Home Again?

It can be confusing when considering the place that we call home. Our original intent, back in May, was to live full-time in our fifth-wheel, making home wherever we might happen to park our rig. This being true, our home the last six months has been Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. I guess you can see the problem.

To be particularly accurate we are back in our house on Avalon Road in Winter Garden, FL. Our fifth-wheel is parked in the driveway and will be for the foreseeable future due to significant changes in our circumstances. This does not end our RV adventure but it certainly does put things on hold for awhile.

Kathy and I really enjoyed our trip from New Hampshire to Florida. The first attraction in our itinerary was Hershey, PA. The chocolate town is something else. Apart from the confectionary element of this stop was the fascinating life story of Milton S. Hershey. His tenacity, industry, benevolence, and philanthropy make him a singularly remarkable example of humanity.

Another interesting item was our overnighter in Natural Bridge, VA.

It was a place we each were aware of but neither had visited. The site was one of wooded beauty and geological interest. Historically, it was noteworthy because George Washington surveyed the location in 1790 and carved his initials in the rock wall.

We lunched with Aaron, Beth, Leon and Silas as we passed through Bristol, TN and did our grand-parenting best to spoil the boys with toys and chocolate.

A weekend in Lafollette, TN was devoted to a Bible conference with the folks at Whitman Hollow Bible Church. It was great to see some folks I hadn't seen in years and we thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship, food and preaching.

Our last stop before reaching Florida was with Steve and Sylvia at their haven just outside of Waynesboro, GA. We ate good food, rode in the woods, watched a movie and played table games while there. The last morning, as I was preparing the fifth-wheel for departure, I heard two rifle reports which heralded my brother’s first buck of the season.

Finally, ensconced in our Florida abode we are laboring to empty the RV and put the house back in order. Kathy must soon go to New York for Gina’s bridal shower (requiring a Jury Summons resolution first) and we are preparing to have all our offspring, and offspring's offsprings, for Thanksgiving. All in all, November looks to be a busy month. It’s good to be home.

Day Ninety-five

On the Road Again

Today we arrived at Turning Stone Village RV Resort near Verona, NY. Getting here was somewhat problematic. Our morning ritual in breaking camp was routine until I pressed the monitor button, after emptying the tanks, to check the tank levels and the cabin went dark. Yep, we had no 12 volt at all, nada, zip, nothing at all. We visited the local RV dealer where they were kind enough to assist me. Turns out a bin in the underneath storage bumped the kill switch located in that compartment. This was fortunate because I was envisioning a set of new batteries at the least, or a new power converter (mucho $$$$$$$) on the high side, assaulting our budget.

Turning Stone is on Indian land and is an enterprise of the Oneida Nation. There is a casino, spa, golf resort, camping resort, and numerous restaurants here. After settling in we showered and changed and called for the free shuttle from the campground to the casino. The Season’s Harvest Buffet is where we ended up dining. The food was okay, but not exceptional and I had expected better. Never having visited a casino before, I decided to experience the gambling scene for myself. The only slots on the machines were for a plastic card provided by the establishment. I put $20 on the card and selected a 25 cent machine. In short order I burned through fifteen dollars and called it quits. I put another $20 on the card and told Kathy to try her luck.

She selected a penny machine, popped in the card and began punching buttons. In about five minutes she won $200. Kathy enjoyed watching her winnings ebb and rise until we pulled the card out of the slot with $198 on it. We visited the cashier where we opted to pull $150 off the card and returned to the trailer with cash in our pocket. So, we had dinner, walked through the shops, spent a half hour in the casino and returned with more money than we started with – not a bad deal at all.

Tomorrow morning we will attend Gina’s graduation at Le Moyne College. We’ll stay here one more night and then point our truck toward Alton Bay, NH where we will join dad, Kris, and Terry at the family cottage, Pleasant Point. We might meet up with John and Terri as they are currently in Maine but are making their way to Alton Bay, as well.

Good night all.

Day Ninety-three

Wrapping Things Up

Well, we leave Thursday for Syracuse and Gina’s graduation. She has received her degree and is now a Physician’s Assistant. We are all quite proud of her accomplishments.

Kathy has been in a frenzy at her mother’s house wrapping things up there. The house is almost empty as her siblings, nieces, and nephews have taken most of the contents home. Donations of clothes and televisions have been delivered to Shore Winds Nursing Home and to the Viet Nam Vets in Rochester. We are happy to be concluding this phase of our journey. While some elements of our visit have been unpleasant, having the opportunity to be with family has offset any negatives. Also, seeing Kathy in full Grammy mode has been worth it all.

Last Friday we had a cookout here at the campsite. Kathy’s dad and stepmother were in town from South Dakota and they, along with brother Dave and wife Jan, spent the majority of the afternoon with us. We were also surprised by a visit from my sister Terri, and husband John, on Thursday afternoon and they were here for the festivities on Friday as well. We cooked red and white hots, chicken, and sausage patties on the grill. We played games around the picnic table and concluded the affair with a campfire. The weather was cool and gorgeous and the day was a great success.

