Richard McKay:  

Life... By some twist of fate my life was not cut short in my younger years. During my school days and for many years thereafter, I was a partier. Many fond memories remain of those times... During my 20's work took on more importance and I chose to apply myself. In my early 30's I found my life partner and we settled down in Seattle. We did what many do, bought a house filled it with stuff and worked to support that life. Neither of us had kids so we got big dogs instead. By my late 30's I began to realize that too much of our life was being wasted working. We both had good jobs that we loved. But found it very difficult to schedule vacations. While on a rare trip to the tropics we decided to find some way to travel south more often. Upon our return a chance get-together with a co-worker introduced us to sailboats and blue water cruising…a year and a half later we sold the house, the cars and all our stuff. Then quit our jobs and climbed aboard "Irie" with the dogs. We sailed around the Puget Sound that summer and then in the autumn of ‘97 headed into the Pacific and turned south. Harbor hopping down the West Coast was very memorable. This new life was full of discoveries every day. We spent New Years Day ‘98 snorkeling with new friends in an anchorage on the Baja. We all marveled at where we were and what had gotten us there. We would be on that boat cruising Mexico and making new friends for the next six years. We had found the meaning of life, as we saw it. We came back to the U.S. in ‘03 to energize the cruising kitty and plan our next dream (goal). Decided to settle in Tucson and took jobs in our former fields. Lo and behold, the dedication we had in the past was now lost. We had to find something that suited us after all the adventure. On a suggestion from cruisers whom had also returned to the workforce, we became truck drivers as a team. For five years, '06-'10 we worked May thru October driving, then November thru April we’d go RV'ing. We still had our VW Adventure Wagon camper van at first. Sold that for a Suburban and travel trailer. Where better to RV in the winter than south of the border. Going to the same places that we once visited by sailboat. Often would run into old cruising buddies and meet a new group of land travelers. Sometimes it really is a small world. In May of 2011 instead of driving we moved back to Seattle to help with my wife's father who was needing assistance. It sure was pretty there, when the sun was out. Once again we tried to fit into our new surroundings, being caretakers and working various jobs. Eventually he needed to go into care facilities. We moved into his house, sold the trailer then proceeded to bring the house back after a long time of neglect. Passing the time, as we do. It hasn't been all bad. I've learned a new hobby while living here, home brewing beer!! Goes very well with one of my favorite pastimes. Drinking Beer!! In ‘17 we bought another trailer and began spending our winters in Mexico again. That was good for two years. We then sold that trailer and purchased a motor home in mid ‘19. I decided to retire and start collecting those monthly checks that I never thought I'd ever see. When we leave for the winter this autumn, I don't think we will come back in the spring. It's time to get back out there a see where this motor home takes us. Dec ’19, Made the 2600mi trip to our winter hideout. Now enjoying the warm hospitality of our neighbo...Expand for more