Fearless

Why is it that fear holds us back from accomplishing personal goals?  I believe that the questions of “What if” begin to creep into our minds and before we know it we have 10 reasons why we will not be able to achieve our goals.  For me, one of those “what if” moments happened this past weekend while skiing the Heavenly High Roller Terrain Park.  I had been looking at a 15ft. barrel jump for a few days now and while my sons did not hesitate going up and over, every time I approached the jump my mind created fear of what might happen if I missed the jump.  Soon it became apparent that I was afraid to try something difficult for fear of getting hurt. 

Fear seeps into our minds and gives us doubts and reservations.  It comes in many different forms.   Financial fear, holds many people back, but I believe the worst that can happen is you end up completely broke and alone in some unfamiliar place.  Could we handle that?  I say yes.  Most people have probably experienced this at some point in their life, maybe not to the extent of being completely down and out but still poor and scared.

Moving past the grip of fear and trusting in a God given believe that what I am doing will be just fine and will work out one way or another.  It may not be as I anticipated or hoped for, but what I am doing will continue to change and morph into the next step or adventure and I will be just fine.  Trusting in myself, that I am special, that my life is important, that what I think and do is important and that no matter what I am loved.  I am free at last!!

I begin my descent towards the barrel jump picking up speed.  I visualize my approach, prepare my stance, and hit my mark, transition into the jump. I roll up onto the barrel, feeling my momentum shifting and then tumble into the snow happily, exhaling with joy.  Not quite how I envisioned the landing, but happy I took the chance.  This is what life is about, never letting fear stop us from trying something new. 

 

New Year Adventures

This New Year finds me in a more stationary destination rather than my usual warm weather playground of Florida. I have enjoyed wintering in Florida these past few years but have always wanted to expose my kids to winter weather and teach them about the sport of skiing and snowboarding. So instead of that usual jaunt down I-95 and into Orlando we decided to venture out west to the ski slopes. It was not our intentions to land in the Sierra Nevada Mountains but here we are in beautiful S. Lake Tahoe, California.

Our journey west started just before Super storm Sandy in September. We were in Pa visiting friends and family and discussed what our winter options would be. Having just returned from six weeks in Ireland and France and having spent so much time in Florida these past few years, we decided to wing it and just head west. Packing up the rig and leaving Sunday night right before Sandy made landfall we high-tailed it to West Virginia, because of course we needed the sticker for the back of the RV. That night ended having driven 350 miles west of Sandy and thought we were in the clear. Keep moving is my motto. We arrive the next night in western Ohio over 600 miles from where Sandy made landfall in NJ. Let me tell you, that was one amazing storm because we stayed the night in a rest stop RV parking space, which I love by the way, ($10.00 for electric and no need to get off the interstate) and the winds shook the trailer and everyone inside plus it was like 20 degrees outside. We survived and continued on our way.

Along the way our stops included Amana, Iowa and Des Moines for Halloween. Slow travel made the trip more enjoyable, less rushed and allowed time for a Millstream Brewery tour in Amana. We made Nebraska another sticker and ended up dropping into Colorado for a quick trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. We stayed the night then blasted out of there and ended stopping in Salt Lake City, Utah to visit our friends the Evans family. Thanks so much for the hospitality guys. So great to see the Loud family and have our boys spend time with their road friends. We briefly discussed Park City for the winter and even looked at an apartment in SLT but decided that our vision was further west. Hitting the road we made W. Wendover, Nevada and the 40 ft. cowboy sign to fill up. Driving west over Battle Mountain and onto Winnemucca for a quick Wal-Mart stopover and to watch the inauguration of Obama for a second term on TV. Hey don’t blame me I didn’t vote for Barry. Anybody who changes their name for foreign aid to college just doesn’t get my vote.

The next morning dawns bright and we have Reno insight with just over a few hours’ drive to Tahoe. With the GPS locating the “In and Out Burger” I drop the hammer and make time. Ahhh Reno, no time to play we don’t want to drive the Mountain Pass from the desert floor of 5800 feet. up to 6250 feet. at lake level at night. We make the grade and pull into our campsite for the week. Wow a couple weeks to get across the country and $1200 lighter from the gas we are ready to tackle South Lake Tahoe. The campground provides the needed basics and before we know it the weather turns, it dumps 7 inches of fresh powder and its freezing cold and it’s only November 5th. Man we need to rethink this living in a trailer for the winter if this is how it’s going to be. We begin the search for accommodations and spend 10 days determining that rental properties are dogs unless you want to drop 2-3k per month and that just isn’t happening. We finally decide on a single family cabin with 2 bedrooms and a loft. The price is right and we transfer all our worldly possessions from the trailer into the cabin. WOW didn’t know we could furnish a house with what we had in the RV. Rita has made the cabin home with some great touches and we are settling down into a semi-permanent vacation because we only will stay for 6 months.

The best part is we have season passes to Heavenly resort and we are able to teach Dylan and Christian about skiing and snowboarding. The cabin is on the bus route so out the door we go and within 5 minutes we are strapped in and ready to ski and board. The conditions have been awesome with tons of fresh powder and warm weather.

It is not exactly the scenario we discussed back in September, but it is working. Living close to the mountain is great but we are not used to staying in one place for such an extended time. Normally if we don’t find activities for the kids or easy access to shopping or social outlets that all the family can enjoy we move on to other climates that suit our clothes. Sitting by the fireplace, watching cable TV, having a dishwasher, stocking a full size refrigerator and all that goes with a house takes so much work. Oh yeah don’t forget about the rent check, utilities, and storage. I miss and like the freedom of our mobile lifestyle.

