Summer Preview

Parked in Paul's driveway in Gainesville

 Here we are in March already! When I said we were getting a "slow start," I guess I meant it. 

We finally left Shreveport last week, heading for the "family reunion" in Gainesville at the home of my two Florida brothers, Paul and Lee. To our disappointment, the reunion fell apart once again. For last year's reunion, neither my sister, Doreen, nor Mark and I made it due to Mark's health. This year my younger brother, Mark (whom we have affectionately decided to refer to as "Bro-Mark, or B'ark for short, so as not to confuse with husband-Mark), and Doreen were unable to make it due to health. Our younger sister, Becky, never comes. But four out of the bunch are here and having an enjoyable visit talking about the ones who didn't make it. 

On our way, we stopped first in Mississippi to pick up Doreen, who was originally planning to ride with us in the RV to the get-together. Circumstances arose that made the trip impossible for her, but we stayed in a nearby campground and hung out with her and her family for about a week before heading out for Florida.

At Turkey Creek Water Park, Decatur, MS

Florida is as wonderfully warm as we had hoped. Most of the days have been in the 80's and still not terribly humid. Though most of this week was rainy off and on, we've been spending all our time on Paul's newly finished enclosed porch, protected from rain and bugs, so it doesn't matter. We won't see this much summer until...well, summer.

Lee and Amy

Left to right:  Paul, Bev, and George

...and me

There's not much to talk about this time. We (like you, I expect) are beginning to get concerned about fuel prices. Our last fill-up was about $4.25 a gallon and the next one will likely be another dollar-a-gallon more. And who knows how much the one after that will be? We have slowed down our movement considerably this year, but so far we're still moving and planning as though we'll be able to keep moving for a while longer. Time will tell, I suppose, how long we can maintain this lifestyle.

Our next campground is near the coast of South Carolina, where we'll stay for a few days next week before starting the slow move north again. 

That's it for now. Until next time, Happy Trails, and safe travels to all!

Happy New Year 2022!

Here we are at the beginning of another new year. What will it bring? Only God knows for sure, which is why it is important to be in tune with Him. 

We are still in Shreveport, basking in the roller-coaster weather that defines winter here. After a full week in the 70's over Christmas, we plunged from a balmy 80 degrees on New Year's Day to a frozen 29 degrees the day after. January 2 remained below freezing until the following day. Mark and I are coming to realize that Louisiana is probably not the ideal location to spend the entire winter. Even though we love the family atmosphere here in the Hoffman back yard, we'll probably be looking for a warmer location for next January. But, it's much too early to plan that part of our adventure, especially given that one cannot know from one day to the next what the future holds in store.

We had a lovely Christmas celebration with the family-- good food and fellowship, and lots of fun watching the kids open their gifts. All the grandparents were present, which made the holiday even more memorable (one set coming all the way from California). 

Otherwise, our time here since my last post has been fairly quiet. I just finished up my annual deep-clean of the house, going through closets and drawers, vacuuming out and wiping down a years worth of dust and grime from closet and drawers and cabinets. Yesterday I finally cleaned all the grease splatter and grime off the kitchen window. It wasn't a comfortable experience, but what a difference it makes to look out a clean window-- fog notwithstanding.

The new year is getting off to a quiet start for us, and I'm okay with that. 

We wish you all a very happy, healthy, and safe New Year. 

Until next time, Safe Travels, and God Bless!

Cathy