AT JOURNEY'S END
PART ONE OF TWO
PROLOGUE
This story begins a year ago, at a unique juncture in my life. I was 36 years old, and I had no wife, no home, no job and no family. No, I was not destitute, nor in dire straits. I was just at a turning point in my life - one that led to me starting what would be a unique journey, an adventure which would change my life forever. Most of my adult life, I had been successful, but never really happy, and where I found myself in May of last year, was the result of two life-changing events:
Two years ago, in April, my wife of eleven years, left me and filed for divorced, ending our tumultuous relationship. We were never truly happy together. We met in college and married after graduation, then went into different careers, developed different interests, and different circles of friends. We never should have married - I have to take credit for that 'bad' decision. And I have to give the credit to my ex for her 'good' decision - kicking me to the curb. More on that later.
In August of that same year, my father was hospitalized with a major heart attack. He had a bad ticker with a history of heart attacks, and had undergone multiple surgeries in the past. At the time of his latest heart attack, I lived in Seattle, Washington, and flew back to Pensacola, Florida to be with him. It was fortunate I did. Otherwise, I would never have seen him alive again. He passed shortly after I arrived. With his passing, I was left with no immediate family. I'm an only child, and I lost my mother to a car accident while I was in high school.
While sitting with my father in the hospital, I did a lot of thinking. Since my divorce, I had been looking to make a change in my life, but didn't know how to go about it or what to do. But being back home where I grew up, gave me the inspiration I needed. My father left me all his worldly possessions, including his house, my childhood home, where I have many fond memories. Since I was divorced, the only thing tethering me to my life in Seattle was my real estate business. So, as soon as I returned from Pensacola, I started the process of divesting myself of that business - selling my interest in the company to my partner, and liquidating all my assets - primarily residential properties, including many rentals (yes, I was also a slum lord).
As I made my preparations, I decided to include a long overdue vacation in conjunction with my move, visiting some national parks and significant sites along the way. I have a dog, and quickly learned that few motels would accept him as he was considered a large dog. So, I decided to buy a small travel trailer, and camp my way across the country. While shopping for a trailer, a salesman, after hearing my plan, informed me that RV spaces in or near national parks had to be booked well in advance. And learning I was traveling with my dog, he warned me that national parks have a lot of pet restrictions. So, I did my research, planned for those issues, and made all my arrangements for my trip starting the end of April, last year.
After educating myself on travel trailers (never owned one), and doing extensive shopping, I found a 24-foot model with a functional floorplan and a queen bed with a full 80-inch length to accommodate my long frame (many smaller trailers only have a 74-inch bed). And I could easily tow the 4000-pound UVW model with my preferred mode of transportation, an SUV. It also came with an auxiliary electrical supply charged by a roof-mounted solar panel, and I added an optional, second panel.
When the time came, I packed up and headed out. It was the beginning of a long journey, one that didn't end when I reached Pensacola. It would ultimately lead to a 'unique' new life - one where I would find true happiness - something I had yet to experience as an adult.
INTRODUCTIONS
My name is Connor. I'm about 6'-5'' and around 220 pounds. I'm in pretty good shape. I used to be in great shape. In high school, I starred in basketball, and in track and field. I also competed in 200 and 400-meter, freestyle swim events with a local swim club. In college, I limited myself to track and field to accommodate my challenging curriculum.
After college, business demands and an unhappy marriage took their toll on me, mentally and physically. By the time of my divorce, I was in pretty crappy condition and had ballooned up to 250 pounds. Since shedding that toxic relationship, I've gotten back in decent shape, exercising and running with a renewed vigor. Of course, my state of mind is worlds better than it was.
In the looks department, I'm reasonably handsome. I have blue-gray eyes, sandy-blond hair, which I wear in a longish business cut, and I'm clean-shaven. My nose is a little prominent, but not too long. I have a solid jawline and a proper-sized chin with a slight cleft in it. And the consensus from women is that I have a great smile and a 'sexy mouth' - that it's my best facial feature.