Today, Kathy is finishing up at the house and nursing home and I have pulled everything out of the underneath storage compartment in the fifth-wheel to reorganize and get ready for our departure. The Coleman grill is clean and stowed and almost all items to go underneath have been placed and secured. We also had rain yesterday so we have some drying out to do – we want to avoid a moldy situation.

This evening we are dining with Glenn and Rita at their home in Webster. Wednesday, Kathy will cook a pot of sauce for supper at Danny and Kim’s while he and I play a last round of golf before Kathy and I depart. It has been great to be so close by and, no doubt, Kathy will suffer Brayden withdrawal soon after we leave town.

Our plans had also included a side trip to Ontario, Canada to visit our friends there at Beacon of Grace Church but it just hasn’t happened. We have learned that it is great to be mobile, and flexible, but we have discovered that we can’t go everywhere we would like. Retirement has been anything but sedentary and our plates have been full. One may retire from their previous employment but it is difficult to retire from life and the many challenges and opportunities it brings our way.

Day Eighty-three

Back in the Fifth-wheel

After six weeks in the house on Crossfield Road we are back in the camper and setup at Webster Park. It required a good part of the day but we managed to get everything back in the fifth-wheel though we have a good deal of organization to accomplish. Each time we hit the road after a hiatus it takes us awhile to get ship shape and travel ready. Camp is fully setup and we have already walked around the campground and met some of our neighbors. Hopefully, we can chill over the next ten days before setting out on our way east.

There is still some work to be done at the house before we wrap up things here in Rochester but we felt it would be easier to accomplish this by removing ourselves, and our stuff, from the premises. Kathy and her sisters will be sorting through what clothing remains to decide what will be donated to the residents at the nursing home. On Tuesday the local Viet Nam Veterans organization are coming to the house to pick up all the items left over from the yard sale and after that we are pretty much done.

We have a beautiful campsite here at Webster Park. Most of the trees here are old growth which makes for a wonderful canopy providing us with excellent shade and scenery. The campground is close to Danny, Kim and Brayden, Sandy and Larry, Glenn and Rita and Tina so our location is ideal. Yesterday evening Kathy and I did babysitting duty enabling Danny and Kim to have a much needed date night. Brayden was quiet and slept most of the evening except for several feedings. Kathy is in full Grammy mode and sure does love smooching on and hugging her grandson.
Meanwhile, back in Florida things are a little unsettled. Mom fell and was hospitalized for a few days. She, presently, is back in rehab for a few weeks while they attempt to help her regain her strength. As long as things go well with this effort, Dad will be going to the New Hampshire for a few weeks where we will meet him.

It is getting late and we will soon be ensconced in our Sleep Number bed for the night. Both of us are sore, and weary, so we are looking forward to our first night back in camper. Strangely, after being in a house for six weeks, we are experiencing the feeling of having returned home after a prolonged absence. We are so comfortable in this space. In a very real sense this fifth-wheel is now our home and we miss it when we are away.

Day Sixty-four

Planning Future Travel

This is another of these mornings when I have awakened far earlier (3:08 a.m.) than I would have liked. After lying awake for an hour, or so, I am now downstairs surfing the net and making preliminary travel plans for when we depart Rochester. I just heard that the coffeemaker is no longer gurgling so I will prepare a cup of my favorite (though decaffeinated) morning elixir before I continue.

Ah, coffee in hand. To the RV’er planning can be an interesting challenge as itineraries are seldom fixed and contingencies are always necessary. When you throw in camping site locations and availability into the mix it can be especially exigent.

By way of example, we would like to meet a cousin in Hyde Park, NY around the twelfth of September. At that time our current plans are to be in New Hampshire. Here are some of the questions that arise. 1. Do we journey down without the RV and then return to NH? 2. Do we journey down with the RV and then return to NH? 3. Do we journey down with the RV and then continue afterwards to Florida? 4. Do we journey down with the RV and then go elsewhere afterward? 5. Do we go anywhere at all or do we stay put for awhile? 6. If we do go what is the nearest campground and do they stay open after Labor Day? 7. Is the campground on the east side of the Hudson River or, if not, is there a convenient bridge nearby? 8. Are we going to confine our explorations to the Hyde Park area or are we going to do further journeying up and down the Hudson River area? 9. Where will meet up with my cousin, Tug, and what kind of accommodations will he be utilizing? 10. Are there any campgrounds near where he “might” be staying? 11. What is his itinerary, and timetable, and can we adapt to it? 12. Are there any contingencies I have failed to consider?

From my list of questions I’m sure you can realize the scope of my travel planning and preparation (and this is for one possible side trip). That’s the thing about the RV lifestyle; it’s not about a destination as much as it is about the journey. There are itineraries within itineraries and agendas within other agendas. I have often pondered why many are attracted to the RV lifestyle and have concluded that the demand for flexibility and spontaneity lies at the heart of its appeal. Yes, I know most people require a rigid travel agenda because of copious demands of employment and family obligations, but to the full time RV’er the calendar is much like the challenge of an empty canvas to an Impressionist artist – it demands to be filled with color and form. To most people traveling is a requirement or an escape but to the dedicated RV’er it is an art.

