Sign on a fellow Tiffin owner's RV!
Can't predict the future, make the most of today!
March 19, 2019
Our mantra for the winter was: “The best laid plans….” We have been exploring different locations to winter in Florida and we chose to spend this last winter in Palm Harbor. It is located close to the Gulf and lies between the two popular tourist towns of Dunedin and Tarpon Springs. Our RV Park is just a few blocks from the Pinellas Bike Trail, which is a little over 30 miles long and runs through Dunedin and Tarpon Springs, each about 5 miles away. Both towns have lots of weekend festivals and craft shows. We had the perfect location! We rode our bikes to many of the events. There was no worry about parking, traffic or engaging in a libation or two.
Our mantra for the winter was: “The best laid plans….” We have been exploring different locations to winter in Florida and we chose to spend this last winter in Palm Harbor. It is located close to the Gulf and lies between the two popular tourist towns of Dunedin and Tarpon Springs. Our RV Park is just a few blocks from the Pinellas Bike Trail, which is a little over 30 miles long and runs through Dunedin and Tarpon Springs, each about 5 miles away. Both towns have lots of weekend festivals and craft shows. We had the perfect location! We rode our bikes to many of the events. There was no worry about parking, traffic or engaging in a libation or two.
Sponge dock at Tarpon Springs. Sponges drying on boat.
Then Mike decided it was the right time to have a needed hip replacement. No biking for at least 6 weeks. Like we said, “The best laid plans….” Francie was able to attend a couple of events while Mike bemoaned his decision. All in all, the 6 weeks has gone fast and Mike made good progress. The surgery didn’t prevent us from visiting our sailing friends, taking a few walks on the beach at Honeymoon Island or attending several festivals.
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Before we knew it, we were arranging for our travels north.
During the last few years, we frequently discussed being part of something greater than ourselves. We have friends who volunteer in federal and state parks. It sounded interesting, but we only talked about it. Last fall, we went to Franklin Locks Recreation Center near Fort Meyers, hoping to talk with the person responsible for hiring volunteers, but he was not available. We did speak to him on the phone several times over the next few months and arranged a time to meet with him and the other volunteers after we left Palm Harbor. Our visit went well, but we were told that he had hired everyone for the winter season. We were assured that he would keep us in mind if things changed. Two weeks later we were offered a position starting in November. A new chapter is going to be written, “Returning to work after 9 years of retirement.” Oh my!!
Spring in the north is so unpredictable that we took baby steps travelling. We stopped at Fort Clinch outside of Fernandina Beach, FL., a familiar location from our boating days. Mike was thrilled that his hip didn’t deter him from long bike rides and walks on the beach. Other stops included St. Mary’s, GA and a COE park near Fort Gaines, GA.
Spring in the north is so unpredictable that we took baby steps travelling. We stopped at Fort Clinch outside of Fernandina Beach, FL., a familiar location from our boating days. Mike was thrilled that his hip didn’t deter him from long bike rides and walks on the beach. Other stops included St. Mary’s, GA and a COE park near Fort Gaines, GA.
Live Oaks line every roadway at Fort Clinch State Park.
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We once again made the pilgrimage to Red Bay for upgrades and maintenance to our home. After leaving Red Bay, we explored the Natchez Trace from Tupelo, MS to Nashville, ending with a celebratory meal at Loveless Café in Nashville.
Rather than taking a direct route to Michigan,
we added another state capital to our list by visiting the Lexington – Frankfort, Kentucky area.
Rather than taking a direct route to Michigan,
we added another state capital to our list by visiting the Lexington – Frankfort, Kentucky area.
We stayed at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground, and visited the adjacent Kentucky Horse Park, where we met Kentucky Derby and other race winners (the horses!) and were able to watch some jumping competitions
Since no trip to Kentucky is complete without a bourbon tour, we stopped at Buffalo Trace.
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We were also able to visit a cemetery in Upton, KY a town that was founded by ancestors of Francie and where her maternal great, great, great grandparents are buried.
We were also able to visit a cemetery in Upton, KY a town that was founded by ancestors of Francie and where her maternal great, great, great grandparents are buried.
Many of our favorite memories are experiences that were unexpected. During an overnight stay in the county fairgrounds in Van Wert, Ohio, we visited the county court house. We were greeted by the court officer who informed us that he would be right back. Puzzled we waited; he reappeared and had us follow him into the remodeled courtroom. For the next half hour, he gave us a wonderful tour of the courtroom and its history.
Many of our favorite memories are experiences that were unexpected. During an overnight stay in the county fairgrounds in Van Wert, Ohio, we visited the county court house. We were greeted by the court officer who informed us that he would be right back. Puzzled we waited; he reappeared and had us follow him into the remodeled courtroom. For the next half hour, he gave us a wonderful tour of the courtroom and its history.
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As we prepared to leave, he recommended that our next stop had to be the remodeled Brumback Library down the street. It was the first county library in the entire country.
For Christmas our kids bought us a new recliner for the motorhome (Mike’s chair) and we picked it up in Shipshewana, Indiana where we spent several days in this Amish community.
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Michigan City, Indiana is our home until the end of August, which allows us to be close to family and our friends. Francie is able to see her mom (who is in a memory care unit at a nearby assisted living facility) and we can make a short trip to Michigan where we can see Mike’s dad who is turning 94 this summer.
Scenes from our walk around the countryside near the RV Park!
A full grown tree inside a cement silo?!?
Bucky Beavers mailbox and satellite TV dish!
A full grown tree inside a cement silo?!?
Bucky Beavers mailbox and satellite TV dish!
