Day 303/62 Replacing RV Flooring III

Saturday arrived, and the hard job was at hand. This is the day did the bathroom.

While Champ started laying planks in the bedroom, my job was
to demo the bathroom while he worked his way toward it. More tile to pull up in
an impossibly small space. After I removed the box that covers the plumbing
behind the stool and removed the skirt around the base of the toilet, I took
out my utility knife and putty scraper and went to work.

The trick was leaving tile surface to kneel on as I worked my way around the tiny room. Armed with a new blade in my knife I started scoring the tile around the cabinet and shower enclosure. The tiles didn’t come up any easier than the kitchen. ( I wish I had seen the comment from my friend Deb out about heating the tile with an iron first.) As I fought pulling up the tiles around the toilet, I couldn’t help but chuckle. The last time I was wrapped that snugly around a toilet for that long a time I was in my 20’s and suffering the consequences of approximately a dozen Gin and Tonics. I still don’t like Gin to this day.

As hard as my job of the tear out was, it wasn’t half as tedious and time consuming as Champ's job of fitting the new planks around all the angles. I marvel at his stamina and willingness to do these hard jobs. He just keeps working away at things, no matter how hard until he sees the job through.

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  Before

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  After

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  After

The cats lay around and look at us like we are crazy. This isn’t the first time we’ve done this to them. I do wonder what they think sometimes. We move them around, constantly change things. They endured major house renovations with us in our brick and mortar days. I would like to think they are happy we are removing the traces of the past owners’ animals from their house.  I am enjoying the absence of the persistent musty smell of the old carpet.

We finished the job on Sunday. The new rugs are in. There is some minor trim work to do. The dream of getting rid of the icky carpet has come to fruition. We will go to the New Years Eve Party at the Clubhouse tonight with the job complete. Hindsight is always 20/20. The work was hard, but not being able to get the job done last winter in Texas ended up saving us over $2,000. We spent $500.00 on the flooring and trim. It took 5 days and lots of sweat and a little blood from a couple of slips with the utility knife but it’s done now and we love it. The cool part is we didn't fight the entire time. We do bicker a bit over some things but when it comes to a project we do good together. We are smart in very different ways. Somehow, when we work on a project like this we look to each other for our expertise. Between us we always figure it out. it's a good thing since we live in 300 sq. ft. together.

Until Next Time…

Day 302 / 63 Replacing the Flooring II

On Wednesday, after I headed for Gainesville to finish my
credit union training, Champ laid the planks in the kitchen. I had a feeling of
Déjà vu from the days when we were rehabilitating the house in Williams. The
routine for the better part of a year was I would go to work and Champ would
finish another piece of the house. I came home to something new, nearly every
night. Wednesday, I came home to new tile in the kitchen. We both love the
choice. One never knows for sure how new flooring will look once it is
installed. Samples give you an idea, but the real truth comes when it is
installed.

What amazes us is how much bigger it looks in here without
the division between carpet and tile running down the center of the front half
of our house.

Champ was bushed, from a day on his knees and probably close
to 100 trips down the stairs to go outside and cut planks. I on the other hand
needed some activity after 5 hours in the windowless bunker where I am
undergoing training. While he took a load off, I grabbed a carpet knife and
tore out the rest of the carpet. When we went to bed that night the only
original flooring left (accept for the slide outs which we are leaving be for
now) was the tile in the bathroom.

I’ll digress a bit here.  There is a reason carpet places hold up their hand like a stop sign or run out the back door with their hair on fire when you ask if they do installations in RV’s. When these things are built the flooring is laid before the cabinets, furniture and anything else that touches the floor is installed. Flooring runs wall to wall. When it’s time to replace it, you have to cut around everything unless you are doing a full overhaul, of course. If you plan to keep all your cabinets and live in it while doing the work, you have to negotiate an insane number of weird small tedious angels. It’s no wonder the place in Texas was going to charge $2,200 for installation. We don’t regret our decision to do the work ourselves. We never do. We have a new appreciation for the jobs of the techs in the big RV Centers who do flooring replacements for those willing to pay the big bucks and surrender their unit for a week while they do it. I’m sure whatever their wages are it is not enough.

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  Very tight work space in the bedroom.

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  Coming up through the bathroom with new tiles

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  Bathroom demo

After our experience with the N.A.S.A grade adhesive in the
kitchen we decided the bathroom would get demoed and reinstalled in the same
day.

The second phase of this part was of course pulling all the staples, this time in the small, dimly lit confines of the bedroom area. That is where a hanging shop light comes into play. It  helps to see the devil you are cussing while pulling them. Things are taking shape. My new area rugs are on their way. We’ll both be around all weekend to start working on the back half of the motor home. And hopefully finish the project.

Stay tuned…

Day 301 / 64 - Replacing the Floor Part 1

When I decided to write about our adventure replacing the floor, I thought I wanted to write a 'how-to' piece. Turns out I'm too much of a story teller to write something technical like that. You may learn something about the process by reading the next few posts. However, I feel obligated to let you know if you are looking for technical advice I recommend a YouTube video or the flooring manufacturers website. If you want to read our story and our take on the process of doing this while living full time in our motorhome, then enjoy the next few posts.

Before

When we bought our 2006 Itasca Suncruiser, we knew the dated carpet and tile was going to go the way of the Harvest Gold and Avocado Green of the 1970’s suburban kitchens as soon as we could get it done.  Finally, after a couple of delays caused by repairs for frivolous things like refrigerators and AC units, we are knee deep in the replacement.

We looked at several blogs of those who replaced their own flooring. We talked to the experts at Home Depot and Lumber Liquidators and decided on Rigid Vinyl Plank Flooring for everything but the slides. Our motor home has two super slides. One on each side opposing for 5’ in the middle. This poses a bit of a challenge to a floating floor system. We were advised by the woman at Lumber Liquidators, who has worked with many motor home customers to simply apply some adhesive to the outer pieces that aren’t up against a wall.  We decided to keep the slides carpeted for the insulating properties. With a gas engine we decided to keep the carpet in the driving compartment as well, to insulate against both engine noise and heat.  The lady at Home Depot educated us on ordering carpet to be sent in for binding when we are ready to do the slides. That step will come later.

This is the preferred flooring of other RV renovators and came highly recommended by our sales rep at Lumber Liquidators.

We started on Christmas Day. It was a beautiful sunny 70 degree Florida day. We were both feeling down since all the kids and grandkids were 1,100 miles away and we struggle with the fact that the big, chaotic Christmas gatherings we used to host are a thing of the past, due to our own choice. What better way to get rid of holiday blues than to start demo! We decided to do the job in sections, rather than demo the entire house and live in a mess the entire time.

Carpet is easy. It’s barely attached.   Staples and 12 years of grime were all that held it in place. A utility knife and a little bicep action and it came right out. When I say grime, I mean it looked like a beach under the pad. It’s amazing how much dirt works it’s way through the carpet and padding.  The hard part comes after the carpet and pad are in the dumpster. Every single staple that held it down has to come out to prep the surface for the new planks. There is no day quite like one spent on your knees pulling 752 staples out of the floor. The devil really is in the details.

The dirt underneath it all is horrifying

Then, there is the tile. A big putty knife, upper body strength, cuss words and shoulder dislocations, screaming for a chiropractor, removed the 12” square peal and stick tiles that graced the kitchen area. I'm not sure what kind of adhesive is on the back of peel and stick tile, but I'm pretty sure it could hold the Space Shuttle together. The residue left behind will literally pull you out of your shoes if you try to walk across it. The cats were not amused when they came in that night. They did learn pretty quickly which wood was sticky and which wood was smooth where there had been carpet.  

We spent about 4 hours doing the demo from the engine compartment back to the couch. The best part of the day other than dumping the nasty carpet in the dumpster was the Christmas Potluck at the Clubhouse at 2pm that day. We worked hard all morning then took our dish (prepared the night before) and went to a feast!

I headed back to work on Wednesday and Champ laid the first stage of the plankng.

Stay tuned...

Day 298 / 67 Goodbye, dog carpet!

