Fran and Jeff’s Retirement Adventures

Guess it has been a while but the last 6 weeks seem to have really flown by!  We returned to PA in early May to attend Heather and Allen’s wedding – it was a truly lovely Neuman affair!

After the wedding we moved from Lancaster to Kutztown, PA.  Originally we thought this would be a relaxing time but ended up having to go back to Florida to finish our vehicle registrations.  Also finished with the house and closed – so we are now completely nomads with Florida as our domicile!

While in Kutztown we did get to do a little hiking.  Spent a day walking the dogs in the Trexler Nature Preserve in Orefield PA.  It was beautiful (minus the couple dozen ticks we came back with)!

From Kutztown we moved to Harrisburg in preparation for Brian and Vicki’s wedding.  While there we found a nice park to walk the dogs in called Wildwood Park.

 

We also figured after being PA residents for all these years that now that we no longer were we would be tourists and tour the capital of Harrisburg.  If you have never been they have a beautiful walk along the river!

 

The party before the wedding – my children (two sheets to the wind?)

 

 

Had a really delicious dinner with friends followed by a few hours of penny poker!

A few days later we spent the afternoon hiking with the dogs through ‘Rainbow Falls State Park’.  The water is so clear you can see all the way to the bottom.  You could swim, canoe, or kayak as well as hike.

Jeff wanted everyone up north to see how big pine cones get down south!

Before we pulled out and started the trek north – we were invaded by an Airstream convention!

As we were heading north, we found a little jewel in Georgia called Jekyll Island.  There are beaches, a walking/bike trail around the island, lots of bars and restaurants, along with a great looking campground in the woods.  We are trying to stay there later this year but may not be able to as they are full so guess we will be circling back at a later time.  The below pictures are of the Atlantic during this really cold April we have had!

We arrived back in Lancaster on the 26th, where we are spending a couple of weeks in order to attend my future daughter in law’s shower, Heather and Allen’s Wedding, and take care of finalizing things on the sale of the house.  Was really surprised, the house sold in 5 days, above asking, with 3 offers before it was even on the market – sight unseen!  Though doing all the little nitpicky things that the inspectors want is frustrating.

While out in Lancaster we found the ‘Northwest Lancaster River Trail with a side loop up to Chickie’s Rock’ – really nice hike!

Below is one of my most favorite reasons for living this nomad life.  There is nothing better then a dark night, with stars in the sky and a campfire toasting your legs and feet.

Till we meet again – happy trails!

 

 

 

I need to make a correction – we stayed in Ashland VA – not Ashville.  Now onto our travels since VA.  We spent a couple days in Lumberton, NC.  where we sampled the local seafood fare at Pier 51.  Jeff really loves Hush Puppies!

From NC we headed to Kingsland GA.  There we were able to find a state park – Crooked River State Park (interestingly located by Kings Bay Submarine Base).  Took the dogs for a stroll through the park woods and down to the Crooked River.

From GA we made our way to our final destination – Bushnell, FL.  Here we have been staying at Red Oaks RV Resort.  Took care of business – I am now officially a Florida resident (Jeff will be soon)!  Have been able to spend some time with some friends of my Dad’s as well.  Today, Friday the 13th, is the first day we became tourists and took an Air Boat ride on Lake Panasoffkee – gator hunting.

We did get to see some birds, turtles, and alligators.

The bird below and the alligator spent time looking and yelling at each other.  I believe the bird was saying – ‘I dare you to get me’ and the alligator was saying – ‘you just wait’.

Even got a chance to hold a baby gator!

And this little Hummingbird was tough to catch a picture of.

After watching all these gators, Jeff and I just had to try gator bites – interestingly, they taste close to chicken.  However we did not venture into the frogs legs and catfish bites – maybe next time.

Till next time!

 

 

 

Preparing to move the 5er to Lancaster

In preparation for putting the house up for sale and leaving, we needed to move the 5er out of the driveway to have a pod delivered.  The pod was to house the few belongings and furnishing that we wanted to keep for the future.  Old man winter just would not give up and the day we needed to de-winterize and prep to leave, we got about a foot of snow.

Jeff was up on the roof clearing the snow so we could close the slide-outs after draining the anti-freeze from the systems.

We must have shoveled the driveway 10 times that day so we could finish preparations.  Pulled her out the afternoon of the 22nd and headed to Lancaster for 11 days.  During that time, we filled the pod, finished clearing the house, filled two bagsters and a JunkLuggers truck.  We did get one day where it was warm enough and we were able to stop work at the house early to barbecue in Lancaster and enjoy a fire that evening.

Said ‘Good-Bye’ to the house on April 1st and now have truly begun our adventures.

On Monday, April 2nd, we woke up to another snow storm.  Luckily this time it was only 4-5 inches.  Poor Jeff, had to clear the roof again so we could be on our way.

After about a five hour ride, made it to Ashville Virginia, where we caught up on some much needed rest!  Next we are on to Lumberton, North Carolina.

As March gets closer to ending Jeff and I have been wading through the years of ‘stuff’ that have accumulated in the house deciding what should be kept, what can be donated or given away, and what should be thrown away.  Lesson learned on this one – should have cleaned out on a regular basis through the years.  I actually located a box that was labeled ‘Mom’s important papers’ – since I have not opened or looked in it for almost 11 years guess it truly was not that important.

We move our 5er out of the driveway on the 22nd of March to stay in Lancaster – of course since it is our last northern winter we had to get a snowstorm on the same day that we need to de-winterize!  House goes up for sale on the 30th and we hit the road on the 2nd of April.  Our first trip is a quick run down to Florida to take care of business and establish our domicile.  8 days down, almost two weeks there, and then 8 days back.

Stay tuned for ‘Our Take Off’, coming shortly.

As January comes to a close we have our home on wheels back in the driveway.  We have planned our itinerary from April through July.  Now to finish cleaning out the house and put up for sale in April.  All is looking good, we and the pooches cannot wait!  Visit us in a couple of months!