May 14th, Monday – Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas – aka New Jersey – anymore.

Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas – aka New Jersey – anymore.   It was a year ago when this remarkable journey began with those immortal words “Bill you’ve done a great job, just don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”  Just like that I was unemployed.  We were in the process of purchasing an RV, the one we own today and know as Graybeard.  Months of turmoil followed as we struggled to empty and sell the house.  The highs and lows came like the shots from a machine gun in rapid fire succession.  Add to the mix my knee replacement and the complications that arose from that which almost derailed everything.

Then came that day in December, Christmas Eve to be exact, when this wonderful, fantastic journey began in earnest.  All too well do I remember the next day when we sat, trapped by high winds, in the parking lot of the visitor center at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.  No heat, no food, no water.  Family was waiting for us in North Carolina for Christmas Dinner but we were not going anywhere.   At last the ban was lifted and away we went.  New to driving a Class A, my hands were clenched on the steering wheel as I battled the gusts on the bridges and made my way through tunnels that seemed oh, so narrow.  Welcome to full-time RV living.

Since that time we have lived up to our motto to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before.  The states have rolled by under our wheels:  North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Delaware, New Hampshire and today here we are in Maine.  The campgrounds have been as varied as the states:  from those that have been absolutely breathtaking to we’ll never go back there again.  We’ve been privileged to make so many new friends from all walks of life.  Each and every one has added to and enriched our lives in ways untold.  The journey on the road of retirement has been exciting and rewarding to date and it is far from over.

Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas – aka New Jersey – anymore.  And so we’re not.  Today we bid goodbye to Massachusetts and headed north to the great state of Maine.  We followed our normal routine for moving out and so by the time we were packed, fueled, and had the car hooked up we were on the road by 10 am.

The traffic was light, the roads smooth, winds on occasion but nothing that caused any concern.  Mile by mile rolled by and then there it was, the sign we wanted to see.

Another sure sign that we were in Maine was the ever present road signs that warned us

to watch our for the possibility of a moose on the road.  Oh yea, this is not New Jersey!

Speaking of a moose, today was also great in another way as well, Barbara was able to finally fulfill a wish of hers that she has had since we began this journey.  Today on our way to our new home we stopped to see Lenny the Chocolate Moose.  Lenny resides at Len Libby Candies and Gifts in Scarborough, Maine.

 

Here is Barbara with her idol, yes, it’s Lenny the Chocolate Moose!

Here’s Lenny himself in all his glory.

And the facts about Lenny are

We were also told that Lenny gets a fresh coating of chocolate each year to keep him looking spiffy.

Along with Lenny there is now a mama bear and her two cubs.

And the bear facts about the mama and cub bears are

So there you have it, the bear truth and nothing but the truth about Lenny and the bears.

It was back on the road again and time to go home.  Home being where we would be for the next two weeks.  In due time we were there and here it is Pumpkin Patch RV Resort.

As always Home Is Where We Park It and so here is our new home for the next 2 weeks.

So it is, we are definitely not in New Jersey anymore.  Probably never will be again either.  We continue to travel along, hand in hand, singing our song, enjoying every minute of every new day that God blesses us with.  A year, yes, it’s been a year since this journey began.  Pinch me please sometimes it just doesn’t seem real.  Yet it is as real as real can be and it is still wonderful, exciting, challenging, and fulfilling.

So day is done, we’re settled in, and night has embraced us with its darkness.  We had a great day, a day of fulfilled wishes, a day to be together and enjoy each others company.  We hope you had a great day as well.  Did you?  If not, why not?  Each day is yours, never forget to craft and mold and make as you wish.  PS in the coming days we’ll be going back to two historic parks we visited while yet in Massachusetts, that being Bunker Hill and Lowell.  Now a closing thought for each of us to think upon:

So that’s it for now.  As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before