tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31463730614746171742024-02-19T19:17:43.453-05:00RV Days with Jessica and HarryJessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.comBlogger1168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-16061652647774843162019-09-12T09:10:00.002-04:002019-09-12T09:10:30.482-04:00Long Overdue Catch Up Post!Once again, catching up on a few months of blog-less-ness. We had a fast and fun summer around here. The highlight of our summer was our grandsons' visit.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa-cLiuKd3LTxxLskbHOye5yFrOpVIeQbsPC8Hco57Z8wq4J2howm_nh8ytEaYU51iBiCVfhJc19ZoHzmAvlIqUWfPCOzf84sNXx7RFiXlG2xFbYW8Ojh6oG4P1A1849mg5ljXCXsuY8i/s1600/64877478_10220638961470732_1729505161694412800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa-cLiuKd3LTxxLskbHOye5yFrOpVIeQbsPC8Hco57Z8wq4J2howm_nh8ytEaYU51iBiCVfhJc19ZoHzmAvlIqUWfPCOzf84sNXx7RFiXlG2xFbYW8Ojh6oG4P1A1849mg5ljXCXsuY8i/s320/64877478_10220638961470732_1729505161694412800_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Harry flew to Ohio in June and flew down with the boys.<br />
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They stayed with us for 6 weeks and we had a wonderful time.<br />
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I took several hundred pictures while they were here but have tried to pick a few of my favorites to share here.<br />
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Of course we had to do Disney! Unfortunately I was working throughout the summer, but I managed to fit in a few strategically placed personal days so that we could take a few three day trips to Disney. <br />
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We also spent a few days at a hotel on Cocoa Beach. This was the surprise hit of the summer. I think it was the part of our traveling that we all enjoyed the most. I have already booked a week at another beach for next year!<br />
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During the non-travel parts of our visit, we enjoyed hanging out at home and took daily trips to the pool. We had the typical hot Florida summer weather with daily storms, but we managed to fit in a decent amount of outside time anyway. And being in our home, small as it was, seemed very spacious compared to our previous visits staying in the fifth wheel!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLyRePCGFxoPseAEayCnF2y8OV7T_7RdB1j0s4gB_VCLiB4z_RWhbLNroQrH9t-_-w6aR8ONzNTHmD23EepjH-YsQGnYbQeDm0six5yYEJ2_f4fTJKIaRyN2POjxm4UJGnrd15WA89UWT/s1600/70179017_10221385202006279_5627427371406589952_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLyRePCGFxoPseAEayCnF2y8OV7T_7RdB1j0s4gB_VCLiB4z_RWhbLNroQrH9t-_-w6aR8ONzNTHmD23EepjH-YsQGnYbQeDm0six5yYEJ2_f4fTJKIaRyN2POjxm4UJGnrd15WA89UWT/s320/70179017_10221385202006279_5627427371406589952_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>And speaking of fifth wheel, this has been one whirlwind week in that department. On Monday, we showed the rv to a woman who is local to this area. She loved it and we agreed on a sale price. It hasn't completely changed hands yet, but we should be finishing everything up within the next week or so. On the same day that we made this agreement, we heard from someone in Homestead FL who was interested in the truck. He drove up yesterday and yes, now our truck is sold as well!<br />
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So I guess this is officially the end of this chapter for us. In a few years we would like to look into buying a smaller Class B or C so we can do some more traveling on a part-time basis, but for now we are taking a break.Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-78212137378957833982019-04-05T09:05:00.003-04:002019-05-22T08:35:18.461-04:00Our RV Is Up For Sale!It has sure been one busy spring! My mother and stepfather were here for almost 2 months to enjoy our nice winter weather. We brought the fifth wheel over to Adelaide for its last outing and set it up on a site.<br />
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After they left, we went over the rv one last time and got it all cleaned up and cleaned out. She is officially up for sale!<br />
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We have done so many updates over the past few years. We have a hard-wired progressive electric management system, auto-seeking satellite, vented washer/dryer, whole house water filter system, RV Lock and an auto leveling system. Harry added longer struts to all the cabinets, reinforced the kitchen shelves, added backsplashes in the kitchen and bathroom, just to list a few of his mods. We are also going to included our sun shades for the awning, hoses, cribbing for the jacks, chocks and X-chocks and other rv accessories that we have purchased over the years. Also, Harry has always been very conscientious about maintenance of all the systems. Someone is going to get one nice rig and setup. :)<br />
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<br />Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-24250052614647440372019-01-20T09:16:00.001-05:002019-01-20T09:18:49.762-05:00Getting the RV Ready! For company and selling!<br />
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A couple weeks ago we brought the rig over to the resort for its last official outing. My mother and stepfather have come down to Florida for a few weeks and will be staying in the fifth wheel. We took advantage of having it close by to get it mostly cleaned out and ready for viewing. We hope to sell it this spring once our guests head back north.<br />
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I started taking pictures of the various areas for posting in our listing. (I had to use Blogger instead of Live Writer so the placement of the pictures is not coming out exactly as I wanted.)<br />
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Living room...<br />
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Kitchen...<br />
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Bathroom...<br />
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Bedroom...<br />
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Tons of storage space! These are only a few pictures of the many storage places in this rv.<br />
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Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-75794380730473081662019-01-03T08:17:00.001-05:002019-01-03T11:09:56.861-05:00Big BIG Changes Ahead in 2019!<p>Well. Happy New Year everyone!! Once again it’s been another two months plus since I last wrote and it is definitely time for an update. </p><p>The big news will be coming up below, but first a general catch-up.</p><p>Things are going really well. We are both settled in to work at Home Depot and Harry is enjoying his part-time work in the hardware department. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j9sSAzQixGU/XC4LHlMAbpI/AAAAAAABCoY/1PuzRI_aXGEPL_2ACOvz8RtZUROvBxuIQCHMYCw/s1600-h/49297355_323456921600256_1702705420465864704_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="49297355_323456921600256_1702705420465864704_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="49297355_323456921600256_1702705420465864704_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QaKsRmTyVtE/XC4LIkS1jWI/AAAAAAABCoc/MXYGtolgfo88jBfmDqIdHIfsRZFPdMqwQCHMYCw/49297355_323456921600256_1702705420465864704_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>It hasn’t been all work and no play though. We have had several card sessions with our friends. We play a game called Pegs and Jokers, and play guys against girls. So far the girls are 2 games ahead!</p><p>We have also been going to our usual card night at the club house as much as we can. Sometimes we have to work, but we’ve still managed to make it quite a few times. We have also started going to Card Bingo. So far it’s been typical bingo, with lots of fun and close calls, but no wins. haha</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i2VPhHEZUjA/XC4LJmxrFwI/AAAAAAABCog/PZSTEcRMg_Mt8JSGlgZwMIs2ueGCYVkdQCHMYCw/s1600-h/45091301_10218715916195802_8915945909963980800_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="45091301_10218715916195802_8915945909963980800_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="45091301_10218715916195802_8915945909963980800_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ty4OjqT7k6s/XC4LKsyvOJI/AAAAAAABCok/b6mqDZcjytYi_ZJgmOeBfL2g9SuyDgj5QCHMYCw/45091301_10218715916195802_8915945909963980800_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>We have also been to Disney a few times. So far our favorite continues to be Epcot. We love going when they are having the different festivals and we can sample all the international food offerings. Harry always enjoys his dark beer in “Germany”.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-45Ynuz6Yxuo/XC4LLmuaeCI/AAAAAAABCoo/0IddzZMsyIMOlryENudIxFsQALmmWYtcgCHMYCw/s1600-h/44894291_10218715907355581_529165491562872832_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="44894291_10218715907355581_529165491562872832_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="44894291_10218715907355581_529165491562872832_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4gV9fn3hA_U/XC4LMud1eNI/AAAAAAABCos/ZPyETG65EcsFwP-ivw8G4JHtxpWGhFp_wCHMYCw/44894291_10218715907355581_529165491562872832_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GYxQvbzdN1M/XC4LN-RIt6I/AAAAAAABCow/HRh5TeHw1HgA1Uf-YgwHET9q-R2pKlDBQCHMYCw/s1600-h/47573002_10219014168011911_1403108778437509120_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="47573002_10219014168011911_1403108778437509120_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="47573002_10219014168011911_1403108778437509120_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zd-P-JZEjdY/XC4LOyvtw9I/AAAAAAABCo0/mRk_RGE4lqUTnttAuKXHm_iAwagi93AYQCHMYCw/47573002_10219014168011911_1403108778437509120_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>One day when Harry was working, I went with a couple of my friends to Disney Springs and we had a girls’ day out. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2f9hAUx3uMU/XC4LP2bMc3I/AAAAAAABCo4/fLGGMvF3BsEKFizHjkZqzgFn7g3lq_W4ACHMYCw/s1600-h/48053398_10219019778952181_3952797379060563968_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="48053398_10219019778952181_3952797379060563968_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="48053398_10219019778952181_3952797379060563968_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cVSt1T6ltms/XC4LQ15BEkI/AAAAAAABCo8/9UABLTSWqjUYTH0grbAENii91J_9nQqDQCHMYCw/48053398_10219019778952181_3952797379060563968_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>We had a lot of fun, enjoyed the festive decorations…</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dfeFMnzKBY0/XC4LR6YKbmI/AAAAAAABCpA/xeX3VARNspIrR3Zz9NLCpBVmsxMeXVe0gCHMYCw/s1600-h/47458399_10219014176052112_3700241512370536448_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="47458399_10219014176052112_3700241512370536448_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="47458399_10219014176052112_3700241512370536448_n" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG1a4-mc5_ZVDcH2PtHYWzIv-BsmmauizGCPJjcUHzZK_U_mL7ZylS74Ia5BQ2RMWAGOc6ZnaRIBQBpMy-ArvVGVN70Ar0rmw9biMk9zBSZZMsavdYIjFiGItGVBVMcEB7C-KTTNAmG4t/?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>…and a wonderful lunch. It was a great day with a lot of laughs and conversation. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Our days have been full. Between get togethers with friends, work, and just normal life, the time has flown, and here we are, heading into another new year. And is this year ever going to be a new one!</p><p>On to our big news. We are hanging up the RV keys. We don’t expect that it will be forever, as we do hope to buy a smaller rig someday and do some more traveling. But for the foreseeable future. I have accepted a fulltime position at Home Depot. I’ll be doing the same work I’ve been doing, which I really enjoy. It’s the typical fulltime job with paid vacation, so I won’t be able to take months off as we have been doing. It’s a bittersweet decision for us, because we have enjoyed our RV travels. And we are very much going to miss our summers up north – seeing family and doing all that awesome hiking. BUT. Financially it is the best and most realistic decision for us. So we are looking on the bright side and forward to the opportunities that this decision is going to bring. And looking forward to sharing the Florida experience with our little guys this summer. “Papa” will be flying up to Ohio to bring them down here for their visit this year. </p><p align="left">So if you hear of anyone who is getting ready to start out on their rv life, we will be putting our whole setup on sale in a couple months. We are hoping to sell the whole package – fifth wheel, truck and we will be including the majority of our rv “stuff” – awning screens, chocks etc. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UX5fTTRo964/XC4LiubTTKI/AAAAAAABCpc/_VTyUPPEC9YNSIUpXNhBu2YXtYOR10vmgCHMYCw/s1600-h/20729757_10214691812915735_5733382936313319894_n%2B%25281%2529%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="20729757_10214691812915735_5733382936313319894_n (1)" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20729757_10214691812915735_5733382936313319894_n (1)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tuonWRqXcFQ/XC4LjctlU-I/AAAAAAABCpk/GBS7jSjbBlsKIR9NxFHLM33JZklBo1WrgCHMYCw/20729757_10214691812915735_5733382936313319894_n%2B%25281%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Anyone who has been following our blog knows what good care Harry has taken of our fifth wheel, and all of the modifications we’ve done to improve it. If anyone out there is interested in more information, drop me an email. I am working on the official ad that we will be putting up, so when it officially goes up for sale, I’ll post it here on the blog. </p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-77274744378595931022018-10-19T08:21:00.001-04:002018-10-19T08:23:20.129-04:00Great Birthday Celebration<p>Today marks one week since Harry started work at Home Depot. The first day was orientation, and the next days after that mainly entailed completing all of the computer training. So yesterday was his first actual day on the floor. It went well and he is enjoying the job so far. I told him it will only get more comfortable as he learns the department and doesn’t have to try and remember where everything is located. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AJX0xM0B0Ho/W8nL-p4HigI/AAAAAAABB3I/fKW_RdrE7A8vnsB2RDXw5zkRWkdOr0SLwCHMYCw/s1600-h/44350390_10218613262629527_8865553131694456832_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="44350390_10218613262629527_8865553131694456832_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="44350390_10218613262629527_8865553131694456832_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IJ_gK531do4/W8nL_RTyiNI/AAAAAAABB3M/xvraJ31sBZ04ey86QIMGfE3m8I76gbDWACHMYCw/44350390_10218613262629527_8865553131694456832_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Other than work, the main event this week was my birthday on Wednesday. I hadn’t asked for the day off, but just luckily I wasn’t scheduled. I had a really nice day. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S9saDsMb0o8/W8nMAccuwYI/AAAAAAABB3Q/wlBeeL5bi-gQdW2cRwbw2VgRtOgYmi5cACHMYCw/s1600-h/44288458_10218613262349520_5481299407037005824_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="44288458_10218613262349520_5481299407037005824_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="44288458_10218613262349520_5481299407037005824_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d0Yb9fNsa_U/W8nMBcnApsI/AAAAAAABB3U/czn8SCSBVjQhs4U9HgbYh40-6AQ2FpKfQCHMYCw/44288458_10218613262349520_5481299407037005824_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>For the third year in a row, I started off the day by running my age – this year 5.2 miles to represent 52 years. Every year on this run, I reflect on how lucky and blessed I am to be healthy and in relatively good shape.</p><p>Later in the day, we took a ride over to Lakeland in our new ride. On a side note, I am so enjoying having a car again. And what a difference it’s already made in our fuel bill. We would be burning up quite a bit of our profits going back and forth to work in the truck for sure. For my birthday, I looked for a new restaurant to go try and I didn’t even have to look on google maps to see if we would be able to park the beast there. haha</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8rqFDQNxvfc/W8nMCOej87I/AAAAAAABB3Y/VB7B-b6qUFg7nCn_WcXwfOucIKxIBm2mwCHMYCw/s1600-h/44333008_10156837714544766_432292989532897280_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="44333008_10156837714544766_432292989532897280_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="44333008_10156837714544766_432292989532897280_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0gHz_E8RqwQ/W8nMDABu_wI/AAAAAAABB3c/Fj6KJ-zs8WA89UO3-ekOATZHGbkqkCHwQCHMYCw/44333008_10156837714544766_432292989532897280_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>We went to a restaurant called Harry’s that has a New Orleans theme. I forgot to take a picture of the outside, but I did get this one from our booth. It had a really cool atmosphere. We went for lunch around 2 in the afternoon so it wasn’t busy at the time.</p><p><br></p><p> </p><p>Wow, the food was SO good. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_CvbVY1NBuU/W8nMD2y1c9I/AAAAAAABB3g/hVkSmXM2X-4T6ZqYTOwDCusIG1l1tUh3wCHMYCw/s1600-h/44197099_10156837731874766_7133208227818242048_o%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="44197099_10156837731874766_7133208227818242048_o" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="44197099_10156837731874766_7133208227818242048_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0uUm0iZAm4I/W8nME0ntt2I/AAAAAAABB3k/Dzceu1VB4GIFKPLVV-no2jyJ5TG53cl6QCHMYCw/44197099_10156837731874766_7133208227818242048_o_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Our appetizer of crab cakes…</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Zgukn8CtA0/W8nMF1-aTvI/AAAAAAABB3o/OIChI1EaWC41nELT-fzgE8pT-yCU0bMbgCHMYCw/s1600-h/44257894_10156837740764766_8381410506690265088_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="44257894_10156837740764766_8381410506690265088_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="44257894_10156837740764766_8381410506690265088_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5siw-pD5r3s/W8nMG4bIUAI/AAAAAAABB3s/eeMn0oL9JqcvO42yKIJY21nC3Ep2k7_DgCHMYCw/44257894_10156837740764766_8381410506690265088_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>My Chicken Jolie Blonde with Corn Maque Choux (which was like a corn succotash)</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SB7MorKvyPo/W8nMHqTe4JI/AAAAAAABB3w/51qUl_OfgNcuyGYSjjW0OYh0k1_DS503QCHMYCw/s1600-h/44154359_10156837740809766_33224295043825664_n%255B5%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="44154359_10156837740809766_33224295043825664_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="44154359_10156837740809766_33224295043825664_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9M7THmjUmBc/W8nMIiNmmhI/AAAAAAABB30/UYt0wyYVEHk2ZYd9eKyB52hOpyFjoNBSwCHMYCw/44154359_10156837740809766_33224295043825664_n_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>Harry’s Cajun Seared Tuna</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MiXMUD57ldU/W8nMJlzUQTI/AAAAAAABB34/JEuFWi3SYs4wLo2Ep8aTXwf-_FQVqhyyQCHMYCw/s1600-h/44208399_10156837714489766_6161391200432553984_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="44208399_10156837714489766_6161391200432553984_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="44208399_10156837714489766_6161391200432553984_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yfgezjTsZuM/W8nMKmH0DoI/AAAAAAABB38/Ia7ySx4sWwQEuMRPt_KmqFxt-FWCZ0zigCHMYCw/44208399_10156837714489766_6161391200432553984_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>I also enjoyed a Rhythm and Blues Margarita.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>It was a really wonderful birthday meal. Harry’s has locations in several other Florida cities, including Tallahassee and St. Augustine. If you happen to find yourself near one, check it out!</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-22304228251683671762018-10-14T14:22:00.001-04:002019-01-03T08:33:33.278-05:00Rig Repair Results and Back to WorkEvery summer when we have gone back up to NY, we have made it a point to get the yearly maintenance done, as well as any repairs that have cropped up. This past summer on our way back from Florida, we noticed that one of the back landing jacks was wet. So we decided to have the guys at the repair place take a look at it. And in addition to that, one of the back windows came open a bit as we were traveling and when I went in to close it, we discovered that the adhesive in between the panes had given way, and the window was actually coming apart. Big thing #2 on the list! <br />
