December 2021
Some of you will remember, in early June of 2010, we sold our home and left Chicago on our sail boat, Anam Cara. Looking back we knew so little about what life would be like living on a boat and travelling full-time; our timeline for the future was vague, and we were fine with that! For almost 6 years, we wrote to our friends and family about our experiences as sailors. Toward the end of the 6 years, we could feel a change coming, but had no idea what it would be. We shared that feeling over a beer with a couple of good friends, visiting from Chicago, one of whom then told us he wanted to buy our boat. That proposal forced us to really decide on a future plan. A couple months later we moved into our motor home. For a little over 5 years, we once again wrote about our experiences, but this time on land.
Some of you will remember, in early June of 2010, we sold our home and left Chicago on our sail boat, Anam Cara. Looking back we knew so little about what life would be like living on a boat and travelling full-time; our timeline for the future was vague, and we were fine with that! For almost 6 years, we wrote to our friends and family about our experiences as sailors. Toward the end of the 6 years, we could feel a change coming, but had no idea what it would be. We shared that feeling over a beer with a couple of good friends, visiting from Chicago, one of whom then told us he wanted to buy our boat. That proposal forced us to really decide on a future plan. A couple months later we moved into our motor home. For a little over 5 years, we once again wrote about our experiences, but this time on land.
Last winter Francie’s new hobby was looking at properties in Dunedin, the area we were renting a spot with the RV. Maybe her endeavor was prompted by the isolation of Covid or once again the feeling that it was time for a change.
During our evening walks last winter, we passed by a particular home multiple times. “That is a nice park model,” Francie would comment. (“Park model” is mobile home language for a one bedroom-one bath unit.) Mike would grunt and mumble, “It’s not for sale, and we are not ready to settle down.”
When we moved to Michigan City, IN for part of the summer, her search for a property moved to that area. At the same time, the unit that we had admired in Dunedin came on the market. It was newer, fully furnished and in a nice location in the Park.
When we moved to Michigan City, IN for part of the summer, her search for a property moved to that area. At the same time, the unit that we had admired in Dunedin came on the market. It was newer, fully furnished and in a nice location in the Park.
A sudden price drop, multiple phone calls and a week later, we were owners of a manufactured home in Dunedin RV Resort. Once again our lives have taken a new direction.
Arriving November 1 in Dunedin, we parked the RV in its site and made a beeline for our new home.
After moving all of our possessions into our new furnished home, we put the motorhome up for sale.
Arriving November 1 in Dunedin, we parked the RV in its site and made a beeline for our new home.
After moving all of our possessions into our new furnished home, we put the motorhome up for sale.
Time as it frequently does, has slipped through our fingers. After more than a month of arranging and rearranging our possessions, it is beginning to feel like home. We are still living in “one bedroom-one bath,” but with a completely different feel and comfort level. We were ready for the change.
We have Christmas lights up and no longer have a list of things to be done that goes on for pages. We still have lots of projects for the future, but are settling into our new life. It has been over 11 years since we have lived in something that doesn’t move! One of our first realizations, we no longer have to Velcro everything down in anticipation of a big wave or a bumpy road!
Our plans now go no further than enjoying the holidays and building a storage shed with our son Jim over Christmas.
Where do we go from here? Your guess is as good as ours. We know we are not done travelling and exploring. In the meantime we are looking at this as just another new adventure. Here are a few pictures of our new home.
Where do we go from here? Your guess is as good as ours. We know we are not done travelling and exploring. In the meantime we are looking at this as just another new adventure. Here are a few pictures of our new home.
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Many dear friends and family have followed along with us on our travels for the last 14 years. We have met many amazing people and had many adventures. Thank you for your notes, encouragement, and support. We have come full circle and are in “sticks and bricks” again!
We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and may the New Year bring you good health, prosperity and happiness.