After a little break and getting acclimated to being back home, we’ve been working on a plan for our Winter 2023-2024 trip.
It was a bit strange being back home after 3 months away. We found ourselves not knowing where things belonged in the kitchen, often reaching for drawers or cabinet doors where we stored items in trailer but not at home; this went on for at least a couple of weeks. Early after our arrival back home, we put together a “to-do” list with items that needed our attention around the house, but also a handful of tasks that were related to the trailer.
Also a little strange was, when I retired at the end of December 2022 we left on our Texas Trip December 22, I never had an opportunity to really experience retirement. Not keeping track of what day it is and not having to go to work everyday, has been an adjustment but a good one. There has been plenty of chores around here, helping at the church, maintaining a number of websites, enjoying time together with Mag, which all has kept us busy and has been quite fulfilling. Mag has been busy with some volunteering and also keeping us on track with our smoothies/diet/groceries (mostly vegetables). She has been maintaining her daily regimen but I have been straying a bit but never a day without my smoothie. We both feel so much better. We’ve enjoyed some hiking, watched the recent Air Force Reserve Air Show from atop Snake Peak, we took in a play at the Majestic (Buddy Holly-it was fantastic) and a performance at Symphony Hall (Temptations and Four Tops-also fantastic). Our calendar has been filling up and we don’t know how we had time to work! 🙂
We’re chipping away at our lists and now have had time to begin planning for next winter. We’ve decided to spend a majority of that time in Florida. Texas was nice but we felt the busyness of San Antonio, and other cities, in addition to the weather; which was not as warm as we would have preferred, led to our decision. Maybe another time we’ll head west but, for this winter, it’s gonna be the Sunshine state.
During our trip last winter we experienced several issues with the trailer that needed attention. The woodwork trim in the trailer is mostly stapled in place and when we’re rolling down the interstate, our house on wheels, things get jostled around and loosen. A piece of molding near then entryway and another under the cabinet over the couch needed to be reattached. The bathroom door, a pocket door came loose during our trip, which I was able to fix. I had remove a piece of molding during the repair which needed to be reattached. We have also been cleaning out the trailer and removed any remaining food items that might attract critters. The exterior of the trailer has been washed, the seals and slides have been lubricated, fluids checked; we’re ready for our next adventure.
No trips have been planned yet for the spring, summer or fall. We’ve talked about some small trips but our calendars are busy with catching up on doctors appointments, fun activities, house chores and the list goes on.
Our plan this winter will be to follow the same path south with stops in PA, VA, NC, GA and then onto Florida. Our return will follow a similar path north. If you were following us on our last journey, you may remember the initial few days were a challenge weather-wise with rain, snow, sleet, fog and frigid temperatures. One of the main factors for heading south was to avoid all that stuff so, we’ve decided to leave about a month earlier to avoid it. In addition, when we arrived home, it was colder than we expected so, on the return we’re going to add an additional two weeks, or so. It was somewhat ironic that last winter was very mild for this area with most of snow arriving shortly prior to our arrival back home. We always thought we would be able to handle the winters as we got older, we’ve hiked in the winter, along with other outdoor winter activities but, we’ve gotten wimpy. 😉
Below you will see what we’ve mapped out so far. We’ve locked-in several of the locations, the ones with lengthy stays, now we need reserve the remaining shorter stays and we’ll be all set. Florida, as you might expect, has many campgrounds throughout the state. Finding campgrounds with availability seven+ months out has been a challenge, surprisingly. Mag has put it many hours making the reservations, working out the timing and it’s all coming together.
Stop 1: Jonestown/Hershey KOA – Jonestown, PA (1 night) Stop 2: Walnut Hills, Staunton, VA (1 night) Stop 3: Fayetteville RV, Wade, NC (6 nights) Stop 4: Savannah South KOA, Richmond Hill, GA (2 nights) Stop 5: Sanlan RV, Lakeland, FL (30 nights) Stop 6: Keystone Heights RV, Keystone Heights, FL (31 nights) Stop 7: Live Oak Landing, Freeport, FL (60 nights) Stop 8: Savannah South KOA, Richmond Hill, GA (1 night) Stop 9: Fayetteville RV, Wade, NC (5 nights) Stop 10: Misty Mt, Greenwood, VA (1 night) Stop 11: Jonestown/Hershey KOA – Jonestown, PA (1 nights) |
We’re looking forward to our next southern journey and hope you will follow along with us. As more details arise or if we plan any trips locally in the coming months, we’ll be sure to let you know. ♥♥♥
The Great Northwest Upper Left awaits you… ♥️ Bend Oregon
We’re working on it. 😉
Enjoying looking at your planning for next season and looking to having you and Mag in the area.
Look forward to seeing you during our time in FL!!