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We had purchased an extended warranty, which was going to be UP on June 21st. Our appointment at Deiderich’s was on June 14th. Talk about just squeaking under the wire! After they evaluated the situation, we found out that both back hydraulic jacks had to be replaced, and the entire window as well. When they called the warranty company, we were told that glass wasn’t covered but the jacks were. Both good and bad news at the same time.<br />
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The window and jacks had to be ordered, but since the claim had been placed while we were still in our warranty period, we were fine waiting a bit for the repairs to be done. That was right before the boys were due to arrive, so we decided to wait until the boys went home and then just drive the rig back to Coxsackie from our seasonal site in Peru, about a 2.5 hour trip. <br />
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Since that was a bit much to do in one day, we decided that I would stay at my mother’s house with the cats while Harry drove back with the rig. He had an uneventful trip (first time driving the rig by himself) and dropped it off at the repair place right around 9 am. Then he drove over to my sister’s for the rest of the day. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JKp7y745URQ/W8OJUcJtZuI/AAAAAAABB2I/wOAi7CQPGQYjLCzVZe081Vrs3gt-qknRACHMYCw/s1600-h/44098168_2215963841979120_6965330029370671104_n%255B2%255D"><img align="right" alt="44098168_2215963841979120_6965330029370671104_n" border="0" height="121" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cY2oO6paGOI/W8OJVoXAjTI/AAAAAAABB2M/ceylVZNODnQsAWZ9F1MXOHWnOmPKQrROQCHMYCw/44098168_2215963841979120_6965330029370671104_n_thumb?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; float: right;" title="44098168_2215963841979120_6965330029370671104_n" width="244" /></a>The repairs were completed successfully, and then the next morning he went back over and picked the fiver up for the trip back to Peru. <br />
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I got a nice shot of him coming in with the rig, as my mother had driven me over to our site so I could be there for the backing up.<br />
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So. The numbers. Our normal maintenance type stuff and the small repairs that we needed done in June, like a replacement of the fan in the fridge – $327.70. The portion of the repair that was covered by the warranty company was $1,809.00. The window replacement that we had to pay for came out to $1651.49. We are so glad that the hydraulic jack replacement happened while we were still under warranty. Phew!<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y5JnhwT2hto/W8OJWt7oPfI/AAAAAAABB2Q/sRKlR_h75dY-PpFj5t2M4yfC2BqMV3A6QCHMYCw/s1600-h/44048584_10218582555581870_8685591661234880512_o%255B2%255D"><img align="left" alt="44048584_10218582555581870_8685591661234880512_o" border="0" height="244" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r6we_t-A9Bs/W8OJXk6tDJI/AAAAAAABB2U/O58IaUbCVIct9x4N1jdgcJC2mFfmEUWLACHMYCw/44048584_10218582555581870_8685591661234880512_o_thumb?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; float: left;" title="44048584_10218582555581870_8685591661234880512_o" width="183" /></a>On a happier note, Harry is right now at his third day of work. We had the same shift yesterday so I was able to get this picture of him while we were both on our lunch break. He is really excited to be working at Home Depot. He has seriously been saying for as long as I’ve known him that his long-term goal was to retire from his job for the State of NY and work part-time at Home Depot. It took a few years after his retirement, but he’s finally achieved his goal!<br />
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Meanwhile, I am almost at the one year point! I had my interview last year on my birthday, which is coming up this week, so that’s really easy to remember. I have to say, I really love my job. I like what I’m doing and I like the people I work with. I am so lucky.Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-18575005716251005812018-10-12T08:49:00.001-04:002018-10-12T08:49:26.442-04:00Where Do I Begin?<p>I think one of the hardest parts about getting back to blogging after a break is figuring out where to begin! I’ve thought about settling down to the computer and doing a post several times in recent weeks, but it just seems so overwhelming trying to figure out where to start. </p><p>So I guess I’ll just jump right in where we are and then hopefully will get some blog posts in over the next weeks about our summer – which was completely awesome, by the way. </p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LV9o76gkeMI/W8CYJ7OY-UI/AAAAAAABB0o/hW60hoz4FjAjnkOrI2RHagV4rasYala6QCHMYCw/s1600-h/ferrypic%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="ferrypic" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="ferrypic" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fh2rVTZOmd8/W8CYK2pLt-I/AAAAAAABB0s/QEN5MCN1F_k1nvHT_CeAQsEQLRfK6ZukQCHMYCw/ferrypic_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>When I left off, we were just finding out about the warranty results for our rig repairs and getting ready for the boys’ summer visit. I’ll say more later about both, but just for this post, I’ll say we got the rig repaired and had a great five weeks with the boys. I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to have a 4 year old and a 9 year old for five weeks in an rv, but it really went very well. I’m already looking forward to our next summer visit next year. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JSxtIFgXJug/W8CYN9fqkpI/AAAAAAABB0w/oIihLQR4BH0A5S1yZVy7hwo7JCxmCBwzgCHMYCw/s1600-h/43762246_1566633393440575_2743485513657745408_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="121" title="43762246_1566633393440575_2743485513657745408_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="43762246_1566633393440575_2743485513657745408_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WOBGVO6pv-4/W8CYPRkKpVI/AAAAAAABB00/10BWAwYdiw4KOstmxLZ5fwHwvworNFFRwCHMYCw/43762246_1566633393440575_2743485513657745408_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>So, to jump to more recent events, in mid-September we were getting ready to leave Peru to head back home to Florida. </p><p>(This picture shows our seasonal site. We really loved it. We had enough trees around us that we had hardly any direct sunshine on us at all. Even though it was the warmest July and August they had ever had in that area, we didn’t have to turn the a/c on once!)</p><p>Right at the same time we were getting ready to leave, Florence was heading for the <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ZXlmR8bvHk/W8CYQOcwa2I/AAAAAAABB04/pggquptQcbwlKtikSAiPO1lAxzddLVdowCHMYCw/s1600-h/42276203_10218400465029720_1334895596741328896_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="42276203_10218400465029720_1334895596741328896_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="42276203_10218400465029720_1334895596741328896_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ElNJMBXg7MQ/W8CYRD7GskI/AAAAAAABB08/nx0QYjAAKe85B6OyEsbKw21hPGfDnDTxACHMYCw/42276203_10218400465029720_1334895596741328896_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Carolina area. We had intended to head down our usual route to Charlotte to visit Harry’s son and daughter-in-law and then down to Jacksonville for another family visit on the way home. But given the storm, we decided to go on a more westerly route past Atlanta instead. Because of this, we actually got home almost a whole week earlier than we had expected. We were pretty lucky. There was one day when we were going through Virginia where we were passing along the outskirts of rain from Florence, but for the most part we were able to avoid the storm with our adjusted route. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vRFVVEGf3t0/W8CYSEENK9I/AAAAAAABB1A/0TENCle9kKc6xyM-jsXHHUdHzCM95kXHwCHMYCw/s1600-h/42279801_10218403311540881_4990206395371487232_o%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="42279801_10218403311540881_4990206395371487232_o" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="42279801_10218403311540881_4990206395371487232_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8AE8bT8pzXw/W8CYTVYd-9I/AAAAAAABB1E/b3DSNAfb9pINs2oGT6OuHl-yAj2uuFW_QCHMYCw/42279801_10218403311540881_4990206395371487232_o_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>It was really good to get home. I had called Home Depot in late August and given the HR person my return date. Wow, how easy that all was. She reactivated me Sept. 1st so she could get me back on the schedule right away (they schedule 3 weeks out), and last Thursday I went back to work. I’ve already worked several days, and I got back into the routine like I had never been gone. I’ve even been back on the forklift. And, in other exciting news, shortly after we got back, Harry had an interview at Home Depot also. He had a little bit of a wait while they were doing a few more hires, and as I type this, he is at Home Depot for his first day. So now we are both employed which will make our bank account very happy. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WJWn1eBrBWA/W8CYUR0fPEI/AAAAAAABB1I/qQ2Z47iKozQ7CdZrUpc6RRY4I43gyZYUgCHMYCw/s1600-h/42825738_10218475907755741_3047584350859165696_o%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="42825738_10218475907755741_3047584350859165696_o" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="42825738_10218475907755741_3047584350859165696_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TbnFZTn8y1I/W8CYVKdfRGI/AAAAAAABB1M/hEnpidkI8Ks9VMDkqLx9-hYObhY6IhhlACHMYCw/42825738_10218475907755741_3047584350859165696_o_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>The other most exciting news is that we have bought a car! We’ve been thinking about it for a couple years. Using the truck all the time costs a decent amount in diesel, given that it takes about $75 to $80 per fill up. On top of that, there have been at least 1 or 2 times a year that we have needed to rent a car, so that is another added expense. Last year for one of our rentals, we had a Nissan Altima, and we just loved it. So once we knew for sure that Harry had a job, we went off to do some car shopping and came home with this 2018 Nissan Altima. I am so enjoying having a car again. </p><p>So it’s been a good start to our winter season in Florida. We’ve settled back in and are enjoying being back. We won’t be doing any big projects this year around the house. We are going to take this winter off from that kind of stuff, and only do any emergency type things for the most part. Hopefully there won’t be many!</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-87746536239772376622018-06-20T12:05:00.001-04:002018-06-20T12:13:18.205-04:00Warranty Results and Preparing for Company<p>I had mentioned in my last post that Harry and I were apprehensive about the warranty company covering our repair work. Over the past seven years, there have been a handful of t<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QWp0sWzvRb4/Wyp65aXksyI/AAAAAAAA6jU/jQebjkB-e5MqjlGiGpEIrwhOe45lPzXbwCHMYCw/s1600-h/35629312_10217560254024970_940560578982707200_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="244" title="35629312_10217560254024970_940560578982707200_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="35629312_10217560254024970_940560578982707200_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jRolzFP5UNI/Wyp66uVHg1I/AAAAAAAA6jY/PTzxPc6KvbotqelPNSujTVeUmZjmjwk-gCHMYCw/35629312_10217560254024970_940560578982707200_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>imes we’ve had a warranty claim. Our first big claim happened on our very first trip down to Florida, right after Harry retired, when our slide topper mechanism suddenly just gave way when we put the slide out. It ended up being a nightmare claim that I won’t go back through now. Suffice to say that they ended up paying, but only after we fought for it, including going through the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint. That just left a sour taste in our mouth, and even though we have end<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2OJQ4DNPEjM/Wyp68Vvk01I/AAAAAAAA6jc/Sa12gbIrOncoFNvjOpQ7nO0m3t4j_jBswCHMYCw/s1600-h/35762291_10217560234144473_7070060504781160448_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="244" title="35762291_10217560234144473_7070060504781160448_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="35762291_10217560234144473_7070060504781160448_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ho-9HTnlLo4/Wyp69hoWbvI/AAAAAAAA6jg/4O9Uy1u-Efw6CAcBrZzjZmzUd2wUEEDEwCHMYCw/35762291_10217560234144473_7070060504781160448_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>ed up getting back what we paid for it, we have already decided that we won’t be getting another one when we get our next rv. Just not worth the grief for us. Anyhow, so a few days ago we had to stop back over by Diederich’s to pick up our keys that we forgot there, and we found out that the company is going to cover the refrigerator repair and the replacement of the hydraulic jacks. That was a relief! Apparently windows and glass are not covered, so we have to pay for that part of the repair. But it could have been much worse, so we are looking on the bright side.</p><p>It has been two weeks today since we arrived here. It has been a bit hectic with everything going on, but our days have started to slow down this week, and today we actually aren’t going anywhere at all. We have taken advantage of this down day to start getting ready for our next adventure – a five week long visit with our grandsons! This will be our longest summer visit yet. In previous summers, we’ve had a shorter visit with Schaun and then we’ve gone back to Ohio to spend some time with Kenny as well. But Kenny is older now, and wants to come on the summer visit also. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JQ0tpzxsV-E/Wyp6_Lzjp3I/AAAAAAAA6jk/eUYKWdq1XiQwv4YoSa_Zm8hCBuP8Kt2rACHMYCw/s1600-h/35694790_10217560250344878_3930953570530099200_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="35694790_10217560250344878_3930953570530099200_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="35694790_10217560250344878_3930953570530099200_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZMNR8mJdAN8/Wyp7AAHi9MI/AAAAAAAA6jo/NcpPbs5uEH0go_pEA9jnL6rXoS2dkjzUwCHMYCw/35694790_10217560250344878_3930953570530099200_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Over the winter, we were trying to figure out the best way to work the sleeping arrangements – sleeping on the floor together on one twin bed mattress was not going to cut it. Harry was doing some research online and just by accident stumbled on a portable bunkbed system. We bought it over the winter but hadn’t tried putting it together yet. Today was the day!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F0ES43fdL3Y/Wyp7BUGKOvI/AAAAAAAA6js/lOL0oWRdz84aZXB-6kSQ2AlORR6Uwi_ZgCHMYCw/s1600-h/35819491_10217560246584784_646337318998769664_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="35819491_10217560246584784_646337318998769664_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="35819491_10217560246584784_646337318998769664_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GfNr4wPPA04/Wyp7C8vjDeI/AAAAAAAA6jw/TXGSiMK8Jyk89VdvOrEdE1WijMd7NP1pwCHMYCw/35819491_10217560246584784_646337318998769664_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>One bed put together…we could actually use it just as one bed if we wanted to.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cPgARGBUpZs/Wyp7EErm7VI/AAAAAAAA6j0/awTizhGywhgntjPWxgiKIGSF-L_MlGeCwCHMYCw/s1600-h/35758854_10217560245264751_8614342023559774208_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="35758854_10217560245264751_8614342023559774208_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="35758854_10217560245264751_8614342023559774208_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lHh0TI1pWHM/Wyp7FkEnA1I/AAAAAAAA6j4/UaHuAznEKNoiPNR3gdvUC6zSKcieOqi7gCHMYCw/35758854_10217560245264751_8614342023559774208_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>The two beds are completely secured together. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XJrGps79j8c/Wyp7G4-mWfI/AAAAAAAA6j8/I3JbOQ0FeTg793mTPA0IENcAy9CKVQ0SwCHMYCw/s1600-h/35886275_10217560242184674_159908989709058048_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="35886275_10217560242184674_159908989709058048_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="35886275_10217560242184674_159908989709058048_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pxxYExQhnJo/Wyp7IDhdRzI/AAAAAAAA6kA/OCPUMpyVHt0P72eL009_gbkU-MjdTVz1wCHMYCw/35886275_10217560242184674_159908989709058048_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>It fits in the space just as well as I hoped it would.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H-1gBU-ldiQ/Wyp7JTWgNMI/AAAAAAAA6kE/JTGDEi-Egr07LE_tWosEk9enhe8uYnm3wCHMYCw/s1600-h/35815140_10217560236384529_1730122034962235392_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="35815140_10217560236384529_1730122034962235392_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="35815140_10217560236384529_1730122034962235392_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t0GTwGukpR0/Wyp7Kmk7H-I/AAAAAAAA6kM/simeF0emzBkn7S_wSKLI4RCz7_nptVMIACHMYCw/35815140_10217560236384529_1730122034962235392_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>I have them covered at the moment for the four legged occupants who I’m sure will be using them over the next few days. Each bed has an attachment where the kids can put some of their things. And we also have storage space underneath the bottom bunk. </p><p><br></p><p>I can’t wait to see the boys’ faces when they see their sleeping area!