Ocala, FL Sunny- 67 degrees

Those of you who follow me, remember the story of how awful the motor home smelled when we bought it. Some of you even experienced it!  The previous owners had two small dogs and let’s just say they didn’t adhere to the same house keeping standards as I do. I’ll never forget the first time we entered. It was a 100-degree day in July and it had been closed up on the dealership lot baking in the sun. The salesman warned us, but we were up for it since it had the floor plan we wanted, and very low mileage. We fell in love with the online version of it. .  My eyes watered as soon as we opened the door. It was one of the worst things I have ever smelled. Most of the offending odor was lingering in the carpet. As we both looked through the unit, I kept thinking this carpet has to go, and fast. With watery eyes, and still slightly burning noses we thanked the salesman and left. We looked at over 30 other units over the next three weeks and, despite the need for a good deep cleaning, we decided this was the unit we wanted. We negotiated the trade, knowing we had a lot of work ahead of us.

The carpet looks innocent in the picture, don;t let it fool you.

The delivery was delayed for several weeks as they fixed a long list of things we negotiated being fixed before we picked it up. Ironically, replacing the carpet wasn't one of them. This was one of those units that was sound, but lived in hard. Someone would eventually buy it and fix it up. It might as well be us, right? Less than a month before we left for Texas last year, we took delivery and proceeded to clean the carpets multiple times the odor fading a little each time. We vowed to replace it a soon as possible. In the meantime, an air purifier and non-stop Scentsy pots heating scented wax kept it tolerable. I was constantly asking people if it smelled okay in here, afraid I’d become 'nose blind' as the Febreze commercials say.

We had a company set to do it in Texas last winter, but they
had delivery issues with their product due to the heavy demand post Hurricane
Harvey. It wasn’t meant to be. As I sprinkled baking soda each day, and bought
scented wax by the truckload, I vowed to do it first thing when we arrived back
in Iowa. We lost a fridge to a lightening strike in May and our Heat Pump AC
went out in early June. More flooring money going to other things. I began to
wonder if we would ever rid ourselves of this dated, wet dog carpet.

As we sit in Ocala, with plenty of time on our hands and no sleepovers with grandkids on the weekends we have decided to go for it. We read blogs and watched some YouTube videos of the brave souls who have tackled the job themselves. We opted for a floating vinyl floor. For now, we will leave the carpet in the slide outs alone. The rest of the carpet and tile, from the driving compartment to the back wall, will soon be replaced with new, non-odor-absorbing, modern looking vinyl. We ordered our new flooring from Lumber Liquidators and it should be in this week. We are both excited to get going. The demolition will be a bitch, I won’t mince words. We have done it in two houses we bought out of foreclosure and renovated.  In fact, it is one of the worst demo jobs there is. It’s back breaking work and if you think old carpet stinks on the surface wait till you start pulling it up! Unlike the blogs I’ve read of others who replaced the flooring in their RV’s, we are living in it. It will be an interesting couple of weeks as we disassemble things and live amidst the demo in less than 400 sq. ft.

I’ll post pictures of the progress and share our story of
what went well, and what didn’t so others can learn from us as we have learned
from others before us.

With any luck we’ll start the new year with nice new
flooring!

Until next time…

Day 289 / 76 Adventures in Local Food Sourcing

Ocala, FL Rain 67 Degrees

Seven months into my new Paleo style of eating, I can't imagine going back to my old diet. I remember thinking when I started that it would be really cool to travel and eat this way, since I eat a good deal of locally grown vegetables. I thought how fun it would be to travel around and sample the local in season produce and imagined the variety would be limitless. 

My first 6 weeks in the southeast has been a huge disappointment. I quickly found that unless you eat a steady diet of okra and collard greens, you won't get much in the way of good produce. At least not this time of year. The grocery stores have been a huge disappointment. I've felt a bit like a teenager who thinks they are starving because mom let the frozen pizza and chicken nuggets run out. Between the Romaine lettuce recall and being stuck with mass produced and package lettuce that has been hosed down with preservatives so it will stay crisp in the Dole bags for weeks at a time, my diet has been anything but adventurous. It has been down right boring and tasteless. 

My luck changed this morning. My new friend Barb, invited me to go to the flea market with her this morning. As we walked along the aisles of handbags, kitchen knives, boiled peanuts and miracle pillows, I suddenly found myself in a veritable cornucopia of fresh fruits and vegetables! For a moment I thought I heard angels singing! 

This is where all the farmers and vegetables have been hiding! A huge variety of fresh, colorful, aromatic, deliciousness surrounded me. My mouth watered like a college student opening the lid of a pizza box.  Finally, I feel like I can eat real food again. I will miss this place when I go back to Iowa in April. For now I'll go every Friday morning and practice my Spanish with the vendors and load up on my Paleo fuel. 

Until next time...

Day 287 / 78 Why We Work Camp

Ocala, FL Sunshine 60 degrees

If we pay attention, we feel the constant state of personal growth until the moment we draw our last breath. We have learned a great deal about ourselves as a couple and as individuals in our nearly 3 years of being Full-time RV Volunteers. Maybe it is the constant influx of new experience, maybe it is because we are not on the frantic hamster wheel grinding through our years of careers and raising families. One thing is certain, when you live this wonderful lifestyle you become very aware of what really makes you tick.  

The experience in Plains and our subsequent decision to come to this  urban RV Park and live like the ‘other half'  has been a real eye opener for me.

I will start my part time job with the credit union on Monday and fill my afternoons, in my old professional environment full of stimulation and activity. When I left the banking world nearly 6 years ago, burnt out and miserable, I vowed to never return. Here I am going back, albeit in a very different capacity, actually looking forward to it. My motivation is strong. As I have mentioned in past posts, our annual budget with the absence of income from me depends on work camping most of the year. Me working while we lounge at a private park has always been Plan B.  My other motivation is simply that I don’t know how to be retired yet. It’s been three weeks since we left Plains, and I am going nuts with no routine or concrete objective when I get up in the morning. One thing I have learned is that volunteering at the parks not only helps sustain us financially, it sustains me mentally and spiritually.

Another thing I am learning is my deep need to be close to nature. I have always been drawn to the woods, but I realize now it isn’t just a preference, I truly need the physical connection to be content and at peace.   We are both very social and are loving the little group of 4 couples living in our corner of the RV park. As people arrive for the season, we are meeting more people, and going to the clubhouse to play cards or cornhole. What I am learning is these connections are very different from the connections you make with other couples who are sharing your ‘work’and passions when you volunteer for a park or wildlife refuge. Don’t get me wrong we have made some great friends in our short times in private parks and I love our couple of months of downtime each year. We have talked about going back to one park we particually liked as part of their volunteer workforce and I think I would be much happier, bartering time and elbow grease for a site. By the end of this 6 months in this concrete jungle, I will be very anxious to get back to Saylorville and get my hands in the dirt, walk the trails around the lake, sit on the bank and watch birds or just be in the woods and listen to the natural world around me.   In other words I long for Plan A to be back in force. 

We will use our time here to visit several Florida State parks and hopefully return in the future as volunteers at one of the natural areas here. You sure can’t beat the winter weather! We went to 31 degrees overnight. Floridian’s are freaking out, but the sun came up and it is quickly on its way to be a beautiful warm sunny day. By 4:00 this afternoon we will be on the patio of a local seafood restaurant with our new friends soaking up the sunshine. I’ll probably be watching the trees for birds and trying to ignore the sounds of the city while everyone chats.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned this past month, is simple, Yes, we volunteer in parks as a means of financing our ability to travel far and wide. But more than that we do it because our souls need it, especially mine. Even if we won the lottery, we would still do it. You can bet, we'd do it in a bigger, plusher newer motorhome and donate a pile of money to the places we love, but I would still be out there doing our small part to help the natural areas survive in our modern world. I wonder what else we will learn about ourselves before this winter is over? Our life as full-timers will evolve as we try different things. Who knows what we will yearn for 10 years from now. 

Until next time…

Day 283 / 82 St. Augustine

Ocala, FL Sunny 74 Degrees

Yesterday we traversed a sort of senior rite of passage. We took a Charter bus day tour. The park we are staying in has new owners and they are working hard to win new snowbirds, retain certain ones who are here and in general make the park much nicer than I understand it was a few years ago.  Champ and I paired up with our new neighbors, John and Barb, along with nearly 100 other park guests were treated to a ride to St. Augustine to see the spectacular Old Town Christmas Light Display. Our trip included the bus ride, a box lunch, and TrolleyTickets. All compliments of the owners!

