September 22, 2021

Temperature 86 Degrees

Back Home and Making The Transition

So, we are back home again and making the transition from nomadic life to stationary life. Which, is proving somewhat interesting.

However, I’m getting ahead of myself. My last post found us at Cummins Power South for Elvira’s annual maintenance. Thankfully, there were no surprises. That said, we still have to make a trip back to get the leveling jacks fixed. We have an issue with the left front jack not holding once it is set. Time will tell what is going on with it.

While in Ocala we had an opportunity to spend time with our good friends Dennis and Pam. They had invited us to their house for lunch and as always is the case Pam had prepared an absolutely delicious lunch. The afternoon was spent getting caught up, swapping RV stories and so much more. We finally called it a day around 3 pm and made our way back to Elvira. However, given the fact that it was a Friday and rush hour traffic was well under way we elected to spend the night in Ocala.

The next morning we awoke to heavy fog which, thankfully, quickly burnt off and we were on our way. The trip back to the house was an easy one. The traffic was light so we made excellent time. Before we knew it we were in front of the house.

The first surprise was when we turned the water on for the house. We had turned it off, as directed, at the incoming water valve for the water softener. I turned it on and a flood ensued. Oh yes, the valve was leaking big time. I turned it off, put the unit in by-pass mode so we could still get water to the house, and made a call. Being a Saturday, and since we still were able to get water to the house, we scheduled repairs for Tuesday. We could have had it repaired on Monday, but we had doctor appointments that day. We continued to walk around checking this and that and, thankfully, found no further surprises.

But the big issue is, we are finding it a bit difficult transitioning to a temporary stationary life style. First of all we’re having a problem figuring out what to bring from Elvria to the house. Now, for those who travel only on a periodic basis I’m sure you have this down pat. We’ll probably get our act together in due time but as of now it is more of a grab this from the Elvira and bring it over to the house. What we need in the future is a comprehensive plan of what we need to move from each room in Elvira to the house. And the reverse when we get ready to roll again. We’re working on it.

The other issue is, well, the different sounds that the house makes. When we lived in Elvira I could tell you what every creak and groan was. I knew what was normal and if something sounded out of order and was cause for investigation. The first few nights, even the first week in the house, I was up at night constantly wondering what in the world was that sound. Slowly I began to learn. Oh, that clunk was the icemaker. That tick was the refrigerator. Slowly, ever so slowly I’m learning the various sounds here in the house and what they are associated with.

Finally, there is the issue of just being stationary. Yes, in the past we have wintered in one location for several months at a time. However, we also knew we could move at any time. That flexibility is sort of gone right now. But we have a plan. We hope each month to just get out and spend some time, some place, any place in Florida for a few nights. We’ll let you know how that works out.

Then there is Proton. The little guy has been through a lot these past several weeks. His first day in the house he kept trying to get out the front door. I have no idea where he wanted to go but I’m sure he must have thought home is not here. He is slowly getting better. No doubt he will always be a runner and we need to keep this in mind. Yet, he has calmed down quite a bit. He has adopted one of the living room recliners as his own. He spends his nights in our bedroom, either in his own bed or on ours. He’s started playing with his toys. He has also definitely attached himself to me which means, unfortunately, every time I leave, even to go to the rig for a minute, he goes into a panic. We do have our favorite time together and that is our morning and evening walk.

So, the journey continues on The Road of Retirement. I have a list of projects to do around the house. In fact, my son Adam is even now on his way down from Maryland to give me a hand with some of them. I also have a list of projects that need doing for Elvira. In so many words, I have enough to keep me busy for a good bit. We’re happy and, healthy, forget wealthy and wise, and enjoying life to the fullest. And we’ll continue now and always to make the most of every minute of every day that the good Lord gives. There is no other way to live.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Remember, take time to stop and smell the roses and live each day that God gives you to the fullest.

September 16, 2021

Travel Day – Tune Up Drive

Treatment over it was time to roll south. We’re headed home – that still sounds strange every time I say it – with a midway stop for annual coach maintenance at Cummins South in Ocala.

As is usually the case everything I thought might give us an issue, didn’t. But what we never anticipated, did. When we woke up this morning it was hot in Elvira, I mean way over 80 degrees. What in the world? Checking I discovered that the AC in the front was not working, The back unit had checked out a couple of weeks ago. Now this unit is only a year and a half old. I turned it off and then turned just the fan on, that was fine. I let in run for about an hour then switched to AC and it came on without an issue. Until I turned it off. My normal practice is to run the generator and AC while driving. So I started the generator, let it run for five minutes, turned the AC back on, and nothing. What in the world? I turned it off, stopped the generator and decided I’d play with it later.

Time to go through our departure list. Ms. Barbara reads the list and I respond accordingly. We’ve learned this is the best way for us and keeps us from driving off, for instance, with the electric still connected. After we go through the check list, I take a walk around the rig, then she does the same. Time to roll.

A little over two hours later and we

rolled into the RV park behind Cummins South.

We’re in the same spot we were in last year when we were here. Hopefully, this will be just a one night stay. Provided we don’t have to wait for parts. If there is a wait for parts, I’ll probably schedule a time to come back.

We’re settled in for the night and yes, the AC works! You go figure.

This was our first trip with Proton and it was to say the least, interesting. He either wanted to sit on the dash, or sit in my lap. He did finally settle down and sit in the passenger seat with Ms. Barbara. Just about the time we arrived! We can see that it is definitely going to take some time before we can get him acclimated to traveling.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement. As travel days go, it was an easy one. The weather was good, the road decent, and no traffic to speak of. It was my kind of day.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Remember, take time to stop and smell the roses and live each day that God gives you to the fullest.

September 15, 2021

My Turn to Ring The Chime Because I’m Finished

Eight Weeks

Five Days A Week

6:30 am Every Morning

The last morning walk down that long hall to the Gantry.

And what made the morning even more special, my sister, and my children were all on a conference video call and got to see me ring the chime. I’ll freely admit it, the tears flowed freely. What a beautiful surprise.

Now I can say, I’m a cancer survivor!

We Remember

September 11, 2021