Back On The Road Again - Possibilities Are Endless

Myakkka River State Park (61 degrees, bright blue skies, chilly)

Roseate Spoonbills - J.N. Ding Darling

I took a rather long sabbatical from blogging.  It has been difficult to write since the loss of John's sister Martha in late October.. She fought bravely against the breast cancer which invaded her body and eventually metastasized. We miss her more than words can express and were grateful to spend some time with her in Sao Paolo Brazil. 

Screech Owl - Green Cay

After returning to the states John had a total knee replacement. It's a tough recovery and we spent two months in Fort Myers Beach area before returning to J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge to volunteer again this winter. It was like coming home and being surrounded by our many friends was priceless. This was our 4th season and probably will be our last for awhile. Sanibel is a magical place and we never thought we'd repeat our volunteering experience. It lured us back each time with its great birding, lovely beaches, and most of all the volunteer residents (a.k.a. family) we met there.

Fran, Randy, and John checking out all the birds

Wood Storks - Wakodahatche

We did have to leave a little earlier than expected because John's knee started to swell more and his surgeon felt it was best to rest it more in hopes this will calm it down. We also cancelled working at Grand Teton Association in Wyoming this summer and fall. 

Barred Owl - Circe B Bar Reserve

So we suddenly find ourselves with a spring, summer and fall available to fill with all kinds of adventures. We are still in the planning stages and hope to go back out west. We haven't been out there for two years and the mountains and lakes and desert are calling us. 

Tri-color Heron in breeding plumage

For now we are going to hang out in Florida area for a few weeks. A Caribbean cruise is even planned with John's daughter. Stay tuned. If you have any great suggestions let us know. We always say the RV lifestyle needs to be in jello to allow lots of wiggle room. 

Sandhill Crane-check out his red eye

We are now beginning our 6th year trip around the sun as fulltime RVers. What a great lifestyle. Although our plans are ever changing and challenging at times there are lots of possibilities and options to keep whatever lies ahead very interesting. 

Change In Plans

Rochester, IN (87 degrees, very hot and humid)

Martha and John

John's dear sister Martha suddenly called us to let us know she was in the hospital in Sao Paolo Brazil where she resides. She has valiantly been fighting breast cancer for many years and now was told it had spread to her spine and brain. She is very precious to us and although she has a wonderful family and extended friends we felt it was best to be there to help out in any way possible.

We quickly said good bye to our traveling companions over the past two months and put the peddle to the metal and have now left Newfoundland. After much discussion and planning it seemed best to leave the motorhome at my brothers house in Indiana. We will go to Chicago on Monday to get visas to travel to Brazil. Our friend Debbie in Indianapolis offered to watch Jimmy while we are gone. Our plan is to fly out on Friday- fingers crossed.

It's taken a village to pull all this off and we want to thank our friends and family who have offered support and help. Martha has many people known and unknown to her saying prayers and offering positive thoughts for her full recovery. 

We took an overnight ferry about a week ago from Argentia Newfoundland to Nova Scotia and exited Canada into Maine. From there we quickly headed to Indiana. On Monday we are going to Chicago for the visas. We arrived here very tired but safe and sound except for the loss of one side view mirror clipped off at a toll booth and a whole lot of road dust. We had to duck tape and wire the mirror up to the motorhome and arrived sort of looking like the Beverly Hillbillies. 

Please continue to keep Martha and her family in your thoughts and prayers. She has a very positive attitude and has shown amazing strength throughout.