</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-23869969102345232022018-06-15T09:47:00.001-04:002018-06-15T10:24:33.563-04:00Maintenance on Us and the Fiver<p>We’ve actually been in NY for almost a week and a half, and it has been such a whirlwind!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ja5RqUF6rS4/WyPDKv-hdGI/AAAAAAAA6hI/5KIEbabFUYEgovQm-BRzy9LSYCGi8JMIgCHMYCw/s1600-h/35292347_10217512744997274_2708382505429368832_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="35292347_10217512744997274_2708382505429368832_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="35292347_10217512744997274_2708382505429368832_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cd1_rQByJLY/WyPDMLVOVYI/AAAAAAAA6hM/RWM8sGQDrowuLZiGdx_WBoVeVbYByfqyQCHMYCw/35292347_10217512744997274_2708382505429368832_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>We are at a different campground this year, after Earlton Hill Campground (where we had stayed the past few years) cancelled our reservation on us without notifying us last summer. So we decided to try staying at Brook n Wood Campground in Elizaville. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_TIl0dwwzpM/WyPDNt2ytGI/AAAAAAAA6hQ/abdv8cezxCgUziJnncNugjdkFXyP_JcvQCHMYCw/s1600-h/34529058_10217440621554233_7738793200600481792_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34529058_10217440621554233_7738793200600481792_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34529058_10217440621554233_7738793200600481792_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8hPhzJxn_cw/WyPDOt1xfUI/AAAAAAAA6hU/zOgGTC1xCG8xg5tXSiI2vObmgwoQb1eCACHMYCw/34529058_10217440621554233_7738793200600481792_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>We have a nice large site, maybe the biggest site we’ve ever had.</p><p><br></p><p>Basically the only reason this wouldn’t have been our first choice in the first place is that it’s a little bit farther to my sister’s from here. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CJD8GmH1VQw/WyPDP7P1y8I/AAAAAAAA6hY/7E5PVuf4dXwQCxmvoAqDlfEByOVJPNZpQCHMYCw/s1600-h/34560809_10217440632114497_8378007711475826688_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34560809_10217440632114497_8378007711475826688_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34560809_10217440632114497_8378007711475826688_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1vlJvoPjxWo/WyPDRmIT7TI/AAAAAAAA6hc/DojF4GTmBRIhiVfw4bLJFu-1DK6Vnlm6QCHMYCw/34560809_10217440632114497_8378007711475826688_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>Plus we have to go across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge which has a toll of $1.25 for EZ Pass. The only good thing about it is you only have to pay the toll going in one direction!</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>So, let’s see…what has been going on so far…</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zxV78PRGVeU/WyPDT-RM-2I/AAAAAAAA6hg/aCgFVDFI_pE3-OHlkz8Jjm63QKa6rRClgCHMYCw/s1600-h/35479208_10217512735357033_7293501058754543616_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="35479208_10217512735357033_7293501058754543616_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="35479208_10217512735357033_7293501058754543616_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-du4JbEO-Lss/WyPDVFxq1RI/AAAAAAAA6hk/_lxQS-7sYJ0VjbhZOKxaeOtBgNXgMe68QCHMYCw/35479208_10217512735357033_7293501058754543616_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Last weekend was a fun family weekend since my nephew Matt was graduating from high school! </p><p>It is oh so true that they grow up so fast. It does not seem like that long ago that he was this little guy…</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j3imUhAXBgM/WyPDWQRA45I/AAAAAAAA6ho/rhkH5OnQc7g9GNxKoHN7g95-rsjCQtrygCHMYCw/s1600-h/34780008_10217460916021582_2795913183007604736_o%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34780008_10217460916021582_2795913183007604736_o" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34780008_10217460916021582_2795913183007604736_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cr5v1F37fWM/WyPDXvjbhJI/AAAAAAAA6hs/h_kU7L0kz1QpYnjbNj4xr5OtXf1W6GYxACHMYCw/34780008_10217460916021582_2795913183007604736_o_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CJD8GmH1VQw/WyPDP7P1y8I/AAAAAAAA6hY/7E5PVuf4dXwQCxmvoAqDlfEByOVJPNZpQCHMYCw/s1600-h/34560809_10217440632114497_8378007711475826688_n%255B2%255D"><br></a></p><p>In just a week, my third nephew will be graduating from his high school also. It’s sad that the kids are growing up, but exciting to see them heading off on new adventures though!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ji5tmDTEz14/WyPDZPIdbfI/AAAAAAAA6hw/3LbmPZ3qAAIAuv-99cq_lSiyCZR5nNrSQCHMYCw/s1600-h/35266890_10217512741917197_8927042795491819520_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="35266890_10217512741917197_8927042795491819520_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="35266890_10217512741917197_8927042795491819520_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5iAYYsI3Vss/WyPDad8OvMI/AAAAAAAA6h0/8CC2FxwkzJ8nlKJ_WmgGQcuUPsvtjS_PACHMYCw/35266890_10217512741917197_8927042795491819520_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Because we are an hour away from Albany, we tried to group our appointments as much as possible. So on Monday, we headed out bright and early to get our bloodwork done. Then after breakfast, we had our annual get together with our financial guy. And we capped our day with Harry’s annual retina checkup. Phew! By that time, we were more than ready to get home. </p><p>On Wednesday, we had our physical appointments, where we were happy to find out that we are both in good shape physically. Actually, I am probably in the best shape right now of my entire adult life. All set for another year hopefully!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LZMmnVRRMH8/WyPDcqk4kGI/AAAAAAAA6h4/kGTiHpnMAFUJ5E3WkkA1pPkNKx8KZm_rwCHMYCw/s1600-h/35303846_10217512727396834_8388606986387718144_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="35303846_10217512727396834_8388606986387718144_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="35303846_10217512727396834_8388606986387718144_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zpCPY3i-ofM/WyPDd77b4II/AAAAAAAA6h8/ERy7NLkTq90L4SFZdwhzILvZWc6cfo5HwCHMYCw/35303846_10217512727396834_8388606986387718144_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Then yesterday it was our rig’s turn. I have to say that this is the day I least look forward to every summer – packing up for just one day and then going to sit at my sister’s house while the work is being done. Now that we have the house, it would be easier to just have the maintenance done in Florida while we aren’t in the rig. But we just trust the worksmanship of the people at this place so much, we can’t bring ourselves to take the fiver anywhere else. <br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L9Ls1WVcCzc/WyPDff8FL8I/AAAAAAAA6iA/CL37hOo-g-A-ROX2PfaT3A6Gc4sOcwhggCHMYCw/s1600-h/35434247_10217512728636865_4539453567680905216_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="35434247_10217512728636865_4539453567680905216_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="35434247_10217512728636865_4539453567680905216_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2UEwd259Dlk/WyPDgoDMFnI/AAAAAAAA6iI/GkJNgjCmwE8LRlJqUdE1ujeJ0fT1NOfRgCHMYCw/35434247_10217512728636865_4539453567680905216_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>I’m sorry to say that our rig didn’t get quite as good a report as we did. We already knew that we had to have the fans in the fridge replaced. We also had our yearly maintenance done on the wheel bearings and u-bolts.</p><p>There are two more major repairs that will need to be done. The dual pane window on our largest rear window is coming apart at the seal. So the whole window needs to be replaced. Also our rear hydraulic jacks need to be replaced as they are leaking fluid. This will obviously be a more than few hour job! The <em>only </em>good thing…well, there are two good things about it happening now. The first is that we already planned to be here in NY into September so we will have plenty of time to get the repair done. The second is that we are still (for just a few more days!) under our extended warranty. So we are hoping that some of the repairs will be covered. We have had a horrible experience with this warranty company in the times when we’ve tried to use it, so we are nervous. But as far as we know, the window and jacks <em>should</em> be covered. I will report more on this when we find out.</p><p>This weekend should be much more low-key. We don’t have any major plans. My sister and her husband will be out of town, so we are on “bring the kid to work” duty. haha Other than that, we plan to relax for a change of pace!</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-77170201615876702142018-06-06T19:25:00.001-04:002018-06-06T19:25:14.567-04:00Back in the Land of Mountains and Trees<p>We have arrived at our first major stop for the summer! </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--EERaj8Erjk/Wxhs91UXyYI/AAAAAAAA6d0/i5E7JMaXDaA3o6UAzzi0hJc8OGTxTEsBACHMYCw/s1600-h/34556361_10217440671395479_8949013576140455936_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34556361_10217440671395479_8949013576140455936_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34556361_10217440671395479_8949013576140455936_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-62nDc9wNPm4/Wxhs_Q7GTwI/AAAAAAAA6d4/fqx-Rno5KpoUPHNexTBYSoUbsY6OkOG2ACHMYCw/34556361_10217440671395479_8949013576140455936_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Since we left Charlotte, we spent a night in Virginia and two nights in Pine Grove, PA. In Pine Grove, we stayed at the same campground and had the same site that we spent almost three weeks in last summer on our trip to Hershey with Schaun. That brought back some good memories. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o-tdRfbN-YY/WxhtAzjrOSI/AAAAAAAA6d8/vHdzwJqgO4EGPunT9-HZk6zr70sKZvINQCHMYCw/s1600-h/34585042_10217440684195799_4110322082099757056_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34585042_10217440684195799_4110322082099757056_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34585042_10217440684195799_4110322082099757056_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SShJjSfuBm8/WxhtEH6DgCI/AAAAAAAA6eA/AGz6ggXcH7s5a3ofLlHRydkdnpx3oCcFgCHMYCw/34585042_10217440684195799_4110322082099757056_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>We drove in and out of cloudy skies. But we never did get any rain while we were actually on the road. It did rain yesterday but I guess I picked the right day to stay put.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yHvHxsAYb58/WxhtGOzfkDI/AAAAAAAA6eE/MEVn7-8nFbY-YjDc8vh36fL9EfqaZhaDQCHMYCw/s1600-h/34596460_10217440695636085_2559354849724465152_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34596460_10217440695636085_2559354849724465152_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34596460_10217440695636085_2559354849724465152_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xMkQACGknEg/WxhtHR1YIMI/AAAAAAAA6eI/LK416Nic-ycMeLX1wmNJbbPtgwuWHghHQCHMYCw/34596460_10217440695636085_2559354849724465152_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-brXFQIHHU8o/WxhtIiTX0bI/AAAAAAAA6eM/bsQIuqWi318f46Ddf4ztNc7OQH-_-RZVwCHMYCw/s1600-h/34687486_10217440658795164_5721278698951278592_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34687486_10217440658795164_5721278698951278592_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34687486_10217440658795164_5721278698951278592_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-neFlj7kYRFo/WxhtJsukmqI/AAAAAAAA6eQ/zsGCKqGQkoUeROGRMxspMNJGC_26puNygCHMYCw/34687486_10217440658795164_5721278698951278592_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--8wZd4CZRPE/WxhtLG6b1wI/AAAAAAAA6eU/mdsyBvQmHv4E0xHxvAXG6P4IgLbYzfDWACHMYCw/s1600-h/34602575_10217440645154823_8879973050599079936_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34602575_10217440645154823_8879973050599079936_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34602575_10217440645154823_8879973050599079936_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e4gJdfYchkc/WxhtMdEqS1I/AAAAAAAA6eY/uEaAGyBVqaALAFw0wkyUSLC0gzLxYTIQwCHMYCw/34602575_10217440645154823_8879973050599079936_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>This afternoon, a little over a week after we left Avon Park, we crossed over into New York for the first time since last July!</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-juBuh1vl1n4/WxhtNYzxauI/AAAAAAAA6ec/IMDmW9tV7W417Rl_aIvUrpdFNEpYdUZagCHMYCw/s1600-h/34560809_10217440632114497_8378007711475826688_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34560809_10217440632114497_8378007711475826688_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34560809_10217440632114497_8378007711475826688_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DslAaheNpGI/WxhtOou59eI/AAAAAAAA6ek/X4_Sl35fEl0omYITGn3RXthcHCebeYckwCHMYCw/34560809_10217440632114497_8378007711475826688_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>At that point we were in familiar territory again, and it was just about an hour later that we were crossing the Hudson River.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FUUqM8Z4uPk/WxhtQAoHP4I/AAAAAAAA6eo/b82l6zyQJ0Yn963LoWwDwvPYtUjxI2izwCHMYCw/s1600-h/34537619_10217440630554458_6851868886174793728_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34537619_10217440630554458_6851868886174793728_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34537619_10217440630554458_6851868886174793728_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l7_x0Z8XYe8/WxhtRITLtZI/AAAAAAAA6es/oOOZOHFKfnk6PtHrGNemx9Xcn-jSqeXvwCHMYCw/34537619_10217440630554458_6851868886174793728_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Our home base for the next few weeks!</p><p><br></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D0hvaR-67lA/WxhtSYWNvbI/AAAAAAAA6ew/l2Tl6ubyoksbnuyC6wyJ3WmybrgGxdkMwCHMYCw/s1600-h/34583345_10217440620434205_2953978880127401984_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34583345_10217440620434205_2953978880127401984_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34583345_10217440620434205_2953978880127401984_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4F0Ge3T83aM/WxhtTZjPqpI/AAAAAAAA6e0/5Hui5-6nOaocMVfS2SaJl-Eusn79gaq_wCHMYCw/34583345_10217440620434205_2953978880127401984_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D0hvaR-67lA/WxhtSYWNvbI/AAAAAAAA6ew/l2Tl6ubyoksbnuyC6wyJ3WmybrgGxdkMwCHMYCw/s1600-h/34583345_10217440620434205_2953978880127401984_n%255B2%255D"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>This may be one of the largest sites we’ve ever had!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JKQoz1EbFdc/WxhtUv64niI/AAAAAAAA6e4/LI_HQD8qen8MdMZ-0ItpUoKy-Zyn0rTgQCHMYCw/s1600-h/34508511_10217440623274276_6811642127991177216_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34508511_10217440623274276_6811642127991177216_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34508511_10217440623274276_6811642127991177216_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FJUynPn6NPc/WxhtVzw5acI/AAAAAAAA6e8/OgzmEMBskvY8V8du5jGpEpZ5fYW1GicRQCHMYCw/34508511_10217440623274276_6811642127991177216_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>Here’s the view from across the street. We are looking forward to settling in, and getting together with family.</p><p>Lots of plans for the next few weeks!</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-47667994262003395542018-06-03T16:40:00.001-04:002018-06-03T16:43:03.481-04:00Lucky So Far<p>So far (I would say “knock on wood” if I were the superstitious sort, haha) we have been so <em>lucky</em> with the weather! When we were in Avon Park, we were in an extremely wet pattern, and while we were in the Charlotte area, storms and rain moved through every single day. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J9fyJWcdK3k/WxRSAQlYmkI/AAAAAAAA6bo/I100Nm4kuMUy5XM6Cw-XO6s9-y8ueWxIQCHMYCw/s1600-h/34453830_10217414618184165_6091911475830456320_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34453830_10217414618184165_6091911475830456320_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34453830_10217414618184165_6091911475830456320_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fEo2RDv44bo/WxRSCRdiSlI/AAAAAAAA6bs/iBHn1SJSjC8v0jfMdtR0SJv-DQmmjQf6wCHMYCw/34453830_10217414618184165_6091911475830456320_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>And yet, we have had beautiful blue skies every travel day! </p><p>I won’t complain about that one bit! And I’ve noticed we are getting into the rolling farmland views also.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_3HdbCnKqtw/WxRSDagmFGI/AAAAAAAA6bw/FVNHqq0I9eQAvbYnPcnpeAvQ_VrApTobQCHMYCw/s1600-h/34421601_10217414604903833_3191159060250492928_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34421601_10217414604903833_3191159060250492928_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34421601_10217414604903833_3191159060250492928_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uks7CKfrf1E/WxRSEs9IJAI/AAAAAAAA6b0/vWHDtcr5Sl06fio8Ot71y2o-ejrQcCMuQCHMYCw/34421601_10217414604903833_3191159060250492928_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>I didn’t take many pictures over the past few days, but we had a good time visiting with Andrew and Amanda. They had to work, of course, so we were basically visiting after the work day, and yesterday we hung out at their house for most of the day. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-COmYvf0RxMM/WxRSF62oDuI/AAAAAAAA6b4/U2gK417AohMnQYgg31KneVRRX7-H2TEvACHMYCw/s1600-h/34337239_10217414602943784_4753607242719166464_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="34337239_10217414602943784_4753607242719166464_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34337239_10217414602943784_4753607242719166464_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YbLFfZTxi0k/WxRSG5KVwGI/AAAAAAAA6b8/-w73bPxB2XIcZ5un8hYtbWqSsshhBEnBQCHMYCw/34337239_10217414602943784_4753607242719166464_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>It clouded up enough yesterday that it was pleasant to sit outside in their patio area. We brought our portable grill over as they have not bought one yet. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QtlCLWRfgYE/WxRSIayIluI/AAAAAAAA6cA/6QGOPWSHxbwo4_Sq_evITxZF_Gq_Sx02gCHMYCw/s1600-h/34441731_10217414608663927_1629371151694168064_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="34441731_10217414608663927_1629371151694168064_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34441731_10217414608663927_1629371151694168064_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xVShSR6GAww/WxRSJVCxIXI/AAAAAAAA6cE/WAd2aRtDmEgroCApEE3AuAVEoNUiCZXiQCHMYCw/34441731_10217414608663927_1629371151694168064_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Andrew cooked some shrimp on the grill.