One two three...go!

  It's the middle of July. 9 months ago we arrived in Florida.  Time flies when you're having fun, right!?  One that does not live a full time RV life could assume that we're just kicking back every day, sipping on our margaritas.  One couldn't be farther from reality!  Reality check: Since our move to our current location at Fort Desoto campground we spend 3 half days working in order to receive a free stay at said location.  We switch duties weekly: One week we clean camp sites.   Where we get to cruise around in a non-shock absorbent golf cart and prep sites for the new campers.  On other weeks we get to clean the campgrounds bath houses.  This is where one finds out really fast that we mostly live in a culture where people think it's okay to leave their mess behind for other people to clean. I'll spare you the details of what that could look like but you're welcome to let your imagination go wild at this point and even then, you probably won't come c

Howdie!  Its been a while.  As I am writing this I am in flight. Somewhere halfway between Tampa,  FL and Las Vegas, NV. I see the occasional patch of snow passing by thousands of feet below me, in what seems like slow motion.  One of the reasons I so longed to leave Colorado, one year and 5 months ago, was to get away from the snow.  Now below me these occasional patches are turning into larger areas.  Trees and hills are turning white, too.  I am on my way to California. Where 6 months ago I ventured to Tijuana, Mexico for dental work. Now its time to get the job finished. But that might just be another blog soon! Our journey has taken us to so many places. So many new life experiences. Our relationship has grown immensely because we managed to push forward.  A shared goal in mind: To see and  experience new things and grow together as a couple and eventually gain clarity of what it is that we want to see and be at the end of our RV journey.   Now one of the things Joe an

Welcome back!   Its been a while, has it? We've been busy settling in and getting yet another chapter of our adventure started. While things tend to fall into place somewhat naturally for us, there are still lots of conversations that take place,  decisions to be made. We've been here in Largo for about 6 weeks now and are enjoying learning about our surroundings and what this area has to offer people like us, who like to be active. While Covid has changed a few options for entertainment, there is no shortage of things to do around here. The beaches are beautiful.  Period.  If you put in a little effort you'll find free parking.  We are about 20 to 30 minutes from several beaches.  One of my favorite parts here is the fact that no matter what direction you drive,  you'll be passing or driving across large bodies of water. Which makes me feel like I am on a constant vacation. Can you beat that?  Shopping? Hello world, here I come after I win the lottery!  I came to the c

  WE MADE IT  6 weeks of traveling, crossing the southern parts of the US. 6 weeks ago we embarked on this journey, leaving behind a beautiful serene place that we fell in love with instantly.  Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, Escondido,  CA. Just to trade it in for what was really a lot of uncertainty.   ,Not knowing if our new temporary home would be equally wonderful. Lunch at the Famcamp in  Oklahoma City,  OK 6 weeks ago we packed up our things, yet again. The plan was to drive an average of 3 to 4 hours per day.  To not rush but take things slow, to " smell the roses" along our long path.  This journey took us through California, Arizona, New Mexico,  Texas, Oklahoma,  Arkansas, Mississippi,  Alabama and finally FLORIDA!  Us in Old Mesilla, NM But in the real world,  it's not just those red roses along the way. Obstacles scattered our path like thorns,  to remind us that one must sometimes master obstacles to really appreciate the journey at its fullest.  Riding acro

 As we continue our journey and are now slowly making our way across the US from California to Florida,  it couldn't be more obvious how different each state is from another.  There are the obvious COVID19 safety standards.  In California people obey the 6 ft. distance rule inside stores.  In Arkansas,  not nessesarry!  In New Mexico we got to finally enjoy some dancing; outside at our favorite winery. It was wonderful!   Amaros Winery in Las Cruces,  NM Seeing familiar faces             The one way isles in stores don't seem to exist in Arkansas at this point. Leaving me feel almost normal, if it wasn't for the dreaded face mask. In Oklahoma people mingled mask-free at the RV park and helped us with our broken down truck, Covid or not.   Our spot at the famcamp in OKC Enjoying a walk around the adjacent pond  We just heard that Florida lifted its face mask mandate.  Can't wait to see what the new but also old normal of seeing faces will be like. Wait! Lipstick 💄?   I

As July 2020 comes to an end, I get to reflect on what traveling semi-permanently means to my friendships.   As mentioned in previous blogs, I've had moments, often, where I missed my friends back in Colorado. The longer we traveled the more I felt a disconnect from the people I had left behind.  10 days ago I got to hop on a Frontier flight back home. Well I should say "my former home". Colorado Springs. My kids and beautiful grandbaby got to spend valuable time together. Reconnecting and bonding over stories and simply just being in the same room.  Togetherness. I hadn't seen my grandbaby since he was born, 8 months ago. Holding him, endless kisses were long overdue and addictive: https://youtu.be/4V4VyNTq9aM Tabea and Julian, my awesome kids, that have always had a close bond. Watching them together aways means, lots of fun and laughter.  The afternoon where Tabea groomed Julian's uni-brow was priceless:   https://you