At 1:30 we boarded our busses bound for the oldest city in the United States.                   St. Augustine was incorporated in 1565. As we walked through the streets marveling at the centuries-old Spanish architecture, I was sure that Iowa had not yet been trod on by a white man in that year. I tried to imagine what my home state looked like nearly 500 years ago.

Castillo de San Marcos flag at half-staff for President Bush

We had 4 ½ hours there once we stepped off the bus. It seemed like a long time but went very quickly.      We walked out to Castillo de San Marcos Fort on Matanzas Bay. The oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.  It was staffed by NPS Rangers and cost $15.00 each to go in. I had a fleeting thought about a future Volunteer gig here. We decided we didn’t have time to tour the whole thing and get our admissions worth, so we will save that tour for another day.

We had dinner at a restaurant called Scarlett Ohara’s in a building that resembled a period southern plantation house.  I had crab cakes as only they can make them on the East Coast and went off my Paleo regimen and drank a Guinness.  I didn’t stop at one I went crazy and had two!

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  John and Barb Cuny

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  Ready for the light tour in our groovey 3d glasses

Afterward we boarded our trolley for the 45 minutes tour of the lit up old town district. This was no ordinary Christmas Light display. This would have made Chuck Griswold envious. To add to the fun, we were given 3D glasses that made all the lights look like snowflakes, including the traffic lights and automobile lights, turning Old Town St. Augustine into a huge stage of dancing snowflakes.

Tour Video_Trim_TrimDownload

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  Store fronts in old town

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  Your chariot awaits

Sailboat in the bay.

Even the boats in the bay were decked out with lights. There was one sail boat moving through the water toward the channel decked out in blue lights. The camera couldn’t begin to do it justice without a tripod but a quickshot from the trolley gives you an idea.

We did a little shopping and decided we would definitely be back again on our own time and check out the museums and go in the fort when we have our Golden Access passes that will drastically reduce our admission. We were back on the busses headed home by 8:30.  Most everyone slept accept for a rowdy bunch of ladies in the back of the bus who had been drinking steadily the whole trip and provided wonderful entertainment to those of us who were awake to listen to their stories! I imagine they were the rowdy kids on their school busses in their day.  I need to meet these ladies! Something tells me they will be at the various card games or bingo when we start getting in the swing of the activity schedule.

I will say, young people are missing out by not taking the ‘old people’ tours. We had an absolute blast! Maybe it’s cause we’re old, maybe it’s just a really well-kept secret of retirement.

We have a lot of winter left to see more of Florida.

Until next time…

Day 278 / 87 Serendipity

Ocala, Florida Cloudy 82 Degrees

How long has it been since you stayed up all night talking about your dreams?  I was watching an episode of Home Improvement today that focused on Jill and Tim staying up all night talking and reconnecting.

As we watched it, we both remembered two very pivotal nights in our relationship that led us to the life we lead today.  You know the nights. For us the first one was very early when we were just getting to know each other. We hadn’t been on a date yet. I visited some friends camping at a little campground called Spring Lake. I had met him a few weeks before but didn’t know he was going to be there. After everyone went to bed, we sat up till 4:30 am talking and getting to know each other. The second ‘all nighter’ was several years later. We had been married about 4 years and were camping alone at Saylorville (now our summer home and volunteer gig) in Honeysuckle Loop. We sat at the fire, years from retirement, and fantasized about what it would be like to live in our RV and travel about volunteering for various parks. We had just had a conversation with a park host that evening and were intrigued, with the lifestyle. Who knew that brief encounter with a Saylorville Volunteer, would would lead to this!

Serendipity is my favorite word. Not only is it fun to say, but I love the concept of it. The best things in life happen by chance. The full-time lifestyle almost depends on it. We have been very isolated since we left Iowa. Social interaction with familiar people has been limited and savored.

On Saturday two couples arrived at the sites directly across from us.  They too, have been craving social interaction having been sequestered on the road for several weeks. The six of us have become instant friends. Had we stayed in Plains, we would have never crossed paths. That is the magic of the full-time life style. You meet people when you least expect to and start talking and all of a sudden you wish you had known each other your whole lives. It started for us in Texas that first year. We met John and Cathy and Peggy and Lloyd. We made a deep connection with both couples and stay in touch and have seen each other since that first winter. We met Lon and Teresa and Ben and Rhonda last year and by chance they are both in Florida this winter.

Serendipity, a chance meeting with a park volunteer 13 years ago, planted a seed and led Champ and I to this wonderful life we are living today. We know people now that we can’t imagine not knowing. We leave our family and life long friends for a few months a year, but we continue to meet new people who take up space in our hearts. Like Santa’s sack of toys, the heart never gets full, it just expands.

Until next time…

Day 276/89 New Friends and Manatees

Ocala, Florida 77 Degrees – Off and On Showers

We finally got out and saw a bit of Florida yesterday. We’ve been here for about 2 weeks now and haven’t explored much. We’ve been laying low and just enjoying being in a warm place with no commitments on our time.  Well, Champ has been enjoying it, I have been tolerating it.

I have been actively seeking a part time job and have three interviews next week. I expect to be working by mid-December.  In the meantime, we are meeting new people who are arriving at the vacant spaces around us. 

Yesterday was a day to remember. We went to visit our new friends Ben and Rhonda, who volunteered at Saylorville this past summer and have been full time almost exactly as long as we have. They have a beautiful place to park their 5^th wheel right on the canal in Weeki Wachee about 45 minutes from here. They invited us down yesterday to spend the day and go kayaking. What a day it was.

Their place is breathtaking. Everything one would expect from Florida. I knew there was a chance we would see Manatees. Something I have always wanted to experience.  We put their 4 kayaks in the canal from their dock, just feet from their camper, and headed down the canal toward the gulf waters. Within an hour we were in a spring fed cove where 4 adults and a calf were swimming about. Ben said it was fine to beach my kayak and get in the water with them, if I was comfortable doing it. I couldn’t get in the water fast enough. I handed my camera off to Champ, pulled the kayak into the tree line and swam into the 72- degree water out to them. I treaded water and they came to me. One surfaced right in front of me and then swam around my legs like a cat rubbing against may calves. I ‘petted’ it with my feet and marveled at the gentleness and curiosity of the quiet giant that was letting me share its space. Their hide felt like running your hand over the surface of a slick racing tire. Sadly, they all had scars from boat props. I was in heaven, being in direct contact with these incredible water mammals.

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  Ben and Rhonda with Brownie

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  Manatee

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  Coming up to say "HI"

• 

  Up close and personal

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  Manatee back rub

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  Manatee passing by as we took a break

• 

  Dolphins

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  It's a guy thing.

• 

  Inhaling fresh shrimp

We worked our way out to the inter-coastal waters near the mouth of the gulf and were treated to two dolphins, playing in the shallow waters. Perhaps the most unexpected sighting was a Ladderback Woodpecker, drumming away at a Palm tree trunk in the marshy area just inland from the gulf. I’ve always associated woodpeckers with more traditional timbered areas.

It was a memorable afternoon, of experiencing new things in nature and getting to know Ben and Rhonda better. Ben and Champ paddled along together talking about whatever guys talk about. Rhonda and I followed and talked, as we got to know each other on a new level.

The day ended with dinner at a wonderful understated place called PK’s Shipwreck, where we feasted on a pound of steamed shrimp and a beer for $12.50 each. Champ scarfed down the fish and chips and we were treated to live music.

We left with full bellies and memories of close encounters with nature most people only dream of.  A day of firsts and new friends was the theme.  We have all winter to hang out Ben and Rhonda. Something that would not have happened if our gig in Plains hadn’t imploded. Life is full of unexpected joy if we just take a deep breath and let it unfold. A lesson I am slowly learning.

Until next time…

Day 270 / 95 Seasonal Guilt Disorder

When we stayed in our frigid Iowa home through the winter months dreaming of the day we could take our arthritic joints south for the season, I was deep in seasonal depression by January each year. Maybe it was the cloudy short days, maybe it was the holidays. Who knows, but by the end of winter I was a certified mad woman, making summer plans and booking campsites trying to get myself through the cold, wet, gloomy spring that is Iowa. 

