September 29, 2022

Temperature 79 Degrees, Overcast Skies with Light Rain

Goodbye Ian

If this is all that we have to put up with then we’ll be fine. That was what I was thinking early Wednesday morning. But by the afternoon things started going downhill very quickly.

By the afternoon we were literally an island with water surrounding the house on all sides. Thankfully, we sit high enough that it never got to the point of coming even close to getting into the crawl space under the house.

Then came the wind. Unfortunately, it was coming from the one direction we didn’t want it to come. It was coming in such a way that it was pounding the house on the side with the four windows. It battered the side of the house for hours. All was fine until two of the awnings began to break loose. Well, thankfully, my son Adam and his significant other Joanne were here with us. Hard to believe but in the midst of the storm out they went and took down the two awnings before they broke loose and did any damage.

But it was just getting started. Come Wednesday evening the winds had picked up to 50 mph with much higher gusts. And the rain came in sheets, one after another. The funny thing, through it all DISH never lost the signal. Well, Wednesday night was the worse in terms of wind and rain. We finally lost electric and water about 10 pm that night. Elvira to the rescue. We just moved right back in and fired up the generator. Thankfully, power and water were restored by 10 am Thursday morning.

The bottom line – we made it through with no damage to our house or property. Thanks to one and all who kept in touch with us and offered their words of encouragement and prayers. As I’ve said and I will continue to say, we are truly two of the most blessed people on the face of the earth.

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Temperature 89 Degrees, Overcast

Home Safe and Sound, Waiting For Our Newest, Nastiest Child – Ian

Yesterday was maintenance time for Elvira. It was time to have all the fluids and filters changed on both the engine and the generator. A close inspection of the engine revealed only one minor problem that we might or might not have fixed before we leave next year. It has to do with the Dash A/C so it is not really critical since we can run the rooftop air while we’re driving.

Service finished it was time to make the decision. Do we turn and flee north? Or do we go south and go home? If we had been full-timing the decision would have been an easy one, turn and flee north. But we both decided we wanted to be home to take case of the house in case something happened to it as a result of the impending hurricane. So south we went and home we are.

I mean what a nice site we have. A full concrete pad that is dead level with full hookups. Not to mention that we have a roof over Elvira that will keep her out of all the rain and wind. And right next door is our deluxe suite that offers all the best in living. What more could one ask for.

So now we wait for our newest and nastiest child -Ian. As of now it is looking like the eye will pass over us sometime either Wednesday or Thursday. The last time this development took a direct hit I’m told there was some streets flooded, some trees down but not much else. No homes were flooded and no homes sustained any major damage. We’re hoping for the same this time. Time will tell. Prayers appreciated.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest. 

Our continuing mission remains the same: 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.

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Temperature 94 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine

One Stop Closer To Home

Wednesday, bright and early we said our goodbyes to the Hitchin Post and got back on the road heading south. Today would be all highway driving so I didn’t anticipate any issues with stop and go traffic. Thankfully, I was right.

We could have gone straight home, though it would have been about a six hour drive. However, we have friends in Ocala who we wanted to stop and see. In addition, it is time to have annual coach care maintenance done on Elvira. So, for those two reasons we planned on stopping at an RV Park just north of Ocala.

The drive was an easy one but a bit longer than we like – a good four hours. The temperatures were in the 90’s but thankfully our dash A/C decided to work the whole trip this time. It’s sort of funky, that is it will work for a couple of hours then it just blows luke warm air. I’ve found, though, that if I switch it to vent for ten to fifteen minutes and then switch back to A/C it will work for another couple of hours. What can I say, our rig is haunted!

In time we exited the highway and made our way to

where we will stay until Sunday. I have to tell you this place is

huge. This is one of their stock photos. There is one section with some 300 plus manufactured homes in place. The second section has 207 RV sites with a good 90% being seasonal. Then in between and among the seasonal sites are places for transients like us.

And here we are. A nice concrete pad, of course it isn’t level but what else is new. It is a really nice place to hang out for a few days. This park is spotless, every site is neat, clean and tidy. And despite being called a resort it is one of the least expensive parks we have stayed in this whole summer. Now, perhaps you’ve noticed we have a few trees all around us. Well, Albert did like this at all. So,

he found himself all alone on a table 50ft from the rig. Here, there is just a big enough hole in the trees for him to lock on to all three satellites. Ah yes, life is good and we’re almost home. This time next week I should be sitting in my nice big recliner with my feet up and remembering the fantastic time we had this past summer.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest. 

Our continuing mission remains the same: 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.

Monday, September 19, 2022

Temperature 91 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine

Travel Day – Back to Florida

It had to happen sooner or later, our return to the state of Florida. Today was that day. We were packed up and ready to go by 9 am so on the road we went.

Now I don’t know what it was today but today was probably the most frustrating day of driving I’ve had all summer. Maybe it was the length of the drive, or the constant traffic in one town after another, or the realization that the summer was coming to an end, or a combination of all of the above. Bottom line, by the time we landed at our new home for the night my nerves were completely frazzled. Ever have one of those days?

So where are we? We are at The Hitchin Post RV Park. That’s the owner Vonda in the lower right of the picture and yes she means what is printed on the sign

Where I believe in God, Family and Freedom

I Support our Police, Military and First Responders

I Stand for the Flag

I Kneel for the Cross and I Pray for Everyone

We’ve been here before and think the world of her and the park. Every time we get a chance to stay a night or two here we seize the opportunity. The park is clean, well kept, the price is reasonable and to be greeted by Vonda with that mile-wide-smile of hers is priceless.

The last time we were here our site was in the back section, the one on the end to the left.

We’re up front this time, in a pull through with a good gravel base, and with all utilities right at hand. We’re as near to level as can be, the jacks went down just to keep us from rocking and rolling while walking back and forth.

We’re adjacent to the exit road so come Wednesday morning it will be jacks up and away we go. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

OK, time for me to put my feet up and just try and relax. Many more days like today and I’ll be toast. Ah well, one or two I guess I can handle. After all we’ve had a fabulous summer so who am I to complain. Till tomorrow, sleep well.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest. 

Our continuing mission remains the same: 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.