The other thing you might gather from my rambling script is that, even when not on the road, the full time RV’er is always traveling, at least in his mind. By the way, lest some misinterpret my motives, this is not meant to romanticize the RV lifestyle but it may serve to clarify the RV persona for some of my readers. And while it appears to some that RV’ing is a casual pursuit, I would caution you that consider adopting this way of life not do so casually. In the same way the artist is committed in the pursuit of their art, so the full-time RV’er be committed theirs. On the other hand this, too, is not meant to be intimidating in my causations to not adopt RV’ing lightly because one of the greatest attributes of the RV’er is joy and a lighthearted spirit.

Hopefully, this will prove to be more enlightening than confusing to most of you.

Day Sixty-one

A Cool Respite

Early morning and I am sitting on the deck again; the temperature is a comfortable 65 degrees. Yesterday we had wide spread showers that lasted into the night resulting in this wonderful cool air. I awakened about 4:30 a.m. and have been unable to go back to sleepy land. I hate it when I do that.

Tomorrow is a big day here at the house. The plan is for the family to gather @ 9 a.m. and complete the process of emptying the basement and sheds of all the items desired for themselves. Trash will be put to the curb and the remainder put back in the sheds for the garage sale next weekend. I am glad this process is nearing completion.

Also, I have been making plans for our departure on August 12th. We have reservations @ The Villages at Turning Stone RV Park east of Syracuse. This facility is a part of the Oneida Indian Nation and has a casino complex and other amenities. Arriving on Thursday, we will drive back to Syracuse on Friday for Gina’s graduation and then departing Saturday for Alton Bay, NH. From Turning Stone to Alton Bay is not terribly far but with the fifth-wheel we may do it in two days rather than one.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a six inch puncture on the fifth-wheel near the king pin. I didn’t do it and have been attempting to figure out who did. We recently had service done to our rig but I would think that I would have noticed it when hooking up to drag it back to the house. The servicing dealer will never own up to it now that I have it back in the driveway so I will have to deal with it myself. Thank goodness for metallic duct tape.

Thursday night we enjoyed an evening over at Larry and Sandy’s. Kathy had cooked a pot of sauce so Sandy made gnocchis and we had an Italian dinner. Kathy also roasted a large chicken. It was great! Tonight we have dinner plans with friends Carol and John down at Irondequoit Bay near the outlet to Lake Ontario. I’m told the dinning is al fresco so it should be nice with the current weather.

Day Fifty-eight

Rochester Heat

It is sweltering here in Rochester; warmer than Florida. In spite of this I played golf this afternoon with Danny in the Men's League at Lake Shore Golf Club. Kathy is spending the night at Danny & Kim’s so they can get a good night’s sleep while she tends to Brayden.

Not much else to write about.

Day Fifty-seven

Beautiful but Warm

Awakened about 3:30 a.m. and arose at 5:30. I am, presently, sitting outside on the deck enjoying what little coolness we will experience today. I am under the impression that it is to be cooler here in New York than it is back home in Florida but this doesn’t seem to be the case. Highs are in the 90’s with a low near 80 – sounds like Florida to me.

Sunday we had a nice 4th as we spent it with family. I played golf with Danny and his father and we had a good time despite the challenging course and the warm temperature. Afterward, we all gathered at Danny & Kim’s for supper with Kathy’s stuffed shells, Zweigles red & white hots, cheeseburgers, ice-cream cake and more. Too much food!

Today’s agenda includes a nursing home visit to see Kathy’s mom and some shopping for miscellaneous items we need around the house. Kathy is beginning to prepare for a yard sale to be held the weekend after next, with the proceeds going into her mother’s account at the nursing home.

We are anticipating getting back on the road in Mid-August. Joey’s fiancée, Gina, is graduating on the 13th in Syracuse and our plan is to attend. We will probably take the fifth-wheel to Syracuse the day before and find a campsite nearby and then depart for New Hampshire the day after the ceremony where we plan to meet my father in Alton Bay. This is not set in stone but seems to be firming up as the date nears.

As I conclude I will mention that, as I am writing this, I have been watching the family of feral kittens in residence romp around the yard. Momma & Poppa kitty eye me cautiously from time to time attempting to discern if I represent a threat. Kathy puts out water for them, but we do not feed them as we don’t wish to hinder their departure should leaving ever occur to them. They are cute, though not very friendly, and it is fun to watch them play and wrestle with one another.

Have a nice day, everyone.

Day Fifty-four

Not Much Adventure Lately

We are ensconced at Kathy’s mom’s house, complete with Cable. We must have been pretty excited the day it was installed as there was an earthquake and we didn’t feel the ground shake. The epicenter was just outside Ottawa, ON and was felt as far south as Rhode Island and as far west as Michigan. One of the cable people asked us, “Did you feel the quake?” All we could say was, “what earthquake?”