My office mate had in-laws who had wintered in the south for her kids entire lives to date. My own grandfather, whom I was close to, wintered in Texas. I listened to Karin talk about her experience with her kids having one set of  grandparents gone for the holidays and was reminded of my own grandfather being absent for several months each year. My rational mind knows how many of us,  miss the Christmas festivities with the little ones and have relinquished our status as "Christmas Hub For All Things Family" as a sort of premature passing of the torch.  That doesn't make it any easier. 

Today, we called our grandson who just had his 7th birthday party yesterday. We have been very present in his life and Champ and he share a very special bond. He hates that we leave in the winter.  It is time to put up the Christmas decorations here for the inevitable campground decorating contest. A very Griswold undertaking to say the least. I am in full Grinch mode today. The snowbird guilt is in bloom along with the Poinsettia's that are able to live outside, here in Florida. 

As I sat on my patio today, sipping a Vodka with lime, working the Sunday New York Times Crossword and working on my winter tan in the warm southern sun, low in the sky, I picked up my tablet to look at Facebook only to see the weather conditions at home.  There is nothing like a white out blizzard at home to make my guilt wane. My news feed was filled with images like this one issued by the DOT in southern Iowa. I hate that we miss winter birthdays and Christmas and 5 months of the kids experiences. But I hated this more before our snowbird days.

Tow Ban Issued In Iowa

Like a lot of others who flee the north around late October, I'll be thankful for Facetime. My joints will bask in the warm air and mild winter sun.  The days will be short but sunny, easing the seasonal depression. The only thing that nags is the burning guilt of leaving the kids to start their own traditions and live their lives. 

Until next time...

Day 267 /98 Thanksgiving

Ocala, Florida 72 Degrees – Partly Cloudy

It’s Thanksgiving Day, a time when many of us take time to recognize the good things in our life. Something most of us can really use these days. Champ and I are thankful for many things today.

At the top of the list, we have kids and siblings who may not be thrilled with us being gone all winter but, none the less support us. That’s huge. We are thankful that we are both healthy and able to roam about in the winter and escape the frozen tundra of the upper Midwest.

We arrived here in Ocala and immediately went to the clubhouse to sign up for the Thanksgiving potluck, only to find out it had filled. So, we are flying solo today. Another thing to be thankful for. We have been pretty much alone with very little social engagement with others for the past month. Our big event was meeting Lon and Teresa for dinner the other night. What a treat that was. We are both thankful that we are the kind of couple who relishes time together. Even after 16 years of marriage and a month of social isolation we are doing pretty good looking at each other all day every day.

Dinner out with Lon and Teresa.

There is so much to be thankful for. One thing that I think of a lot is that we can move about wherever we want with no restrictions. There are many countries in the world that our mode of life would be unthinkable, given the political climate and legislated restrictions on travel. As divisive and toxic as our society has become, at least we can drive where we want without boarder agents harassing us every 250 miles or so when we cross a state line.

We are even thankful for our experience in Plains. I have always been a big believer in tough situations being times of learning and growth. Character builders are what I call them. My kids heard it all their lives and rolled their eyes every time I  ‘went there’. As bad as our living situation was in Plains, we learned through the process, extra steps we will take if we are presented with a volunteer opportunity that involves an off-site privately-owned park. We will definitely check it out much further rather than assume the park is making sure their volunteers are being accommodated suitably. Despite our sub-standard accommodations, we had some good experience in Plains. We met several nice people. Two of them just happened to be a former President and First Lady of the United States.

We are thankful, that we have an income stream from Champ’s retirement benefits and resources to allowed us to walk away from a bad situation and find our way to Florida where we are within an hour of three other couples we know. Two of them from our new lifestyle and one couple that I have known for over 25 years now.

Ribs are ready to go into my Power Cooker and a down homesouthern BBQ meal is on the horizon this Thanksgiving Day for these two RV gypsies. We have managed to track down 2 of the 3 kids on the phone and will  hopefully talk to our daughter later today.

Until next time…

Day 263 / 102 Sunshine Fixes Everything

Ocala, Florida 85 Degrees - Sunny

As we roll down Interstate 75 on our way to the RV resort where we will likely spend the rest of the winter, I am reflecting on the past few days.

We looked at several parks in Georgia and even made a tentative reservation with one of them. In the end we realized two things. We have been to Georgia twice now and don’t like it much and we want to be warmer than Georgia will offer. We are rolling down the highway with red clay stained vehicles and looking forward to a different atmosphere.

Champ and I both have relentless work ethics and bailing on a commitment was a jagged pill. In the end we had to recognize that the National Parks System failed miserably in terms of providing suitable accommodations. It wasn’t a matter of us being pretentious or picky, this place was the kind of park that spawns trailer trash jokes.  During the conversations with the Superintendent of the Park and our ‘boss’ it was revealed that they are aware of how bad conditions at the private RV Park have deteriorated over the past years and they have secured funding to build volunteer RV Pads within the Park. This was the first time they have had someone quit over it.  What really irked us was the fact that there were a couple of nicer parks within 15 miles, but they wanted us to pay the difference. That’s right, they wanted us to work for them an pay to camp. Not gonna happen. Turns out the place in town costs them $240.00 per month and that is all they budget. With both of us working 24 hours each week that places our monetary value to them at a dismal $1.25 per hour. Welcome to the National Parks Service.

The reality is that our annual budget and income is based on us work camping 10 months of the year with 2 months to let down. Another option we discussed in the beginning is I would work part time in what ever area we choose to stay in the winter. We may try plan B this winter after all. At 53 years old I should still be earning anyway. Our age difference and the fact that I have stopped working full time to do this at a very early age not only presents some challenges but some opportunity as well. Unlike couples who are both well into their 70’s we have the dynamic of one of us being young and still with a desire to work a bit.

We aren’t leaving mad as one might imagine. We’ve ‘walked away clean’ as my old co-worker Mary used to say. We left on good terms with an invitation to come back when they have their onsite pads built. We are excited to spend time where it is warmer than Georgie will be. Champ mentioned that it will be nice to ‘just be retired’ as he put it. In the 5 ½ years since he officially retired, he has completely gutted a house and remodeled it for resale, and we have spent 2 full years work camping so it’s time to let him relax, he’s has most definitely earned it. Ocala will have lots of opportunity for me to land a part time seasonal gig at one of the restaurants or shops.

When I called the RV park we are headed to, a work camper named Mary answered the phone. When I inquired about site availability she asked when we wanted to come in and I said ‘today – April’.  I sensed I needed to give an explanation so told her about our predicament. As I described the park, we were in she started laughing! She apologized but couldn’t quit chuckling. I loved her! We called a couple other parks and talked for a few minutes and decided to call Mary back.A credit card number and wishes from her for safe travels we hung up phone and pulled up the jacks. She said she can’t wait to meet us and swap work camping stories.  The anxiety has vanished as we head down the highway. We are ‘over it’ as they say and looking forward to what will unfold and who we may know when this winter comes to an end. This kind of freedom is both exciting and unsettling. This is the part where you take a step forward in faith that this bump in the road is meant to be and will set us on a different path to something good!

I wrote the bulk of this as we rolled down the road this afternoon. Now, I am sitting at the RV Park. We are very happy with our choice. It was 85 degrees when we arrived. The jackets are already stowed under the bed and we are in shorts with all the windows open this evening. It’s been a very weird 2 weeks in the life of these two full time RV Volunteers. Now we relax.

Until next time…

Day 261 / 104 Sometimes Things Don't Work Out

Plains, Georgia  62 Degrees Sunny

What's It Like?  Well, today we are at a place where many work campers find themselves at some point and we hoped we would never experience. We have entered some tenuous situations in the past and were able to 'ride it out' or work to find a solution that resulted in a very good experience. This time it is not in the cards. 

The work at the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site has been a pleasure so far. The rangers and other volunteers are nice and engaging. The problem is with our accomodations. We knew upon arrival that we were in a tough situation and it has deteriorated every day. We read many forums about people arriving at places to work and finding their living situation intollerable. That is what we have found in Plains. This National Park does not provide RV pads on their property for their volunteers, but rather pay for sites in the locally owned park in town. 

Our first red flag shot up on arrival at the RV Park on the 1st of November. An old yellow dog was laying in the road as we pulled in. Bob, the elderly gentleman who owns the park and lives across the road introduced us to the neighborhood dog. (great) he also infomed us that the man who lives in the home directly in front of our site feeds several 'neighborood kitties' aka feral cats. He is an OTR truck driver and 'don't worry, the folks who work at the convenience store feed them when he's not home"  Great, again. 

