Winter is creeping into Eastern Washington. The fall color peaked this past week and nighttime temps took an early plunge into the 20s!  I stay warm and cozy but my RV is not as resilient as I am in the cold weather. Water pipes are vulnerable to freezing and possibly bursting. So far I have been able to protect the pipes by letting water drip all night from all three faucets – at the bathroom and kitchen sinks and the tub. I have heat tape to run around the outside water line if night temps get any colder, but they are actually going back up into the 30s this coming week. The days are clear and in the 60s – still splendid.

I recently found a little compartment under the bathroom vanity that contains a hub of water lines running from the hot water heater and water tank. Like the water lines that run up to the kitchen sink, this cluster of plastic piping runs next to the exterior wall, which is barely insulated. Why not add some insulation! I started with some flat pieces of the silver stuff that you position in the front window of the car to protect the dash and keep out the sun. I slid this between the exterior wall and the pipes. Then, I bought a small bundle of pink insulation to stuff in the cubby and around the lines. Feeling self-sufficient!

Of course, the sensible thing is to move to a warmer location, which I will do at the end of the month. I can’t wait to explore Sequim, WA and the Olympic Peninsula. While this is not the tropics, nighttime temps there are 10-15 degrees warmer, and they will not dip much further like what is happening over here near Spokane.

Another kind of winter is settling into my soul. I don’t really want to write about it, but this blog has always been about documenting my journey so I will continue, even though it is so personal and so difficult at the moment. It seems that while I was traveling and exploring new places I was also traveling at warp speed towards an inner place that needs healing and, even though I continue to move around in the RV, I am going to hunker down emotionally and dig in. Travel is like that. On one level it is about seeing the world. On another, is about finding yourself. And if you don’t want to get to inner places, don’t ever travel alone for months with just a tent and a dog to wild and wonderful Alaska. Like a frozen water pipe, at the top of the world everything bursts open thanks to an impossible mix of unspeakable beauty and raw, terrifying wilderness. Nothing stays the same. Period.

I mentioned already what is going on. While I drink only occasionally, my life has been deeply affected by other people’s drinking. For one thing, I grew up with an alcoholic dad and stepdad who drank until years after I left home. I have been sort of aware of the impacts this had on my life but kept these insights at arm’s length away from my conscious awareness. I have never fully dealt with the deep scars. Some recent events have made me realize that I need to step back and slay the beast. Or, at least come to terms with it. Or, at least, learn some new skills and coping mechanisms. So, I attend both Al-Anon and Adult Children of Alcoholics meetings each week, and it is helping immensely. I am feeling a bit raw and like I am laid open on the operating table, but I have great hope.

So much for the generalities. I plan to be more specific as I gather up the courage. Upcoming topics include the challenge of stepping off the dysfunction merry-go-round and also the rose-colored glasses that I love to wear.  But, today is NFL day and it starts early in my time zone. Sunday is also pancake breakfast day and it’s time to start cooking!