The house is slowly emptying out as different family members select items and take them away. Eventually, we will have to relocate back to the RV as there will no longer be furniture enough in the house for us to be comfortable. We are uncertain as to where we will park when this becomes necessary. The local campground doesn’t have sewer hook-up though it is in a nice setting. We may park in Dave & Jan’s back yard as they have 30 amp electrical service but this location is a little further from Brayden than Kathy would like.

Danny and Kim delivered Brayden Daniel Geraci on June 25th. He was 22 inches long and weighed 9lbs and 10ozs. Grammy (Kathy) is especially happy as this is her first grandchild in Rochester. She enjoys dropping by to visit where much cooing and rocking is the order of the day. She is also eager to offer her babysitting services.

Other than activities around then house we have done little. A few visits with family and a walk in one of the local parks. The parks are lovely here with plenty of open spaces, yet with beautiful trees. I have wanted to get out with my camera but the opportunity has presented itself. We’re not sure about what we will be doing on the 4th as no one has committed to any plan yet. I will probably play golf with Danny even though it is predicted to be hot (record highs, they say). There is a concert (Rochester Philharmonic) downtown that evening and we might brave the crowds and give it a go.

Larry has been looking after the house back home, thankfully. He called late last week to tell me the AC was out. The culprit was a $1100 blower motor. It is covered by warranty so our share will be the labor costs only. It sure is nice to have a friend who will check up on things, even staying overnight occasionally. Of course, the hot tub we left running makes a pretty good perk after an afternoon on the golf course, hey Larry.

Today’s plan has yet to coalesce so we will free-form it, as we often do. Spontaneity is a great quality and we so enjoy it. Often, when we do make plans, something happens to foil those best laid but when we free-form it we are seldom disappointed.

Day Forty-four

The Joy of Being There

One of the greatest benefits of the RV lifestyle is that you can be in place when significant events are occurring. Danny and Kim are expecting Brayden any time now (likely today) and we are here – not 1500 miles away. Kathy is aquiver with anticipation and it is fun to watch her as the event is unfolding. The video camera is ready!

If we are lucky Time Warner will arrive today and reestablish our tie with the world of entertainment and biased news reporting. We have been without television since our arrival at the house on Crossfield in Irondequoit. Kathy has kept the radio going and I have been reading my Kindle and surfing the Net. Yes, I know that Network Television is next to worthless but we miss it when it is unavailable. Even the twisted Evening News with Katie Couric is entertaining in its own peculiar way.

Kathy has been busy on the phone with family members working out the details of clearing out the contents of the house. It’s interesting to observe family dynamics in these situations. It brings home to me the fact that there is no “perfect family.” All families have issues, especially large ones with multitudes of opinion and diverse agendas. We all struggle through life’s difficulties as best we can and it, often, isn’t much fun to watch. Despite sensitivities, harmony can be preserved with a mutual commitment to civility and fairness (easier said than done). All-in-all, things are going pretty well on this front here in Rochester.

Hopefully, next post will bear tidings of Brayden’s arrival.

Day Forty-three

Time to Catch-up

Being somewhat busy since arriving in Rochester I have been remiss in keeping up our blog so I will now make amends.

Last Wednesday Kathy and I flew back from Florida. It was a memorable flight as we sat on the macadam for over two hours. Actually, we departed Orlando almost exactly to the minute we were to have arrived at our destination. However, it wasn’t too painful as I, for once, took the upgrade offer to business class. While sipping generous libations we were faintly serenaded by crying babies in the rear of the plane (where we would have been had we not upgraded). The steward was making frequent trips to the galley with baby bottles warming formula in the microwave. Our seats were considerably larger than the ones in the rear so we were quite comfortable. Kathy’s remark regarding her first experience with Business Class was; “not too bad!”

Dave & Jan fetched us from the airport in spite of our belated arrival and we all had a bite to eat on the way back to their home. It was nice being reunited with our mobile abode and Tartar was extremely pleased to discover he had not been abandoned. Our hosts informed us that Tar had made preparations in the event we did not return in that he promptly took over theirs. He dominated the two larger breed residents (Jake and Lilly) generally bossing them around and getting his own way. Jake’s place in his owner’s bed was forfeit as well. Upon our arrival Tartar yelled at us for a considerable time to insure we understood the tremendous inconvenience we had put him through (although he had been thoroughly pampered during our absence).

Thursday we vacated Dave and Jan’s driveway and relocated from Hilton, NY to Rochester at Kathy’s mother’s house. We began by moving in essentials and arranging things to suit our needs during our residency. I also checked with the local RV dealer about our needed repairs. It was a waste of time dragging the fifth-wheel to the dealership as the service writer was off that day and there was no one else to address our problems. I returned next day (sans the RV) and discussed our situation concerning water invading the unit when towing in the rain. News not good – warranties do not cover leaks (even leaks that came with the unit when new). Our dealer in Florida worked on our unit soon after we bought it and we thought we had the issue resolved. I guess we haven’t driven through enough water since then to prove otherwise until this trip north. Oh well, it’s only one unresolved issue in our life so how bad can it be.