Lady, The Camp Dog napping in our site

We took a deep breath and set up in our site. I gritted my teeth as I picked up the waste that the dog left in our site the next morning. The 'kitties' number over 15 and are made up of 3 nursing females, several males and 2 distinct litters of kittens appearing to be about 4 weeks and around 3 months old.  The males caught the scent of our cats the first time I let them out on their tethers. They stalked me when I took Buster for a walk ending in Buster hissing and growling ( not at all like him if you've met him you know his temperment) and so upset I had to pick him up and carry him back indoors. That night one particularly aggressive male climbed the tree next to our RV, jumped down on the slide awning and proceed to 'mark' the roof of our motor home. That has become a nightly event. Other males started coming around daily when ours were inside marking the lawn chairs, lawn, yard ornaments and even our wooden deck stairs. Not good. 

Enter the culture difference.  We brought this situation to the Volunteer Cooridnator, who hired us. She appreciated our situation, shared she had never had a volunteer 'complain' about the park and committed to finding a solution. Over the past few days we have learned that there is no real animal control unit in town or the county for that matter. The local attitude about stray animals is quite cavalier. They don't see the nuisance, or the issue of disease being spread or the property damage that can occur from feral animals. Especially cats. Their solution was a park near Andersonville National Park 25 miles away, with even less curb appeal, and the same feral animal problem obvious when we drove through the park. Now they expected us to move to another crappy park with potentially the same issues and drive an hour round trip to work our hours three days a week. Not gonna happen 

It was a difficult decision for us but we called and visited several RV Parks in Central Georgia to inquire about a site that we would stay in till / if we find another work camp gig this winter. We found one that is pretty nice      ( not like we experienced in Texas, again another distinct culture difference about how one defines nice) the price was decent for the area. We expected to pay with elbow grease this winter,  but we will likely experience property damage if we stay where we are. 

Serendipity (my favorite word) will rule our destiny for the near future. 
The silver lining in the cloud is the man in the office where we will be moving on Sunday, deduced from our conversation, that we are experienced RV Volunteers and asked if we had a resume'. He may have some work for us in the park if we are happy there. So a work camp situation may develop over time. We don't know how things will evolve, but for now we know we are moving from here on Sunday and putting our jacks down in Perry, Georgia for the foreseeable future. 

Our meeting with Beth went better than expected. We handed in our uniform shirts and name tags this afternoon, along with a letter of resignation formally explaining our decision. She appreciated our choice and we shared that we appreciated their budget constraints and inability to find a quick solution to a problem that exsists in the Park they purchase space from for their volunteers. We parted on good terms. By far this is the toughest thing we've face so far. We will incur debt we didn't expect. Our two weeks in Plains has been good and difficult at the same time. We have had some great experiences. How many people get to walk through a car show with a former President in arms reach? The decision was hard but in the end we have to do what is best for us and our pets who travel with us. 

The next chapter will unfold in it's own time.  

Until next time...

Day 259 / 106 Pictures of Plains

Plains, Georgia  52 Degrees - Drizzle

[caption id="attachment_1224" align="alignright" width="300"] The Iconic Smiling Peanut[/caption]

Saturday the sun came out and made for a good day to drive around taking pictures of the area. The famous Smiling Peanut graces the entryway to the RV Park where we are stationed during our 90-day tenure here. I remember seeing it on television after he was elected. His big smile quickly became the subject of much caricature for the cartoonists and still lives on here.

Like our time in Texas last winter, we arrived in an area recently stricken by a hurricane.  Michael was still a Category 3 when it crossed this area of Georgia last month. Sustained winds over 115 MPH ravaged the trees here. Clean up is underway and most public properties have been cleared. Many private residences are still awaiting clean up efforts. Common sites are giant uprooted trees lying across and entire yard or whole tress cut up, often with trunks approaching 3’ in diameter. It is quite a site. The storm ruined the Pecan crop for the season, stripping the trees of their nuts before they were mature enough to pick and be good quality. I’m sure it will be reflected in the grocery store over the next months.

[gallery ids="1222,1225,1226"]

The dirt is very red here. Meaning if you have a white car, it will look orange most of the time. I have read about how a century of cotton farming depleted the soil in much of the area. The absence of top soil make the roads a slimy red mess when it rains, which apparently is about every other day. I asked for directions to a car wash upon arrival. The first two people said they never wash their cars. My car was covered in road grime after three days being towed behind the motor home in the rain. We eventually found a car wash in the next town over but have yet to wash it since the roads have been wet all but two days so far. I’m starting to understand the “I never wash my car” attitude.

[caption id="attachment_1227" align="alignleft" width="225"] 1/2' of rain turns our site into more of a pond.[/caption]

The name Plains is an apt title for this area.  Soon after we arrived someone in town said, “It’s so flat here the rain don’t know what way to run!”  They weren’t kidding!  A mere half-inch of rain will result in water standing everywhere a half-inch deep. It doesn’t really run off but rather soaks in eventually. Being in the crosshairs of 2 major hurricanes this season Georgia is pretty water-logged and rain takes its sweet time seeping in.

 

 

[caption id="attachment_1233" align="alignright" width="300"] Abandon Tenant Farm Houses[/caption]

The sad legacy of economic disparity along racial lines is still evident in the many old tenant farm and share cropper houses still standing along the road ways. In his book “An Hour Before Daylight” Mr. Carter writes in detail,  about his experience growing up as a farm kid in the segregated deep south during the Depression and WWII periods. It has been a good read and given this Yankee an insightful glimpse into how different the experience was growing up here compared to the experience of my parents and other family members of his generation in the north.  I have another 10 weeks to absorb as much as I can from the area and take many memories with me when I leave.

[gallery ids="1221,1220"]

With the exception of sugar cane the fields are short here. Peanuts, cotton and sorghum mostly. Crops are short. Not the 7' tall corn we see at home. The cotton fields intrigue me as they do most northerners. I remember many years ago a man came to our acreage with his son, who was around 6 years old. They were from the New Jersey and were fascinated with the combine that was harvesting corn from the field that abutted our property. They asked if they could watch. They sat on our back fence for nearly an hour waving at the farmer when he passed near the fence.  Just an ordinary thing to us, but the source of memories to take from their trip to Iowa for them.  I am almost that enchanted by the cotton fields. From the highway, they look like heavy wet snow that has fallen on green grass. I've read about the perils of picking cotton by hand and sharp the barbs are that hold the cotton bulb in place. I carefully pulled a small blob of cotton from a plant to see how it felt and despite my efforts still managed to get cut. They are razor sharp! I can't imagine the job of slaves harvesting cotton let alone picking out all the tiny seeds after it was picked.  Still today many people here acknowledge the cotton fields are a living symbol of the human atrocity that was slave labor in the south.

This weekend the Arts In Archery Festival will be held at the Boyhood Farm. It is the biggest event of the years. A period harvest festival. There will be a blacksmith, basket weaver, broom maker demonstrating throughout the day. The highlight will be the mule driven cane press as they make cane syrup. The weather is supposed to straighten out by the weekend, so we are hoping for a well attended, fun and sun-filled day at the farm.

Until next time...

Day 257 / 108 In The Presence of Greatness

Plains, GA Sunny 64 Degrees

Two and half years ago, when we had an offer on our house and we were approaching the jumping off point to this life; sitting in a Sunday School class being led by Jimmy Carter was not even a remote thought in the deepest recesses my mind. Being in church at all is something I normally avoid, so this morning was quite a morning for this Baptist raised, yoga practicing, meditating, tree hugger who stays as far away from organized religion as possible.

[caption id="attachment_1223" align="alignleft" width="300"] Champ and I with Mr. and Mrs Carter after church services[/caption]

That’s the cool part of this life. You just never know what kind of experience lies around the corner or whom you may meet along the way. This morning as I sat in Maranatha Baptist Church in President Carters Sunday School Class I knew I was in the presence of greatness. We have a handful of those moments in life if we are lucky. One realizes without warning that they are in a room with a person who has made an incredible impact during their time in this life, with their generosity and kindness. He is truly a person speaking softly and carrying a big stick. His stick being the impact he leaves on those who encounter him. After my three-hour experience this morning, it is clear why he has been such a successful mediator for peace throughout his life.

