So we’ve moved.  Not far by any means, a total of 10 miles.  Yet, being able to just get out on the road for those 10 miles felt oh so good.  I just wanted to keep on going.  Only two things kept me from doing so – we have a commitment at Dade Battlefield and the big one Barbara was not with me.  She was wandering around in the car doing other things. Oh  well, the day will come when the wheels on Graybeard will again roll on racking up mile after mile.

Here is a picture of our new home.  The sun has gone done so the picture is a bit dark.

We have a full hook up site, 50 amp, level, grass and oh so important a clear view of the southern sky which makes Gertrude one happy camper.  Point of fact, I finished all the other odds and ends that go into setting up at a new site and then moved on to setting up our satellite antenna – Gertrude.  I dragged out the table it sits on, flopped the antenna on it, plugged in the two coax cables, went inside and turned on the TV, 15 minutes later we had a picture.  It could not have been easier.

We’ve made a few improvements to Graybeard.  The big one being our new solid gray patio awning which you can see in the above picture.   Our old one was 11 years old and within the last month or so had developed a number of pin holes.  I like the gray because it goes with the color of our rig.  Why a blue one was first installed is beyond me.  The other improvement is a really small one, I’ve finally finished installing all LED bulbs inside.  The last one to be done was the dinette  light.  Previously, when you turned the light on with the old 12 volt bulbs you could actually hear the converter kick on.  In addition after a couple of minutes the metal trim around the light became so hot you could not touch it.  No more.  Cool white light, a cool fixture, and the converter no longer kicks on.  Perfect all the way around.

New projects.  Our hot water heater has a couple of bad valves and needs a really good cleaning.  That’s on the project list for this week.  Since it will be covered under warranty I’m going to let my favorite tech handle this one.  I will, however, watch closely what and how he does it so I know what to do if necessary in the future.

Today we got out and about.  More specifically we went to Tampa to the RV Super Show.

What a mob scene.  What a mess.  For instance, they advertise RV parking if you want to bring your rig and dry camp.  What they don’t tell you is your RV will be in the same parking lot where everyone else parks to attend the show (above picture).  Pitty the poor person who has their slides out and you have someone who doesn’t quite know how to park.  Understand what I’m saying.  At least at Hersey you have a designated parking lot for just RV’s.  A much better setup if you ask me.  Oh, once again God smiled upon us, we asked for handicap parking but were told there was no more.  Guess what?   We ultimately found a parking spot one row from the entrance!  Now how about that.

Once inside we walked, and we walked and we walked.  Amazing, my knee didn’t give me one bit of an issue.  It was, though, the size of an elephant leg by the time we got home.  Elevation and ice helped get it back down to somewhat of a normal size.

What did we look at?  Thinking, just thinking some day we might want to downsize we looked at the Phoenix Cruiser.  Nice, quality construction but way too small as of now.  

Then we decided to dream big and went over to the Newmar line of rigs.  We looked at

the New Air which is just 33 feet in length but with a price tag 10 times as long!  A really nice coach and one we could get comfortable in.  Of course with light wood cabinets.

Then we went all out and looked at the Dutch Star which has been a favorite of ours for some time.  Friends of ours at Sumter Oaks just bought a used 2007 and it is fantastic.

The Dutch Star is a great coach in my book.  However, neither Barbara or I are fans of the dark cabinets which they seem to install standard.  A couple of other things I noticed this year:  even the 40 foot coach is a tag axle, used to be it was only on the over 40 foot; and, more and more coaches like the Dutch Star are all electric.  I guess the thinking is that anyone who can afford a coach like this will never boondock or stay overnight in a Walmart parking lot!

Time to head home we decided to stop for supper at TGI Fridays.  We’re had a gift

certificate for some time but could never until now find a restaurant.  This time we did.  Two steak dinners, a couple of sides and we were all set and more than ready to go home.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  It was good to get out and go dream.  Some day, maybe.  But for now we are still extremely happy with Graybeard.  It has been our magic carpet ride to so many amazing places already with we believe many more to come in the future.  It fits us perfectly right now.  It is a comfortable home.  It is ours and with the changes we’ve made and will continue to make reflects who we are.   What more could one ask for.