Sunday, Father’s Day, we experienced our own version of Modern Family. Danny and Joey treated their father, and step-father, to a round of golf. It was a gorgeous day, the course beautiful, and the four of us had a wonderful time. Kathy cooked us a Father’s Day meal afterward and, all-in-all, it was a great day.

Yesterday we ran errands and paid bills. Tartar and I both were shorn but not at the same shop. This is good because my haircut cost me considerably less that did Tar’s. Our little black dog was quite pleased with his new summer “do” and strutted around to let everyone know.

Today, we’ll just take things as they come. Still working around the house but it is, presently, precipitating outside restricting our options. Hope to get together with some of Kathy’s family that we have not seen since our arrival.

Day Thirty-seven

Life Goes On

Yesterday was a poignant day. My grandmother’s funeral service at Woodlawn Cemetery was well attended as friends and family gathered to say goodbye. Afterward there was a dinner at church and many joined us there. Many memories were exchanged and teary eyes were not uncommon. Gramma had expressed her wishes for a simple affair without much fuss and I think that we achieved that. The day was more like a family gathering with a potluck dinner to finish things up.

Last evening found us at Bonefish Grill with a large table of family members. In memory of two summers ago with Gramma in New Hampshire we all hoisted a margarita. Why a margarita, you might ask? That summer, two years ago, my grandmother had declared that our journeys around the state of New Hampshire were, in part, a quest to discover the best margarita. She pronounced the libation we sipped in the veranda of a quaint inn on Newfound Lake to be the best. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon while we were on our weekly drive to visit a location of note in Gramma’s memories. Of course, in doing so we created another pleasant memory.

Kathy and I fly back to Rochester, NY this afternoon. TarTar is waiting there for us and, of course, the remainder of our RV adventure. We are uncertain as to the length of time we will need to stay in New York, nor exactly where we might go when we leave there. But, isn’t that what makes it an adventure?

Day Thirty-three

The Passing of the Matriarch

I arrived back in Winter Garden last Sunday. It was a little late so I waited until the following morning to visit my grandmother at the hospital in Clermont. Being unsure of my expectations I approached her room cautiously. How would she look? What would her mental state be; lucid or out of it?

As I sat in the chair next to her bed I reached for her hand and identified myself (she was legally blind and needed verbal id). Her response was an enthusiastic “Hal! Finally someone is here that can take care of my situation.” I responded with, “what can I do you for you?” Having placed both her hands over her mouth she acted as if she were trying to cough and then exclaimed; “Wipe it! Wipe it!” There was a box of tissues on the bed so I grabbed several and proceeded to wipe her mouth. Her immediate indignant response was; “Not my mouth, wipe my a**.”

Ella was there with me and we all three had a good laugh. Gramma was very concerned that they weren’t going to allow her to go home that day but she was back in her own bedroom by three in the afternoon. Hospice was in place and was very helpful. Things went downhill from there as far as her physical and mental state was concerned. The deadline for hospice Critical Care was twice extended and, after a very quiet day Thursday, my grandmother left us at 9:40 p.m.

All arrangements are in place and are in accordance with my grandmother’s wishes. She asked that there be no church service and public viewing. Her wish was for a simple graveside service without a lot of to-do. We are abiding by her instructions and she will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery on Tuesday at 11 a.m.

As I sit here writing, Lee, Julie, and Laurie are due any moment having driven from Myrtle Beach where they were celebrating their tenth anniversary. Kathy is flying in from New York tomorrow evening and other family members are coming from around the country. It is a sad occasion but it is also poignant as this event is a stark demonstration that life goes on.

We will miss Isabel greatly and she was a grand lady. In her ninety-seven years she witnessed many world changing events and mind boggling technological advancement. She watched her family grow and her community change. Through it all, she demonstrated an easy grace and balanced mind. May she rest in peace.

Day Twenty-six

Addendum

The day is done. The funeral is over. The bike rack is assembled. The new tire is purchased, on the rim, and mounted on the back bumper of the fifth-wheel. The airline ticket is purchased.

Nelson’s funeral was very well attended and many people also went to the graveside service and the dinner at the Methodist Church afterward. Jan, Dave, and the family appreciated our presence and we were glad to be there at this time.

It required both of us to assemble the new bike rack and figure out how to make it fit with the interfering spare tire on the back bumper. We also have a stepladder strapped to the rear of the fifth-wheel and this contributed to the crowded conditions.

I am flying to Florida tomorrow and returning next weekend. Obviously, we both want to go but it isn’t possible at this time. Tomorrow morning I will pack and then Kathy will drop me off at the airport at the required time. I haven’t decided about carrying my laptop with me, not being sure if I want to carry an additional bag on the plane. If I leave the computer behind I will be offline for the next week and I’ll see you on the flip-side. Good night, all.