I summarize with this, “Life on the road requires a degree of flexibility and determination. Happiness comes from being closely intertwined with each family member on a daily basis and enjoying most every moment together. The freedom to determine how we as a family will spend the day together without outside interference creates unintentional and spontaneous joy. Don’t get me wrong living in a house offers other joys unfortunately just not the ones I have become accustomed to while living these past 5 years on the road.”

Wekiva Island

Looking down river and realizing that the gators to the left and right are only sunning themselves, I begin to loosen up and paddle forward. Having dropped in about 3 miles above at Wekiva State Park our little group of families wanted to explore the back country waters of Central Florida. This gentle flowing section provided an easy paddle for all age groups and exposes us to the animals on the river. Wild turkey, alligators, snakes and birds all make this trip interesting. One of my favorite stops along the river is the engaging local dive of a bar, right on the banks. Paddle down, get out, enjoy a cold one and paddle back up river. Wekiva is a fun river to kayak.

This morning I arose to a wintery December chill, frost on the windshield and a heavy fog just lifting off the Green River lake. Unusual for me to be up and about this early in the morning, but I did have an appointment, and I didn't want to be late.

My appointment was with the Campbellsville local Firestone dealer to get my brakes fixed. Now most people will stop here and say, "so what" but I implore you to continue on, for the real story is not in the brake job, but in the lives of the five local yocals who greeted me as I entered the tiny front waiting room. Now by waiting room what I really mean to say is 5 old green leatherback chairs, an old stool behind the counter and the radio playing an old Marty Robbins county tune.

Jim Bob behind the counter grabbed my keys while I slowly eased my way into the leather cushion without moving more than a foot from the entrance. These boys were starting the day with some good local chatter about the new Police Chief who had retired from the State Police and was now keeping the peace over this town. The conversation shifted to talk about oil and how the Canadians might as well send the proposed XL pipeline to the West Coast and sell it to the Asians. "Hey son, that's a nice Toyota you got there. How many miles you got on it"? I replied "96,000" to the white haired smooth talker and keep my vision low.

"What are you doin here"? Jim bob asked. I explained that we were currently part of the Kamperforce for Amazon and would be here for the next few weeks. "Well you know, that used to be the ole Fruit of the Loom factory, just before Amazon took it over." " Hell, it used to be so bad a few years back when they bused in workers from Memphis and Lexington. Those folks was bad and I mean bad". "But now it seems as though the trouble is gone and the town is getting along just fine now."

A water pump for Charlie's Chevy, a new battery for Johnny's Yukon and a front brake job for me. I gladly payed my bill and rolled back out of town, having enjoyed a small slice of hometown Kentucky bonding in the early morning hours.

Lights, Camera, Action

Be very careful when you open your front door because you never know what it's going to bring.

Opening the door, I gazed upon a smartly dressed reporter closely guarded by her cameraman and sound guy. She introduced herself as Janet from NBC Nightly News and asked if I would be interested in talking with them about our experience working with Amazon. I quickly turned to scan the trailer only to realize that we weren't quite ready for prime time and politely asked "can I get a second. "She responded,"sure take your time".

Now this isn't the first time and most certainly won't be the last time I invite a news crew into the DeMichiel family Abode. I seem to recall a similar incident in the deserts of Palm Springs two winters ago. That's right. The famous Dutch's Tree Stand interview. Let's just say we'd all like to forget about that one. Anyway, I turn to Rita and say, "what do you think"?

We quickly freshen and tidy up and before you know it, lights are on tripods, camera's are rolling and Rita, Dylan, Christian and I are being interviewed for a segment that will air next week on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.

Now hold on right there. My hair was out of place, and not a make-up or wardrobe girl in sight. Oh well, reality TV at it's best. I do recall a good friend having a TV series on TLC(Six for the Road, which by the way had to compete against Kate Plus 8 at it's Zenith)and how difficult it must have been for his family to be filmed. I only worked for an hour and was ready to call for a stand-in. God Bless you my friend for completing like eight episodes.

Anyway, shots of the kids on swings, shots of us doing schoolwork with the kids, shots of us strolling down the street and the epic final shot, me hanging the Christmas wreath upon the trailer door as the family looks on.

I can only hope that we are portrayed in a positive light and we don't appear to be something other than who we are.

We said goodbye to our new found friends, got a good "What was that all about" laugh, and proceeded to live life as we know it.

Rainy Days and Mondays

Thank goodness these days don't get me down. Now that the Thanksgiving Holiday is over, I am beginning to sense the urgency of what the next month will bring. Cyber Monday with all the must have items, decorating for the enjoyment of the holiday season and of course moving the rig to warmer climates.
Taking a deep breath, enjoying the sound of rain tapping the roof, watching spy kids and just hanging with my wife gives me the satisfaction that even though it's raining outside, my life is really good.

Parental Responsibility

Just a quick reminder to all, don't forget to have your children wear their helmet while riding their bike or doing any outdoor activity. Dylan was on his ripstick on Friday without his helmet and took a bad spill. Even though I was right there, I sould have told him to put his helmet on. He suffered a concussion and has been feeling lousy. He should be ok with rest and limited activity for a few weeks.. Supervised Rock Climbing and Zip-lining are a better sports option than hanging out with dad in the street.