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WtrnK9kG7-c/WxRSKZJqM3I/AAAAAAAA6cI/KIoSjj_5Nv8Q1R9bsoFCrdq9crhZPmLvwCHMYCw/s1600-h/34268762_10217414606343869_2250222680219320320_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34268762_10217414606343869_2250222680219320320_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34268762_10217414606343869_2250222680219320320_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-agH0P5KMkHM/WxRSMQYfIVI/AAAAAAAA6cM/8sCdPuefg9sn9MNniafCynzSpE9utVfiwCHMYCw/34268762_10217414606343869_2250222680219320320_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>It was a nice relaxing few days. </p><p><br></p><p>This morning we had an extremely short trip, so we just took it very easy. The checkout time at the campground was noon, and I don’t think we pulled out until around 11:30. Might be a record for us!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EwDTayjNbJk/WxRSNluO6qI/AAAAAAAA6cQ/kHV8Zb79y5UKq02x8GyAzhnt59SHX2wGwCHMYCw/s1600-h/34259021_10217414613704053_2959726628701208576_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34259021_10217414613704053_2959726628701208576_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34259021_10217414613704053_2959726628701208576_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XOLW12cA9m8/WxRSPktwqRI/AAAAAAAA6cU/_FQiVVyJ2HUGgbTOEj_t3IM9CxXaGkewACHMYCw/34259021_10217414613704053_2959726628701208576_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>Today was our day going through the mountain pass by Fancy Gap, VA. This used to stress us out but we have done it enough times now that we don’t give it much thought.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pMn3G4M367s/WxRSQ-3fNjI/AAAAAAAA6cY/BD0BryCbbc4tqsHsTg5bGrCSydsHYoGkQCHMYCw/s1600-h/34441723_10217414615464097_6261496953842958336_n%2B%25281%2529%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34441723_10217414615464097_6261496953842958336_n (1)" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34441723_10217414615464097_6261496953842958336_n (1)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xS6T6xJ7qoo/WxRSR14PydI/AAAAAAAA6cg/75jc0nJ8oM8W5qxkJn1OMSXAPjzZe2FOQCHMYCw/34441723_10217414615464097_6261496953842958336_n%2B%25281%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>And there are some beautiful views!</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nLIUfY-_pDE/WxRSTfz1LXI/AAAAAAAA6ck/hr5ubCohJmUSMofMK7LqQyW8xc55qARBwCHMYCw/s1600-h/34462654_10217414629384445_604711870355472384_n%255B2%255D"><img width="154" height="244" title="34462654_10217414629384445_604711870355472384_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34462654_10217414629384445_604711870355472384_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Iau43Sc0meQ/WxRSUlyrkzI/AAAAAAAA6co/KWpFujqtM64xP0gfwec1FooY7lFjiTkgwCHMYCw/34462654_10217414629384445_604711870355472384_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>We have usually stayed at the Fort Chiswell RV Park when we travel this route, but the sites we have had there are pretty unlevel. So we decided this time to try the Wytheville KOA, which is about 4 miles further down I-81. </p><p>The sites seem narrow, but are level. We didn’t even unhook! We will be leaving pretty early tomorrow (for us anyway – by 8 am) since we have a 380 mile trip tomorrow to Pine Grove, PA.</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-70201803059524039422018-06-01T08:36:00.001-04:002018-06-03T17:00:00.195-04:00Basement Sorting and Other Stuff<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xsYhoi8Ix_k/WxE9t2mjUKI/AAAAAAAA6T0/WqMUXqBEgI4_HghWBLI0tFYQLX9SOtavwCHMYCw/s1600-h/34071659_10217393777423159_5618598013862674432_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="34071659_10217393777423159_5618598013862674432_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34071659_10217393777423159_5618598013862674432_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V8MdVhlE8ok/WxE9uxmjPrI/AAAAAAAA6T4/KhM2aWkz_dsUk1HVbfASa9Lx4fZe_uBpwCHMYCw/34071659_10217393777423159_5618598013862674432_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>When we were getting ready to leave, we really didn’t take the time to organize things very carefully. Even though we didn’t get tons of rain, the skies were looking threatening most of the time. So we basically just put everything in wherever we could fit it, and decided to make it neat later. Yesterday, with a nice day on the horizon, one of the items on Harry’s list was straightening out his basement storage.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OeUblsyTB6c/WxE9v4XA5CI/AAAAAAAA6T8/G5v2Mq1ItUcGsHSSlsLSSAIofVvEdS7UQCHMYCw/s1600-h/34089682_10217393774703091_4028857788129083392_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34089682_10217393774703091_4028857788129083392_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34089682_10217393774703091_4028857788129083392_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lXY75-5gZSs/WxE9wl8eG7I/AAAAAAAA6UA/UB3glK7ObYU5tQE-nhyV7fkt3PyoTEYhQCHMYCw/34089682_10217393774703091_4028857788129083392_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a> </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FIXxN55rTgo/WxE9xiWfneI/AAAAAAAA6UE/KXNWgg3-La0dUt7czWP5sJESbhGDkQWWQCHMYCw/s1600-h/34071711_10217393775543112_8480039366876463104_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="34071711_10217393775543112_8480039366876463104_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34071711_10217393775543112_8480039366876463104_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vGfN6wlG3iE/WxE9yqFHacI/AAAAAAAA6UI/P8DQ7kLdozo_YIKyYUBhUZhuiX2pWYsWQCHMYCw/34071711_10217393775543112_8480039366876463104_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>Cleaning up the sandy floor!</p><p><br></p><p>All nice and neat!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pbQ8Hs-ZTNI/WxE9zbAwbxI/AAAAAAAA6UM/acuoIcjm87wUyEvZhr00I3_BM4ygHBqoQCHMYCw/s1600-h/34108600_10217393771263005_1292351802485768192_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34108600_10217393771263005_1292351802485768192_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34108600_10217393771263005_1292351802485768192_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QEAvgom6mS0/WxE90QvIzdI/AAAAAAAA6UQ/y4PRU_H1-7MRhMH69TNGJOu4AAA2rHBzACHMYCw/34108600_10217393771263005_1292351802485768192_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IBw3oicvZzA/WxE91QqS3MI/AAAAAAAA6UU/rWwl2jI9a78YbbvfrfoekcEUOfOdLKS2QCHMYCw/s1600-h/34208069_10217393774103076_7905276187511881728_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34208069_10217393774103076_7905276187511881728_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34208069_10217393774103076_7905276187511881728_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Y6fsu48R8M/WxE92WBFqFI/AAAAAAAA6UY/sG9vop2IvcEnyhwByqhRP5XbR727wWRggCHMYCw/34208069_10217393774103076_7905276187511881728_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Hard to believe that when we started fulltiming, this basement was packed from top to bottom!</p><p><br></p><p>Just because we like to live dangerously, the other thing we planned for yesterday was visiting the local Cabela’s, which is a very short 3 miles away from the campground. We are planning on doing quite a bit of hiking this summer when we get up into the Adirondacks, so Harry wanted to get some hiking poles. He has borrowed some to use on previous hikes, and found them useful. Over the past months he did some research to figure out what he wanted. The other item on his list was some waterproof hiking boots. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xdInBODt7BE/WxE93JV5i4I/AAAAAAAA6Uc/5bH7Ngl5yPY1K5WXCv4SHpssMeWDGUiYwCHMYCw/s1600-h/34038806_10217393778263180_4590422137856065536_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34038806_10217393778263180_4590422137856065536_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34038806_10217393778263180_4590422137856065536_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pa2zKFB8y1U/WxE931IKUQI/AAAAAAAA6Ug/LLMTlhbIbekwl99nY0vHrKLIjNIcY9IUgCHMYCw/34038806_10217393778263180_4590422137856065536_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>Mission accomplished! </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J4nr45KqnLo/WxE944h325I/AAAAAAAA6Uk/OHr1nolz_eIZqwsYDAoFMuiUwMp6Gmy8gCHMYCw/s1600-h/34133830_10217393780183228_5402486228874428416_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34133830_10217393780183228_5402486228874428416_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34133830_10217393780183228_5402486228874428416_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4OgGVH1yWdU/WxE95lrdrsI/AAAAAAAA6Uo/f0DN6-rQ5oAhEs4BRaj6tsE1m6wqUN25ACHMYCw/34133830_10217393780183228_5402486228874428416_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Ariel thought the hiking poles were a new fancy chin rest for her. haha</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Later in the afternoon, we drove the short distance over to Andrew and Amanda’s new house. It is only 2.5 miles from the campground! We thanked them for moving so close to our local address. haha </p><p>Andrew made some yummy fresh guacamole and chicken tacos. I was too busy enjoying it to get any pictures. Yes, that is how good it was!</p><p>We enjoyed a nice evening chatting and catching up, before we headed home to sleep in our comfy bed. (Yes, we are getting reacquainted with the benefits of rv’ing.) </p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-54835595307369279362018-05-30T17:53:00.001-04:002018-05-30T18:30:41.982-04:00Getting Our RV Mojo Back<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_ZmzUZvQ88o/Ww8c6am9z7I/AAAAAAAA6Rw/Q9-SIoEjTyksJEjxm_w4KNGSMRw3_KNiwCHMYCw/s1600-h/20180530_144502%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="20180530_144502" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20180530_144502" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mTpHD9aTv4U/Ww8c7S90JaI/AAAAAAAA6R0/pZRPx8IfXQkkeQaWZ6fkms7RWIsumEkIwCHMYCw/20180530_144502_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Although we weren’t really trying to rush, we got ourselves going, hooked up and on the road basically right on the dot at 9 am. </p><p>I am finding it SO easy to get the inside area travel-ready now. What a nice change!</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-umcoQmNe5jE/Ww8c8mgt4DI/AAAAAAAA6R4/6IyQJhK77lEUnfrpF20bP8VYOSyypMt7gCHMYCw/s1600-h/34065892_10217380504851353_7270376396487131136_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34065892_10217380504851353_7270376396487131136_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34065892_10217380504851353_7270376396487131136_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sp0i34rpZFU/Ww8c9kYX0AI/AAAAAAAA6R8/4gLUpaF3BykzquyHAZEhWoUA4ho2KAmYwCHMYCw/34065892_10217380504851353_7270376396487131136_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>We traveled until almost noon, and found a Pilot truck stop where we could fuel up. I used a great new app that I downloaded recently called Trucker Path. You can put in your destination, and it plots a good route, and then shows you all the truck stops, rest areas etc. along your travel route. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xzsZJxHshhs/Ww8c_LAIC3I/AAAAAAAA6SA/0TQyC7saGyIzfI23oCAZYIzZwqA7G01sACHMYCw/s1600-h/33923535_10217380512091534_3471229221878104064_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33923535_10217380512091534_3471229221878104064_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33923535_10217380512091534_3471229221878104064_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UEAUj2x6PS8/Ww8dAMJuIbI/AAAAAAAA6SE/UYaRO2i3vKQml3hDs2qR8MNlT946-nnIACHMYCw/33923535_10217380512091534_3471229221878104064_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>And sometimes you can even find out how busy it is at the truck stop, although that depends on people reporting in, so it’s not always an up to date report. But we used it to find our fuel up stop, as well as a rest area where we had lunch. It worked really well. </p><p>There was almost no one in the camper/truck part of the rest area.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZFMZ6t_NOXw/Ww8dB8uJ3vI/AAAAAAAA6SI/7TccrKi00HkVe7ADhMHK88f96hJ5OOBogCHMYCw/s1600-h/34075982_10217380500051233_2052459790088536064_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="34075982_10217380500051233_2052459790088536064_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34075982_10217380500051233_2052459790088536064_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vFXwozJO3KQ/Ww8dDDIt08I/AAAAAAAA6SM/gwdlGyMY6oMsVxBwKFKn-DNOIELZI-i8wCHMYCw/34075982_10217380500051233_2052459790088536064_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>We arrived at the Fort Mill/Charlotte KOA right around 3 pm, and after checking in, we settled into our site for the next three days. We stayed here last year, but now it is even more convenient because Harry’s son and daughter-in-law bought a house only a few miles away. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3yqUPWtS7To/Ww8dFo2z2TI/AAAAAAAA6SQ/Gs7oIZMw6mI7Thiid8b1TGDikwHRW6kaQCHMYCw/s1600-h/33786472_10217380443809827_370848302633058304_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33786472_10217380443809827_370848302633058304_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33786472_10217380443809827_370848302633058304_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2T7_jY6V8MA/Ww8dHFoo0FI/AAAAAAAA6SU/SjNJ1H2XMqM8PluZWQMTLpyejk53QvM-ACHMYCw/33786472_10217380443809827_370848302633058304_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Normally I might not unpack so much just for a few days, but being our first real stop, I wanted to get everything out and figure out how I was going to set up for the summer. I have to say, I love love LOVE the set up now that we have taken the table out. </p><p>We used to have both chairs over in the slide to the left, but I moved mine out and now we really have a living room space. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O1Qa1JWTDaI/Ww8dIiH9orI/AAAAAAAA6SY/rSAHGWaJ-zYjiBIEmuyD3iUJy-nLCwZ9wCHMYCw/s1600-h/33923863_10217380418489194_5548961849371787264_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33923863_10217380418489194_5548961849371787264_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33923863_10217380418489194_5548961849371787264_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kz0TYDC_5OI/Ww8dOeccyoI/AAAAAAAA6Sk/80Obo85y0gEDDvel4gCrSgHLDvWL2pfGQCHMYCw/33923863_10217380418489194_5548961849371787264_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>I put the basket and tote under the window to make a little spot for the cats to rest in the sun and look out the window on this side. </p><p>I will have to move this stuff when the boys are with us, but the rest of the time this is how it will be set up.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4s9Y7nD2vqw/Ww8dPzs_wQI/AAAAAAAA6So/PaSzKFW1wnQqxVnkGc6lc5n3_bN2ELHBACHMYCw/s1600-h/33921086_10217380419529220_1096270087108689920_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33921086_10217380419529220_1096270087108689920_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33921086_10217380419529220_1096270087108689920_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kVf6SIzA25Q/Ww8dRe9_saI/AAAAAAAA6Ss/6mnf_VIaGMUmyfhRFG1g9dVAbl-7UYpLgCHMYCw/33921086_10217380419529220_1096270087108689920_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>Here is the kitchen from the other direction.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZQH7I2ytWDw/Ww8dS06LVlI/AAAAAAAA6Sw/qQlaIcxqxtAevcAeDBRgdAyfqZTzUI-xwCHMYCw/s1600-h/33902512_10217380421289264_4965888307721404416_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33902512_10217380421289264_4965888307721404416_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33902512_10217380421289264_4965888307721404416_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7vY3SuzixLc/Ww8dUeE40LI/AAAAAAAA6S0/QmGJ_2mq0QgwVCNPN78OGq163aVQgsARgCHMYCw/33902512_10217380421289264_4965888307721404416_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>And the bedroom…. </p><p>(The blanket over the pillows is to keep cat hair off, because that is one of their favorite spots to sleep.)</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J40kMG9allg/Ww8dXIyKDlI/AAAAAAAA6S4/dZz9ygA3XZ0ZpkbpoPrIbma7p4z1uHlRACHMYCw/s1600-h/34122985_10217380768497944_1698879167245844480_n%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="172" title="34122985_10217380768497944_1698879167245844480_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="34122985_10217380768497944_1698879167245844480_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rHGNBAubURg/Ww8dYXnxyNI/AAAAAAAA6S8/4Hm02SkVScA_fHEpcs_bNxbe6T2O0_lhgCHMYCw/34122985_10217380768497944_1698879167245844480_n_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>Now that we are actually on the road, we are getting back in the RV frame of mind. The travel days went smoothly, as did hitching and unhitching. The cats have settled in without any complaining at all. Our summer season is off to a great start!</p><p><br></p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yfKVlnkkXVQ/Ww8mDDo0L-I/AAAAAAAA6TY/ME5xMwK6d7QLJw1tGuUUFB3seQ715gKBACHMYCw/s1600-h/33750024_10217380969182961_176420209794482176_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="33750024_10217380969182961_176420209794482176_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33750024_10217380969182961_176420209794482176_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U7hZSUCE_ck/Ww8mEFBcq8I/AAAAAAAA6Tc/nYCOhE4ryV8rLRrnQgPkdntiFHgdnv06gCHMYCw/33750024_10217380969182961_176420209794482176_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left">PS Ariel discovered the spot under the window about an hour after I first published this blog post….</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-14402751028756228992018-05-29T17:04:00.001-04:002018-05-29T17:05:27.029-04:00First Day Back Under Our Belt<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UMkN1-MfZA8/Ww2_glHhOtI/AAAAAAAA6QE/kMHeJ0lRjOgxzGW3C-f247YO36jzFkJ9QCHMYCw/s1600-h/33814906_10217371768232943_6719740840152924160_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33814906_10217371768232943_6719740840152924160_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33814906_10217371768232943_6719740840152924160_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0NqRugvZWcU/Ww2_jOyfnxI/AAAAAAAA6QI/mF70Dl75kcozaJyMhK-O8foKQvYPWMeUwCHMYCw/33814906_10217371768232943_6719740840152924160_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>The weekend went so quickly, with packing and moving things over to the rig in between waves of rain. We were really pretty lucky though, because we by no means had constant rain. Just off and on showers. A few hard rains but even they didn’t last very long. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4aB6d90jUBA/Ww2_nnddLpI/AAAAAAAA6QM/EKfVQyHzH7EDlTLqZfM9K7KkG81tjYT2wCHMYCw/s1600-h/33849151_10217371765912885_8617180163718774784_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33849151_10217371765912885_8617180163718774784_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33849151_10217371765912885_8617180163718774784_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qC-5fqWpwNI/Ww2_qCp8B0I/AAAAAAAA6QQ/9m3YsnZ2HfQNsxMhPWrLiNzbdIZwsQXMgCHMYCw/33849151_10217371765912885_8617180163718774784_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>This morning we were awake pretty early, so we got up and got the last minute items moved over. Harry checked the pressure on the tires (all good!) and then we hooked back up for departure. It all seemed quite familiar, and beyond a few, “oh yeah forgot that”s, everything proceeded as if we had just been traveling a few weeks ago. