"On the Road" Living Our Dream

(Berea, KY / Knoxville, TN) We said good bye to the owners for the Indy KOA, Dave and Lori.  We had a nice dinner the night before at our favorite Mexican restaurant El Nopal.  We have enjoyed so much working at this KOA.  It was our first workamping experience and we really had a great time and learned so much.. 





Dave and Lori

Dave up on the roof of the KOA office installing the new WYFI

Dave and Jonathon getting ready to ride the golf cart around the campground.

After much ado, last minute errands and good byes, we left Indianapolis and started our full time dream on December 3rd. We left just in time before a winter storm was supposed to hit the area. We are heading to Raleigh North Carolina to spend the holidays with our daughter, Jen.

Our first night was spend at a Passport America campground in Berea Kentucky.  We arrived much later than we would have liked.  We really do not like negotiating an unfamiliar campground in the dark, but it could not be avoided.  The campground is called Walnut Meadow RV Park and is right off I-75.  It was only $12 for the night and the owner was very friendly and escorted us right to our pull through site.  The next morning we woke up to SNOW!  I guess we did not get out of dodge quick enough.  Good Grief!



Our site at Walnut Meadow RV Park



We waited around until about 12 noon and slowly left to see if we could go a little further.  We were very nervous about driving on the snow covered roads, but once we were on the interstate the roads were pretty good.  However, after about 3 hours John said he'd like to call it a day and settle into the next campground during day light.  One of the campers in Berea told us about a Passport campground called Volunteer Park, near Knoxville Tennessee.  It was very nice, convenient, and reasonable ($19 per night). We would go back again.  The sites are a little close together but for a one or two night stay it's perfect and well run by the friendly owner who looks a lot like Santa Claus. 



Volunteer Park Knoxville Tennessee (site near ours)





Campground office




We did a little grocery shopping and went to see the latest Harry Potter movie.  It was 2 1/2 hours long but it did not seem to be that long.  We thought it was well done and it was the first of a two part conclusion. After that we called it a night.  Roads looks like they may be clear tomorrow.  We hope to arrive in Raleigh tomorrow to see Jen. We can't wait to see her. 

Holiday Celebration,Farewell to the Post Office, and New State of Residency

(Indy, Rochester, Sioux Falls) We have had a very busy, fun filled week and there hasn't been much time to record all the details. I'll try to catch you up on all the fun.



Wednesday morning the Post Office organized a great retirement party for John.  There was a nice pitch in lunch and a presentation of an achievement award to John from the Post Master.  He received a wide variety of gift cards from the carriers.  I was invited to attend. and found it very interesting watching the carriers case the mail and get ready for the day.  We had a great time and really appreciated the party. 



Evan



In the evening I attended my nephew, Evan's, first basketball game of the season.  They played Culver Military Academy and won their first game. 

Rochester Zebra Cheerleaders



Rochester Zebra's Basketball Team 2010



Evan is a senior this year at Rochester High School and enjoys basketball. He won't get to play much this season but it does not keep him from being a part of the team.

 
 
 
 
 

Thanksgiving was a great celebration spent at my brother and wife's lovely home. Lots of family including Jackie's Mom and her three sisters were able to come.  It was fun to see all the cousins having a good time together.  There was so much great food, and we had a fun time. Here is everyone preparing for the great feast.

 

Afterwards we left for South Dakota. We are establishing our residency in this state.  It has great tax advantages and is a very full time friendly state. 

Our mail service for about six months has been with Alternative Resources in Sioux Falls. After a two day drive we arrived. The staff were very helpful and showed us around the facility.


 

 

 

It was very cold and a winter storm was hustling it way into the area.

 

We did not linger very long, so after obtaining all our required documents (drivers license and voters registration cards) we headed back to Indiana.

We have some last minute details to take care of and then we will soon be "on the road".  We are hoping to leave for North Carolina and visit our daughter on Friday.  Our plan's are coming together!