[caption id="attachment_1219" align="alignleft" width="225"] President Carter taking in the car show.[/caption]

My first encounter with him was Saturday at the 6^th Annual Classic Car Show in Plains. He was walking around looking at cars and talking to people he knew just like any other person that day, except of course for the two gorilla-size secret service agents who were nearby watching everything and everyone. I was looking at a really cool ’39 Coupe and as I turned away, I nearly ran into him. He smiled, said ‘Hello’ shook my hand, chuckled and moved on. I stood there for a moment trying to digest the fact that I had been blindsided by the encounter. I stood back and watched him for a bit as he moved along, ran into people he had known most of his life, some were showing their cars, and I marveled at the mutual respect that exists between him and the Plains citizens. They allow him to come out in public and be as normal as someone like he can be. In turn he is outgoing, and accessible to people he encounters along the way.

This morning he talked about kindness in his lesson from the Book of Ruth. He talked about our current times of indifference, hatred, fear of those unlike us and shared his optimism that the country can and will ‘right’ itself once again. He also interjected a powerful lesson in latent racism or rather a superiority complex and exists among whites, even those like me who don’t consider themselves racist. He asked the class. “What year did women gain the right to vote?” Most of us chimed 1920 of course. He smiled and calmly said, “Wrong, that is when white women earned the right to vote.” Black women couldn’t vote until 1965 when the Voting Rights Act was passed.”  Even Google gets it wrong if you enter his question in the search bar.  It was a stark lesson in self-awareness and how certain people see the world as a just and fair place because they don’t see the picture outside of their own experience. It was powerful especially in a deep south Sunday school class. I left with a reminder to look at the world through a broader lens.

I was in 6^th grade when he was elected to the Presidency. I lived in a very Republican family and geographical area for that matter. My young adolescent take away’s from his Presidency were that the economy tanked, gas prices and unemployment increased substantially and everyone made fun of his big toothy grin. I have a big toothy grin, I kind of think it’s a good trait. It was later in my adulthood when I noticed him as a humanitarian, tireless advocate for the have-nots and of course his work with Habitat for Humanity.  We visited his Presidential Library last summer when we came to Atlanta for a concert, I was reminded of all the good he did during his time in office. Initiating the departments of energy and education. SALT II and the Camp David Peace Treaty are just some of the good he did that got lost in my mind under the negative things. I sought out the volunteer position here as a way to come and spend time in the place that nurtured him and learn more about the history of the place responsible for this incredible human being.

In the world of RV Volunteering,  today was a truly unique experience. As a volunteer for the National Park, that bears his name, we were given preferential treatment. We sat with other Park Staff and a couple of local volunteers in the 8^th row.  We entered through a separate door, got good seats in the sanctuary, not in the overflow room watching it on a television. We didn’t have to arrive a 3 a.m. as many did to be assured a seat. The church areas filled to capacity so nearly 500 people were there. 350 in the Sanctuary and 150 in the fellowship hall watching it on a monitor. He made it a point to go into the Fellowship Hall and talk in person with those who were seated there.  That meant the town almost doubled its population for several hours this morning. Our experience was easily obtained. Others traveled from far away, spent money on the trip, hotels etc. just to be here. We travelled as well, I suppose and are committed here for three months so I guess we did come a long way just on a different plane. Jimmy Carter wasn’t the only reason we are here but meeting him it is certainly a nice perk! It is truly unique that the person who’s life is portrayed in the exhibits is still alive and present.

Until next time…

 

Day 254 / 111 First Impressions of Plains

Plains, GA Rain – 73 Degrees

I haven’t answered to question, “What’s it like?” in a while. It’s like changing schools all the time. My poor son knows all too well that dynamic as he went to a new school every year from K-3 grade. You arrive feeling a little alone and tentative about what the people will be like. You meet and engage with strangers during your first few days and before you know it you are part of the group even though in your heart you know it will be short-lived.

Our first impression of Plains has been formed and we are getting used to the casual pace of this small SW Georgia town. I started my time here as I normally do with a recommended book that gives me a feel for the area we have landed in for the next 90 days. I am reading a book written by Jimmy Carter called An Hour Before Day Light. It is a memoir of his childhood. Aside from the stories of his youth it is a very good narrative of life in a segregated southern, rural community from pre-depression era to the Civil Rights movement. I highly recommend it if you are interested in the culture of this part of the country.

I’m learning quickly that southern culture in Georgia is very different from southern culture in Texas. The NPS dominates the commercial property here. Plains downtown district is a single street 2 blocks long that includes a women’s boutique store, a very good restaurant called The Buffalo Café, 2 souvenir shops, a pharmacy and two veterinarians. (Good since my Buster is due for shots) By far the busiest place in town is the Dollar General a block south of Main Street. Aside from two gas station/convenience stores it is closest thing to a grocery store in town. We’ve learned in our travels, and knack for ending up in small towns, that Dollar General is wisely improving and enlarging their stores in the very small towns. Goliad, our location last winter, had just opened a beautiful new one. The one in Plains is large, clean and has a nice variety of things that will prevent many trips the 10 miles to Americus where the larger stores are located.

The Plains Peanut store, that sells all things peanut and Jimmy Carter, is open daily till 6pm. They have PB Ice Cream which made Champ’s eyes twinkle when we were told about it. I think that will be a regular haunt for us this winter.

The people are laid back and friendly.  The dichotomy of the segregated neighborhoods is obvious, though now it is a sort of self-segregation rather  than legislated. There is a stark economic line in town that ironically seems to be divided by the rail road tracks the go East/West through town. The other side of the tracks is a literal thing here. The only apparent industry is the Peanut Plant and a seed cooperative.  With Secret Service and town police present, Plains is quite subdued and I think maybe one of the safest places in the United States. Given its population of only 800, the Cop to Citizen ratio is quite high. The other unusual factor is that there are often celebrities in town to visit the Carters, adding even more private security detail. I think it is one of the most interesting places I have ever been. Small town stereotypes are constantly dispelled by the fact that such a high-profile couple calls this place home and moves about town as if they don’t care how famous they are.   It is an interesting social dynamic, or dare I say struggle. The big fish in this small pond is very big!

There are 9 churches here, no bars. I chuckled at that since in the Midwest bars and churches seem to take up equal space in small towns. Plains is a proper town, ask anyone who has spent their life here. I learned from my book that when it was incorporated in 1896, decided by it's founders that it was to be a ‘good Christian community’ that would not sell alcohol or allow prostitution. The two convenience stores sell beer so in 130 or so years they seem to have eased up some. At least there are no hookers on the corner next to the Peanut Store!

We were told upon arrival that we would be welcome and any church we decide to attend. The statement implied an assumption that we would want to go to church each Sunday.  Church is the very center of the life here. I will go once this winter for my own selfish reasons. Hopefully, I don't burst into flames as I enter.

We have met most of the Ranger staff and other volunteers. Some of  whom are stationed here in our RV park area, and some local volunteers, who are quite engaging and open. One of the seasonal rangers is leaving this weekend and we were invited out to her going away dinner last night. We left the restaurant feeling welcome and in the midst of a very nice group of people.

When the rain stops this weekend I’ll get out and take some pictures for next time.

Until then…

 

Day 251 / 114 The First Day

Plains, Georgia Cloudy 70 Degrees

Today was our first day at the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. https://www.nps.gov/jica/index.htm

As Full Time RV Volunteers first days are becoming quite common place. This is our first time with National Parks Services. We met Ranger Kevin, who took us on a tour of the Boyhood Farm that includes 27 acres of the original farm that was deeded to the NPA in 1987. It is still a working period farm. Two mules, Belle and Bird drive the plows for demonstration farming a few days a year and spend the rest of their days as “pasture potatoes’ as Kevin humorously put it. There are chickens and goats we well. The home where President Carter lived as a boy is now a museum and the rest of the farm that includes, farm hand houses, a blacksmith shop, barns and a small visitors center are connect by paved walkways, with interpretive signs and recordings to listen to along the way. The entire place is ADA accessible as proven by our ‘boss’ who uses a wheelchair. Champ will be working at the farm with the Rangers helping maintain buildings, greet visitors and take care of the animals.

