It’s definitely Spring and we are looking forward to the remainder of the year with renewed hope and optimism. We have both received our COVID vaccines and are preparing to leave Florida. Maybe not expecting a complete return to “normal” – whatever that means – but heading in a good direction.

We are leaving Florida this week (third week in April); stopping in North Carolina and Maryland. We will arrive in Michigan in May. Our reservation at Indian Creek in Tecumseh for the summer awaits us, with a trip to northern Michigan planned for the end of June/beginning of July.

Our winter stay at Siesta Bay near Ft. Myers Beach was great. Our dedicated spot in the park proved to be the right move for us and we will return to the same location next winter. We began the new year with a resolution to get more exercise, so daily walks have become part of our routine.

One of our favorites is to drive a few miles and park near the Matanzas Pass Bridge and walk the bridge to Estero Island and the beach. If we go early enough we can beat the traffic and crowds. Our walks usually include a stop at the Tuck-A-Way Cafe for an ice tea break.

The area seemed less busy to us than normal until March when there was a noticeable increase in visitors, especially on the beach. We are hearing this was a cooler than average winter; but no complaints here.

During our time in Florida, we were able to visit with friends Randy & Melissa and Bob & Diane in Naples, Shelly at Marco Island, and Susan and Gale north of us in Dunedin. Always nice when we can connect with friends.

Our time in FL was broken up with a couple of trips. We flew back to Michigan for Christmas with Dan, Christie, Megan and Anna. Always nice to be with family for the holidays. We may have done just a little Christmas cooking baking. Anna and Megan are excellent bakers now – all those years of practice!

In February we drove the RV to North Carolina and Maryland to see our daughters and families. We stayed at Jordan Lake (Poplar Point Campground) while in NC. It was good to have some time with Cheryl, Darren, Ellie and Norah.

Jim had to take care of a major brake repair on the tow dolly (with helper Ellie). A little cool and rainy in NC, but grateful no snow and ice!

On to Maryland and familiar Cherry Hill Park to visit Beth, Kevin and Gemma, who turned 2 while we were there. Gemma loved coming to the RV and visiting the playground at Cherry Hill Park.

RV Maintenance: When we returned to Florida, Jim was busy with annual maintenance on the RV. He took care of changing the oil and filters, Aqua Hot and battery maintenance, just to name a few. Saving lots of $ when he can take care of these items himself.

Jim enjoys being part of the Discovery Owners Group. Owners share questions, ideas, and solutions in an on-line forum that is so valuable. He has been able to help others with issues as well as picking up useful tips.

Remote work: Work picked up for me in January and peaked in March. I stayed plenty busy while enjoying a flexible schedule. A recent purchase of a MO-FI extender seems to make the internet in the RV even better and easier to connect. Verizon keeps offering different plans, and we have been able to upgrade our plan with very little increase in cost, giving us more data for internet and occasional steaming.

I took remote working to a new level on the way back to Florida from Maryland. Since we spent a lot of time on I-95 I worked a little while Jim was driving.

Travel Plans: We have spent a lot of time on trip planning for a trip later this year, starting in late August. As you can see by the map, it is quite ambitious.

Two months, over 7,000 miles, reservations have been made at 24 different parks and campgrounds. A mixture of private parks, Corp of Engineer campgrounds, and State Parks.

Highlights include National Parks: Theodore Roosevelt – ND, Glacier – MT, Crater Lake – OR, Redwoods, Lassen Volcanic, Yosemite & Death Valley – CA, Zion – UT, White Sands – NM.

We will visit Coeur d’alene, ID, Snoqualimie, WA, the Oregon coast, Page and Sedona, AZ. Heading back east, we will stop in San Antonio and Galveston, TX. Keeping in mind that – life happens – and sometimes plans have to change; but if everything works out, I think this will be a very special trip!

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