A day for gratitude

November 30, 2013--The sun is shining; it is cold outside. But our hearts are warm. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We had much to be thankful for this year. My greatest thanks was that my husband not only survived his accident in May, but has healed. It was a miracle (in my book) that he did not die on May 23, when he fell from the roof of the RV. Now, here he is, again transporting us across the countryside, in good health.

Another of my thanks was to be with half of my family. My son is a source of great pride for me. He is following a passion to do some good in the world. We don't know where this will lead yet, and we may not see the fruits of his long labors for a period of time. But his thinking and his work have caused a change in how he sees the world. It's been a tough journey to this point, but who said life is easy?

I am thankful for Rob's wife Corky, who is a loving and supportive woman. We've known each other for around 18 years. I believe we are now good friends.

I am thankful for my grandchildren (all four of them). Each has his or her talents and blossoms on their personality. Campbell is effervescent and deep into her ice skating. Ben is a little wit and is thoroughly taken up with gymnastics. Maddie is a beautiful teenager/young woman, who absorbs what is going on around her with a quiet curiosity. And Jackson, full of energy, is astoundingly knowledgeable about computers and Ipads. I love them all with my whole heart.

We didn't do as much "tourist" stuff around Raleigh as we had planned, but we had a wonderful time.

Until next time,

Your Reluctant Rover,
Linda

Brrrr

November 27, 2013--Brrr...it's cold here in Raleigh! But I get ahead of myself.

We left Jacksonville on Monday and had a pleasant if not long (as always, about nine hours total) journey here. The previous day, Sunday, was u-g-l-y in Jacksonville--overcast with high winds. Fortunately, the skies cleared and the wind died down. We had no problems driving up here.

We arrived after dark. Our plan was to stay at the North Carolina State Fair Grounds, a hidden camping gem for RVers. Except for October (when the State Fair gears up), the State Fair Grounds offers more than 300 full hookup spots for a bargain price of $25/night. And best of all, it is only 5 miles from Rob's house!

No amenities, of course, but who cares? Camping is on a first-come basis. According to the security guard I had talked with a few days ago, he said there shouldn't be any problem getting a space this time of year. He said to call him when we got in.

I did that, and would you believe he called me by name? He had programmed his phone to accept my name! He met us, led us into the campground, and checked us in.

Again, we had a minor problem (we hope) with our electrical hookup. (Jim will check it out fully when we get home.) But not to worry: We have full electricity, water, and sewer. We are snug as a bug in a rug.

Good thing, too. Because it is darned cold! It is dropping to 22 degrees tonight. Jim will disconnect the water hose so that it won't freeze. Our heater and multiple blankets will keep us warm.

Tuesday we spent with Rob and Corky, just catching up. (The kids were in school.) Today, though, Corky, Maddie, Jackson, Jim and I spent the day at the North Carolina Museum of Science as well as the N.C. Museum of History. (Rob had work to do--the hazards of getting a business off the ground solo.) Good day. Everyone enjoyed the museums, especially the special exhibit of birds of paradise. (The museums were free! Just a small charge to see the special exhibit.)

 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I've brought everything with me for a gluten-free dinner, from the turkey to a cheesecake. Jack and I mixed up a pumpkin pie, which he and Corky baked in the pie shell I made a couple days ago.

We have a lot to be thankful for. I'm glad we are here. My family is glad, too.

Until later (and Happy Thanksgiving to you!),

Your Reluctant RoVer,

Linda

Practice Makes Perfect

November 25, 2013--By George, I think we've got it!

By "it" I mean this packing up and going thing.

The first time we traveled in our RV (about three years ago), it took us quite a while to pack up and get going. And even with that, we forgot some essential things, such as pillows. I didn't let that happen again; I took a set of pillows and installed them as permanent fixtures  in the bedroom.

We also quickly learned that it would be best to let the RV have its own coffee pot, dishes, pots and pans, silverware, etc. Junior even has its own iron! (Not that it has been out of the box yet, but you never know.)

Our latest permanently installed items are two new litter boxes. Now we don't have to transport them every time we want to travel.

I think my goal is to duplicate everything in my house that I could possibly need on a trip. It would be great if we could each have an RV wardrobe so that we wouldn't have to pack clothes, but I don't think that will happen. However, because we have duplicated many of our basic needs (from sheets to toilet paper), when we took off this morning, we only had to pack perishable foods and the cats.

Xena and Charlie, surprisingly content with each other. 

 Forty-five minutes after getting up, we were on the way to Junior. And 90 minutes after arising, we were on the road. (It should be apparent to you that we did not have any lost-cat problems this trip. In fact, they came almost willingly. Almost, not quite.)


Like I said, I've think we've got it!

Until later,

Your Reluctant RoVer,

Linda

November 25, 2013--By George, I think we've got it!

By "it" I mean this packing up and going thing.

The first time we traveled in our RV (about three years ago), it took us quite a while to pack up and get going. And even with that, we forgot some essential things, such as pillows. I didn't let that happen again; I took a set of pillows and installed them as permanent fixtures  in the bedroom.

We also quickly learned that it would be best to let the RV have its own coffee pot, dishes, pots and pans, silverware, etc. Junior even has its own iron! (Not that it has been out of the box yet, but you never know.)

Our latest permanently installed items are two new litter boxes. Now we don't have to transport them every time we want to travel.

I think my goal is to duplicate everything in my house that I could possibly need on a trip. It would be great if we could each have an RV wardrobe so that we wouldn't have to pack clothes, but I don't think that will happen. However, because we have duplicated many of our basic needs (from sheets to toilet paper), when we took off this morning, we only had to pack perishable foods and the cats. Forty-five minutes after getting up, we were on the way to Junior. And 90 minutes after arising, we were on the road. (It should be apparent to you that we did not have any lost-cat problems this trip. In fact, they came almost willingly. Almost, not quite:>)

Like I said, I've think we've got it!

Until later,

Your Reluctant RoVer,

Linda