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9ptOKVI7qho/Ww2_wIDZIoI/AAAAAAAA6QU/QBUjsFIN1247jo4q78iYFy1X5l1FZxvlQCHMYCw/s1600-h/33868375_10217371764432848_5308517433974194176_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33868375_10217371764432848_5308517433974194176_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33868375_10217371764432848_5308517433974194176_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d_km8FetTN0/Ww2_ySmshkI/AAAAAAAA6Qc/ZkX0W1zb86c7QjQY2aPvYTSzkBxU0qIPwCHMYCw/33868375_10217371764432848_5308517433974194176_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>The bug guy arrived right on time, and got the spraying done to cover our place for the summer. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>And then we were off!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WGt0WomVvBY/Ww2_8G0D38I/AAAAAAAA6Qk/Dzwdb_GnL9wKZBMHkCmY-FtHpi-bcxbeACHMYCw/s1600-h/33401109_10217371891236018_6051525258396041216_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33401109_10217371891236018_6051525258396041216_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33401109_10217371891236018_6051525258396041216_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x00hwJkS7eI/Ww2_9yyXAZI/AAAAAAAA6Qo/NfXpwgN7fDo84q-bTOQpARPaXFQXB2XXACHMYCw/33401109_10217371891236018_6051525258396041216_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>Despite the cloudy skies as we were hooking up, by the time we got on the road we had blue skies and even sunshine!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FN_wiqkO7Rw/Ww2__nn7ABI/AAAAAAAA6Qs/veZGS3P6WeoIxA1RG4U8MuMbyX8oU7OBwCHMYCw/s1600-h/33942309_10217371749632478_7417650292491026432_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33942309_10217371749632478_7417650292491026432_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33942309_10217371749632478_7417650292491026432_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hVwRApesmls/Ww3ABsei_aI/AAAAAAAA6Q0/sZabu7dyEQET7j5gKKLEukOs4FDMS6mHgCHMYCw/33942309_10217371749632478_7417650292491026432_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9JyJKKe1V6s/Ww3ADn-v7iI/AAAAAAAA6Q8/-qGLIoZu-lIg_0-U29xApIYMT3Nz0TA2wCHMYCw/s1600-h/33960768_10217371744352346_8485475309414514688_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33960768_10217371744352346_8485475309414514688_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33960768_10217371744352346_8485475309414514688_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CZ4xJKq3Mkg/Ww3AG6Qp1pI/AAAAAAAA6RA/XczFt5RyXrIw9pF8zK_u7T3ObbPB9oMsACHMYCw/33960768_10217371744352346_8485475309414514688_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>It was a beautiful, rain and traffic free day to travel!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C0X0N5ZVkcs/Ww3AO-wzuSI/AAAAAAAA6RE/5inrLY8SrAsN13NSGFS6-L983ehNgbFngCHMYCw/s1600-h/33923477_10217371739272219_4219123585211432960_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33923477_10217371739272219_4219123585211432960_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33923477_10217371739272219_4219123585211432960_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DKU8GDmTxf0/Ww3ASmbPkwI/AAAAAAAA6RM/lSrBK70r7QwHBnvPGAfxwL425Wme3M8DQCHMYCw/33923477_10217371739272219_4219123585211432960_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>We arrived here at Pecan Park in Jacksonville, and unhooked for the night. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XIfJbpESViQ/Ww3AX2k_cjI/AAAAAAAA6RU/VVg4qJy5bGodPAMZtlMOwV_n0_JSYd7iQCHMYCw/s1600-h/33965563_10217371736792157_4328662504143060992_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33965563_10217371736792157_4328662504143060992_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33965563_10217371736792157_4328662504143060992_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qL4Na7A6ZG0/Ww3AYwnYCsI/AAAAAAAA6RY/7bXuFjbQ5IIjZFP53kwzLkDxS5DDyrjBgCHMYCw/33965563_10217371736792157_4328662504143060992_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>It was clouding up with a storm system moving through after we got settled, and as I write this it has been raining. But we are thankful that it stayed dry while we were on the road!</p><p><br></p><p>Tomorrow we move on to the Charlotte, NC area for a few days. We’ll be visiting with Harry’s son Andrew and his wife Amanda. We are looking forward to seeing them!</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-22383536993953833232018-05-28T09:37:00.001-04:002018-05-28T09:43:00.152-04:00T Minus One – It’s a Mental Thing<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lpbRSxbCZAU/WwwGkqPW1hI/AAAAAAAA6PI/IaphkZp_NwIj04JlDwxl3NlX5BMqwFVCgCHMYCw/s1600-h/33938999_10217360200063746_3817888337419567104_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33938999_10217360200063746_3817888337419567104_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33938999_10217360200063746_3817888337419567104_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FSJa8J-OWhU/WwwGmMAAOdI/AAAAAAAA6PM/oc6ipprdrXchvbVVwXT_25cJVwYSf_q5QCHMYCw/33938999_10217360200063746_3817888337419567104_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>We are down to our last day before departure. We are pretty set to go. We probably could have gotten going today easily. But tomorrow worked out well. The bug guy is coming first thing in the morning to spray our house one more time before we leave. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0-L6YmE7cz4/WwwGm115EzI/AAAAAAAA6PQ/2UbqGGCNVokYVhDyduQB-ZzWP_U9bS1SwCHMYCw/s1600-h/33768754_10217360201983794_5694613145385959424_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33768754_10217360201983794_5694613145385959424_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33768754_10217360201983794_5694613145385959424_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cFO7S1L3JoI/WwwGn52hsLI/AAAAAAAA6PU/IpEjfG8do806F-2nl8cYB5rOsHIsp6poQCHMYCw/33768754_10217360201983794_5694613145385959424_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>Moving our things into the fiver has gone very smoothly. We’ve gotten everything moved over that we don’t use on a daily basis. We picked up a couple frozen dinners when we were at the store the other day so I won’t be doing any cooking today. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_Wkx_GWCR_o/WwwGokMGv0I/AAAAAAAA6PY/7vq-XHBgUlA2jwd51V_gOPWSTal6KlM6ACHMYCw/s1600-h/33770868_10217360201223775_4765427405034618880_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33770868_10217360201223775_4765427405034618880_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33770868_10217360201223775_4765427405034618880_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FqLh2_3o14A/WwwGpREyF8I/AAAAAAAA6Pc/20voWZTIWIYqK_jj3movewojd_ti0c9OACHMYCw/33770868_10217360201223775_4765427405034618880_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>The hardest prep has been the mental part. I’m looking forward to seeing family, but beyond that both of us are really ambivalent about the thought of leaving. I guess that’s a good thing, that we both love our little home here. But it makes it harder to rustle up excitement about the coming trip. </p><p><br></p><p>I think, and hope, that once we actually pull out and get our sights focused on our upcoming stops, start our family visits and get our place set up and comfortable, that we’ll just enjoy our summer. After all, it’s going to go by fast, like it always does, and all too soon we’ll be heading in the other direction again. </p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-76565868538794878202018-05-27T07:15:00.001-04:002018-05-27T07:24:16.857-04:00Lucking Out With Packing and Making a Decision<p>When we picked our rig up on Thursday, we felt like we were under a time crunch due to the weather forecast. The subtropical storm coming up was forecast to bring a lot of rain to Florida over the weekend. But so far we have been really lucky. The storm has not only not brought tons of rain to our area, at least yet, but it has kept us cloudy. I don’t think we saw any sun at all yesterday, and our high was only in the 70s. That worked out great considering we aren’t using our a/c. </p><p>We have made a lot of progress! In fact, I think we have almost everything moved in that we can do at this point. </p><p>We are going to have so much room! I will do better pictures when we are set up at our first stop, but just to give you an idea… </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f7AuvwZaD_4/WwqTHsqKZTI/AAAAAAAA6OU/tbTHi60ni5gYU0icd5IaELu_6PU5l0-kACHMYCw/s1600-h/33660449_10217351309761494_3714057133671579648_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33660449_10217351309761494_3714057133671579648_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33660449_10217351309761494_3714057133671579648_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K3C0lvZxWqk/WwqTJOTALVI/AAAAAAAA6OY/aMFh9_TbKj4VT492_RFsI5IzlTCo_DYpACHMYCw/33660449_10217351309761494_3714057133671579648_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>You may remember that over by the window to the right is where we had put the table. We removed that altogether. (It is just sitting in our living room for the summer.) We moved the cat tree over in the corner of this slide.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1deQfq6zTo4/WwqTJ5u0GqI/AAAAAAAA6Oc/uO_FX18G-4I3H43uoWDK9SQKOJZOquimACHMYCw/s1600-h/33745825_10217351307401435_865385637551800320_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33745825_10217351307401435_865385637551800320_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33745825_10217351307401435_865385637551800320_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BSK2-Ju5F5A/WwqTLTOqJ4I/AAAAAAAA6Og/cO_RFDoUb9Yn284SPJoxXTq1gvn0-AzOgCHMYCw/33745825_10217351307401435_865385637551800320_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>Over here is where the cat tree used to be. This is going to become the boys’ sleeping area for a month this summer. That box contains a portable camping bunkbed set-up. We are going to set those up in that space. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7-8WvVljai8/WwqTME-vx-I/AAAAAAAA6Ok/7ep0zcmOuiQUXuwAM8t4zfCS80ylHXBCgCHMYCw/s1600-h/33594517_10217351306441411_5522447908152016896_n%255B2%255D"><img width="192" height="244" title="33594517_10217351306441411_5522447908152016896_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33594517_10217351306441411_5522447908152016896_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fXoruTqW-w8/WwqTM2N6geI/AAAAAAAA6Oo/1m6FiXbhXm4mgwuLXrnikm-5e48al4frQCHMYCw/33594517_10217351306441411_5522447908152016896_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>My pantry is just about put together also. It’s really spacious because I was able to put all my dry goods in another overhead cabinet, since so many of our cabinets are empty now. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>And now the big decision portion of the blog…for the past few months, we have been talking about whether we want to keep this big rig. Now that we have moved our things in, we have really seen that we just don’t need a 40 foot fifth wheel anymore. We still want to travel, but we would like to have something smaller and more suited to our current lifestyle.</p><p>This is our plan as it stands now. We left a lot of things that we didn’t need in my sister’s basement, like the extra chairs to the table, the sink covers and the covers for the stove. We’re going to get all that stuff when we are up in NY. When we get back here in the fall, we’re going to put everything back where it was when we first got it. Well, as much as we can. Of course, we got rid of the couch so there’s not much we can do about that. Then during the winter season, we’re going to start doing some shopping for our next rv. Right now, we’re leaning toward a bunkroom travel trailer in the 32 ft. range. That’s going to be fun next winter!</p><p>But first, we’re going to enjoy one more summer season in the one where it all began. Two days left until we hit the road again. </p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-76062287150059096202018-05-25T16:37:00.001-04:002018-05-25T17:16:29.388-04:00Transition Time and Solving Problems<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DwzV6in3-0A/Wwhz0qRKymI/AAAAAAAA6Mk/lKhlZfsscaQEgp4437YrUUQAKtWxxruQACHMYCw/s1600-h/33426030_10217337903986358_652779538014535680_n%255B2%255D"><img width="183" height="244" title="33426030_10217337903986358_652779538014535680_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33426030_10217337903986358_652779538014535680_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PPJI5_HlapM/Wwhz1UoQLZI/AAAAAAAA6Mo/2UxCU4vhzJM49GayEgTnv2oTvC1CQxhGgCHMYCw/33426030_10217337903986358_652779538014535680_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Since my last post, I’ve had my last few days of work at Home Depot. I am excited about a few months of vacation (who wouldn’t be?) but at the same time, it was bittersweet to be saying good-bye to my co-workers. The guys I work with on the delivery team are just so great. These are most of the delivery team workers…from left to right…Damon, me, Chris and Brad. There is one other woman on deliveries, Miriam, but she works evenings so she wasn’t there to be in the picture. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QhuZ05DaUi4oMFiF2gfYDZwnVEdfzb4tQrlNouGVfVKwvZSY0o9WT9NuoQi8wZpA3HGiHTDNYuSYRBPqYfESG8Amy2H8jLO7VLc3NajU9JyZUrKN99URU5TVeukPnNpR3QoT6vW1fnkU/s1600-h/33677575_10217337902786328_2256409374450778112_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33677575_10217337902786328_2256409374450778112_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33677575_10217337902786328_2256409374450778112_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zu3islg9ugY/Wwhz3ZkrXxI/AAAAAAAA6Mw/-1W1QOVqaJobhQxL8DIt-Y06hdHsqo-HwCHMYCw/33677575_10217337902786328_2256409374450778112_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Damon bought this cake for my last day. </p><p>By October 1st I’ll be ready to get back to work!</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xB3RkEKMgiA/Wwhz4FPTOCI/AAAAAAAA6M0/CgwLMxVq7uccIxhogm7jaNutwvLjeUI-wCHMYCw/s1600-h/33579896_10217337904946382_919088005950472192_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33579896_10217337904946382_919088005950472192_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33579896_10217337904946382_919088005950472192_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4n4x4Hz9GTQ/Wwhz5PitvHI/AAAAAAAA6M4/tq_h6P0KIxcLMKsC_-p6N5fIaALnI4cYQCHMYCw/33579896_10217337904946382_919088005950472192_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>Yesterday we went and picked up the rig at the storage lot. It went pretty well. Harry checked the pressure on the tires and then we hooked up. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAp5k8JcL7uCT_66oDLSS7CG0wOg1VdPza3EweNmOkCnvWGUVGS5OHHI5DauUKDJHLzDczuXBfMRxScsIsY_H9GSJfH5Od2Lu0OG_tUiDUNf_JGZfvxk2hhw8r9St1evZAaIfrLbMI75Mf/s1600-h/33475119_10217337906426419_6720163744107724800_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33475119_10217337906426419_6720163744107724800_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33475119_10217337906426419_6720163744107724800_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F2N5U8ZbFP0/Wwhz7DGHGJI/AAAAAAAA6NA/tN4Nk6yntUUYTQJ5tA8liLkWfrW_w9eFQCHMYCw/33475119_10217337906426419_6720163744107724800_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>We traveled the short trip over to our place, and pulled up in front of our house.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nlUfSICi1wQ/Wwhz8OJ6jdI/AAAAAAAA6NE/UvpxXX6ih0UkHDxcHUmaflWfF7RGa_GwACHMYCw/s1600-h/33328857_10217337905626399_1528254096694312960_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33328857_10217337905626399_1528254096694312960_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33328857_10217337905626399_1528254096694312960_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ov8kno-xWFs/Wwhz8zfCe0I/AAAAAAAA6NI/ALOdFXhGr5A8RuguDg7gRi94pfHTGOSlwCHMYCw/33328857_10217337905626399_1528254096694312960_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>In perfect position for bringing all our stuff out! (Today I racked up 4 miles on my Garmin just walking to and from the rig from the house.)</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q748-2FjFfU/Wwh8-cKDYlI/AAAAAAAA6No/DmIKiezaCkwlPxiv-XtVyoByvxCAxNMyQCHMYCw/s1600-h/33596794_10217337907026434_6054854936087232512_n%255B2%255D"><br></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LtfWSCjWT48/Wwh9KOJk3DI/AAAAAAAA6Ns/RS601145wQ4PJ6wOR4SlbCacN9PmCHvSwCHMYCw/s1600-h/33596794_10217337907026434_6054854936087232512_n%255B5%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="33596794_10217337907026434_6054854936087232512_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="33596794_10217337907026434_6054854936087232512_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k4U8WvQVbBI/Wwh9LFTA3QI/AAAAAAAA6Nw/QoyE2AqDMhg4kJjp5i22uyT2vh8nJDnrQCHMYCw/33596794_10217337907026434_6054854936087232512_n_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>In the midst of all that, I took Ariel to the pet groomer’s to get her nails clipped one last time before we leave. She is so calm for everyone else, but horrible for us when we try to clip her nails. So we take her over there about once a month while we’re here. It becomes a little more hit and miss when we’re on the road because it’s not always easy to find groomers who work with cats.</p><p><br></p><p>So that was yesterday. Today has seemed like a bit of a problem day, especially for Harry. He has had a multitude of problems to solve….fixing a slide topper that wouldn’t go in correctly, leaky valve stem on the inside dually that necessitated putting the truck up and taking a tire off, a random bolt that fell out of the bottom of the slide when we were bringing it in…and the biggest issue…finding a NAIL in one of our rig tires. That was a bit of a panic moment, being that today was the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. But shout out to Laye’s Tire in Avon Park, who took Harry right in after their lunch hour and fixed our tire in about 15 minutes. Phew! </p><p>As Harry has been in problem solving mode, I have been steadily hiking back and forth with the STUFF we will need. At this point I’ve not been doing a ton of organizing, just dropping it somewhere inside the rig, because our weather forecast for the weekend is for rain, rain and more RAIN. So hopefully we can just spend some time inside getting things put together and ready for heading out on Tuesday.</p><p>And if all goes well, no more <em>problems</em>!</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-58413772496497570302018-05-16T09:21:00.001-04:002018-05-16T09:24:57.925-04:00Sorting Out<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CbenEhxyjYc/WvwwL45ohPI/AAAAAAAA6Kw/Pc1Ip9vP8QoAovCEDXrJus2dOcpWAWKDACHMYCw/s1600-h/32556551_10217261185628447_2592656604503474176_n%255B2%255D"><img width="139" height="244" title="32556551_10217261185628447_2592656604503474176_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="32556551_10217261185628447_2592656604503474176_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dYx0xYcxTFg/WvwwM_5DstI/AAAAAAAA6K0/8Qjbv65aRlY5kQPuIHXFfjjcQHwBvlrKgCHMYCw/32556551_10217261185628447_2592656604503474176_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>When we arrived here last August, to save on expenses we basically emptied out the fifth wheel. We didn’t want to have to buy everything new for the house. We had quite a few piles of STUFF all over the place!