After lunch we took a tour of the former Plains High School, now the Welcome Center and Museum of all things Jimmy Carter and Plains.  A small gift shop is there as well. I will spend most of my time working at the front desk greeting visitors and informing them about all the different sites to visit in town that encompass the NPS grounds and exhibits. After spending a couple of hours there getting an introduction that included several short films, we ventured over to the old train depot, that was converted into his Presidential Campaign HQ in 1974, and now serves as an exhibit for things pertaining to his political career.

Perhaps the most unusual thing about is gig were the instructions about do’s and don’ts about interacting with the former President and his wife Rosalyn. Secret Service are present in town, since the Carters live here just a mile or so from the Welcome Center. He moves about town like and ordinary citizen, except for the ever-present Secret Service of course. We already encountered one officer in our first hour here in the convenience store in front of our motorhome site.

We were told today, as NPS Volunteers we will receive front row reserved seats to Mr. Carters Sunday school class at the Baptist Church where the Carter’s are active members. Apparently several hundred people show up on the weeks he teaches Sunday School and most stand in the packed church.  It is quite an honor to get this VIP treatment.  Most of you know I don’t affiliate with any particular religion and tend to shun organized religion in general. However, I am most willing to participate when the occasion calls for it. Normally that means a wedding or funeral. I think a former President teaching a class qualifies.

I have admired Jimmy Carter’s humanitarian spirit and efforts for most of my adult life. I have always perceived his demeanor as  gracious and dignified and I am learning quickly from the local citizens that the image on television is quite genuine.  It will be a great honor to meet him in person while we are here. We are drawn to places with rich history. This will add a layer we won’t likely encounter again. This very different place is going to leave quite an impression I suspect.

We received our shirts and officially begin ‘work’ tomorrow.                          Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday will be our work schedule.  I am waiting impatiently for the sun to return to give some decent photography light. Hopefully before they harvest the cotton fields. They are quite beautiful right now and so different looking to this girl from corn and beans country.

Until next time…

 

Day 249 / 116

Plains, GA Sunny - 70 Degrees

Two things that make us anxious about moving to a new place are water and satellite.

When we go to a new place we never know what the water quality will be like or how good the water pressure will be. I drink nearly a gallon of water each day and hate bottled water. Bad water can also corrode faucets if it is hard, like it was in Goliad last winter or make laundry hard to get clean. Bad water pressure for the shower is a pet peeve for both of us. Especially me, trying to rinse shampoo out of my carpet thick hair.

[caption id="attachment_1210" align="alignleft" width="225"] Getting set up in our Plains GA digs[/caption]

Champ is a TV watcher and getting the dish set up after moving half way across the country is a challenge sometimes. We have learned a lot about setting up.  An app our friend Deb showed us last summer, SatFinderLite, worked splendidly to determine Azimuth and Elevation and locate the satellite 1200 miles from where it was last pointed.  We highly recommend it. When our contract is up with DirecTV we plan to switch to streaming services. For now we lug a dish and tripod around to get our favorite shows. 

This evening as we rest we are happy that the water is good and flowing generously through the faucets. Our little deck and landing is reassembled and we have our long list of shows to pick from again. Instead of the 4 network channels that the antenna can pick up in this rural area.

We had a smooth trip from Iowa, the hard stuff for set up is behind us and we've talked to the kids. Tomorrow, we have another day to relax and get rested from 3 long days on the road, then we will start our new gig on Monday.

Until next time...

Day 248 / 117 Plains Landing

Plains, Georgia – 70 Degrees

We arrived in Plains today after three long days of travel. No dilly dallying this fall. We did that in Dominican Republic two weeks ago. We are committed here for 90 days to volunteer at the High School that is now the official Welcome Center for people who visit the Jimmy Carter Farm where he grew up and is now a part of the National Parks System.

We are tucked away in a quaint RV Park ½ mile from the High School. To say we are in the midst of a huge culture change and change of pace is a gross understatement. The cool part is, there is a convenience store directly in front of us, so quick supplies, gas and a slice of pizza or beer is only a few paces away.

I came here with hopes of meeting President Carter, who lives here. Those wishes were validated by Bob Moss, the old boy who owns the park we will call ‘home’ till January 31^st. He said, “If you’re going to be here for three months, you’ll see him a lot”.  Good!

Our drive the past two days has taken us through areas we had not previously driven through. I was not surprised by the beauty of Alabama as we made our way from Tupelo to Plains today. I was surprised by how hilly it was. It was a nice drive. We were the beneficiaries of the end of a long season of resurfacing. Our roads were smooth all day today. Unlike yesterday when we endured 8 hours of rough state highways making our way through 5 states from St. Louis to Tupelo MS.

On Monday we will report to the Visitor’s Center to begin training. In the mean time we will acquaint ourselves with the area, the people in the RV park here, and a couple of nearby towns where we are told we will find anything we need.

Until Next Time…

Day 247 / 118 To Reserve or Not To Reserve

Leaving St. Louis Raining 50 degrees

The topic of where people stay on their way to somewhere comes up quite often among the full-time RV’ers. Everyone has their own way to travel. Some take the Interstate, others take all secondary roads. We do both. It depends on our time period and the weather. If there is bad weather forecast, like last spring when we dodged snow storms all the way from Texas back to Iowa we stick to the Interstates. When we have time we like state highways. County roads can be pretty, but small-town gas stations are tight and nearly impossible at times to get a 40’ motorhome, towing a car to the pump and out again. Not to mention, counties have the smallest road maintenance budgets, you get the picture.

I keep a running list in a spreadsheet on my computer of campgrounds where others have stayed and been satisfied as well as places we stay and like. I share our opinions with others as well. As we move back and forth in the spring and fall I am developing a list that lets me pick nice campgrounds, with less research.

We talk to many who don’t like to reserve. They don’t want to be committed to stopping a certain place or time of day. When they are ready to pull off they get on the internet and find a nearby campground and call ahead to check availability. We tried that coming home last spring and found that we did not have any trouble stopping when we were ready, but we did spend a lot more on sites and were in crowded, commercial RV parks. I have decided a little research and planning will not only improve the experience, but also save some money. I have always believed in planning ahead and reserving. After testing the other method, I am a firm believer in it.

[caption id="attachment_1203" align="alignleft" width="225"] "The Gateway To The West" at night[/caption]

Last night was a perfect example of the value of talking to others. We stayed at the Casino Queen RV park in the shadow of the St. Louis Arch. Cool view and close to the interstate we are travelling on. But it was expensive $55.00 for the night. The green in between the sites on the online map was not grass, but white road rock. The hook-ups were at the very back of the site, requiring us to unhook the car in order to reach the water / sewer / electric. It defeated the purpose of a pull through, FHU overnight stop. Security was good though and we slept like babies in our concrete jungle.  Our new friends from Saylorville messaged me to say they had stayed at a city park a few nights before when they made their way through here and stayed for $13.00 less and were happy with the site. That info went into my growing spreadsheet right away. I do write and read online reviews for places we stay. I take most of what I read with a grain of salt as people’s expectations of nice vary widely. I home in on reviews that give specifics not just opinions.

The trip to Georgia is somewhat expedited. We took our trip with our friends, knowing we wouldn’t return till the 27^th.  The Ranger at the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site wants us there as close to Nov 1^st as possible, as their biggest event of the year takes place in Mid-November and we wants us as trained and comfortable as possible for the huge crowds that will visit that weekend.

We chose a route today that will take us through Shawnee National Forest and through so me of the Natchez Trace area of Mississippi. It will be a pretty drive through fall foliage and rain today.Todays route made me long for the Interstate route. We were detoured twice for closed bridges, diverting us onto narrow, bumpy county roads for miles at a time.  Our 6 hour day turned into 8. It was very pretty, but we both had to keep reminding ourselves of it. The cats are very stressed tonight as were we. We were forced to fuel at Bubba's Gas and Go ( not really but the name would fit nicely) the per gallon price was 30 cents above the norm for the area and if it weren't for Champs super power of driving big stuff, we would have had to unhook the car and dolly to get in and out. I still marvel that he was able to back the motor home with the dolly and car attached.

[caption id="attachment_1204" align="alignleft" width="225"] Annie came out of her cocoon in the stair well to watch Champ park the motor home[/caption]

I made a reservation tonight for us at a State Park near Tupelo MS. It will cost half as much and be more campground like. We have our National Access Senior Pass, so Corps parks are our first preference. They are half-price for us, usually around $12.00 per night, always near water (Army Corps of Engineers controls the waterways, dams and reservoirs) and fairly consistent in terms of quality, and services nationwide. When I can’t find a Corps park on our route, State Parks are my next bet. Private RV parks along the roadway are a last resort.  When it comes to being on the road I campaign for Reserve… always.

