which continued until we left Paris for Dallas.

Arriving back in Dallas towards the end of June, we entered a sauna for sure - triple digits and high humidity. I felt like I was back in Panama &/or Colombia and experienced the accompanying leathery. This time, however, I don't have to go out in it if I don't want to. YEAH!!!!

So now we are back in the RV and visiting and experiencing Texas States Parks until after July 4th celebrations. Then we will head over to Arkansas where we have done very little exploration. If the heat continues as it is now, I won't be out doing any bicycle riding now long distance walking/hiking. Tried today with the walking/geocahing - out for 1 1/2 hours and took 5 hours to get my core temperature back to some semblance of normal. So there we have it, the summer, as long as the temps are like they are now now, will mean living inside for me. My sewing machine, Miss Betsy will see a lot of me, although it sure looks funny sitting in the RV. Also might get some needlework done. AND, Danny will be out enjoying the countryside by bicycle and walking/hiking.

We are exploring the possibility of taking a bicycle tour this fall or next late spring. Where is still up for discussion. As for travel, not much more unless it is to Mexico. Our friends in Paris gave us a good recommendation for a town to look at in Central MExico as a possible retirement place. We shall see.