MissBeth
Back Home to Colorado
April 9-18
Beth Remembered
Hard to believe that a year has gone by since Beth’s passing but it has. So dearly missed by us. Just us (Ty, Amy Scotty Tyman Tessa Lacie and me) spent the snowy day watching Harry Potter movies which were Beth’s favorite. I give these books credit for Beth actually learning to read and comprehend; when the books came out, she was obsessed with them. And you know how many pages are in these books and she said she read them. I doubted her until the movies came out and when we watched them, she would say “No, that didn’t happen that way! Or What happened to such and such?” So, I was amazed that she was actually reading and comprehending!!! It was a somber day, lonesome actually. The grieving process is a long one, but as time passes the pain does ease a little. Oh sweet Miss Beth how we all miss your smiling face and love of life. We will all try to go on
Sunday Fun Day all Week Long
Before this Great Adventure we would spend 99% of our Sunday’s together in what we call Sunday Fun Day. Miss those times so it was a week full of togetherness just having fun. The only disappointment was Tyman’s basketball game was postponed due to the school shut down due to the school threat so we were not able to attend. Other than that, it was a week filled with family dinners, picking up kids from school, walking Lacie, going to Amy’s killer exercise classes (thanks Amy, you really gave me a jump start to exercise), moving Scotty’s office (really tough move about 50ft) and the late night’s around the kitchen counter playing DJ wars and dancing. This is the hard part of the Great Adventure – not having the Sunday Fun Days. Amy’s friend, Sara (no h), gave us a little traveling Buddha which we thanked when a car ran a stop light as we were pulling out. Thanks all around for brakes and quick reactions as no damage no hurt.
Some Anthem Visits
I did get in a morning of ping pong in and they showed no mercy on me not having played in 3 months. Thanks and Good Game Girls! We also got to see a few friends in the week – just not as many as we wish we could have visited. However, we have decided to come back to CO for Thanksgiving and stay until the 3rd week in January, so hopefully we can see everyone! Still looking for a place to “house site” for this time if anyone out there in Anthem is willing…..
When we left Colorado to continue on we decided we needed to:
- cut out the sugar (wayyyyy too many deserts)
- try and go dry for at least 2 weeks to give our livers a chance to dry out.
Now when one makes those kinds of resolutions and it’s not New Years or Lent, you know you’ve had a good visit!
oyster beds
Jason Lisa & kids
Life RV style
Georgia – Here we come
Now we are onto Georgia and it feels good to finally be out of Florida as there are just so many gators one can take. First stop was the Golden Isles which is on the southern coast of Georgia and is comprised of several islands: Blythe (where we stayed), St Simone, Little St Simone, and Jekyll. These are the main islands that you can actually get to, others not named are private. History of these islands is filled with British, Spanish, American Indians all fighting each other for control – which we know how this all ended. Did a lot of kayaking while in the Golden Isles and FINALLY the last guide got it that I need the “Princess Seat” as he described it when we wanted to have a 2-man kayak. I tipped him generously. We then headed up to Savanah area staying at Fort McAllister State Park on Savage Island and again it’s the British, Spanish, and Native Americans battling it out.
Was able to squeeze in a quick dinner with nephew Jason Ouellette and his family Lisa (bride), Connor and Ethan. Now Connor, who is in 6th grade stole the whole visit! Never met such a young man who is so comfortable engaging in adult conversation with interesting and factual information. The only time he reverted to a kid is when the children’s menu, the coloring kind, was placed in front of him and he was absorbed with that. Only then were we able to catch up with Jason and Lisa. But I am actually in awe of Connor – will be keeping my eye on him as here is one who is going to go far – love you Connor. Ethan was the shy one, enjoying his video game, starving but doesn’t eat much and jumping in when he can – he is adorable.