Until next time…

Day 246 / 119 On The Road Again

St. Louis MO Cloudy 57 Degrees

Here we are headed south for the third year now. We talked the other night about how leaving the kids doesn’t get any easier. In fact, it gets harder. This year we had the good fortune of spending our vacation with our oldest son and his girlfriend as part of the group. He is so busy raising is own family including 6 of his own grandkids, we don’t see him as much as we’d like when we are home in the summer. Upon our return from our trip, we met our other son Chris, Samantha and little miss Nora for the afternoon and had a great visit. When I start getting weepy on that final hug, my son always reminds me how much we didn’t see each other during the cold winter months. He’s right I know; his cavalier way sets me at ease long enough to get away without crying in front of him. Boys hate that you know!

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Last night was spent with our daughter Kelsy and JP and the boys. It was beggar’s night and the evening was warm for this time of year. Champ and I took the boys trick-or-treating around their neighborhood and had an absolute blast watching them. It had been a very long time since either of us had escorted any goblins on beggar’s night.  The goodbye was tough as it always is. Especially now that Hunter is old enough to understand what it means when we say we are leaving for the winter. JP sent us an audio of the boys wishing us safe travels this morning. That made a lump in my throat!

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I think one sign that we are becoming more comfortable with the lifestyle is this year we don’t have the entire 5 months etched in granite like the past years. We will be working the first half of winter so won’t have the insulating emotional blanket of the snow bird park for the holidays to distract us. Neither one of us are sure what to expect this year when Christmas rolls around and we are doing our thing and the kids are all in Iowa freezing, but together. We will be in Plains with other RV volunteers. Maybe something will get organized for the two holidays, maybe not. We are trying to prepare ourselves emotionally.  After January 31st, when our commitment ends with the Jimmy Carter Historical Site we have no firm plans. For this compulsive planner that’s a bit hard. We may go to Alabama and do an 8-week stint at a Corps park that may need a fill-in. We won’t know till mid-December about that. We truly have no plan for February or March and it’s liberating in a way. Even though Britt the planner nearly hyperventilates occasionally thinking about it.

It’s been a hell of a summer. Extreme weather, flooding and two evacuations. Lightning strikes frying major appliances, little annoying crap wearing out like the generator and water pump. In between all the junk we forged deeper friendships with our Volunteer Village companions and met new friends who will return along with us next year. We spent lots a great time with the kids and loved our part time work. I got involved as a volunteer at the new Jester Park Nature Center and hope to do more with them next summer. My new way of eating has made me leaner and much healthier than I have been in decades and I’m loving that.

Today we embarked on our journey to an area new to both of us. There is a lot of excitement knowing we have new people to get to know, rich history of the southeast United States to soak up and who knows what else lies ahead. As our years go by in this life our network of people grows. We will know three couples who will be in Florida for the winter, maybe we’ll head that way after we finish our gig in Plains, Georgia. One never knows. That’s the best part.

Until next time…

 

 

Day 245 / 120 Yes, We Take Vacations

Griff’s RV Park- Altoona, Iowa Sunny- 67 Degrees

“What do you mean you’re taking a vacation, you’re on vacation all the time!” We hear that all the time. Some people are joking when they say it, others seem truly confused. We just laugh, along with every other full timer that has heard the same comment.

[caption id="attachment_1178" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Gang[/caption]

If you follow me, you know we anticipated our recent trip to the Dominican Republic for months. We went with the group of family and friends that we have camped with for many years. It was a trip that we’ve talked about for a long time. This year it happened. Thirteen of us, (8 Joneses) boarded a flight, half asleep but excited at 5:30 am last Sunday morning. 10 hours later we were at the resort lounging in the pool, near a swim up bar and chatting about the upcoming week and how happy we all were to be there. It was the first time we had all been together at once in over a year. The destination was beautiful, but the trip was made by the people we shared it with. Like everything else, it’s about the people.

The trip got off to a rough start when my daughter-in-law Amber slipped on the tile, with feet wet from the pool, entering an unfamiliar restroom. Her first few hours on the island, were spent in the Emergency Room of a nearby hospital getting 7 stitches in her forehead. She did not suffer a concussion but was quite sore from the fall the next couple of days. She was a trooper and put the accident behind her and had a great trip, with a bandage on her head and a puffy eye. Good stories for the grandkids.

Lazy days at the all-inclusive resort were punctuated by two excursions. The time we spent away from the resort made me feel like we had really visited the island. A resort is a resort no matter where you go, especially in the Caribbean. You don’t really see a place till you get out and about. We found the Dominicans to be very nice, and quite laid back. Although the island is densely populated, and traffic is busy, I found it interesting that there were only a handful of intersections controlled by traffic lights and they were near the airport. Most intersections were uncontrolled, with speed bumps placed to slow everyone down as they approached. It was remarkable to watch how easily our drivers maneuvered around each other. Small motorcycles mostly 500cc or smaller usually carrying 2-3 people, single passenger scooters, panel rack pickups carrying some 20 workers standing up in the box and multitudes of tour busses zoomed around each other, horns beeping making each other aware of their intentions. No one seemed irritated and kept moving along. Road rage didn’t seem to exist.  Americans are much too up tight and self-centered to be able to deal with that kind of traffic. There is no texting and driving. Dominicans seem to approach driving like playing a video game. Our bus passed a small motorcycle being driven by a man, with three small children sandwiched between him and I assume his wife at the rear. Imagine a family of 5 going somewhere together on a motorcycle! In the United States they would be in a Tahoe with televisions and Wi-Fi.  The narrow streets were lined with store fronts pushed right up against the open sewers running along the road sides. People were engaged in their conversations, and mostly looked happy.  Extreme poverty was present just a few miles from the resort as you leave the city of Punta Cana. You know you’re along way from home when the tour bus pulls over to let a farmer move his heard of cattle down the road past the bus!

We visited Los Haitisas National Park and took a boat tour through the Mangrove Forest, out onto the brackish waterways were the sea water meets the fresh water coming from the mountains in the middle of the island. We toured caves where we saw 10,000-year-old face carvings, and petroglyphs. The tour guide taught us about the Pre-Colonial Dominicans, the importance of the Mangrove Trees and lots of interesting history and folklore.  I saw and photographed a couple of species of birds I had never seen before, an extra treat for me. Randy and Amber joined us, and we all enjoyed the day off the resort exploring the northern coast.

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Friday, we left again to take a Zip Line trip. After skydiving and parasailing in past years, the zip line has been on my list for some time. I went anticipating a single line. I was thrilled to find out we did 12 lines through the tree canopy of the mountain rain forest. By far my favorite line was one of the longer ones that whizzed through a tunnel where the tree canopy had been trimmed to allow passage of the line. The trees were blooming, and the smell of flowers rushed at me as I sailed through. It was quite a moment. My only regret was that I didn’t rent the GoPro to strap to my helmet. It would have been cool to watch it later and see the same view without all the adrenaline surging and not having to focus on all the things they told us to do so we didn’t get hurt or wipe out upon reaching the next platform with the instructor giving us hand signals. My memories will live in my head.

In between excursions we lounged on the beach, swam in the ocean, stood around in the pool with our drinks, ate very good food and napped whenever we wanted. I was happy to have identified about 20 bird species on my own, with the help of the Merlin Bird App on my phone. Three were new to me and are endemic to the area so that was exciting. My sister-in-law Sue, and I were entertained one evening, as we sat on a patio, by a mother Gallinule and her babies. We couldn’t stop laughing at them, with their giant three-toed feet that they would eventually grow into. They stepped on their own toes and wobbled about as they followed mom around the lawn between our patio and the pond were they lived.

Even though we don’t live in a bricks and sticks home on our corner lot in Williams, we do still have our ‘home’ and routine albeit an unconventional one. Everyone loves a vacation from their normal routine. My sites are already on joining my Aunt on a trip she takes to Europe to sail the Danube and take in the Christmas Markets along the way. I had intended to go this year, but it didn’t work out. Now I can look forward to something next year!

Until next time…