Wow!! Here we are at the end of 2011. It hardly seems poossible that when the year began Lynn had just retired and Grant was still "consulting" part time. While we had plans for 2011, we were still unsure as to how to carry them out.
It didn't take long for things to start happening. We fell in love with the first RV we looked at. After it passed a professional inspection with flying colors we put our money where our dreams were and became the proud owners of a 7 year old, 30 foot motor home. Thus started our great adventure.
The first problem was what to do with it until we were ready to hit the road. This was easily solved by renting a parking place in a commercial storage lot. Minor problem here was that the space assigned was really (I mean really) tight. After a little conversation with the manager we were assigned a spot that a novice driver could easily negotiate.
Next step was to prepare a car to be towed on our trip so that we would have transportation at each stop.As it turned out our Honda Civic was equiped so that it could be towed "4 on the ground." However, it needed a base plate to be used to hitch it to the RV. Also we learned that an auxillary braking system was required. These problems were solved with a chunk of cash that we hadn't planned to spend. Oh well, in for a penny in for a pound.
Finally we were ready for the road. As we have written earlier, Don and Anne Mumy had offered to serve as our coaches and accompany us on our first trip, beginning on April 1. (I don't know if there is any significance in selecting that date.) Anyway, we had a few adventures but overall things went pretty well. With some experience we gained confidence that we could do this.
After a couple more short local trips we were ready to roll. Grant finished his consulting gig on June 30 and we worked diligently, preparing to leave on July 6. Each time we went out we seemed to learn something but pretty soon we felt like old time, veteran RV'ers. I won't bore you with details of our adventure. Those are available on previous entries of our blog. What I will do is capture some of the highest of high spots and lowest of low spots of the trip.
For Lynn, the highest spot was visiting our family, celebrating Chris' 40th birthday, hanging out with Chris and Marriah and her sister DeeDee in New England ,celebrating our anniversary with Patt and Gene, a great visit in California, holding a new granddaughter, Luna, the first time, loving our other granddaughter, Celsiana, amazed at how she has grown and matured in only one year, hanging out with Andy and Marjo and celebrating Christmas with Derek for the first time in years.. This was her dream.
Grant's dream was to see the USA. We certainly did that. We are constantly amazed at the varied beauty in this country. However, Grant's high spot was realizing that he could do all of that which must be done, hooking up and unhooking at each stop, navigating and negotiating the highways, selecting RV campgrounds and many other little things. He believes that the confidence he has developed is proof that an old dog can learn new tricks.
We have stayed in many RV campgrounds across the country but a couple of them stand out when considering which was the most beautiful. At St Johnsbury, Vermont we were parked not 15 feet from the bank of a rushing river. We were there only 2 nights and unfortunately it rained most of the time we were there. We would love to return and spend more time there. In Orange, California our campground had a different type of beauty. It was beautifully laid out and landscaped with various citrus trees all over the place. Since all of the citrus trees were in season we were able to pick oranges and limes off the trees. The campground graciously offered all to pick what they wanted to and even provided a map of where trees (lemon, orange, grapefruit, etc.) were located.
We tried to attend church wherever we were. A number of them we visited only one Sunday but we have been in three locations and attended churches there long enough to establish a relationship. We have to say that we have been welcomed warmly in all of them. At this point probably the one we have liked most was the UMC Church of the Joyful Healer in McKinleyville, California. We liked the pastor (He called on us at our RV campground) and while we were there he had a sermon series on "When Christians Get It Wrong". We also participated in a work day at Patricks Point State Park and had lunch with several congregants. This church is getting close competition from First UMC Tempe, where we are now. Their Chrismas Eve service was wonderful and the Associate Pastor called us and made a date to have coffee with us. We had a delightful time visiting with her. They are starting a study of "Enough", another Adam Hamilton book which I have a copy of at home. They are also having a one day program on "Sharing Your Faith" which we hope to participate in and hopefully bring some helpful ideas home with us.
The trip has gone especially well but we have had some interesting moments. Like, when we unknowingly had the GPS set on "pedestrian" and went through downtown Nashville. It was somewhat frightening to get on strange freeways, knowing we were lost and not knowing how to get on the right road. We had another frightening moment (or 20 or 30) in Los Angeles when our GPS took us right through the middle of Los Angeles, merging onto another busy freeway on the left, taking left exits with little notice, and so on. In those instances we just prayed a short prayer and God always answered.
While celebrating New Years Eve over dinner last night we thanked God for the year we have had. The year began with much uncertainty but it has been all we dreamed of. We wonder what 2012 will be like. Every new year has uncertainties but we aren't planning any more life style changes so it is doubtful that 2012 will be as eventful in our lives. We have learned that we probably aren't full time RV'ers, that we need some time at home with our friends periodically. We are looking forward to returning home to North Carolina by March first but we do have plans for another trip next summer to see another new grand child expected in March. 2012 will surely be great but we think it will be hard for it to top 2011.
We pray that all of you have had a joyous holiday season and wish you a healthy, prosperous new year in 2012.
