Back in Kentucky

We are back in Kentucky after going back home for almost a week.


While we were there, we picked up a plus 1 for the summer. Our great nephew wanted to travel with us before school starts. Having no grandchildren, It has been about 28 years since we have had a kid around. This will be a learning experience for all involved!

More later,
Doc

Lafayette Blue Springs State Park, Mayo, Florida

 

On December 27th of 2014 we arrived at Lafayette Blue Springs State Park.  This was our first camp host position and we were excited.

Imagine our surprise when we found out there was no campground! The camphost position at the park is cleaning cabins. So, first lesson: Always get your expected duties of where you are going! ot that we minded cleaning cabin, between us we never worked the required 20 hours a week. The work was not hard. But, it just wasn't quite what we had in mind.

The photo above is of the spring, with the Suannee river in the background. However, I got it offline. The river was swollen off it's banks and those stairs were underwater, the entire we were there.

We met several great folks, Susan, Connie and Ron, and a great Ranger crew!

We also learned what to ask on our next search for a camphost position: 

Is their internet?

Is there cell service?

How close is the nearest Wal-Mart?

Will we actually be in a campground?

We did enjoy our two month stay. We learned much about cave diving and met divers from Canada, Sweden and all areas of the USA. The area attracts cave divers from all over the world.

The nearest town was Mayo, FL. A quaint town with one grocery store and a small hardware store. Twenty five miles from the nearest Wal-Mart. 

We did spend a cold weekend in St. Augustine, would love to go back to visit when the weather is better. We left at the end of February, Heading to Virginia. 

Doc

Eighth Grade class visiting us from IN!!! What great teachers!!!

This afternoon, May 18th, we were excited to see this large white van pull up and many kids pile out. How great that three teachers brought their eighth grade class camping out-of-state for them. They came to visit the waterfalls here at Cumberland Falls Resort State Park. They are from Crystal House School from Indianapolis, IN! Wow I never had teachers like that!

Doc

Day 1 of 48 state tour

Welcome to Steve M. Decided to stay at our campground at Cumberland Falls, Kentucky. This was the first day of his 48 state tour on his Beautiful BMW Bike!!! One part of the RVing lifestyle is all of the interesting people you meet. Hopefully, we will meet him on our travels around the USA!!! Keep the wind to your back and keep her between the ditches!
Doc

Learning to say 'Why not?' instead of 'Why?...

This post is not about our RV lifestyle. However, it does cover why I made the decision to live our dream: Living in our RV and experiencing life as full as I can, no matter what limitations my health issues put on me.

For the record: I am terrified of heights! Always have been. My husband of almost 40 years is very aware of this.

We spent Christmas of 2012 in Puerta Penasco or Rocky Point, sometimes known as Phoenix' Beach. Just a four hour drive into Mexico from Phoenix, to the northeast shore of the Sea of Cortez.

My 76 y/o mother came with us. While driving around one afternoon, we spotted a man with his teenage son beside an ultralight sitting in the sand. My husband's casual statement set a precident: "I have always wanted to do that!"

We found what hours he would be there, and the price: US $40.00 for about a ten to fifteen minute ride. A little rich; however, it was Christmas! We left and returned the next day for Roy to go up in the ultralight. He was like a youngster, finally to be able to do something he had only dreamed of.

Ramon gave Roy some pre-flight instructions, then sat in front of him on a seat that seemed very small. I took plenty of pics of his take-off and he then became a speck in the sky. They soon landed on a sand dune and they puttered up by our car. Roy's eyes were dancing. His excitement was bubbling over, describing his adventure in the sky, floating above the nearly empty resorts. It was off-season and many things were closed.

He hugged me and he grinned: "I know you won't do it: but I sure wish you could."

He wasn't expecting my answer, "Okay!"

During his ride, I had contemplated whether or not I could do it. I made decision to face my fears and to enjoy this experience. I borrowed his jacket, and Ramon assisted me into a harness and helmet. During take-off and the entire flight, I had a camera in my right had, snapping pics of everything. My left arm was holding tightly onto Ramon, I am surprised he could breathe.

Roy stared and did not believe I was going up...But he was thrilled. We soared above the deserted beach and I could see our tiny shadow trying to keep up with me. Ramon pointed at a pod of whales about a mile out from the beach.We landed without any problems. I was so proud that I had faced my fear and broadened my experiences to include flying on an ultralight airplane!

Why did I decide to go? Two months prior I had a severe Vascular Accident. [A stroke]. I was walking with a cane or using my wheelchair on bad days. My neurologist was making murmors toward me retiring early. I was 56 y/o and had only been a Doctor of Behavioral Health a year. So, I literally decided to take the risk, what did I have to lose?

Knowing how limiting my diagnosis was and learning to live within those limits, made me a stronger person. I decided that day, on a deserted beach in Puerta Penasco to not let my fears stop me from experiencing adventures. This was the first [and most radical] of may decisions to have a fuller life.

Part of my job as a Behavioral Therapist is to encourage my patients to have more experiences. The Doc was taking a dose of her own cure. I rarely hesitate when Roy suggest something interesting to try. I haven't always said yes, but I usually will try new things.

After my health forced me to retire, we decided to sell or give away most everything. We are full-time RVers and go somewhere different every two or three months. With the attitude of 'if it's safe: do it!, I have some wonderful memories already.

Stay-tuned for more adventures,

Doc

Deciding to go

Last year was one of decision making. Multiple health issues left me exhausted and nearly lifeless. A vehicle wreck, shoulder surgery, a heart attack with 95% occlusion of my LAD artery and two stent placements later, I finally began to feel better.

After the stent placements, I was able to breathe and think better. I began to not need my wheelchair as much and utilized my cane when walking.

Roy and I began looking for RV's. We looked for several months and ended up purchasing one that we saw first: A 1998 Georgie Boy Encounter. A 38 footer with a Freightliner Chasis and Catepillar Engine. It has two couches and can sleep up to 7 adults. I was sold after seeing the large bathroom with a washer/dryer unit!

We are 5 months into our new lifestyle and will be sharing the ups and downs. We are learning by our mistakes and learning what to ask before you accept cap host positions. Then there is the people: we meet some of the most fascinating people everday, from local at whatever area we are in, or far away as Sweden.

So, stay tuned to this blog, We are living the dream...come along,  Doc