Thanks for checking in with us and joining us on our journey.  We hope you had a get day as well.  Time now to call it a night.  We have to be – perish the thought – to work by 8 am tomorrow morning.  Before I go a thought for all of us to ponder:

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 eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

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

See you on down the road

Ok, those of you up North have been dealing with some real nasty cold weather.  On the other hand we in Florida have been rather lucky.  Until now.  Temperatures most nights are now in the mid 40’s and by the start of next week they are talking of temperatures in the freezing range.  What next?  Snow!  Perish the thought.

So the week past was just another normal  week for us.  Physical therapy three times a week, the dentist, shopping, more doctor appointments and so on and so forth.  In other words not much different a week than those that live in a stick and brick house.  Except, of course we have no snow to shovel, no yard to attend to, and no taxes to pay.  We’ve settled into a very comfortable routine.  Nice.  But. . . .  We both agree we want to be back on the road.

Bushnell for us is like the comfortable old shoe.  It’s home.  We have neighbors we know and often speak with.  We know where  the good places to eat are.  We’re familiar with the best places to shop.  We’re going to miss being here next winter.  But then again it’s time to move on and boldly explore new places.  I’m sure, though, that we will be back sometime in the future.

As for this week.  It will be much more of the same with just a few wrinkles thrown in.  We hope to attend the RV Super Show in Tampa at the end of the week.  Everyone needs some time to just dream.  We’ll also be moving to our new home at Dade Battlefield on Friday the 18th.

Regarding workcamping, we now have a clearer idea of the days and hours we will be working and what we will be doing.  We work four days a week, from 8 am to 11 am.  We are both on the same shift so we are also both off at the same time.  Duties will be divided between the office, the front gate, cleaning the two bathrooms, yard work and routine maintenance.  Want to take a guess as to who will be in the office and front gate?  I don’t believe it is going to be me.  The only change in this schedule occurs when there is a major weekend event and then it is all hands on deck.

I’ve also continued to work on our plans for Tour America 2019.  Now, some will say that it is way to early to go reserving sites in different campgrounds.  Until you have a couple of experiences like I’ve had, that is snagging the last site that is available in a given campground during the months of June, July and August.  Yup, there must be a whole lot more people on the road in RV’s these days.  And everyone is planning ahead, or so it seems.

We’ve made one major change to the route plan already.  In July we’re going to take a detour east to Ives Run in PA.  This will allow us to spend a couple of weeks with my mom in Wellsboro, PA.  Since we are going to be out west for Christmas of 2019 as well as in 2020 we’re looking forward to the visit.  We’re so thankful for the way that God has continued to bless her.  Since she lost her home in North Carolina to the hurricane things have continued to just fall in place for her.   What was really great was the day that she said to me I really like it here and I’m glad I’m here.

Here’s a question for you.  When is a heater vent not a heater vent?  No, this is not a trick question.  Let me explain.  Behind my recliner, which is next to our entrance door, is a heater vent for the propane furnace.  I never gave it another thought all this past year.  I just kept it clear.  Well, the furnace went on the other day when I was sitting in the chair but I couldn’t feel any hot air coming out of it.  Guess what?  Upon investigation I discovered that it’s not attached to a duct of any type!  It’s just a big, open hole that allows cold air in from the outside through the front storage locker.   Live and learn.  It’s closed off now and there is a noticeable difference, no more draft coming in.  Yup, I’m still learning things about Graybeard.

That has what we’ve been up to on The Road of Retirement.  Thanks to those who have expressed concern about our well-being.  We’re healthy, not necessarily wealthy or wise.  Still enjoying our lifestyle, still doing it our way, hand in hand, traveling along, singing our song.  I trust everyone out there is doing just as great.  If you’re up north, grab an extra blanket, turn up the heat and keep safe.  Before I go something for each of us to ponder:

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 eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

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

See you on down the road

I must say I concur 100% with this plaque.  It was a Christmas present and is now proudly displayed in a prominent place in Graybeard.