Day Twenty-six

The Downside of the Nomad

One of the greatest drawbacks of RV living is geographic isolation. Kathy and I need to be in Rochester, NY because of her mother’s situation. Rita has been on a feeding tube for over a year in the nursing home. Kathy’s other siblings have been dealing with this but Kathy is feeling the pressure, as the oldest, to step up to the plate and do her part.

The rub comes is that we have family, back in Florida, with health issues. Especially significant at this time is my grandmother, Isabel Fowler. She is ninety-seven and recently fell and suffered a broken hip. Because of her other illnesses, diabetes, CHF, and leukemia, her immobility has her pushed her to the edge of survival. Fluids are building up in her body and she is now hospitalized with a large blood clot in her leg. The doctors have concluded that there is nothing they can do and she will probably go home under hospice care.

So, what do you do when you need to be in two places at once? Of course, this situation is no different than it is for those that have moved away from family, but it does become particularly relevant to the full-time RV’er. I mention this as many that choose to do as we have need to factor this dimension into their decision making process. To fail to do so might produce great angst if these circumstances are not anticipated.

Today, we are attending the funeral of the father of Kathy’s sister-in-law, Jan Lloyd. Being here we are able to do this. If we were still in Florida the expense of travel would prevent this. It is true that we are often pulled to be supportive in family situations but are unable logistically, practically, or financially to do so.

So, the question now is what do we do? For Kathy and I to fly back together is prohibitively expensive. For me to return alone is still expensive but I have an offer of help. If I go alone, I leave Kathy alone to deal with the situation here. It’s difficult to know what decision to make.

Day Twenty-five - June 4th

Things That Go Bump in the Night

Our day began this morning at 3:30 a.m. with a significant thump and bump to the fifth-wheel. This particular event awakened both Kathy and I and we were somewhat anxious about the possible causes. My sleepy mind ran through a retinue of possibilities. 1. We blew a tire. 2. The weight of the trailer cracked one of leveling blocks. 3. The chain positioner popped on the kingpin support tripod. 4. One of the air cells blew in our Sleep Number Bed. 5. The water heater blew up.

Being too sleepy to get up and investigate at this hour, and in the dark, I relapsed to my former unconscious state upon the thought that I would check it out later in the morning. Arising about 7:30 a.m. I dressed and proceeded to investigate our situation. I checked all the possibilities and found nothing. Yeah, zip. Nada. Zero. I guess we now have a mystery on our hands.

Today we drove into Hilton, NY for a funeral viewing for Jan Lloyd’s father, Nelson Hare. We are sorry to see them for the first time, this visit, under this circumstance but glad that we can be with them. Afterward we found a local Charbroil house, and being Friday, we had fish fry.

On the return trip to Le Roy we stopped in Brockport at the Super Wal-mart which turned out okay for Kathy but was not so super for me. I was thinking I might purchase the trailer tire we require and have it mounted but, true to Wal-mart form, no one would wait on me. I found the tire myself on the stock racks but waited better than ten minutes at the counter for someone to appear, which they never did.

On the way out of Brockport we spotted a Dunn Tire Store and checked there. Two very polite gentlemen, in shirt and tie I might add, were eager and willing to assist me. The tire will be in on Monday and for less than Wal-mart's “low price”.

Both of us, now, are feeling very bloated from our fish fry earlier this afternoon and we have forgone our evening repast. We will sit around and bloat until bedtime, and then we will bloat in the reclined position. Hopefully, we shall un-bloat before tomorrow morning.

Day Twenty-three - June 2nd

Short Hop

This morning we leisurely broke camp and set our faces toward Le Roy, NY. We had breakfast in Frewsburg at the locals frequented “Dinner Bell” restaurant. Good breakfast!

It was our decision to take a scenic route as we were only 120 miles from our destination. The drive was beautiful as we meandered through the rural Southern Tier of New York. Bucolic was the adjective for the day as we passed many dairies and farms. The quaint villages were interesting architecturally as we spied many old large homes with steeples, turrets, and stained glass windows.

Our daily disaster did little to dampen our enjoyment of this beautiful day. By the way, it was in the 70’s with a bright sun radiating out of a very blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds. We loved riding with all the windows down and the refreshing breeze ruffling our hair. Oh yeah, the disaster; as we went over a railroad crossing our bike rack on the rear of the fifth-wheel self-destructed resulting in our bicycles dragging along behind us. Having the windows opened allowed the sound of our tragedy to reach our ears. Not too much worse for wear, we dismounted the bikes from what was left of the rack and put them inside the camper for the remainder of our drive.

Our campsite is rustic but lovely. We are sited atop a steep hill with our windows overlooking the campground and out into the vale. The front door opens out to thick woods some twenty feet away. The site is shaded and cool, very private, and we are quite pleased. The wireless internet works well so we are not isolated technologically but we receive one channel, only, on our television as there is no cable.

