Health and Wellness
“…there ought to be the greatest harmony in the symmetrical relations…” leonardo da vinci, c.1490.
Leonardo da Vinci “Vitruvian Man”, c. 1490, showing the symmetry and balance of the human body.
Health and Wellness (Quicklinks)
We all fight a sedentary lifestyle because of our modern day conveniences. When traveling and living on the road, the opportunities are greater for activity, but it still requires determination and discipline to stay active.
Water. One basic requirement for living a healthy lifestyle and staying well is water. We tap in to so many different water sources as we travel that we just have to accept by faith that the water is safe for drinking and washing.
Nevertheless, we take a few precautions. We filter the water twice before it ever gets to our faucet - once with an external “blue” filter, and then the internal built-in water filter in the rig. We also have a Brita water pitcher to filter our drinking water.
With these precautions, we have stayed well in all our travels, at least from the water supply.
Exercise Your Mind
Amana Colonies stands out as a, “What’s that?” moment. We learned a part of history that neither one of us had ever heard before.
We always try to learn new things along the way. It’s almost become a game when we see a tourist or information sign. There’s really no reason to ask the question any more, since the world’s encyclopedia is now at our fingertips. When we see something new while traveling, Tracy will Google the subject and begin reading me the historical significance of the person or place - and we both learn something.
WW2 Anti Submarine Lookout, Klamath, California
We have learned to not just read, but go and discover places that are out of the ordinary. For example, in Klamath, California, we learned from Atlas Obscura that there is an abandoned World War II submarine lookout station on the coast. We didn’t just learn about it; we went there. We looked, discovered, and imagined what life was like in that abandoned outpost disguised as an ordinary farm house.
Soo Line Engine 730, built 1911. Decommissioned 1956. Gladstone, Michigan
On the southwest side of the Upper Peninsula in Gladstone, Michigan on US 2/US 41 there is an old steam locomotive on display next to the highway. After passing it, I told Tracy I was going to turn around and look at that. We discovered that the locomotive was built in 1911 and decommissioned in 1956 with the Soo Line after nearly 4,000,000 miles exclusively in passenger service. How many lives were impacted through the faithful service of that locomotive?
And this list could go on and on…
Ship’s bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald, sunk 1975 in Lake Superior. Most remembered in the song by Gordon Lightfoot. Located at Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Point, Michigan.
We periodically read books - just for enjoyment and learning. I’ve got a harmonica I’m going to learn to play. I’ve learned how to build a website, publish videos, and the best way to stay connected even with spotty cell or WiFi service.
I’m learning to create and post the unique experiences and historic points of interest we stumble across in the blog section of this website so others can enjoy them as well. It keeps my mind active.
Exercise Your Body
Everyone knows the benefit of staying physically active, and sometimes that can be difficult - especially when you’ve got several consecutive days of traveling.
We carry a bathroom scale for some self-accountability.
Jackson Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
There are other things we do intentionally to stay active. We usually carry bikes with us in our travels. We also carry kayaks, and have had some wonderful experiences in waterways we’ve found along the way.
We take advantage of walking tours and hikes when we can, and our usual goal is to get about 10,000 steps a day in unless we’re traveling.
We are avid pickleball players, and play nearly every day during the winter in Florida. It has been difficult to pick up any pickleball games while traveling, but we did play in West Yellowstone when we were there for the summer.
There are some other things that pertain to personal health, though, that need mentioning.
In the spring of 2019 I was carrying firewood when a piece fell and scraped my leg at the tendon in my knee joint. I didn’t think anything about it at the time, other than it hurt. I found it was bleeding, cleaned it up and let it clot on its own.
About three weeks later I got up and immediately noticed a severe pain in my knee. I knew it was weird and unlike anything I had experienced before, but I wore a pressure bandage for the day thinking that might help. Later that night when I took the wrap off, it was significantly swollen. Over the next few days the pain was so significant I couldn’t put any weight on it. Long story short, I had an MRSA infection from the improper cleaning and dressing of that wound that took about two months to recover from after I took the heaviest dose of antibiotics without being admitted to a hospital.
Lesson: take cuts and scrapes seriously. Clean them up, treat them with Vitamin E and keep them clean and covered until they heal. Since then, I continue to bang my head and scrape my arms but am much better about cleaning and dressing them rather than ignoring or assuming they will heal on their own.
Personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, razor blades and loofahs should be changed frequently to help ensure against bacterial infections.
Exercise Your Spirit
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 is a life verse for me: “Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Pretty simple. Rejoice, pray, and give thanks. This is my key for spiritual health, which starts with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. But regardless of your faith walk, this is a pretty good way to live. It keeps my attitude healthy regardless of the circumstance.
My intention is not to preach here, but I’ve found that striving to live a life based on following Jesus, as found in the New Testament scriptures, results in a contentment and purpose that goes far beyond the things of this world. Simply, it works, and I’ve found no reason to pursue anything different.
Although living on the road is different, we stay connected and engaged with our friends from our 35-year home, many whom we built long-lasting relationships because they are church family. We’ve also connected with a congregation in Florida where we winter, and met many, many new friends along the way.
Ministry opportunities abound, everywhere. It might be discovered through a campground conversation, a breakdown on the highway that you happen to get involved with, or just standing in line for something. Through normal conversation, you can be a blessing to those you are around. A word of encouragement, a prayer, some helpful advice - all ways to minister along the way. And Lord knows, our world needs a little more friendliness, care, compassion and empathy.
Speaking of prayer, I still receive text and email messages from the Prayer Team in Arkansas, which helps me stay engaged spiritually with the needs of people - some whom I will never meet in this life.
I have a daily devotional that shows up in my Inbox every day and helps keep my thoughts on things above, not on the things of this world. I keep my guitar with us for personal worship and enjoyment.
And, I try to remain very thankful for the blessings of this life. Blessings in relationships with my wife, my children and grandchildren and countless friends. Blessings in opportunities to see and experience this incredible planet we call home. Blessings of being involved with the people who cross our path along the way.
NEXT: Documenting Your Travel
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