What an eye opener my spouse and I experienced this week.
WE are 72 and 75 respectfully.  WE have been enjoying RVing for many years and are now in our 7th RV.  A 30' Keystone Laredo fifth wheel.  I really love this rig.  It has two slides, which is all one couple really needs.  We use the rig for short trips and for living in for the winter season in either Florida or Arizona.

WE took our first RV trip of the season this week, at East Harbor State Park in Port Clinton OH. WE have been to this park before and enjoy spending a few days each year near  Lake Erie.

So this was our test.. The test of ourselves and how well we could manage driving the RV,  hooking and unhooking the RV,  parking the RV,  and generally living in it for three days.

The driving, and hooking and unhooking and living in,  went fairly well.  But I have always enjoyed taking walks along the lake, and this trip I was just not able to walk very far.  My heart is failing me.  And since that is one of the big attractions for me in RVing,  I was ready to sell it and just accept the fact that we are too old for this lifestyle.

Actually getting there,  parking,  unhooking and setting up,  went fairly well.  But because my spouse does all of the work. it is a stressor for him.  So we made a decision the night before we were to leave for home.   We would sell the rig.   I have been the holdout on this,  because I have really enjoyed the whole RVing experience. But now that I am not able to enjoy the things I did before, like hiking, or eve short walks in the woods.  I am ready to quit.

So we went to bed and slept on that one. The next morning.  we took ourtime,  followed our checklist for prepariong the RV for travel and hooking up.  That went pretty well.  Paul has more trouble hooking the truck to the 5th wheel than he used to,  and I am not good at directing him.  I can tell him which way he has to go but I cannot walk him through it each step at a time. Fortunately our neighbor at the campsite was able to help us and his directions put the truck right where it needed to be,  we hooked up and we pulled out.   But the biggest challenge was ahead of us.   Parking it at my son's home.  That always takes us at least and hour and many times we have had to let him finish the job.

There is a large gravel area at his home. But we have to navigate between the propane tank and some large equipment he has parked in front of the large building on his property.

So on the drive home we discussed our winter plans.  A new day and we were thinking well just maybe we do not have to give this up yet...WE did not go anywhere last winter, and I did not mind spending that time at home. But this year we had planned to make one last trip to Arizona. Stopping in New Mexico for several weeks not far from White Sands National Monument. I was looking forward to this more than Arizona.

It is a four to five day drive from our Ohio home to Arizona. And that is the part I enjoy the most. The driving to our destination. But I do not have to do the driving. I get to relax and enjoy the scenery.  The drive is what stresses my spouse.  He hates pulling into a campground for one night and then leaving early the next morning.   Even though we do not unhook the truck from the rig,  we still hook up the water and the electric and the TV cable if there is any at the campsite.  So we made the decision on the way home from the Lake. WE would not go to Arizona this winter,  or ever again for that matter.

But our next big trip will be to the Upper Penninsula of MI. A trip that I look forward to every year.  This year because of my deteriorating condition is uncertain.  I used to love to hike a trail into the woods to see Lake Superior and waterfalls and rock formations along the lake.  But now I do not know if I will be able to do this. If I cannot I will not enjoy this trip either.

So exactly what does one do to keep enjoying life at this age.  The good stuff is gone.  All I have left it seems is my quilting. And my eyes may not allow me to do that much longer.   So in the end when I lose my vision,  I will be ready for the grave.