Savannah started as a bust however in the end we conquered! GPS took us in a major loop trying to get to the visitor center so we decided just to park in the vicinity and hoof it. Had to pay for parking at one of those kiosk which I think the city has rigged as you have to press the up (dam up’s again) to adjust how much time – what the instruction DON’T say is to press OK when the amount of time you want is displayed – so the city got 2 extra hours from us. Oh well, onto the visitor center (and the facilities if you know what I mean) and WHATTTTT – it’s closed for remodeling??? And the facilities are closed too. This is just p&^57 poor timing. Ok, find a hotel when is about a block away. That done, let’s take the trolley tour. At the kiosk with all the info we need and “Sorry sir, my machine is broke, I can only take cash. There is an ATM machine right over there.” No problem, except the ATM is out of money. Where is next kiosk? Only 3 blocks and one cliff climb away – no problem. We finally settle onto the trolley which thank the powers that be that you can jump on jump off anytime. The first driver/guide you could not understand, so jump off get some Leopold Ice Cream (voted #2 in nation and it was some creamy stuff), jump on the next one – no wait, I know I am standing right on curb, I am the next one in line but as soon as the bus comes up and couple just shashsas up and take the only 2 seats left! TOURIST! If you get to Savannah take the trolley, and get off and on often. You will get different info each time, the city is beautiful, old, with lots of history.
Crystal Beer Parlor was a good suggestion for lunch
Georgia’s Bugs
These “no see ums” are driving me crazy – enough said
Georgia’s Wildlife
So far, we have seen the Wild Boar that is so prevalent here – big beast that I don’t want to tangle with and the Armadillo. Seems everyone here hates these prehistoric creatures. I relate the feeling towards the Armadillo the same as the Anthem rabbits. Lots of Cardinals, which we have been missing since our MI days.
Georgia’s Oceanlife
Oysters Beds are amazing. I thought they just laid around on the ocean floor or washed up on shore. Didn’t realize that they grow in clumps along the banks or where-ever they can grab hold.
Georgia’s Foliage
Everything is starting to bloom and the fragrance is wonderful. The honeysuckle is outstanding. As we move North leaving the Palm trees behind (there are some in the Savanah area) and now getting into the deciduous trees.
So How Are You Really Liking This Lifestyle?
We were asked this a lot when we came home and our answer was unanimous…we absolutely love it!!! We don’t have much of a calendar to follow other than remembering what RV place we’ve made reservations for and when. We do anything we want, when we want to. We have come to the realization that we do have to slot in some AWAY FROM EACH OTHER time (this is when I usually write the blog). We have established sort of a exercise routine where I like to exercise to my tapes and Ty likes to hike. It is easier for me to exercise than for Ty to find decent hikes close by. He usually winds up doing a short loop multiple time. When I exercise it has to be outside next to rig and I sure to get the looks. I think they are all jealous that they didn’t think of this first – that’s what I like to think they are thinking but I know they are thinking – wow is she nuts or what?!?!?
We try to eat the majority of meals in the rig if only because it is $$$$ and fattening to eat out all the time. Besides I love my insta pot!. Watch TV in the evenings as we’ve not been at campgrounds with campfires although that is changing now that we are in GA. Had our first fire the other night – very nice. Few bills to pay (yahoo), we have a Verizon Hot Spot so we do have internet anywhere we go. It is so relaxing and freeing lifestyle although we do miss getting together with friends occasionally to play cards or have dinner.
Where are we off to next
April will be finished off by visiting Savanah and Andersonville GA (Civil War History) and FDR Little Whitehouse and hopefully make it to the capital, Atlanta. Then make our way up to Great Smokey Mountains.
May will find us in Kentucky and Tennessee. Will be meeting the Welbourn’s in Lexington May 9-14, to do some of the BourbonUckty Trail and Mammoth Cave, then I will be in Nashville area and Amy will come in for a weekend while Ty goes and does his “Brothers Weekend”. When he comes back, we will roam around Kentucky, Tennessee and who knows where else until the end of June when brother Will and bride Pam join us back in Kentucky for the BourbonUckty Trail.
July will find us in Lake Norman NC 7/6-14, with the fam and with Scotty’s family. Sounds like a fun family reunion. Then fly up to Michigan for Ty to sail and me to get some girl time. I hope to squeeze in some Sister time, Sue if you are reading this are you available? Let’s talk.
No plans for August until Thanksgiving when we will be flying back to Colorado.
If any of you plan to be some where close to where we are in April – August, let us know, perhaps we can meet up. Or if some place sounds like fun to you and you want to join us, let’s talk!
Now that’s a real Tick in the @ss
Ty: “Jane, will you look at this bump on my bum”
Jane: “I need a magnify glass to see it” Did you know that there is an App on your phone for this?
Ty: “Well?”
Jane: “Ty, you have a tick on your butt check”
Urgent Care again. Ticky all gone, Ty on antibiotics (Lynne disease is not an issue here but just in case)
Editor’s Note: due to the sensitive nature of the tick placement, no photo.