Winter Route Plan

We have determined our route south this winter to Florida. No big loop to Louisiana like we planned last year. Just almost a straight south shot with a few stops along the way. Speaking of winter, the first day of fall has just passed by and the leaves have already started to drop. Our leave by date of December 1st is usually the end of the leaf raking. Today’s photos are unrelated to today’s post, but from last month’s festivals in the area.

The Route

This is a usual pattern for us to make three interim overnight stops, with one-night stops at two places at four nights at Savannah, Ga. The trip is about 750 miles and will take a week with all the stops. But, we are in no hurry. Being retired is great, except for the no paycheck thing. But even that is good, assuming the stock market will rebound at some point in time. 🙂

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The four travel days will average 188 miles. Just enough when pulling the 16,000 pound trailer. Leave the RV park by 10am and arrive at the next by 2pm. In time for a late lunch.

One stop in Ft. Mill SC, then Savannah, then on to Starke FL, then a final leg to NPR.

Winter RV Park

We are going back to New Port Richey, Florida again this year. We really enjoyed the area on the gulf coast (north of Tampa), the city of NPR, and the RV resort. It was an absolute winner and we were close to family as two of Pat’s brother live an hour and a half south.

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In the planning stages is another winter cruise while we are down there. Hopefully, a cruise line going bankrupt will not happen a second time! That was just too weird.

Indiana Visit

This is our semi-annual trip back to the Hoosier State. The main purpose to see family, particularly both of our moms. Mine is 90 and Pat’s is 94 and both are doing well even with many age related conditions. Pat will make a hundred or more freezer meals for her mom to hopefully last a couple of months.

Our 50th high school reunion is coming up in a couple of weeks, but unfortunately we had already made some other plans to tour Charleston SC, so will not be able to attend. It would be interesting to chat with some of our classmates, and we have stayed in contact with some of them. Still a major milestone.

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Pat and I both attended the same high school and graduated in the same year, 1972. There were 124 kids in our graduating class. Cascade is a small country high school that was actually a consolidation of four or more small older schools. Many changes in schools since that time. Not for the better either. Especially for the music. Much better back then!

How has it been 50 years? It seems almost impossible. Although, a lot of life has happened over that time. I went to college part time, graduated, worked for the same corporation for 43 years, mostly in accounting. Had three company related transfers around the country and finished here in the mountains of Virginia. And we raised three kids to have their own successful lives.

Pat and I may try to have a small meet up during our Indiana trip with whoever can meet from our class. We’ll see how that works out.

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Other Stuff

I’m having the rubber roof on the 5th wheel coach cleaned, treated with an acrylic, then sealed. This is an expensive process, but important to keep the rig in good shape. Water leaks are common and can create much damage. Best to take some preventative measures.

Speaking of preventative maintenance, last week was my colonoscopy. A fun couple of days, but glad to have it over with until the next time it rolls around. No issues and no polyps found. Great news. The prep day was about as bad as I remembered it last time after drinking about a gallon of the extra strength laxative. I did not sleep much the night before the procedure, but had a great 30 minute nap with the propofol sedative. Even with the nap, I was wiped out the rest of the day.

Wrap Up

Before we leave, we will have had our family together for Thanksgiving. Then we begin loading the 5th wheel trailer. It is quite the chore to determine what to bring for a four month stay. And then haul it all out and put away. And then there is the 75 step checklist to shut down the Virginia house. The process is usually always done in cold, windy, rainy weather. But a week later we are enjoying the warm Florida weather, so it is hard to complain.

One of these years, we may travel the summer in the RV and stay the winter at home. Although that brings along more complications to do all the yard work. That’s all for now. Thanks for following along. Take care and God Bless.