One more item I received for Christmas.  Turtles are my favorites.  I believe they say it all, namely you never get anywhere in life unless you’re willing to stick your neck out and get out of your shell.

Then there are these really neat pillow cases.  All we need now are the pillows for them.  We’ll get them, just give us some time.

We’re still looking for other places to display the rest of the really neat plaques and other items we received for Christmas.  Stay tuned as we begin to put them here and there inside Graybeard.

So, the first item of business today was my annual physical.  Off we went to the VA clinic in Brooksville.  An hour later and I’m proud to say I’m fit as a fiddle.  Nothing unusual or outside of normal parameters in terms of the blood work.  It’s nice to know as we prepare to roll across America that I’m in the best health that I can be.

Next stop was physical therapy.  Unfortunately, today was a bad day.  What is the old saying Sometimes you’re the bug, other days you are the windshield – today I felt like the bug.

Homeward bound we decided to stop for a pizza.  Well, this pizza turned out to be a very

expensive one, how about the other side of $1,000!  What?  Perhaps I should explain.  As Barbara was eating the next to last piece, she got this funny look on her face, stopped eating, and quickly discovered she had broken a tooth.  Nah, she said it didn’t hurt.  Well, that soon changed since the nerve was now exposed.  What to do?  Once again, the good Lord opened the right doors and within 10 minutes, we were at a dentist that was just 10 minutes from our home.  End result was Barbara needed a crown and other work on the broken tooth.  Cost?  The other side of $1,000 but all is well once again, or will be once the crown is installed next week.  I shudder to think what shape she would be in tonight if we had not found a dentist willing to take her in on such a short notice.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  A little bit of this and a little bit of that.  All’s well that ends well and this day definitely ended on a good note.  Yea, the wallet is a little bit lighter but the important thing is we’re both in good shape.  You can’t ask for better than that.

Thanks again for joining us on our journey.  It’s always fun having others along with us.  Hope your day also ended on a good note.  Now, before I go something for all of us to think upon:

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 eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

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

See you on down the road

So, our first weekend of workcamping/volunteering is behind us.  Come Sunday I could not make the early morning bell but Barbara sure did.  My knee was giving me fits so rather than push it I went in around 10:30 am.  Guess what I found?  No surprise to me they had put Barbara in charge of the kitchen.  More than that she has already been put on notice for the next major event in March she will be in charge of the kitchen again.  My wife really does have a flair for organizing and getting things done.  How do you think I managed to survive so long?  Without her to keep me straight goodness knows where I would be today!

The one thing we both agree on, though, is that we are both out of shape.  Not to mention not to keen on beginning the day at 8 am.  Which should make our first workcamping gig an interesting one.  Yet we shall I’m sure survive and thrive as we have in the past with each new adventure we embark on.  At least that is what I’m telling myself!

Come Monday it was Doctor appointments and physical therapy.  My annual physical is this Wednesday but before it I had to have blood work done.  That was today.  I’ll find out the results on Wednesday when I see the doctor.  After the appointment for bloodwork it was back to physical therapy.  Man, oh man there were two others there today, one is three months out from their knee replacement and having all kinds of issues.  The other is about seven weeks out and is also having all kinds of issues.  Both can barely walk.  Don’t know why, maybe they’re not pushing themselves?  I’m so much further along I feel almost giddy about my progress.  There is only one exercise that is really still giving me fits but each day it becomes a bit easier.  I’ll get there I’m sure.

That’s the long and the short of for today on The Road of Retirement.  Once again we made it through the day our way, traveling along, singing our song, side by side.  We both agree this sitting still in one spot has been nice, but we are anxious to get back on the road.  Which is going to make the next two and a half months harder still.  My house has wheels and I want them to roll on.  Ugh, never again in one spot for so long not if we can help it.

Thanks for joining us again on our journey.  We do appreciate your company and always look forward to your comments.  Time for me to run but before I go of course a thought for each of us to ponder:

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

See you on down the road