By occupation, I'm a real estate broker, and besides brokering real estate sales, I specialize in buying houses and renovating then selling them - flipping, or renting them, depending on what is most advantageous at the time. And I will probably do something like that again in Pensacola.
I hadn't planned on being a real estate broker; I planned on being an aeronautical engineer - I love all things aeronautical, which is how I ended up in Seattle. After high school, I chose the University of Washington for their aeronautical engineering program, and because my best friend in high school had relatives in Seattle who would provide me with free room and board. And at 19, I'd never been out of the southeast and was anxious for a change of scenery.
Obviously, things didn't go according to plan. The advanced physics, trig, and calculus in college exposed limitations in my mathematical acuity. I'd done okay in high school, but struggled at the university level. So, yeah, I'm no Einstein.
While attending college, for spending money, I worked part-time for a large real estate company; and upon hearing about my academic issues, my employer advised me to get a business management degree. He said that no matter what I decided to do, it would be useful. I got that degree with the intention of later pursuing another degree in a discipline of my choosing. When later came, I couldn't decide, and I was low on funds and getting married. So, upon graduation, I got my real estate license and went to work full-time for the real estate company. In my first few years, I learned how to successfully flip properties, and that led to my business, which another agent and I started when we decided to go out on our own. We were very successful; and today, I'm in very good financial shape, which gives me the latitude to make this change in my life.
My dog, Shep, is an Australian Shepherd. Yeah, I know, not a very original name, but I named him after my childhood dog, a German Shepherd mix that was dear to me. Three years ago, I got Shep from a client who breeds Aussies - the dogs, that is. By the way, Aussies are not Australian; the breed was developed in the western U.S. by breeding local herding dogs with Basque herding dogs (originally from Spain via Australia - it's a long story). Anyway, I hadn't had a dog since high school because my wife didn't like dogs, or cats for that matter (or me, as it turned out). So, partially to spite her, I got Shep. But that didn't lead to the divorce - perhaps icing on the cake.
At 60 pounds, Shep is on the large side for his breed. He is a great dog - smart, energetic, and even-tempered. He is my loyal companion, accompanies me on my shorter runs, and loves to play Frisbee. He is a classic, gray and white version with caramel markings, and has the pale-blue eyes common to the breed. He is strikingly handsome, and is a big hit with folks.
A little about my ex: I met Diane my junior year, and was instantly captivated by her beauty. At 5'-9" and 145 pounds, she was tall with a striking figure, slender but shapely, with lovely, full breasts, nicely flared hips, a full, firm butt, and killer legs - physically the complete package. With long, dark-brown hair, arresting, deep brown eyes, and perfectly formed facial features, she had movie star good looks. So, I was dazzled, and blinded to her arrogance and selfishness. And because I was so determined to make her mine, I overlooked her shortcomings, and our many differences. Initially, she rebuffed my advances, which only caused me to pursue with more determination. I eventually won her over, and yes, that was the beginning of what turned out to be a mistake.
Yeah, math wasn't the only subject I was weak in. With women, I still had a lot to learn.
Anyway, after my divorce and my father's passing, I was setting out on a life-changing journey - one that would be filled with surprises, challenges, and a few risks; but would also lead to discovery and enlightenment; and as I indicated, it would lead to some unique experiences and circumstances I would never had imagined.
STORY
A. ROAD TRIP - Journey of Discovery
This first part is not a travelogue, but more of a diary, and except for a few, select instances, I will not inundate you with descriptions of all the amazing and beautiful sights I experienced along the way.
