Quick update… just landed in Johannesburg, South Africa. I have another flight in 3 hrs.

15 hrs in the air… in coach! I have to say that it wasn’t as bad as I expected. I did nap a little, but right now I’m running on caffeine.

I’m going to write more once I get established, but for I want to thank my family and friends for all of your support, the wonderful send-offs, gifts, and well wishes. I am indeed a lucky man.

More to come soon. Stay tuned

Vern

I finally got on the road Monday around noon. Like most road trips, this one started out innocent enough. My car was packed full of what few remaining items I wanted to hold onto; some clothes, some memorabilia, important documents, etc. Ahead of me was 2000+ miles of road to cover at the end of which where my kids and grandson, behind me was a life I had grown accustomed to, people that I’ve grown to like and love, and my house, which someone else will live in. To say I was awash in a jumble of emotion would be an understatement if it were true. Truth is that I tend to avoid emotional turmoil by concentrating on the task at hand. So, as I drove away from my house, my friends and loved ones, my adopted city the only thing on my mind was deciding which podcast I was going to listen to first.

That single mindedness lasted almost until I reached the Mississippi border. (I know it’s odd, but enjoy spelling Mississippi.) The first crack in my shield against emotions came with the thought that there were so many things I had intended to do after retirement. Then there were thoughts of places I wanted to visit and people I wanted to visit those places with. By the time I crossed into Louisiana all that stuff I talked about in the paragraph above was flooding my mind. There was nothing to be done really, like the highway I was on, my life’s path has been laid out in front of me and there was no turning back.

Funny thing about roads, they take you places, but what you encounter along the way is what makes the journey interesting, or not. I saw a lot while driving I-10. Spectacular sunset in Mobile, beautiful sunrise in east Texas, and indescribable scenery no matter where I looked. Mid-Texas had gotten some rain and everything was green, not what I expected.

One thing I will say, driving through Texas on I-10 SUCKS!!! It seemed like it would go on forever! Its only saving grace, at least while I drove through, was the varied weather. Fog in in the morning in East Texas, overcast and breezy in mid-Texas, and a dust storm in West Texas.

That dust storm was the freakiest thing. There was a storm front moving through west Texas. As I approached the outside temperature dropped from 90 degrees to 80 degrees and the wind started picking up. Off in the distance there were several sizable dust devils. One had to be a thousand feet tall.

As I drove further west clear skies grew nasty looking clouds and the wind blew even stronger and the temperature to the mid 60s. The wind blew so strong that several trucks had to pull over or risk being blown over. I drove on and ran into the rain part of the front. Ahead of the rain clouds at ground level was a huge orange cloud. The rain clouds where pushing dust clouds ahead of them. I drove into that dust cloud and it was so thick that I could hardly see 100 feet ahead of me and I had to slow to 20mph and turn on my flashers, as did other vehicles around me. As quickly as the dust cloud formed, it dissipated. But the wind was even stronger and it rocked my car. Tumbleweeds streaked across the road. What rain that did fall was dust colored mud drops that splattered and caked on my windshield.

I’ll admit to being a little concerned.

By the time I reached El Paso much of the storm had passed and there was spectacular sunset. A great way to say goodbye to Texas. The rest of the drive was at night and pretty much smooth sailing, though it was windy.

I arrived at my daughter’s house at 2AM local time. I was beat.

More to come.

Stay tuned.
Vern

Those of you who know my plans know that I should be in Tucson right now basking in the presence of my daughter and her family while we await the arrival of my son, who is driving in from Oceanside, later in the week.

Well…, I’m not in Tucson. I’m not basking or waiting. I’m still here in Orlando. As I was mentally checking through my todo list late last Friday I realized that I’d forgotten to pick up the title to my car from the tax collector office, and a major reason from me to drive out to Tucson instead of fly is to deliver my car to my daughter, and she needs the title to register the car in Arizona. So, I have to wait for the tax office to open on Monday (today) to collect the title and be on my way, finally. This mishap wasn’t entirely result of an old brain at work (or not working), I had tried to pick up the title almost two weeks ago, but the bank had forgotten to remove the lien from the title after the car was paid off, a process that takes several days to percolate through the system. I had contacted the bank and initiated the process, I just forgot to follow up.

Initially I was more than a bit miffed at myself for forgetting, but I took heart in two facts:

0. I got a chance to hang out with some friends for a bit
0. I actually had a lot more to do to the house to make it ready for the renter than I realized

That first one was an unexpected pleasure, it’s always good to see friends and I really enjoyed their company. I will missed you all when I’m gone.

Most of the weekend, however, was spent dealing with things that I just didn’t anticipate. For instance, after sodding my backyard I noticed that water began pooling at the gate to the backyard. That meant that there would be a mud puddle there after every rain. Not good. So I installed a paver walkway. I also rearranged the garage to make better use of the space I’m using for storage. Basically, I had more time to do a better job of making my house better for my tenant.

So, it’s now 4 AM or there about on Monday morning. I’ve got the car packed, my bags packed, and the house ready. I’m anticipating arriving in Tucson sometime Wednesday. My son will arrive Thursday. My kids have said they have plans for me to give me a “proper sendoff”. I’m just hoping I don’t get arrested.

Stay tuned,

Vern

I just got a note from the Peace Corps. My address, at least for the first three months in country, will be:

Vern Seward

Peace Corps

 Office PO Box 6862
19 

Nachtigal Street

Ausspannplatz Windhoek, Namibia

I will have a new phone number too, but I won’t get that until I’m in country. Those of you who have my current number, please hold on to it. I have an unlocked phone and will purchase a new SIM card for the new number, and just hold on to my (US) number for emergencies, or when I visit, and when I get back at the end of my tour.

The Peace Corps also suggests that we use WhatsApp for texting and voice calls. I’m currently in WhatsApp, but it’s tied to my current phone number. My user name is Verngzr and I believe you’ll be able to find me that way when the number changes.

A friend who has been to Namibia and South Africa suggests that I also use Skype as it can be an inexpensive way to call and/or video call. I’m not sure many of you would want to see my ugly mug, my kids, however, have no choice. So, I will get Skype and use iMessage and FaceTime when I want to talk to my grandson.

Ain’t technology fun??

Stay tuned

Vern