Quick Post

I have moved into an apartment in Salem, OR.  I have had an interview with the State of Oregon.  I finally have internet access again (yeah!).  I will be posting some photos of mini adventures I've had while waiting for the interview and response. 

Salem is a good place to live.

The Beach

Saturday:

I went bowling for the first time since 1996.  I bowled a 96 and a 137.  Not bad for my beginning games.  Then, a whim, I drove to the Oregon coast.

It was a beautiful drive. At the coast, the beach was having a beautiful day. The temps were in the upper 70s with very little wind at the beach. 

I was at Lincoln City.  One location will allow someone to drive their vehicle right onto the beach.  There were cars and trucks on the beach.  My black truck was one of many.  One truck was stuck in the deep sand.  It was interesting to watch them get the truck unstuck.  I even talked with several people who were also enjoying the beach.

On the way back to the motel, I realize that the Oregon felt like home.  Salem is a small city that doesn't feel big. 

This coming Friday I will have my job interview with the state of Oregon.  I have been praying that I may receive the job.  I have applied for an apartment about two blocks from the capital building.  I would be able to walk to everything.  My truck would be taking out for weekend excursions only.  That would save money on gas, which has jumped to $4 per gallon.  I have even found a church a couple of blocks from the apartment.  

I know that I am probably in the location I want to be in for the long term. I'm even dreaming of buying a house and a vacation home on the coast. I have even visited the Cascades yet.  Maybe I would need two vacation homes!

Where in the world?

Here is the latest update.  I loaded all my belongings into a cargo trailer and drove across country to Salem, OR.  I did have a week stop in Canmore, Alberta (another post to come).  I have an interview lined up with the State of Oregon for an Accountant 3 - Fixed Asset Coordinator position.  The duties described sound challenging, but within my capabilities.  The interview is on Friday, Sept. 21st and I am competing with eight other people. I have been praying to receive this position. I do remember that God is sovereign and in control. His ways are best.

Currently, I am looking for housing.  I am trusting that God will find me a place to stay for the interview and waiting to receive word of the job offer. 

I have realized this trip that I have changed in so many ways.  I'm not liking the "on the fly" living and working that I have done for around 20 years.  I do want to get settled into a position I enjoy and live in an area I find peace.  So far, Salem, OR has brought me peace.  The capitol is small and if the capitol wasn't located here, I'm guessing that this would be a small town. 

It is annoying to learn that I have changed my desires and needs AFTER I act like nothing has changed.  I'm sure many people can relate. 

Travel insights

I visited Mt Rushmore today. It was a beautiful sight.  While driving away I passed a campground full of people and wished I was staying there. I couldn't because I didn't have a travel trailer.  That was when I realized that I didn't want to backpack or camp in a tent anymore. I wanted to be amongst people, to talk to and get to know.  Also sleeping on the ground hurts more when you are older. 

I wonder when I changed from enjoying backpacking to wanting to spend time in campgrounds?  I realize that this change is one of the contributing factors to the failure of my bike trip.  I'm not terribly sad that the trip ended, but more upset that I failed at something and that I wasted time, money, and energy in something that I shouldn't have started. 

Hopefully, God has gotten me in his right path. I am also starting to listen to all the things he is trying to teach me.

Ready to Go

I'm all packed. The trailer is filled with all  I own and is ready to roll. Tomorrow I'll leave after having breakfast with my sister.

The only thing causing me concern right now is sleeping on the ground.  I'm older and body parts hurt quickly.  Maybe that is why camping in a trailer appeals more.  I really don't have any other concerns but high gas prices!!

I am looking forward to cooler temps and less humidity.  I miss the northwest. 

Preparing for the new journey

Here is my new mode of transportation, a Ford Ranger.  I already have dreams of pulling a small trailer and camping on the coast of Oregon or in the mountains.  Plus, I still want to see Alaska. 

I am preparing to travel from Madison, WI to Mount Rushmore then on to Canmore, Canada and finally to Oregon. 

I find that I still have the problem of packing that I did before.  I am stalling.  I haven't figured out why yet.  I guess I'm getting older and stuck in some ways.  Maybe I want to be settled more than I thought.  The good news is that I will have time to think about all these things and listen to God's side, if He speaks up. 

Even with the long stay in Madison, I have been learning more about myself.  It is only little things that pop up during the interactions with other people.  For instance, I no longer wish to have children.  I have a hard time interacting with my father.  I really need to be outside more often that I am. 

I know and expect God to speak to me while I travel the long road to Oregon.  What I need to do is listen and obey.

I'm back- Different focus

I've been staying in Madison waiting for my dad to move. He has now moved into a house in Victorville, CA at the beginning of this week.  I drove the moving truck, hauling his car. 

My sister is keeping the Subaru.  I started looking for a truck three weeks ago in anticipation that my sister wanted the car.  I found a Ford Ranger that I purchased for $5,000. I named it Rusty. Salt is bad for cars.

I have booked a week's vacation in Banaff, Canada starting September 1st. So I will be starting a long drive this coming Tuesday.  After a quiet week in Canada, I will head to Oregon.  There I will look for a job and housing. Well, I will look for housing first, then a job. I have already put in my resume with the State of Oregon for a fixed asset accountant. It will be a bit of time before I hear from them.

So I guess my adventure is continuing in a different form from when I first left Kentucky.  But I am still traveling west.

For all my friends out there, thanks for supporting me and all your patience.