I. UNEXPECTED COMFORT - Found and Given
Last year, on April 30th, I set out for Pensacola, putting Seattle and my old life in my rearview mirror, and headed for Glacier National Park in northern Montana. After a beautiful drive across northern Washington, Idaho, and northwestern Montana, I arrived at Glacier. I only spent two nights there, giving me one full day to take in Glacier, which is beautiful and majestic. There was still a fair amount of snow at higher elevations, and it was a bit chilly, but nice otherwise. After my visit, I headed south to Yellowstone.
Late afternoon, I arrived at my campground, about a mile outside Yellowstone's north entrance. The well-kept RV park and campground there, backs up to the Yellowstone River and is surrounded by scrub hills that were greening up with the onset of spring. After getting situated, I went to stretch my legs and take Shep for a walk. Along the way, Shep attracted attention, as he often does, and we visited our way through the campground. As we headed back, two young boys spotted Shep and tentatively approached.
I stopped and greeted the two, "You can come say, hi. He's very friendly. His name is Shep."
Shep is very sociable and has no particular behavioral issues. He has shown no propensity to be aggressive with cats or other animals, and no real instinct for hunting, which is fine with me. He is not a barker by nature but is vocal when we're playing or when he senses danger. He is a good watch dog.
As the boys petted him, their mother came from where she had been sitting by their motor home, a large, expensive-looking rig.
"I hope the boys aren't bothering you."
"Not at all," I replied, reaching to shake her hand. "I'm Connor, this is Shep, and he likes the attention."
"Hi, I'm Connie, nice to meet you," she replied as she reached down to pet Shep. "He's a beautiful dog. I've been thinking of getting one for the boys, just not sure what to get. I didn't grow up with dogs."
"Well, I can certainly recommend Australian Shepherds, but there are a lot of good breeds out there, and you can also consider mixed breeds, mutts. Rescues often make the best pets."
"Where are you parked?" she asked.
"I'm two spaces down. I have a small, travel trailer. This is a very nice rig you have here, and quite large."
"Yes, thank you. My ex bought it a couple years ago so we could go on family vacations with the boys, but we recently divorced. So, our original plan didn't materialize, but we are both going to use it on separate occasions to take the boys on vacations."
"So, you drive this monster?"
"Yes," she laughed, "it was a challenge at first, but I'm pretty comfortable now. My parents had a smaller motorhome, and my mom wouldn't get behind the wheel, so my dad had me learn to drive it and spell him on our vacations."
"Well, my hat's off to you. I don't know if I would be comfortable driving one this big. I'm just getting the hang of pulling the trailer."
"Traveling alone?" she asked.
"Just me and Shep."
After a pleasant conversation, and the boys getting to pet Shep, he and I headed to the trailer. I was getting ready to make dinner when Shep huffed, followed by a knock on my door. I went to answer.
"Hi, Connie."
"Hi, Connor. I was wondering what you were doing for dinner. Thought I would see if you would like to join us. We're just having beef stew, but we have plenty, and it's homemade."
"Sounds great. Better than what I was going to have."
"I'm going to put it on to heat up. Would you like to come over for drinks beforehand?"
"Sure, love to."
"Come over whenever you're ready."
"Let me feed Shep and take him for a quick potty break, then put him in."
"Oh, you can bring him with you. The boys would love it, I'm sure."
"Great. Give me about 15 minutes."
"See you then," she smiled.
After taking care of Shep, I headed to Connie's. When I arrived, she was outside with the boys, putting wood in a small firepit. As I walked up, I observed that Connie was above-average pretty. She was average height, 5'-6" or so, with what appeared to be an average build. I hadn't seen her out of a coat, yet. She had light-brown hair, worn to below her shoulders, a slightly roundish, but pretty face with hazel eyes, and a striking smile. I guessed she was around 30 years old.
Connie greeted me, "Connor, I don't think you were introduced to my boys; this is Johnny, and this is Tommy."
"Hi Johnny, Tommy; nice to meet you," I said, shaking their hands.
Johnny proudly announced, "I'm six, and Tommy is five. I start first grade this year."
"I start kinnygarden," Tommy added.
