Still In Florida

We have just finished our 3rd month in Florida and we're both ready to hit the road again. Last week we drove over to the east coast of Florida and stayed 2 nights at Daytona Beach. The first day we drove on the beach and had lunch at a restaurant at the end of the old race track where they drove part on the beach and part on the road! It was a fun day. The next day we joined Ken's cousin in Titusville and watched the Discovery shuttle launch. What an amazing sight to see. I'm so glad Ken talked me into staying so that we could witness it. The power and force it takes to break free of the earth's gravitation is something you just can't describe! We felt the rumble of the take-off even though people around us said it was very disappointing compared to other times. I guess the wind conditions prevented us from experiencing the full impact. All in all, it was wonderful to see. We took a video of it so I don't have pictures I can include in this blog but it was great to capture even a small part of such an event.

It's in the 80's now so we've gone from winter clothing to bathing suits in a week! Ken's mom is still with us and in a nursing home so we will go visit her tomorrow and after that make our plans as to when we will leave and start heading west. We anticipate being in S. Calif. all of April and then heading to Oregon. Keep in touch and I plan to write on this every Saturday since there will be something to write about now that we're on the road again!!

Life in the RV, Part 2

We're beginning our 3rd month in Florida so we haven't been "on the road" and have not had much to share. We decided to stay for the shuttle launch on Feb. 24th. We're also staying around because Ken's mom is not doing well. She's in the hospital now with blood clots in her lungs and will return to a nursing home because Ken's brother is unable to care for her at home anymore. It's a hard time, but we're glad we had the holidays with her.

I never thought we would stay so long in one place once we began this lifestyle, but weather and family circumstances have affected our plans. And that's the best part of this lifestyle - we don't have to be anywhere so we can come and go as we like! Being in Florida with all the snowbirds has also taught us to make reservations at RV parks as far in advance as possible. Every park is full until April 1st! Right now we are at a park outside Orlando that is built around a golf course. It sure is busy on the course every day.

While sitting here in Florida, I've looked back on all we've done since August. The memories are wonderful but so is all the food we've bought along the way. This morning I had Meyer Lemon Pear Marmalade on my toast that I purchased in Paso Robles, CA. The Lingonberry jam in the cupboard is from Wisconsin and the rubard wine from S. Dakota needs to be sampled. We have enjoyed Maple Walnut pancake mix from New Hampshire, Biltmore Estate wines for the holidays, and blueberries from Maine. We don't have room for nicknacks or other mementos but I'm enjoying the food we've purchased from different parts of the country. They are nice reminders of our travels and don't take up too much room. Alligator jerky will not be added to the larder. YUCK! I'll have to find something else from Florida - citrus fruit!

Thanks for joining us - again. I'll be sure to tell you all about the launch!