'20/#27 "Tis The Season

 2020 has been a hell of a year, hasn't it? Pandemic, economy, election, and all that goes with it has made this a year to remember and maybe one we would like to forget. In spite of everything that has happened I believe we (and I mean the whole country) will survive. Things will no doubt be different but some things will always remain the same.

This is the season where people celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and any number of other holidays that lead us into the New Year. Universally New Year is a time to look forward, a time for hope and a time to better ourselves and to better the lives of those around us. 

The time leading up to New Year, as varied as the different holidays are, have always been a time of giving and sharing no matter what holiday you celebrate. The television and internet is teeming with stories about organizations, companies, groups, and individuals thinking of others less fortunate. All the food drives and toy drives and help for those in need is heart warming and restores faith in the human spirit. This happens every year regardless of the circumstances or conditions that affect society.

The only down side to all this is that I wish this giving attitude was as alive and well throughout the year. I know good work is being done all year long, and that needs to be spot lighted, and not just at this time of year. The need is there all year long and people are there to help all year long. 

So to everyone who has given to those in need this time of year remember how good it felt and how good it will make you feel no matter the season. I will end this with a wish for a Merry Chrsitmas and a happy and healthy New Year to everyone form our home in Ocala Florida because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'20/#26 Choose Your Pandemic Pals Wisely

 No one needs to be told that we are living in a different world but some people do need to be told how to live during these trying times. We have been traveling this summer and fall but we are trying to do it responsibly. We wear our masks in public, we do not socialize any more than is necessary, and we DO NOT socialize with anyone who is or has been sick. We get together only with those that we trust to keep us informed of their Covid or near Covid status. These are not fool proof methods of avoiding the virus but we are comfortable with the level of effectiveness that they provide. 

That being said, it was only a matter of time before someone that we thought we could trust would not be forthcoming about their Covid status. One half of a couple we know got the virus and was admitted into the hospital. He is doing better now and for that we are greatful. We were planning on getting together with this couple and called to confirm our plans. The sad part is that if it had not come up in the conversation we would never have know about the virus being in their home and the possibility of transmitting it to us. To us this is totally irresponsible. 

We don't want to write these folks off as friends but we will reevalute our level of friendship with them. We have friends who have cancelled plans with us because they were sick and did not know for sure if it was or was not the virus. Others have cancelled because someone they knew had the virus or someone they were close with knew someone who had the Covid virus. This is how a responsible friend acts. Should we find ourselves in proximity to someone with the Covid virus or are not feeling well ourselves we will isolate, separate, and insulate to protect ourselves and others from transmission of the virus or any other illness.

For now we are well and there is no Covid in the park where we are staying. Everyone here is doing there best to social isolate without becoming total hermits. Also our family and friends are reporting little or no Covid illness or exposure and for that we are very greatful. So all I can say is stay safe and remember that taking precautions against this very serious illness is not just for your own health. You are showing that you care about your loved ones and strangers alike by wearing a mask, washing hands often, using sanitizer, and staying six feet apart.

Stay healthy like we are doing in our home in Ocala Florida because...

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'20/#25 Thankful Wherever We Are

 It is the day after Thanksgiving and December is just around the corner. Where has 2020 gone and how soon can it be in our rear view mirror? This year like others has flown by but for many reasons we especialy wish it a fond farewell, or is it good riddance? Either way 2021 is coming and it is a good time to evaluate the past and look forward to the futurre.

We all know about the pandemic and the toll it has taken on the country and the people.  We are still dealing with it the best way we can and are looking forward to the promising vaccines that will allow us to get back to a "normal" way of life. I am sad for the people and the families that the virus hurt. I am greatful for the front line workers that helped us get this far. I include all the people who went to their regular jobs like grocery clerks, truck drivers, delivery persons, and everyone we deal with on a day to day basis as well as the first responders in the fire and police departments and last but not least the health care workers that put themselves in harms way to take care of our health at the risk of their own.

If you follow us you know that we have a new home on wheels. Some of you have seen it through photos or in person. It is a step up from our old trailer that served us well for 15 years and will stay in our memories as the start of this RV adventure. The new rig is really feeling like home and we are looking forward to decorating for the holidays. We had to get rid of some of the decorations we have used for years in the old trailer but have added some new things that will suit our new home and make this Christmas as memorable as many in the past.

Thanksgiving in the RV park was held for a limited number of people adhering to the social distancing guidelines. We opted for a Thanksgiving dinner for two at home with all the usual trappings of a Thanksgiving dinner. We spent most of the day just relaxing and being thankful for all the good things that came out of 2020. We also gave thanks that we and most of our friends and family came through the pandemic relatively unscathed. We also are greatful for the opportunity to go into 2021 with all of you that are close to us and hope to enjoy a brighter future.

As you can see we do have a lot to be thankful for and hope you do too. Yes 2020 was a tough year and 2021 will also be challenging but life is a challenge. It wouldn't be worth so much to all of us it was easy. This is a wonderful life and I look forward to living it and sharing it with you as we travel down the road on our adventure.

