Chapters on the Road2Reinvention

  1. California
  2. Alaska
  3. Oregon
  4. Alaska
  5. Nevada
  6. Washington DC
  7. Road2Reinvention
  8. North Carolina

Chapter eight will begin on September 1, 2024.  I have rented an age appropriate (no stairs) apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina to be near my Mom and eldest sister Becky.  Mom and Erv moved into nursing care after Mom had another fall, so it makes sense for me to move to NC to be near Mom.  Becky has had the bulk share of helping Mom, because she is the nearest.  Mom and Erv moved from their house in Willow, Alaska to North Carolina when it was time for them.  Now it is my time to be with Mom.

It has been a great seven year adventure on the Road2Reinvention.  Reinventing myself, really means I was running from something. But, every reinvention worked and am happy for the adventure, and especially meeting new and wonderful friends.

Chapter One, growing up in Southern California.

Chapter Two, moving to Anchorage, Alaska in 1968.  Completing junior high and graduating from West Anchorage High School and working for eight years before going to college.

Chapter Three, attending University of Oregon, in beautiful Eugene, which I visited three years ago on my Road2Reinvention and seeing my college friends, Kristen in Eugene and Cathy in Portland.  I also, got to have lunch with a high school friend Genie (Meekins) Siedler who now lives in Eugene, but like me no longer lives in Alaska.

Chapter Four, return to Anchorage and begin my profession life as an Ombudsman investigator and later a union representative.  Launching my career as an advocate.

Chapter five, getting the hell out of Alaska in a career crisis and running from a failed relationship, I did a telephone job interview, and accepted a $20,000 pay cut I moved to Carson City, Nevada.  I was desperate.  I learned a lot working in a right-to-work state with no collective bargaining and ran a successful political campaign knocking on doors in 1998.  I also learned to play golf.

Chapter six, moving to Washington, D.C. to become a federal advocate for workers with various unions.

Chapter seven, retiring and hitting the Road2Reinvention.  And, what a wonderful and challenging road it has been.

Chapter eight, moving to a sticks and bricks house, again.

I addition to being close to Mom and Becky, I am a day’s drive to Washington, D.C. my adopted home where I have wonderful friends.

My last campground hosting gig will be First Landing State Park, at Virginia Beach, Virginia.  This is by far my favorite campground, so it is fitting that I end my vagabond life there.  I will sell Scout and the Toyota Tundra truck for hopefully an electric of highbred low gas consumption car.  I will miss Scout, but not the Tundra.

I hope to get the same amount of money I paid for Scout in 2017.  The beauty of an Airstream is you get your money back.  My first year on the road I was in a 19’, because I couldn’t find a 20’.  I sold the 19’ for $1000 more than I paid.  You gotta love Airstreams.

Speaking of friends. I am writing today from Washington, D.C., staying with friends Tim, Liz (who is in Anchorage) and Lola and visiting our favorite place Congressional Cemetery.

More to follow, stay tuned.

About Alison Reardon

Working hard on retirement and my golf game.
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One Response to Chapters on the Road2Reinvention

  1. Jane Hofherr says:

    Hello Alison,

    Jane Hofherr here, I wrote to you a few years ago for some Airstream advice. At the time, I planned to sell my home and live full time in a 25 footer. I came to my senses and purchased a Basecamp 20x. I still sold the house. I love to kayak and the back door to the Basecamp facilitated my ability to not need to lift kayaks onto my tow vehicle. I bought the Basecamp in NJ. I was pleased with the experience over all but, was sold an Equalizer WD anti sway hitch. It is a beast for me to use. I am wondering what type of hitch you used in your travels and did you use anti sway bars. I definitely need to rid myself of the Equalizer before I hurt myself getting the anti sway bars installed each time.

    I have followed your travels over the years. I wish you the very best.
    Enjoy beautiful North Carolina.

    Jane

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