<br></p><p>Now <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E_NoZlwrDpE/WvwwNxm0uWI/AAAAAAAA6K4/fwBvgkgGcE4SwCGQ7Eufj4cldl9fFzCjgCHMYCw/s1600-h/32620857_10217261185308439_2480848903457472512_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="32620857_10217261185308439_2480848903457472512_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="32620857_10217261185308439_2480848903457472512_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dHwbNGWm1Vw/WvwwOjaDUAI/AAAAAAAA6K8/6yYKWvGMY3EHWoNtPLf2atcWxqpgF76ngCHMYCw/32620857_10217261185308439_2480848903457472512_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>that we are getting ready to go back into the fifth wheel, we are being quite a bit more selective about what we bring back. </p><p><br></p><p>So I’ve started sorting through the kitchen to figure out what I really use on a day to day basis. It will be nice to be able to leave stuff behind. Like the roaster oven that we used to cook our turkey or ham on holidays. I’m going to whittle my baking pans down to what I use the most often. While we are up at our seasonal site, we will only be 20 minutes from my mother’s house, so if there is anything I am missing I can borrow it from her anyway.</p><p align="left">We will also be going through the rig before we start moving back in. Anything left in there will seriously be on the “do we really need this?” list. I am anticipating that we will have a lot of extra room in the rig. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jcgSbKDWjJ4/WvwwPkh1RXI/AAAAAAAA6LA/aLhFba2ONz8XmJlrI-oDk2pIlxjTevxFACHMYCw/s1600-h/32372847_10217237451275103_3135129700045684736_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="32372847_10217237451275103_3135129700045684736_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="32372847_10217237451275103_3135129700045684736_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Y6lsNuqd_g/WvwwQV0KT3I/AAAAAAAA6LE/C6Cz7Bvhze8_7beSvPwzkXVnyCXIIFiiACHMYCw/32372847_10217237451275103_3135129700045684736_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>We won’t be bringing knick knacks, boxes of pictures which I carried around for almost five years, our printer or keurig coffee maker. We are leaving behind our rug, the side tables that we used in the bedroom and living room. Just for the summer, we are also taking out the table which we never use. (You can see it in the pic above over to the left by the window.) We will just be storing that in the house until we get back. I think we are going to be so light that the truck won’t even know it’s pulling anything!</p><p align="left">I have today off and then I go back to work tomorrow to start my last few days before the start of summer vacation.</p><p align="left">Thirteen days until we hit the road!</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-88062770538317136712018-05-13T13:37:00.001-04:002018-05-13T13:40:17.260-04:00Winding Down<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h9ObRoaP83s/Wvh3liBFqMI/AAAAAAAA6Iw/BEEX7Tsecxsu_PzUI0U6JLwYf4f9YHXpQCHMYCw/s1600-h/32418615_10217237500476333_1252402288736075776_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="32418615_10217237500476333_1252402288736075776_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="32418615_10217237500476333_1252402288736075776_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fsXWgoxj0SA/Wvh3nJLENMI/AAAAAAAA6I0/UsOBWZLotXM5gzS5o3uuFyUsVjdLeHWaQCHMYCw/32418615_10217237500476333_1252402288736075776_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>By the middle of April, most of the snowbird portion of our park had headed north for the summer. Since we aren’t leaving until the end of May, we were the goodbye committee each time. The streets have gotten so quiet. I’ve been doing my morning runs pretty early because once the sun comes up it gets hot. Other than being too hot to run after 8:30 or 9 am, I really haven’t minded the weather too much. It’s so different since we aren’t in the rig. The a/c keeps it really comfortable, and it’s so quiet, we don’t even know it’s on most of the time. </p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iKk_MClkGW8/Wvh3nzTd3tI/AAAAAAAA6I4/YAxM6au-Y-4783-mLQbl0uVr8UlWwwlsACHMYCw/s1600-h/32385431_10217237472675638_7822498926333788160_n%255B2%255D"><br></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QvudsAdamMQ/Wvh3o7PpBEI/AAAAAAAA6I8/VEeU1ZrfVaI6jC9KvB-FKKLsi2_K1I4TwCHMYCw/s1600-h/32325621_10217237497916269_644031557215977472_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="32325621_10217237497916269_644031557215977472_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="32325621_10217237497916269_644031557215977472_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IM61Fym1BRo/Wvh3pgHYzII/AAAAAAAA6JA/reyTgGfwPbwOqToSMobVc0cyGAV2L0lRgCHMYCw/32325621_10217237497916269_644031557215977472_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>On one of my runs recently, I saw the sandhill cranes taking advantage of the open yard to look for their breakfast.</p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iKk_MClkGW8/Wvh3nzTd3tI/AAAAAAAA6I4/YAxM6au-Y-4783-mLQbl0uVr8UlWwwlsACHMYCw/s1600-h/32385431_10217237472675638_7822498926333788160_n%255B2%255D"><br></a><p> </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iKk_MClkGW8/Wvh3nzTd3tI/AAAAAAAA6I4/YAxM6au-Y-4783-mLQbl0uVr8UlWwwlsACHMYCw/s1600-h/32385431_10217237472675638_7822498926333788160_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="32385431_10217237472675638_7822498926333788160_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="32385431_10217237472675638_7822498926333788160_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sv811YRLVlw/Wvh3qV96hSI/AAAAAAAA6JE/BgiZ3ueVL38Sn-40tQcQnW6WIDW26vmaACHMYCw/32385431_10217237472675638_7822498926333788160_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Our friends Jim and Dee, (who used to be our neighbors but bought a place in Auburndale a couple years ago), met us at Brewpop Brewery in Auburndale a couple weeks ago. We used a groupon we had purchased for a tasting. It was a fun time but I didn’t like their brews as much as I enjoyed a tasting we did earlier this winter at Keel and Curley Winery. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pq2uco4baew/Wvh3rSuOu7I/AAAAAAAA6JI/JDJ5p9uZOtUccqpY3pLWrEGHryKuKkGHACHMYCw/s1600-h/32253764_10217237469995571_1065901588834418688_n%255B2%255D"><img width="243" height="244" title="32253764_10217237469995571_1065901588834418688_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="32253764_10217237469995571_1065901588834418688_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BeOARZy6QPA/Wvh3sI7iBeI/AAAAAAAA6JM/Ipw9IC2bG10Zn3MyciIMGZUF1WYTfo7sACHMYCw/32253764_10217237469995571_1065901588834418688_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NyhcjP-D3mM/Wvh3tfme3yI/AAAAAAAA6JQ/q1mP1V1Bxcws6TdlLbwgDqt45Om99qNTQCHMYCw/s1600-h/32460132_10217237480555835_2327579980432670720_n%255B5%255D"><img width="244" height="183" title="32460132_10217237480555835_2327579980432670720_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="32460132_10217237480555835_2327579980432670720_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zR2gonhizXs/Wvh3uPcuKPI/AAAAAAAA6JU/a-PGnc9zJUAnsGGsa8DDlqya623jYk-awCHMYCw/32460132_10217237480555835_2327579980432670720_n_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a><p><br></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pq2uco4baew/Wvh3rSuOu7I/AAAAAAAA6JI/JDJ5p9uZOtUccqpY3pLWrEGHryKuKkGHACHMYCw/s1600-h/32253764_10217237469995571_1065901588834418688_n%255B2%255D"><br></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iKk_MClkGW8/Wvh3nzTd3tI/AAAAAAAA6I4/YAxM6au-Y-4783-mLQbl0uVr8UlWwwlsACHMYCw/s1600-h/32385431_10217237472675638_7822498926333788160_n%255B2%255D"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>Right before the last of our friends left, we had one last get-together at our house. We played a rousing game of Pegs and Jokers – men vs women. We had a lot of laughs and enjoyed each other’s company for the afternoon.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ezMIGIXX3Fc/Wvh3u4nLVnI/AAAAAAAA6JY/lyNqmS3uCvIIeuBr0bGIR7K9tnU121vHwCHMYCw/s1600-h/32350146_10217237449475058_894714715085733888_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="32350146_10217237449475058_894714715085733888_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="32350146_10217237449475058_894714715085733888_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-68u8mKCLzm4/Wvh3wOT0R3I/AAAAAAAA6Jc/WTXdQT9j8cc6C1IcssA96Z8OxFEBriVFQCHMYCw/32350146_10217237449475058_894714715085733888_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>We’ve been doing lots of odds and ends over the past couple of weeks. We were thinking about the rig sitting in storage all winter, and that we didn’t want to bring any hitchhikers north with us. So we met the guy who sprays our property, and he sprayed the inside of our rig and in the basement. Don’t want to see any of those palmetto bugs running around!</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-heaBb6bS5Yw/Wvh3wlDDvZI/AAAAAAAA6Jg/CGUsAdvy0Qs2VHAWlYN_TW0XBD9gec2cwCHMYCw/s1600-h/32372847_10217237451275103_3135129700045684736_n%255B5%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="32372847_10217237451275103_3135129700045684736_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="32372847_10217237451275103_3135129700045684736_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oAWbhuf4SHQ/Wvh3x8q7P8I/AAAAAAAA6Jk/5gnAnl_bAMkF-kKdGLxZihBM0QLFAkIjQCHMYCw/32372847_10217237451275103_3135129700045684736_n_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>While we had it open, we checked around inside. It looks really good. No calling cards from any visitors that I could see, and it smelled really fresh inside. We are going to make some pretty big changes when we get it over here. The boys will be staying with us for a month while we are up north, so we are going to make some configuration changes and take out some furniture that we don’t use. I’m excited to see what it looks like. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-im05f1i5QUk/Wvh3yl5rLiI/AAAAAAAA6Jo/D2bwr6Y00QMdrHtq-JEvcEtTLfNjCz2JQCHMYCw/s1600-h/32372847_10217237451275103_3135129700045684736_n%255B2%255D"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_hWHKfLFvXU/Wvh3zkiRnEI/AAAAAAAA6Js/C2avlF3pu_kqIWS6VbBeb7fhr-4QfNRvQCHMYCw/s1600-h/32228762_10217237455875218_3123448595886374912_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="32228762_10217237455875218_3123448595886374912_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="32228762_10217237455875218_3123448595886374912_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hBN06Shs11k/Wvh30tmPWFI/AAAAAAAA6Jw/glphI8gFpCsjZ6ccW9LrvG9xemAohq5TwCHMYCw/32228762_10217237455875218_3123448595886374912_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></a></p><p>We were walking last week at the end of one of our few cloudy days, and I noticed that it was clearing on the horizon. It cleared just enough that the sun going down just lit up the whole sky. It was so beautiful! </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>I am down to my last week and a half to work at Home Depot. I’m looking forward to a few months off, and heading off on our extended vacation. But I’m going to miss my co-workers also. I’ve been so lucky to have gotten a job that I am enjoying so much. </p><p>Fifteen days left until we hit the road!</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-16319972708845471932018-04-13T06:25:00.001-04:002018-04-13T06:59:13.798-04:00A Day at Epcot and Rain TestAfter our truck didn’t start on Sunday, our neighbor came over and they started it with a jump. We ran it for about 45 minutes hoping that it would charge the batteries up enough to start on Monday, but Monday morning they were once again dead. So we had to jump it again to get it started, and Harry headed off to the Chevy dealership. Once they checked the batteries out, they reported to Harry that one was dead and the other was close. Yeah, we figured. So Harry used their shuttle to come home for the day, and they called in the afternoon to let him know when the truck was ready. There was some good news for the day though. Harry asked them to check the brakes while the truck was there and they are still in great shape. Not bad considering they are the original brakes and we are heading for 87k miles on the truck!<p>Last week Harry spent a morning putting up some flashing above and around our front windows in an attempt to take care of a leak we’d noticed during the last couple rainstorms. On Tuesday we finally got some rain, and we were both eager t<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xftJWHiOXVE/WtCFa4izZUI/AAAAAAAA5Mc/x_1dxzrm1Fk1PPrlxHGPlAsbOd1IbA9iQCHMYCw/s1600-h/30688504_10216976066860656_380222382289190912_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="30688504_10216976066860656_380222382289190912_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="30688504_10216976066860656_380222382289190912_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SiSzYgtlWeg/WtCFbkjWhJI/AAAAAAAA5Mg/wl8avGx62R0LyaymezNS2bSkVqiqnnHmwCHMYCw/30688504_10216976066860656_380222382289190912_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>o see if we saw any drips coming in. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KfYRYxLTo14/WtCFdOHYTBI/AAAAAAAA5Mk/0KpWFE0TAyY96QyfTuKl3RlwTshlFPsrQCHMYCw/s1600-h/30698685_10216976066100637_5524282151245185024_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="30698685_10216976066100637_5524282151245185024_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="30698685_10216976066100637_5524282151245185024_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TC_BPGgExKg/WtCFd-hTdpI/AAAAAAAA5Mo/Y7wN5e8BX-AbDBr8y2IWcPBo-sT72XUUgCHMYCw/30698685_10216976066100637_5524282151245185024_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p align="center">No leaks! </p><p align="center"><br></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6CGUoH3SerU/WtCFe1-LKxI/AAAAAAAA5Ms/CANk-7uTTBgcBy5Nf--mBneZsF74VE1owCHMYCw/s1600-h/30582127_10216964083121070_7498269417880445720_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="30582127_10216964083121070_7498269417880445720_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="30582127_10216964083121070_7498269417880445720_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YdkiLYCthjI/WtCFf-6VGTI/AAAAAAAA5Mw/8Z7FSeJjv7oBO1h8NZRAp6pYboOYbqvtQCHMYCw/30582127_10216964083121070_7498269417880445720_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>On Wednesday we enjoyed another day at Epcot. That makes four days for us this year. We buy the Weekday Select annual pass for Florida residents. That pass enables us to go to any of the Disney parks on weekdays only, with the exception of some blackout periods. The blackout periods are at peak times like Christmas week, a couple weeks in March or April when the spring breakers are coming, and a couple months in the summer. Those are all times when we wouldn’t want to go anyway so it works out fine. Our annual pass covers admission and parking, plus gives discounts at some of the stores and restaurants.</p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P73iA9Gjul0/WtCFgr2AiRI/AAAAAAAA5M0/SSkXTFCkbxwqF0fcjNqkP4upuHoLH6AFwCHMYCw/s1600-h/30051580_10216964118321950_1811756255873418428_o%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="243" title="30051580_10216964118321950_1811756255873418428_o" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="30051580_10216964118321950_1811756255873418428_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o9maG-z2xTI/WtCFhgZHdmI/AAAAAAAA5M4/H_lotZSQEUANpwW6A3VbSYkmip5PbeZmgCHMYCw/30051580_10216964118321950_1811756255873418428_o_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a><p align="left">We were looking forward to going this time because this is the time of year when they have their Festival of Flowers. The displays are so beautiful.</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Od7M0Bl2GmE/WtCFiR7768I/AAAAAAAA5M8/qG9a7KFcsuYurSVB5ExcBdUPt-K5U6ZlwCHMYCw/s1600-h/30629274_10216964072800812_6053255874770643778_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="30629274_10216964072800812_6053255874770643778_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="30629274_10216964072800812_6053255874770643778_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e7LVE8GuDWo/WtCFjcS-qzI/AAAAAAAA5NA/Op-XLeAA9N4ISa2Yq4WWyZM41jmZuHd9QCHMYCw/30629274_10216964072800812_6053255874770643778_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DpF2rQ8PqFw/WtCFl31kkLI/AAAAAAAA5NE/3iOPHrjSNvYSPwDb3cX1tPGLB1hmbdx0ACHMYCw/s1600-h/30688450_10216964088121195_1779341265540941817_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="30688450_10216964088121195_1779341265540941817_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="30688450_10216964088121195_1779341265540941817_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SEz1niXfT0Y/WtCFn_prysI/AAAAAAAA5NI/isC0_Jwk1HQzIa_BrwDHDNb0ykbou-JIgCHMYCw/30688450_10216964088121195_1779341265540941817_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mJ773kzzbYk/WtCFosQjI9I/AAAAAAAA5NM/pkmEYh0sO6EmGrDs0iyG_R66OAlMcDuQACHMYCw/s1600-h/30653394_10216964075480879_8996015504249950283_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="30653394_10216964075480879_8996015504249950283_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="30653394_10216964075480879_8996015504249950283_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kRWnfmC7570/WtCFpnbe9wI/AAAAAAAA5NQ/htD4mVRv6Gcsux0RMcfR7e2CQyPvKDAygCHMYCw/30653394_10216964075480879_8996015504249950283_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left">It was a beautiful day to walk around and enjoy all the Disney characters made up with flowers. We went on a couple rides – including my favorite at Epcot – Soarin’!</p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FtjtXPtSCm8/WtCFqqbGL5I/AAAAAAAA5NU/S30GMOfY1Ds3TDy3rshGN-tuzsw4wZQtACHMYCw/s1600-h/30724904_10216964067320675_1188236788186287231_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="30724904_10216964067320675_1188236788186287231_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="30724904_10216964067320675_1188236788186287231_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tB8kGMeUhKE/WtCFrjYYI9I/AAAAAAAA5NY/-ArDASVujJcNSA9nx22t1zELSVprHCpDQCHMYCw/30724904_10216964067320675_1188236788186287231_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>And we had a huge surprise when I sent a pic to a friend that we had worked with at Amazon, knowing she was a big Disney fan, and she replied to my message that she was at Epcot also! We met up right outside the Soarin’ ride, after we found out she was in line right behind us. That was so amazing! We hadn’t seen Robin since the last time we worked at Amazon in the fall of 2016. </p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left">That will be our last trip to Disney for this winter. We only have six weeks left here and they are going to go fast, especially with being scheduled to work three days a week. You can really tell it’s the end of the season. We have a lot of empty spots around us again, and most of our friends will be gone by this time next week. It’s getting to be traveling time!</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-81123057256661539982018-04-08T13:25:00.001-04:002018-04-08T14:07:08.311-04:00One Year!