Tomorrow presents several challenges as we will be off to Camping World in search of a new tire for the trailer as well as a new rack to transport the bikes. This establishment is like the Mecca of the RV world. No doubt, we will discover a few other items that we “really, really” need to complete our inventory of nomadic necessities.

We, at this hour, are tired, well fed, and relaxed. “Americas Got Talent” is the only offering on the Tube but it is always good for a laugh. Good night and best wishes to all.

Day Twenty-two - June 1st

The Adventure REALLY Begins?

What a day! Rained early but we pulled over when the rain really got hard. Our carpet is still drying and we hope to find the source of the leak and have it repaired in Rochester, NY. While we were traveling we had a tire shred on the trailer leaving us on the shoulder of I-86 in southern New York. The highway was in terrible shape and long overdue for repair, which contributed to our flat.

Fortunately, two of the crew working on the highway happened along and generously offered to change the tire for us. They said too many accidents happen on this stretch of highway and we needed to minimize our exposure to the risk with a quick repair. They resisted payment but finally allowed us to give them something for their kind help.

Our destination for the night was only another thirty miles and is in Jamestown, NY. This city is famous as the birthplace of Lucille Ball. Again, circumstances conspired against us as we attempted to navigate through the city to our campground outside the Burbs. A bridge was out on the main route through town and our GPS detoured us to a route with a low bridge (one foot shorter than our total height). Luckily I noticed this fact just in time to escape to a side street and saved a very difficult situation in heavy traffic at best, and a disastrous accident of hitting the bridge at worst. Whew!

We are now at our campground for the evening and getting settled in. Have done my best to shore up some fender damage from the shredded tire but we will require some professional help setting things right. Kathy is baking something as a delicious follow-up to supper and it is beginning to smell interesting. It won’t be long now

Stuck in Flatwoods? - June 1st

We are in Flatwoods, Wv for the night. Upon arriving at our campsite, and opening our fifth-wheel, we discovered a mess inside. A cabinet door opened in transit disgorging several items, one being a large plastic container of cereal which was scattered everywhere. If that isn't enough, this day, most of our driving has been in the rain and we have water penetrating the cabin from underneath the trailer somewhere. Carpets soaked and covered in cereal. This is a service issue formerly addressed by our dealer in Winter Garden but unsuccessfully, I now discover.

Rain forecast for today which means we are stuck here until it dries up. The trailer only leaks when we are on the road.

Day Nineteen - May 29th

On the Holston River

This morning Kathy and I visited the Flea Market across the road from our campground. It is rather large and there were many treasures to be had. Fortunately, living in a RV prohibited and purchases of a gratuitous nature and we purchased only items that we need.

Afterward we went to the nearest Food City to acquire the makings for our visit tomorrow with the Hill family. They are coming to the campground where we have access to pontoon boats on Lake Holston and a nice pool for the boys to splash about. Beth and Aaron had plans for tonight so Kathy and I are enjoying a quiet evening to ourselves. Pasta, rotisserie chicken, and salad are the menus for our repast.

Kathy continues to organize our mobile abode and it becomes more livable by her efforts. She is definitely a homemaker.

Day Sixteen - May 26th

New Digs

This morning we enjoyed breakfast at the local Waffle House. Kathy even let me have a few bites of her pecan waffle with sugar free syrup – yummy. Afterward we broke camp and moved to another campground about two miles from the first one. It is much nicer with top ratings from Good Sam and Woodall’s. It’s a little pricier ($5 more) but worth the difference.

Tonight we are going into downtown Hendersonville to a great restaurant called The Cellar. It is Cajun and really is in a cellar. We discovered this place on a previous visit and instantly it became a favorite. I spoke with Suzi Karr this morning back home, checking on the house (not rented yet) and she mentioned it as one of her favorites. Not that we needed confirmation but it was nice to hear that someone else agrees with us.

Beth is expecting us for supper tomorrow night so we will be headed to Bristol. Unfortunately, I forgot that this is Memorial Day weekend but, fortunately, the campground where we usually stay had a cancellation just before I called. Whew! We will stay through the weekend to avoid the holiday traffic. From Bristol we are looking on to Rochester, NY. We are still unsure as to where we will first set up camp there. The best location has no sewer hook-up so we are limited as to how long we can stay without breaking loose to go dump. We are exploring options a little further out from Webster that will meet our needs and not be so far as to necessitate too much driving back and forth.

Meanwhile, we are enjoying this beautiful area and the cooler weather. Today is gorgeous and our campsite is great. This roughing it “ain’t so bad.”

Day Fifteen - May 25th

Investigating Future Locations

After a nice week with Lee, Julie, and Laurie in Greer, SC we are in Hendersonville, NC checking out the area. Sunday morning we joined Ken Scharf and the folks at Grace Bible Church in Anderson, SC. The first words out of Ken’s mouth after greeting us was, “want to preach?” Ken treated us to lunch afterward and we enjoyed a nice visit with him. That afternoon we spent around the pool at Lee and Julie’s and worked on assembling the thousands, seemingly, of pieces of the recently acquired cedar swing set, slide, sand box, combination – whatchamacallit. Lee still has plenty of work to do to finish the job but it was fun working on Laurie’s newest entertainment.

