By Nanci Dixon
Yesterday, our big trip “out” was a trip to Walmart and the drug store for a prescription for post-nasal drip. The medical issue of post-nasal drip is less than newsworthy.
We have been in Minnesota for almost two months and will be stationary as camp hosts for the next three. It is great to see the kids and grandkids. It is the reason, besides the cool weather, that we are here. But this is the year that our granddaughter has sprung up to be a teenager and is busy with track, basketball and friends. Our great-grandson is in Kazakstan while his parents are teachers. Our sons have hit their stride and have their own lives. It is the moment to be proud. They have fledged.
And yet, there is the same bit of sadness as when they went off to college, moved out of the house, and when our advice became only white noise. Our extended family meals around the picnic table have become lunches together in a central location. Don’t get me wrong, I love those times together. But it has changed and I was taken aback when I realized our trip to Walmart was the highlight of my day.
My daily memory photo feed comes up with the fantastic things we saw and did on our way here: Mesa Verde National Park, Hovenweep National Monument, Golden Spike Rail Yards, driving Wolf Creek Pass. At every stop, I would Google: “Things to do in…”.
What happened? Because this is our old home state, I have become lazy and a bit jaded— done that, been there. But, I have been to Walmart, champion of RV toilet deodorant and toilet paper, too many times to count.
My husband is content staying still for extended times. I like to roam. I look at life expectancy charts and have the need to see it all while I can. He reminds me that he is the one who drives the motorhome and every time I ask to drive he says, “You can drive when I’m dead.”
So, rather than settle into a pattern of bike riding, cooking, eating, doing the dishes, reading, writing, being evening camp hosts, and going to Walmart, I am once again Googling: “Things to do in…”. My first try was not so successful, we are already doing the top thing there is to do in this small town. But I will expand it to a nearby major city and DO something… but it will have to be after we go to Walmart.
Nanci’s travels mentioned in this story:
- Canyon’s of the Ancients and Hovenweep national monuments: Historic short stops worth a visit
- Short stop at Golden Spike Tower and Bailey Yard, the biggest rail yard in the world!
- Beware of the Wolf: Surviving Colorado’s intense Wolf Creek Pass
##RVT1118
At new rally events, if it did not include a necessary trip to Wal-Mart, it never happened. We have expanded that trip requirement to include Aldi and Lidl.
Lived & worked in MN for over a decade. Love the people, love the State, but both too cold (way too cold) and too hot. Funny thing is, what I miss most are small town non-chain restaurants. Do my best to not go anywhere near Mall of America!
We are currently staying in a very popular town near a National park and the nearest Walmart is 25 miles away, so we shop the nearest grocery store instead and pay almost 20% more for our food and supplies because gas prices to make a 50 mile round trip to Walmart seems to be bit pricey in our truck that only gets 11-12 miles to the gallon and also time consuming also. Not to mention, bringing a cooler with ice to transport any perishable food. My husband had a dentist appointment near this Walmart and by golly, I was so excited to go make the trek to the dentist so that I could go to Walmart to stock up on food and supplies (some of which the local grocery store did not stock at all). So there it is, my trip to the Walmart was an exciting “outing” for me. Can’t speak for my husband as he is not very fond of dentist appointments which was the catalyst to our Walmart trip in the first place.
Lived in MN – fall and spring are great; summer too hot, winter too cold. Many wonders there to visit and experience.
🙂
I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry with you…
Well, it may be time to ask Hubby why he likes Walmart so much. The answer might surprise you. 🙂
When I first heard Harry Chapin’s Cats in the Cradle I vowed that I would never be that parent. I like to think I kept that vow. My son tells me his childhood was great. At the time, nursing was divided into 8 hr shifts so I came off shift about the same time my son’s school let out, so we could eat a snack in the car and talk on the way to athletic practice, martial arts or Scouting. I was an Assistant Scoutmaster in his Boy Scout Troop also. We had a great time and I stayed in Scouting after my son changed his priorities and left scouting- too many young men had parents who would tell me I can’t help, I have to work. I always told them I worked 40 hrs a week and we might have to call on them for occasional assistance for one time events. This is Mitzi, jes keeping the record straight.
We became a High Adventure troop during my time. I got interested in owning an RV for after I retired- I hung out at RVtravels.com, the “old” website, for 12 years before purchasing my RV and I think more people should avail themselves of the information here – it really helped me when I got serious about purchasing my RV.
I think one thing that needs to be thought about is your husband’s “hogging” of the wheel. Sure, you can drive when he’s dead………..but practice makes perfect, so he ought to move over and share the wheel with you so that you, too, feel comfortable behind it. Perhaps next time you head to Walmart???
We got to an age and some scary health issues that we bought a small motorhome specifically so my wife would feel more comfortable driving. It’s good to have that flexibility when we are a thousand miles from home.
And we still have a stix ‘n brix home for the same reason–kids and grandkids. But that is changing quickly, so we will see what the next year or two brings!
Thank you, Nanci! We just do Walmart pickups. It might be nice to actually go inside. 😉 Have a great day and safe travels!