<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OXNk2MhOGvY/WspQZG3HdCI/AAAAAAAA5K0/Dj82BmYT2pIEfjGuKjtdgcAPrKc9iqyoQCHMYCw/s1600-h/20170408_122400%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="20170408_122400" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20170408_122400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dA2MiR-8FV0/WspQa6IFbTI/AAAAAAAA5K4/GLMlREPCLoItHLld8r4_zqsfbPJ16btQgCHMYCw/20170408_122400_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>Time flies when you’re having fun! Believe it or not, it has been one year since we had our first look at the place that we now call home!</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-roDFyS9GoZQ/WspQbsiFOOI/AAAAAAAA5K8/i022Zlsogl4oUMaFhnkbiT1_mpF6y3RgwCHMYCw/s1600-h/20170408_140425%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="20170408_140425" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20170408_140425" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fHAiGYYdNfk/WspQcqI8SUI/AAAAAAAA5LA/HKAnk3m19PgXkVeC4xsHZgotd2Aq86JSACHMYCw/20170408_140425_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>Here was Harry getting his first look around. </p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uet7Fu05V5g/WspQdVR-oMI/AAAAAAAA5LE/NMeKgkXPAmUF7_sgyU5FQ_IoRxEhNcvKQCHMYCw/s1600-h/20170408_140403%2B%25281%2529%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="20170408_140403 (1)" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20170408_140403 (1)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YIoXNLgJg_s/WspQeOdNahI/AAAAAAAA5LI/cQZQ4Od4g2I6nxvWYj8WqEG4QlyPOXE6gCHMYCw/20170408_140403%2B%25281%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xjS1G9ADtEw/WspQfF2SZbI/AAAAAAAA5LM/LotANl-pKdozYwEr4pqYJn25G4tm1c-ZACHMYCw/s1600-h/20170408_140352%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="20170408_140352" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20170408_140352" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WGpI8yW4Oc4/WspQgPtA0CI/AAAAAAAA5LQ/f9aLm-T0f3o8Rl9OYua6f4jFTCzeJGMGACHMYCw/20170408_140352_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Even with the unexpected expenses we have had this winter season, especially having to replace the air conditioner last August, we have absolutely no regrets about buying this park model. </p><p>In some ways having this place has just made things simpler. Although the address that we had through the mail service served its purpose at the time, it has been so much more convenient with a more conventional permanent address. Now we don’t have any address issues popping up when we apply for anything that requires credit. When we had the mail service address, our applications were always getting flagged as possible fraud. Even filling out applications has been easier – no more trying to figure out the best way to answer the question about whether we own or rent. </p><p>Beyond that, having a home base gives me a little sense of…security?…relief? While we were fulltiming, there were just a few times when we had major repair issues crop up – the kind of repair where you aren’t going anywhere until it’s fixed. The time in Ohio when our front axle basically came apart. The time in Peru when the roller underneath the bed broke which meant we couldn’t bring the bedroom slide in. We were always really lucky in that we were able to get our repair completed without any major time spent out of the rig. But it was always in the back of my mind just as a little distant worry, what we would do if something major like that happened. Now, if anything big and “trip-stopping” happened, I know that we could just come home. And not only have our home waiting for us, but also my job. I only have to call and three weeks later I can be back on the schedule. So that’s just given us a little peace of mind.</p><p><hr>Speaking of repair issues, we had a new one pop up today. We went out to go to the store, and…nothing. The truck wouldn’t start. I’m just glad it didn’t happen over the past three days when I was working. We aren’t sure if it’s the battery, or the starter. So in the morning we have to call and get the truck towed to the Chevy dealer in town. <strong>UPDATE</strong>: Our neighbor came over and he and Harry got the truck started with a jump. So at least now we know it’s the batteries. </p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-43220892294751724382018-04-07T15:45:00.001-04:002018-04-07T15:45:11.463-04:00Work Week Complete<p>I just finished a three day stretch of work days. It depends on the department, but for me, with the schedule constraints of the people I work with, my work days and hours are usually pretty consistent. Most weeks I work two 8 hour days during the week and then I open on Saturday, which means I work from 5 am to 1:30. So this week I worked Thursday and Friday from 9:30 to 6, and then did my usual shift today. And next week I do the same, which means I now have four days off before I work again. Not too hard to take!</p><p>I gave my leaving date to the appropriate person in HR yesterday. So now it is official that I have a little over six weeks left to work. I have to call in September about a month before we come back, and then I will be put on the schedule right away. That means that we will arrive, and then I can go right back to work. No applications, delays, orientation etc! I just love how convenient this job is going to be. </p><p>I had a comment about how it works with Florida residency and Disney pricing. We haven’t gotten any special pricing for our Disney cruises, but that’s partially because we have always had a special week that we needed to go. My understanding is that Disney cruises usually get filled up, so I’m not sure if they offer special last minute pricing. However, we have gotten some good deals for the parks. Both Harry and I have season passes, and they have a really good price for Florida residents. And once you have the pass, you get an even better deal to renew it the following year. Also, when my mother was here, and we wanted to stay overnight, I got an email that they were offering some certain resorts/certain nights at 30% off. The range of dates was within the time period I was looking at, so I called, and we got a really good deal for the night that we stayed at the Caribbean Resort. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wR3Ef1NJKZ0/WskfphSnn5I/AAAAAAAA5JY/hBVoaLtPCrQbn-_qx0LiOz6HuEdnkFr5gCHMYCw/s1600-h/30265054_10216924105961666_942238738669371392_o%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="30265054_10216924105961666_942238738669371392_o" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="30265054_10216924105961666_942238738669371392_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ORGqDQ1_Ls4/Wskfq7OAOJI/AAAAAAAA5Jc/M3mA26piSzIx2QDwk0PtQ1czpiv6UHxtQCHMYCw/30265054_10216924105961666_942238738669371392_o_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Harry’s big project for this week was doing some outside repair work. The last couple of times it rained, we had a pretty good leak over a window. And, before that, we had a drip coming in over the front door. So Harry decided it was time to get that fixed. He opened it up and found the house wrap was pretty frayed, and there were gaps at the end by the doors.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aWSVjhCRxmM/WskfrzMCYMI/AAAAAAAA5Jg/nlvOVGkIAls5ikonN-PouIOitVUKzTscwCHMYCw/s1600-h/30411715_10216924100041518_4581229658007142400_o%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="30411715_10216924100041518_4581229658007142400_o" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="30411715_10216924100041518_4581229658007142400_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dBGTGwky_jI/Wskfs8BFLNI/AAAAAAAA5Jk/L28nPySbJAgMV-GtarVUPMsUV_LadAIKgCHMYCw/30411715_10216924100041518_4581229658007142400_o_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>He opened up the siding along the windows and put flashing in along the sides…</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjG9QvhNAm6148hujAkJkjfLmhZubAnm0qLylOY053BhQ3L_S1S8aV3bWQgSArBLBpl3-MCQGzqLE_rN-PE7m7IDGEIQWFVVH1brA5OoDmA8dTQg7fBP9Yqn6kcuIamGnfl3VIp9q5t5BY/s1600-h/30265350_10216924091721310_3460946855423115264_o%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="30265350_10216924091721310_3460946855423115264_o" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="30265350_10216924091721310_3460946855423115264_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VybCXoKalxU/WskfvCFjB2I/AAAAAAAA5Js/R_eLDslf9t0ACTk3NPiRybPzTOTgfjY5QCHMYCw/30265350_10216924091721310_3460946855423115264_o_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>and then above the top of the windows and door.</p><p><br></p><p>Then caulked over the door under the piece of trim.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--r4zwJv_8wk/WskfwSz3E1I/AAAAAAAA5Jw/zoKcKCFK9Z0--EjnO_ZtFP1Wr-s6rAOhwCHMYCw/s1600-h/30441116_10216924130082269_8086195753506045952_o%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="30441116_10216924130082269_8086195753506045952_o" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="30441116_10216924130082269_8086195753506045952_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pK0sn6iaCsU/WskfxVIOTOI/AAAAAAAA5J0/kTRG2iUiCWQDsL9FOLMvBFI-UttfSObtgCHMYCw/30441116_10216924130082269_8086195753506045952_o_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>And then it was all put back together!</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>A couple days ago, Harry used the water hose to spray all over the front, and, NO leaking!! Another great repair job done!</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-30196707990160755042018-04-04T11:34:00.001-04:002018-04-04T11:34:48.909-04:00March – Running Fun!<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kj6iVFgCugk/WsTwQEWDMyI/AAAAAAAA5HM/eP-vXKE8HsE2RPWZB8YwIqlVJnKFufHQgCHMYCw/s1600-h/28952034_10216615424644826_7002809298464031470_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="28952034_10216615424644826_7002809298464031470_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="28952034_10216615424644826_7002809298464031470_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zBOMN3NPIDs/WsTwRtbbjgI/AAAAAAAA5HQ/d5L0zOqpzlokiOwCc486NJdv-Ufw4ejCgCHMYCw/28952034_10216615424644826_7002809298464031470_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Three years ago we attended an event in Sebring called Run the Track. It’s a 3.74 mile race around the Sebring Raceway. It’s a pretty small race with only a few hundred people, but it’s a fun event. One of the best things about this race was the long sleeve running shirt that we got. So we decided that it would be nice to do it again, and get another shirt – well worth the $25 cost!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DciPUzQrUDc/WsTwSlH6lxI/AAAAAAAA5HU/xFT9HsA_FlIndHyk3r9RqwOLyzmBHkIwwCHMYCw/s1600-h/28337830_10216616810039460_6614402590981721740_o%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="28337830_10216616810039460_6614402590981721740_o" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="28337830_10216616810039460_6614402590981721740_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CYgLJrKaw_g/WsTwT27pYFI/AAAAAAAA5HY/f-6Cq6ZiLAMygxova5_YdbKv65uC_xMZACHMYCw/28337830_10216616810039460_6614402590981721740_o_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>Not only did we get another long sleeve running shirt, and have a good time – but I came in 1st place in my age group! That was pretty exciting!</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>That was only the first great running event we had going on in March. It was a long time ago – over a year!- when we signed up for a half marathon that would be taking place in Sarasota, FL. We have done several other races over the past few years, and for all of them we traveled to the location on the morning of the race. Races always start pretty early in the morning, and since we have to arrive early to find a parking spot, we’ve always had to get up in the middle of the night to have enough time to get ready. For this race, we decided that we were going to splurge and get a hotel room right by the start. Being Sarasota, and right by the water, it was really pricey, but it turned out to be totally worth it!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kq61W_MXoGo/WsTwUjxtEZI/AAAAAAAA5Hc/dofEx7P18SgIdZtslbzhAwYkMNOkJMhogCHMYCw/s1600-h/29312995_10216697205569298_2437339881065265857_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="29312995_10216697205569298_2437339881065265857_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="29312995_10216697205569298_2437339881065265857_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-REapmI1G2PE/WsTwVolAdGI/AAAAAAAA5Hg/UdYsOnbKacUMN5gXvlvLlT1cYWnnL14QQCHMYCw/29312995_10216697205569298_2437339881065265857_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>We left for Sarasota on Saturday morning. We had found a Groupon for a place to eat in Sarasota, and being St. Patrick’s Day we decided to eat earlier in the day to avoid the crowds. That turned out to be a great idea, because the meal was really filling. We were barely even hungry again for the whole rest of the day! </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KPGVIS0HAmU/WsTwWh0hR7I/AAAAAAAA5Hk/wNmGykG5Ljwi2KaI6A_72Csy2jLKud6AwCHMYCw/s1600-h/29314650_10216697208449370_1905149503179190557_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="29314650_10216697208449370_1905149503179190557_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="29314650_10216697208449370_1905149503179190557_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_7CemKLYuMA/WsTwXQN8UWI/AAAAAAAA5Ho/gMCDGTD9HpQRqnylmiNWGtY2Sm6kzjb4QCHMYCw/29314650_10216697208449370_1905149503179190557_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>After eating, we drove a couple miles to Lido Beach and were lucky enough to find a parking place. We went for a nice walk on the beach to pass the time until it was check-in time at the hotel. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m2HNiQP7l9Y/WsTwau7SoPI/AAAAAAAA5Hs/C8aZ-enGcQgoocBLOUg8Z9C-qWMXf1loACHMYCw/s1600-h/29342467_10216697209689401_4588729970048944681_n%255B2%255D"><br></a></p><p><font color="#000000"><font color="#000000"><br></font></font></p><p><font color="#000000">A<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-68qw-vmA1o8/WsTwbo6oApI/AAAAAAAA5Hw/8UW8GZFk4scbLSs_TNh0PgE89TWeJQRugCHMYCw/s1600-h/29342467_10216697209689401_4588729970048944681_n%255B5%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="29342467_10216697209689401_4588729970048944681_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="29342467_10216697209689401_4588729970048944681_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ki7jedUZNcA/WsTwdFUFqxI/AAAAAAAA5H0/6OFOulaiKPE0-3eTxNgA6yckQhXIGBKeQCHMYCw/29342467_10216697209689401_4588729970048944681_n_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>round 3:30, we left to drive over to our hotel – the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. This is easily the most expensive hotel we have ever stayed at. The view was awesome, but other than that, I can’t say it was that much over and above other places where we have stayed. But the best part about the location was it's proximity to our race – that parking lot over to the right in the picture was where we needed to be in the morning.</font></p><p><font color="#000000"></font><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bPiUiwiN1cY/WsTwd4E9fpI/AAAAAAAA5H4/-oodW9Fskw8oL-SRJCCc-Co26Tj8xNKrACHMYCw/s1600-h/29357047_10216704794559018_8591677292556079292_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="29357047_10216704794559018_8591677292556079292_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="29357047_10216704794559018_8591677292556079292_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pW2hLZV3MEU/WsTwfAbekeI/AAAAAAAA5H8/7b7N0oceoLE3u81rmWaWBMt_2O1tMO1vQCHMYCw/29357047_10216704794559018_8591677292556079292_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><br></p><p><br></p><p>And then it was race day! Harry took this picture as we were walking over to the start line. It was so relaxing just being able to get up in the morning, have our coffee and breakfast, and then just stroll on over about 20 minutes before the race started. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BL-R98TMp9A/WsTwgAfG0wI/AAAAAAAA5IA/aAnElY47jwwmdPH6M3mxYUUklcWDDJhLgCHMYCw/s1600-h/29340202_10216704797959103_5788933472086335706_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="29340202_10216704797959103_5788933472086335706_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="29340202_10216704797959103_5788933472086335706_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7uOolsObX6I/WsTwhXogYpI/AAAAAAAA5IE/8eGrZCgdTBwjf29SflHdL6y-uMRQpNQFQCHMYCw/29340202_10216704797959103_5788933472086335706_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>I took this picture as we were running over the Ringling Causeway.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F8UFsfcnMPc/WsTwiRJy5rI/AAAAAAAA5II/svb0Uht9AXM2TiRQzOVIbC2mGKo_Hut0QCHMYCw/s1600-h/28699345_10216715735312530_321298143465970793_o%255B2%255D"><img width="164" height="244" title="28699345_10216715735312530_321298143465970793_o" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="28699345_10216715735312530_321298143465970793_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HotViD_FD9A/WsTwjswPppI/AAAAAAAA5IM/UtbyakSVtEIRHbyTO3spxBPY3Zc6wknBgCHMYCw/28699345_10216715735312530_321298143465970793_o_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>One of the nicest parts about this race was that the race photos were free to download. This is the first race we have done that didn’t require you to purchase the race photos. </p><p>So here we are coming in! Our official time was 2:42:34. (It took us three minutes from the official start to actually get over the start line. They start people in waves.) I was extremely happy with our time. This was the first half marathon that I actually ran all the way through!</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8VDdtX1vNWE/WsTwkQ9LRxI/AAAAAAAA5IQ/jQeuz9CNShkI69yW0K9SqA3HrNm1RxHSgCHMYCw/s1600-h/29339742_10216707864315760_3991604725211712252_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="29339742_10216707864315760_3991604725211712252_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="29339742_10216707864315760_3991604725211712252_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ShgBlsPTMN0/WsTwlXUEk0I/AAAAAAAA5IU/_r55BICm3VEChwqURTbf0B7ovaF9D61dACHMYCw/29339742_10216707864315760_3991604725211712252_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>There’s the Causeway! We ran all the way across this and then back. That was the first 6 miles of the race. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>And then we took a nice leisurely walk back to the hotel where we could shower before we headed for home. It was a great weekend!</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-8502488087483073442018-04-03T12:00:00.001-04:002018-04-03T12:14:52.592-04:00February Was Cruise and Company Month!