Thank you for being there and following us in our home on wheels in Ocala, Florida because....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'20/#24 Welcome Back To Hurricane Country

 If you follow us you know that we have not been back "home" to Florida in almost four years. You also know that we are now back in the Sunshine State for the winter and maybe for a few more winters. Well we have been officially welcomed back by tropical storm Eta and have survived! Fortunately it was only a tropical storm and it did not strike Ocala directly. Thank you to everyone who contacted us and checked on our well being. I am also glad to report that everyone that we know also are doing well after the storm. Hurricane season can't end too soon.

Our non-storm activities are going well. We are getting into the swing of things as far as our job here in the park and we are trying to get to know the residents. Getting to know people is the hard part. Social distancing hinders us from meeting everyone and masks prevent us from recognizing anyone from one meeting to the next. Masks change and clothes change so we have to concentrate on voices, eyes, and mannerisms. It is definitely a different world.

We still need to shop so we are finding the stores we need and the local businesses we like to support. Getting things organized in our new home is also progressing. Weeding out more things we don't need and finding homes for the things we want to keep. There are also a few modifications we are doing to make it our home. 

Well it is time to sign off from our home in Ocala Florida because....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'20/#23 Settling In, Once Again

 Well here we are in our home for the winter, Ocala Florida. We have been through Ocala many times but have never really stayed here so we will get to know this part of Florida a little bit better. This park is very nice and well maintained. It is sure to be a good place to winter. The Snowbirds are not here yet but starting the first of November they will be flocking into the park as well as the rest of Florida. With Covid19 we are not sure about the migration of the Canadian Snowbird population. Only time and the Canadian government will tell.

The RV is just about all set up and we have spent the past two days getting our bearings. Grocery stores, drug stores, Walmart, and the ever popular "dollar" stores are always on our list to find. Even though the park has it's own laundry we will find a local laundromat because the park facility is not that large and can easily become overwhelmed. There are many restaurants we want to try in the area and some of our favorites are not far away.

We start our workcamping this weekend and will be working for our site and electric. I am sure we will get involved in whatever activities they can safely provide while maintaining safe practices during this Corona pandemic. We will see how things unfold as time goes on.

Onto another topic. Tuesday is election day, November 3rd. It is always important to vote but this year there are too many things going on for apathy to be any part of the election process.If you haven't already voted make sure you do by Tuesday. This government is of the people, by the people, and for the people but only if the people do their part and VOTE! Only if the people vote will the country be run as the majority of the people want. No matter how you vote remember that voting is the American way to be heard.

I am signing off now and will be watching the election results from our home in Ocala, Florida of the USA because....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'20/#22 Home Is Where?

 What is home? Some say it is where you live. Some say It is where you are from. Some say it is a house and some say it is more about where your heart is. As RVers we always say home is where we park it. But when people want an answer that is a more permanent location we say home is where our heart is and that is where our children, grandchildren, and friends from our past are. That would make home Pinellas County Florida. Why all the "home" talk? Well here we are back in Florida. We are still in the panhandle but will be back in the Bay Area soon.

This winter we will be staying in Florida, not in the Bay Area, but within a short drive. We are looking forward to seeing family and friends that we haven't seen in several years. Our time out west was enjoyable but we are planning to stay on the east coast for a few years. That means winters in Florida for those years. 

Well, we have one more day of driving before we are "home". We have a few appointments and some business to take care of and then we we will head to our winter location in Ocala FL. That will make Ocala our home for the winter. 

So I will be heading to bed soon so that we can get an early start tomorrow from our home in Cottondale FL because....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'20/#21 Got Those Wheels Rolling

 South Dakota is finally in our rear view mirror. We are on our way to our winter destination in Florida with a few stops along the way. This winter will be the first time we have been in Florida for an extended stay in four years. It will give us time with friends and family whom we have missed during that time.

The day we left Hermosa was sunny and in the mid 70's with little wind. In other words a perfect day to travel. Our first day was a straight shot accross I-90. Once the cruise control was set all I had to do is make sure we didn't run out of fuel. It was an uneventful first day on the road which is a good thing in the RVing community. Our first stop was Sioux Falls just 360 miles down the road. It doesn't sound like much but that is a good day when towing a big RV. The fatigue factor when towing will shorten your day substantially from just driving a car. Also we lost an hour going from MST to CST.

Day two we planned on 400 miles which is about what we call our maximum travel day. On the road by 6:30am and a comfortable drive put us at our destination with time to set up before dinner time.  This is the stretch of road that takes us through Iowa. In our travels we have driven through Iowa a number of times and have never been disappointed in the poor quality of the roads as well as the nothingness we have seen. I am sure there is some redeeming quality to Iowa, but for us the only reason to drive through Iowa is to avoid the miles it takes to drive around Iowa. 

We are at a very nice RV park just off the interstate in Peculiar, MO. Yes, the town is called Peculiar! Don't know why and at this moment it is not important because we are just staying for the one night. Today we will start our day a little bit later. We can sleep in and relax before our next drive of just 200 miles to our next destination. We will stay a couple of days and see some friends before continuing our trek south.

I will sign off now and enjoy my lazy morning and a couple of cups of coffee before we take our odd ball life down the road from our home in Peculiar, MO because....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary