Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Celebrating Our Second Anniversary As Full Timers

 
Port Charlotte, FL (78 degrees, sunny with clear skies)

Today we celebrate our second anniversary as full timers. It's humbling to look back over the past two years and review some of the amazing things we have seen and done. We are very blessed and continue to enjoy this lifestyle. Although this may not be for everyone, it is perfect for us. 
 
We started our second year in White Sands National Monument in Alamogordo, New Mexico and are currently in Port Charlotte, Florida.  Here is a map of our different stops along the way.   
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This year we have
  • Traveled 7076 miles in the motorhome
  • Explored many more miles in the jeep
  • Spent at least one night in 15 States
  • Managed a sport memorabilia kiosk in Port Charlotte, Florida
  • Worked for a KOA in Watkins Glen, New York
  • Volunteered at White Sands National Monument
  • Participated in one NOMADS project in Tucson Arizona
  • Attended two rally’s (FMCA Indio, CA & Gypsy Journal Rally Yuma, AZ)
  • Marveled at many beautiful waterfalls, sunsets, sunrises, and star filled skies
  • Paddled several rivers and lakes in our kayak
  • Took the motorcoach and jeep on a ferry ride
  • Made many new friends
  • Treasured several visits from family and friends
  • Plus so much more.  Here are a few of the highlights

White Sands National Monument was a magical place.  We even had the whole place to ourselves with several volunteers when the main road closed due to a snow storm. 

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White Sands National Monument
 
The deserts in Arizona and California were so beautiful and we were awed by the spectacular sunsets. 
 
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We had a lot of fun locating creasted cactus, a unusual and rare phenomenon which some cactus form.

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One morning we woke up to a sudden snowfall in Sedona Arizona.  The 17 inch snowfall dusted the spectacular red rocks and for a few hours before it melted we experienced a very rare event. One photographer next to me said “it’s moments like this when you really know there is a God”. 
 
 
Before
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After

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We spent five months workamping at Watkins Glen KOA in New York.  The Finger Lakes are very pretty and the extended stay allowed us a chance to really experience New York.  We saw lots of waterfalls

The very small….

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To the humongous Niagara Falls

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Touring some wineries in the Finger Lakes was very interesting.  I learned a lot about wine from the wine tastings over the summer and have a new appreciation. 

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Concord grapes

Keuka Lake

A visit to NYC was a highlight and we especially enjoyed being able to see John’s sister, Martha, perform a lovely concert. 

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We enjoyed moose hunting and celebrating Martha’s birthday in Vermont.  The cousins were all together and it was so much fun.  
 
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On our way to Florida we even took the motorcoach and our jeep on two ferry rides to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  
 
It's just a little bit cramped
 
 
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A new roof was put on our motorhome in Indiana and we added a comfy new sofa bed.  Plus in Delaware the motorhome got six new shoes (tires). My brother helped us also improve our sound system for the TV and we installed a new radio.  The IPOD capability sure has been fun to use as we travel down the road. 

 
 



We are now in Florida and and will soon be starting a  fun filled trip with our friends JC and Bev for three months all around Florida. Life is good.   We remain very grateful that we can travel and enjoy this lifestyle.  It’s been another great trip around the sun. 
 




Friday, November 30, 2012

30 Days and Counting At The Kiosk

Port Charlotte, FL (80 degrees, clear blue skies)

A Handsome Saints Fan
We have now worked 30 days at the Slippermania kiosk in Port Charlotte. Our latest "gig" is selling sports memorabilia for two months in a mall.  The hours are long but our customers are a lot of fun. This young man is a huge fan of the Saints and will soon be flying to New Orleans to attend a game. He was so excited. 
 
We enjoy talking to our customers about their favorite teams and try to find the perfect item for them.   Patriots, Steelers, Yankees, Gators, and Ohio State fans are some of our best customers. Christmas wreaths, ornaments, and fleece throws sell very quickly.
 
The mall was closed Thanksgiving Day and we drove to one of our favorite beaches, Siesta Key. It is about 1 1/2 hours from here. The long stretch of beach is beautiful and the sand is just like confectionery sugar. We spent several hours and had a delicious dinner at Turtles restaurant overlooking Little Sarasota waterway.  It was very reasonable and we will definitely return again soon.  It was a relaxing day as we tried to gain strength for Black Friday. 
 
 
 

The mall was open 22 hours on Black Friday.  John and I worked in shifts and we hired several young  adults to help us too.  We sold more  in one day than we had all week.  It was crazy when the doors first opened at midnight. I've never gone shopping on Black Friday but there sure are a lot of folks who do. 
 
Rush of shoppers entering at midnight
 
 
We have one more month to go.  Only 25 more shopping days left before Christmas.  Happy shopping.  Stay tuned.  Our second anniversary as full timers is approaching.