<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1W7IqDLlALc/WsOkgrJKn4I/AAAAAAAA5Eo/bCsb-7w-rQQNH0-HDKHKB1VAaO4TSZZLwCHMYCw/s1600-h/29920830_10216886489701283_922250618_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="29920830_10216886489701283_922250618_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="29920830_10216886489701283_922250618_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MJwrAyXkLME/WsOki3QW9FI/AAAAAAAA5Es/jft7qEkIyiEiEt7DU4UX4sdzy8q7SSfoACHMYCw/29920830_10216886489701283_922250618_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>After a quiet uneventful month in January, we knew that February was going to be the exact opposite. We had a cruise coming up early in the month, and after that we were having our first official company! When we bought the park model last April, we decided right away that we were going to use the Florida room as our living area, and leave what was originally the living room for a guest area. We set it up before we left for the cruise, and I loved the way it looked. </p><p>On Sunday, Feb 11th we drove to Sebastian to pick up my mother and stepfather and from there head to the cruise port in Port Canaveral. Being Sunday morning, it was very quiet and we had a quick and uneventful trip.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WKNise-rIF4/WsOkkK4yoFI/AAAAAAAA5Ew/BLEiPG-JUoAYnuHE5ba7V9TWMSt3l94-gCHMYCw/s1600-h/27971643_10216355323342456_1625251858355716886_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="27971643_10216355323342456_1625251858355716886_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="27971643_10216355323342456_1625251858355716886_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z7mHGEgR9jE/WsOklC80MEI/AAAAAAAA5E0/J1uQ-tfNbFQ3wOinqebaVnT7YOjxJ-2HwCHMYCw/27971643_10216355323342456_1625251858355716886_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p>I always love the first look at the ship!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bbevi_puEuo/WsOkmumH9fI/AAAAAAAA5E4/JhPv76cUb2QkdVSX6fN3eQh350RzvLkVQCHMYCw/s1600-h/27657858_10216355327302555_7852211907129277720_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="27657858_10216355327302555_7852211907129277720_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="27657858_10216355327302555_7852211907129277720_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yggI5xiEWTY/WsOknZhWAhI/AAAAAAAA5E8/1XggTQZns2U2tIQvoshYOOLsWEcXFCueACHMYCw/27657858_10216355327302555_7852211907129277720_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>My sister surprised us with some magnets for our door! (Her oldest son, Matt, was staying in our room for the cruise also.) </p><p>Just a few photos to show the fun we had on our cruise…</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OdIc3Yg9n3A/WsOko7RvCGI/AAAAAAAA5FA/Lb2YOsfW1BE5qNYgZ24Ds43HJuppI4N4gCHMYCw/s1600-h/27858901_10216385857225784_2481419791620245028_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="27858901_10216385857225784_2481419791620245028_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="27858901_10216385857225784_2481419791620245028_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HV9_sY2_4GQ/WsOkpr0GjVI/AAAAAAAA5FE/3ybyshiUblccAofTuGv1PsZK2xT6305SwCHMYCw/27858901_10216385857225784_2481419791620245028_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7gA9C5szxpg/WsOktaFclZI/AAAAAAAA5FI/rq-yKjHiNw8yEvN0yeXxWfr4uVfbcZCPACHMYCw/s1600-h/27867445_10216385400134357_4545843300264054207_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="27867445_10216385400134357_4545843300264054207_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="27867445_10216385400134357_4545843300264054207_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8a4J13eKxf8/WsOkuAirC6I/AAAAAAAA5FM/r-9lMyiBIKku3JpBSoD2fl-D1xvhqZVxACHMYCw/27867445_10216385400134357_4545843300264054207_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LVqW1hEmug4/WsOkvmeGvXI/AAAAAAAA5FQ/nh8ik1GtE-co525p3HSNBRInDmFSDDa-wCHMYCw/s1600-h/27749842_10216355324622488_6584285510294658332_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="27749842_10216355324622488_6584285510294658332_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="27749842_10216355324622488_6584285510294658332_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JFj1i2tsE6g/WsOkweJyH-I/AAAAAAAA5FU/H91w1_VsPV8Yb0Rr54dzCsgokuw5Tu1oACHMYCw/27749842_10216355324622488_6584285510294658332_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cpGDHEtXmFA/WsOkx6Rsp4I/AAAAAAAA5FY/vmut84pV2zwAwnOmAG0JLasEQoe3eLLsgCHMYCw/s1600-h/27972615_10216386136712771_9161071459161379217_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="27972615_10216386136712771_9161071459161379217_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="27972615_10216386136712771_9161071459161379217_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1YLHSzkYee8/WsOkypTCl0I/AAAAAAAA5Fc/Jg6Ys9czohAECLYn0quftFqBA6x_vpG5QCHMYCw/27972615_10216386136712771_9161071459161379217_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-29KbZHsQKb0/WsOk0DpUboI/AAAAAAAA5Fg/AI1FlUvma00Bd6snTAcNfB2yPcP-IUvLwCHMYCw/s1600-h/28167226_10216457076886231_7990993988158017269_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="28167226_10216457076886231_7990993988158017269_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="28167226_10216457076886231_7990993988158017269_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wMHU5czXaYA/WsOk04A9HcI/AAAAAAAA5Fk/4jANukVUH9gCNK6DRxgiKUNSX_vVRzF2QCHMYCw/28167226_10216457076886231_7990993988158017269_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qn6KUqg0BDc/WsOk2bSqgUI/AAAAAAAA5Fo/DzH_HuhKLR0WDH-7uL7rBmXRvE21klojwCHMYCw/s1600-h/28167062_10216457082126362_2066929634095639998_n%255B2%255D"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qn6KUqg0BDc/WsOk2bSqgUI/AAAAAAAA5Fo/DzH_HuhKLR0WDH-7uL7rBmXRvE21klojwCHMYCw/s1600-h/28167062_10216457082126362_2066929634095639998_n%255B2%255D"><br></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qn6KUqg0BDc/WsOk2bSqgUI/AAAAAAAA5Fo/DzH_HuhKLR0WDH-7uL7rBmXRvE21klojwCHMYCw/s1600-h/28167062_10216457082126362_2066929634095639998_n%255B2%255D"><br></a></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qn6KUqg0BDc/WsOk2bSqgUI/AAAAAAAA5Fo/DzH_HuhKLR0WDH-7uL7rBmXRvE21klojwCHMYCw/s1600-h/28167062_10216457082126362_2066929634095639998_n%255B2%255D"><br></a><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qn6KUqg0BDc/WsOk2bSqgUI/AAAAAAAA5Fo/DzH_HuhKLR0WDH-7uL7rBmXRvE21klojwCHMYCw/s1600-h/28167062_10216457082126362_2066929634095639998_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="28167062_10216457082126362_2066929634095639998_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="28167062_10216457082126362_2066929634095639998_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5498qGFZz_k/WsOk3ZvngII/AAAAAAAA5Fs/RbxkKQiFz6Mzc6FYKw9Y4_e8CppgNvDrgCHMYCw/28167062_10216457082126362_2066929634095639998_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Our cruise went to Key West, Cozumel and Costa Maya. We didn’t plan any excursions for the cruise, and just planned to walk around the port areas. That is the one thing I would change for any future cruises we go on. It always sounds like a good idea to just walk around and enjoy the area, but the immediate area near the cruise port is <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ciq_aEUZhWg/WsOk4hhIPJI/AAAAAAAA5Fw/PCqRLqkPwYY-SAUI5kNcOy1coeE9SM0lgCHMYCw/s1600-h/27751718_10216385393334187_7956098765175521693_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="27751718_10216385393334187_7956098765175521693_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="27751718_10216385393334187_7956098765175521693_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BfE8yaXxpak/WsOk5Vy8TXI/AAAAAAAA5F0/pCbp2VtzKw44qYwjgTy7zS9kdTncRc0dQCHMYCw/27751718_10216385393334187_7956098765175521693_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>always so touristy, with people just nagging you to buy their merchandise. It’s probably going to be a few years before we go on another cruise, but I will keep that in mind for the next one. </p><p>But the actual cruise portion of the week was wonderful. We had three rooms in a row, so we had a nice long balcony area, and it’s always so great to have time to chat with family members that we don’t see all the time.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cSsgZx1tH5k/WsOk68ArcjI/AAAAAAAA5F4/M8UnID8yf4I2tvlncJ8j0Kf1ame6DlJLwCHMYCw/s1600-h/28166733_10216457164888431_6141094445087453009_n%255B5%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="28166733_10216457164888431_6141094445087453009_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="28166733_10216457164888431_6141094445087453009_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sSGubQdKEDs/WsOk7rlWUYI/AAAAAAAA5F8/bYF-VNLwpj8uf6rBWvMrp9AeOPSnTS_DQCHMYCw/28166733_10216457164888431_6141094445087453009_n_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>When we arrived back home, the fun wasn’t over yet! My mother and stepfather came back to Avon Park with us to extend the enjoyment for another week and a half. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_D9YQpYGym8/WsOk9O2rVLI/AAAAAAAA5GA/gik4drblr6sbq3Jl4An_yOWqLqlOpBRVACHMYCw/s1600-h/28378072_10216484917982241_3129335928835133504_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="28378072_10216484917982241_3129335928835133504_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="28378072_10216484917982241_3129335928835133504_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pt-GpTW3vvE/WsOk-A_xr6I/AAAAAAAA5GE/DWrzBTVSYEAMLEhQIGGMxtuCk1DtNiumQCHMYCw/28378072_10216484917982241_3129335928835133504_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>We packed a lot into the time we had. We went for some drives and gave them some tours of the area. We went on a tram tour of Highlands Hammock State Park, and enjoyed checking out the locals.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Y8WSEcuMno/WsOk_Z0bpYI/AAAAAAAA5GI/vKa3CAZz9fYKR9PGp7jG6nnHxAvp4XDvgCHMYCw/s1600-h/28166367_10216457160528322_4275193259955619562_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="28166367_10216457160528322_4275193259955619562_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="28166367_10216457160528322_4275193259955619562_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4O-sR8_pBLk/WsOlAVFLaBI/AAAAAAAA5GM/LB0Szt0rf90vMSmYILAzVRm5UaN1qHptgCHMYCw/28166367_10216457160528322_4275193259955619562_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>We also spent a couple days at Epcot, and had a wonderful time exploring the different countries in the World Showcase area.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4VSWI0sI474/WsOlBkMobKI/AAAAAAAA5GQ/e5j0f2qEeycff8qHOcQuefru-MrkNFniACHMYCw/s1600-h/28276703_10216463819174784_1372766123968612080_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="28276703_10216463819174784_1372766123968612080_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="28276703_10216463819174784_1372766123968612080_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--eB9oDhltP8/WsOlCzc2iBI/AAAAAAAA5GU/PENcdXoPfRIWw2V6gbeofMy-Do7XrOaQgCHMYCw/28276703_10216463819174784_1372766123968612080_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nendcr90pRM/WsOlD5wYaTI/AAAAAAAA5GY/yJqvHNu2qlEcvFhPzwKM8J8L2T67XiQWwCHMYCw/s1600-h/28168678_10216453587839007_1432455259866718540_n%255B2%255D"><br></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nendcr90pRM/WsOlD5wYaTI/AAAAAAAA5GY/yJqvHNu2qlEcvFhPzwKM8J8L2T67XiQWwCHMYCw/s1600-h/28168678_10216453587839007_1432455259866718540_n%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="184" title="28168678_10216453587839007_1432455259866718540_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="28168678_10216453587839007_1432455259866718540_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CMrbPxjd598/WsOlE_Ruh_I/AAAAAAAA5Gc/XtbDWWiVt1YGueaHu-2W5o-W1V93PYYEgCHMYCw/28168678_10216453587839007_1432455259866718540_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a><p>While we were there, Harry enjoyed his favorite – a plate full of German food from an all you can eat buffet!</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>It was a whirlwind 10 days, and they enjoyed their time so much they are planning to come back next winter for three months! We reserved a spot here in the park, and they are going to live in the fiver and enjoy soaking in a little of our nice Florida winter weather.</p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3146373061474617174.post-56559863194064219472018-04-02T17:45:00.001-04:002018-04-02T17:45:17.986-04:00Back to the Blog After a Fast Winter; January Recap<p>Wow, it’s April! This, by far, has been the fastest winter season since we first sold the house and headed south over six years ago. I guess that just means that we are enjoying life!It has been over seven months since we arrived here in Avon Park, and we have made a lot of improvements in our new home, but I will save that for another blog post. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xawr3HtTa_E/WsKkLY3buJI/AAAAAAAA5C8/sYKM1WzNI8AaHcv_pokrfT-195m8-D47wCHMYCw/s1600-h/26910502_10216161043605584_6670531659512168884_o%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="244" title="26910502_10216161043605584_6670531659512168884_o" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="26910502_10216161043605584_6670531659512168884_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kvllppo5rgM/WsKkMfTKcbI/AAAAAAAA5DA/JFXEOyvNFWEPLdDJiJtP1dVA-PBvZsL8gCHMYCw/26910502_10216161043605584_6670531659512168884_o_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><p>I am still working at Home Depot, and it’s been a really good experience. I like my job, and I like the people that I work with. In the middle of January, I finished training and received my fork lift license. I like loading the trucks and using the forklift to prepare deliveries, but it’s sometimes a little nerve-wracking. Every week I get a little more experience, and pick up a few more tricks. When I return in October hopefully I’ll remember some of it!</p><p>I looked back at my pictures for January, and other than getting my forklift license at work, it looks like it was pretty unremarkable. Harry and I were both still training for our half-marathon. In January I ran an average of 17 miles a week, for a total of 74.5 miles during the month. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cybbALoXGTk/WsKkNd_ZymI/AAAAAAAA5DE/h6olViLpz-sXimzB1E48inUGvfoC7d92wCHMYCw/s1600-h/29995898_10216877891606336_253563164_o%255B3%255D"><br></a></p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UHrJFe5UHpM/WsKkOtFdBGI/AAAAAAAA5DI/DT48kso7N6QXQMAsPtI7Tky4uCdAgTq-wCHMYCw/s1600-h/26732599_10216019601709625_206266736_o%255B3%255D"><img width="144" height="191" title="26732599_10216019601709625_206266736_o" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="26732599_10216019601709625_206266736_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3Iw_8CA5jnw/WsKkP6PNeXI/AAAAAAAA5DM/-yoQifpItf8XvX0PN2Hq6KJ4Kjt6j9LhACHMYCw/26732599_10216019601709625_206266736_o_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>I have been thoroughly enjoying my kitchen. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cybbALoXGTk/WsKkNd_ZymI/AAAAAAAA5DE/h6olViLpz-sXimzB1E48inUGvfoC7d92wCHMYCw/s1600-h/29995898_10216877891606336_253563164_o%255B3%255D"><img width="144" height="191" title="29995898_10216877891606336_253563164_o" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="29995898_10216877891606336_253563164_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JV-9aJNS4Zo/WsKkQ5ZIHbI/AAAAAAAA5DQ/loCpa1IHlMQeHCih32TT6XaPK54uH2LtQCHMYCw/29995898_10216877891606336_253563164_o_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>I have spent the past several months doing all kinds of baking….bread, pies, rolls. It’s been a lot of fun – both the cooking part and the eating part!</p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FDALaTXJYlc/WsKkR_ke4_I/AAAAAAAA5DU/9tHghbYsPBg8dxUsBey3mzpIIZ7MF5skACHMYCw/s1600-h/29955508_10216877892886368_763235384_o%255B4%255D"><img width="184" height="139" title="29955508_10216877892886368_763235384_o" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="29955508_10216877892886368_763235384_o" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eJOfHN9rhSU/WsKkSs5A40I/AAAAAAAA5DY/cRXUT-_NOcYdWmbgSH0Ldcj2FwCIype2QCHMYCw/29955508_10216877892886368_763235384_o_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cybbALoXGTk/WsKkNd_ZymI/AAAAAAAA5DE/h6olViLpz-sXimzB1E48inUGvfoC7d92wCHMYCw/s1600-h/29995898_10216877891606336_253563164_o%255B3%255D"><br></a><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left"><br></p><p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IN5Ra5yK3j4/WsKkT2nnbHI/AAAAAAAA5Dc/HLqniSCFzfkhYg8qna9eo8qjfFxg-MrCACHMYCw/s1600-h/29694978_10216878939712538_3944233452567039686_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="29694978_10216878939712538_3944233452567039686_n" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="29694978_10216878939712538_3944233452567039686_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ge4jkiPdy_w/WsKkU7FjyjI/AAAAAAAA5Dg/RkU-nvBjlBcdd_fn9l4JKhBsbVrOXWafACHMYCw/29694978_10216878939712538_3944233452567039686_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>This happened in January…and also February, March, and now again today. Every month we’ve gone over to check on the rig. As far as we can tell, she’s come through the winter very well – other than needing a good wash! <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-esLU6J4OYy4/WsKkWMh_LSI/AAAAAAAA5Dk/mg6WoHZdWtsxuLnV5uCXzutl4LWYob4NQCHMYCw/s1600-h/29683765_10216878940072547_6554551532283906027_n%255B2%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="29683765_10216878940072547_6554551532283906027_n" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="29683765_10216878940072547_6554551532283906027_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZrHJu7eP3No/WsKkYZtYOYI/AAAAAAAA5Do/rtJGGfRqioQ5YMllOjc-ekwBaeM-wSDFACHMYCw/29683765_10216878940072547_6554551532283906027_n_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="left"><br></p><p>Every month I’ve looked around for “calling cards”, and haven’t seen any. There isn’t any food in the place, so nothing really to attract any visitors. We have a company who sprays in our place a few times a year, and we think we are going to have them do our rig before we move back in for the summer. I don’t want to bring any big bugs back up north with us when we move! </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jtJd5ZaNY6Q/WsKkZXXZIqI/AAAAAAAA5Ds/aeoq5cclNnYZTBsYOPWsingHc4B0Asz5gCHMYCw/s1600-h/24232158_10215688668516502_2985244414425356380_n%2B%25281%2529%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="24232158_10215688668516502_2985244414425356380_n (1)" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="24232158_10215688668516502_2985244414425356380_n (1)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YZh_Q5rfcuE/WsKkaqe9UzI/AAAAAAAA5Dw/pz-9V-2GuJUyo7-7M7IxaOq9DMwKXl3ewCHMYCw/24232158_10215688668516502_2985244414425356380_n%2B%25281%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Speaking of heading north, we have about 7 weeks left before we do just that. We’ll be going to Charlotte for a few days to visit Harry’s son, and then moving north to upstate NY. For the first time, we are going to have a seasonal site at Iroquois Campground, and we’ll be spending July through September there. This is a picture of our site. It’s a corner site and we have a huge living area. We are looking forward to it!</p><p>This blog post kind of turned into a hodge podge of this and that, but only because there wasn’t much going on in January. February was the complete opposite, so I’ll continue with that in my next post. </p>Jessica Rikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473291972609591971noreply@blogger.com1