The campground we are trying first in Hendersonville is okay for the money but is a little run down. Tomorrow night we are moving to another campground nearby that appears to be much nicer. As we travel we are scoping out different parks where we might stay for an extended time. If we are going to be living in the fifth-wheel we might as well have beautiful surroundings.

Today we drove to Morganton, a little over an hour away, where we had lunch with Kathy’s Uncle Glenn and Aunt Carol and my cousins Rich and Carole Fowler. Glenn and Carole have been here for thirty-four years and Rich and Carole just moved here; we are hoping the meeting has prompted a new friendship. Glenn and Carole are selling their home and moving to a continuing care facility, still in Morganton, so we went and checked out their new digs. Before lunch we stopped at Rich and Carole’s and saw their beautiful home. They are still anxiously waiting for their Maine home to sell, which we hope happens for them soon.

When we leave here our plans are to proceed to Bristol, TN to drop in on Aaron, Beth, Leon and Silas. One of the joys of our trips north is seeing friends and family along the way.

Day Nine - May 19th

Jasper, GA

Kathy and I had a pleasant visit with cousin Tug in Jasper, GA and are now set up at son Lee’s in Lyman, SC. I did manage to extract the fifth-wheel from Tug’s long and winding driveway without too much difficulty. The only hitch was a small dimple in my right front fender caused by an encounter with a sneaky fence post which was lurking just out of my vision (low and close to the truck). Despite doubts, fulfilling this task meant that we did not become permanent residents with our GA cousin (though he graciously offered us housing.

Monday, Tug drove us to Atlanta where we visited the Oakland Cemetery (http://www.oaklandcemetery.com/). It was an interesting tour as it is a historical site and those buried there represent a significant portion of Georgia’s history. Bobby Jones and Margaret Mitchell are interred here. I also visited the grave of my great-great-grandfather. As it was a day trip, we also drove to Stone Mountain where I saw the Tuggle house where my cousin was raised. Visited the Stone Mountain Cemetery and visited the burial sites of numerous ancestors of various Tuggle, Britt, Venable genealogy. Afterward, we journeyed to the Dekalb Farmers Market. UNBELIEVABLE! Check it out on the web - (http://www.dekalbfarmersmarket.com/). We shopped and dined there before returning to Jasper in the early evening. It was a wonderful day.

We arrived here in SC yesterday afternoon. Lee helped me set up and we are now comfortably ensconced (to make somebody or yourself comfortably established, as though ready to stay a long while) for the next week, or so. Lee had just returned from Iowa where he had purchased, and took delivery of an ultra-light aircraft. He located a hanger for storage so I helped him unload, and return, the borrowed trailer. Afterward, he, Laurie, Kathy and I went to Copper River Restaurant for soup and salad.

Day One. Full time RV’ers - May 10th

Staying Close to Home

My first set up of the trip went smoothly, despite not being used to new locations for about every item required. I guess I have done it enough times that leveling the fifth-wheel and making all the connections is becoming routine. We were in the Chaparral five months, last summer, but much of the time we were in one spot. Although, when mobile, we made overnight stops each day and I soon established a routine.

Today, we managed to get back to Clermont to visit my grandmother in the hospital. She looked pretty well considering she is ninety-seven with CHF, pneumonia, leukemia, is legally blind, has a broken hip and, oh yeah, and had a heart attack since being in the hospital. She even smiled for us – she is an amazing woman.

Life in the fifth-wheel is going to take some sorting out. We think we have everything we need with us but FINDING most of these is challenging. You would think that in a small space it would be easy but it’s the opposite. Because space is at a premium everything must have its special place in order to fit – the trouble being remembering a particular “special” location for each item. Last night Kathy and I decided we wanted a single-serve popcorn while watching “Dancing with the Stars.” What an adventure. I told Kathy to give it up after a few minutes but she can’t abide an unsolved mystery and eventually located the secretive items - an adventure, indeed.

We had supper with Virginia & Willard Sessoms tonight. They had killed the fatted cow, literally, and we had grass fed, no hormone (no anything) added burgers on the grill. Great time! These folks have been my very special friends for many years and I cherish these few hours with them before we head out of the state of Florida.

Received a call from the Realtor with an offer to rent the house on the first day it was listed. We declined as they only wanted it for four months and we don’t want to deal with the issues involved with seasonal leasing. The offer was for the full amount so we are encouraged that we might have the house occupied soon.

It still remains to be seen as to when we will depart the local area as we would like to be more comfortable with the health issues at hand. However, we face similar issues in Rochester, NY and need to head that way pretty soon. Meanwhile, we need some down time to recover from the flurry of activity these past two weeks