Graduation

We're down to our final week in "Port A"...already. The fun continues, despite weather that continues to be cooler, wetter and windier than usual for this little piece of paradise.

When we're not hunkered down inside (Don't feel sorry for us. It's not that bad!), we've managed to get out and about to see the sights, soak up some sunshine and spend time with lots of great people.

The sight of the week was the buzz of the RV park yesterday. Like an old-fashioned game of "post office" neighbors told neighbors of an extraordinary event just up the beach. When we heard the word, we joined the steady stream of sightseers to lay our eyes on a 40-foot whale that washed ashore overnight. Officials from the nearby University of Texas Marine Science Institute worked among the shutter-happy tourists to determine what caused the demise of the rare-in-these-parts Baleen whale. Port Aransas city staffers used heavy equipment to drag the beast to a massive crevice they carved out of the sand dunes. This would be the whale's final resting place.

Of all the things we imagined we might see as fulltimers, attending a whale funeral never made the list! But, paying our respects to a sea mammal the size of our motorhome definitely goes on the list of our memorable life experiences.

Also on the list, we've recently had the great pleasure of meeting up with several members of this wonderful fulltiming community.

We ferried over to Rockport to meet up with Doug and JoAnn. They are a lovely couple who have been living their dream of exploring the continent since 2003. Their blog is one of the many we devoured as we prepared for our journey. Their daily entries have a message: do what you dream. It's what they do every day. We are so fortunate to count this two inspirational folks as new friends. (Oh yes, and their dog Fillmore, too!)

A Mexican restaurant in Port Aransas was the scene of a noteworthy event this afternoon. We met up with fellow "Class of 2009" fulltimers Eric and Karla and Sherry and Sharon, and frequent Port Aransas visitors Al and Priscilla for a tasty lunch. Before our food arrived, Eric presented us with official diplomas from our class gathering last month in Quartzite, Arizona. We are now proud holders of the degree Bachelor of RV Lifestyle!

Along with our diploma, we also received a "Mortgage Certificate" suitable for burning. This simple sheet is designed to represent the freedom of our new lifestyle. Before we burn it, we want to capture and share the wonderful words it contains.

This allows you to be free of the chains of a stix and bricks, the mowing of grass, the shoveling of snow and the slavery to "stuff".

It gives you the right to enjoy a new view out your front window whenever you so desire. To explore new worlds at any time. To enjoy all of the sights and especially foods of this great country of ours. To make more friends than you have ever had in your life.

Go forth and enjoy this lifestyle that you have chosen. Ignore those who don't understand and think you are crazy. Remember, you are never alone. There are lots of us out there.

Happy Graduation!