Indio, California: As any Parrothead worth their Lost Shaker of Salt knows, CILCIAstands for Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes - one of Jimmy Buffett's most famous/popular songs. CILCIA could be the RVer's theme song: it is a song about remembering the old times, old friends and places visited, while looking forward to new times, new friends and new places to visit... though understanding life isn't always perfect, and if we can't laugh about the complications, life could make us all a bit zany.
Or, as Jimmy says: If we weren't all crazy, we would go insane.
Okay. Jimmy Buffett will never be the Poet Laureate of the United States. Nor even the smallest Caribbean island. Still, Jimmy does have a way with words (even if DT calls him Rhymin' Simon) and can make me laugh (and occasionally cry) with his verse... though Buffett does have a song titled, If the Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me.
Sometimes it is just plain embarrassing to be a Parrothead.
But, Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes pretty much sums up our nomadic life and seven months living away from our house in Portland. We are pointing our motorhome to northern latitudes tomorrow morning. Hopefully our attitude will remain ever-optimistic and excited to see all of the places and all of the faces of our family and friends along our route and at our final destination: Home.
We have spent the week putting things away. My Driver packed-up the outdoor kitchen this week, and placed the boxes inside the air conditioned casita for the summer. I have organized the motorhome and planned meals/cooked ahead for our long trek home. After one final homemade pizza Sunday, we have gone out to dinner every night this week. Happy Hour at the Cliff House. One last salad at Stuft. Happy Hour with Portland friends at the very hip AC3 at the new Hotel Paseo. We've been very happy, adjusting our attitudes.
The RV had one final wash. Our golf cart was taken away Wednesday to be stored and pampered in air conditioned bliss until we return next season. The fresh water tank purified and filled with lovely softened water.Friends have departed - Tom is the only other posse member remaining at the Motorcoach Country Club - and he is leaving soon as well. The temperatures have been hovering around 105° all week.
It's time to go.
Goose update: Dave and I finished our exercise the other day with a walk around the golf course. No one is playing golf - no one is here and it is just so hot. We found the goose family and they still have all six babies!
Of course, they are staying in the shade, so difficult to photograph
