Change of Plans

When we set out on this adventure of full-time RVing, I was totally naive about how far in advance we'd need to plan to get a site/make reservations in some places, especially in FL.  I had this idea that we would decide as we went along how long to stay in a given location, longer if we liked it, moving on if we did not.  But when I started looking for places to stay and finding many already full, I quickly realized the warmer the location, the further in advance one needs to plan.  I don't mind planning, in fact I rather thrive on it, but we wanted to be more spontaneous.  It is #7 on the Top 10 Reasons I want to Live the Full-time Dream list:  "To be free to roam - stay as long as we want, look for new vistas when we are ready to roll."

Mid-way through our week in Galveston, while I was enjoying the indoor infinity hot tub that Carol wouldn't go to with me because it was too cold outside to walk back from the hot tub, I decided, it might be time for a change of plans.  From Galveston, we were scheduled to go north, through Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and into North Carolina.  I made a pretty basic assumption none of these places were going to be warmer than TX.  It took no convincing to get Carol to agree to scrap that plan and head back to FL.  We cancelled reservations at 4 campgrounds and 4 Harvest Host sites and made some new reservations.  We are fortunate to have wonderful friends in FL, who let us crash at their house (again) for two weeks to get another (over) dose of sunshine before heading north.  

I've learned that there are a wide range of refund options (or lack thereof) when cancelling reservations.  Federal parks, reserved through recreation.gov, charge a $10 cancelation fee, and refund the balance of your deposit.  Mississippi does not refund, but issues a credit, that can be used up to a year later.  I haven't paid much attention to the "Terms and Conditions" when making reservations, but all of these are clearly spelled out prior to making reservations.  Cancelling comes at a price, but in this case, it was well worth it.

On our way to Galveston we had stayed for one night at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL and loved it.  On our "run back to the sun" we were able to stay for 2 nights, long enough to take advantage of this amazing park.  One of the things that we love about this campground, is that the sites are well spaced and the natural setting is well preserved, creating privacy and an opportunity to enjoy the flora and fauna.  We visited the Nature Center and attended a program on alligators that was very informative, saw a hawk and owls that had been rescued and were being rehabilitated, and enjoyed looking at the various displays.  There are extensive trails at the park and we took a wonderful bike ride on one of the paved walking/biking paths that surround the park.  We took a dip in the pool which was quite large and well maintained.  We would rank this campground as one of the best we've ever visited.  We've already made reservations to return for a week in November 😀.

Cardinal in trees by our site

The naturalist brought one of these juvenile alligators with her to the presentation.  

There was a turtle wandering around in the Nature Center, that Carol stopped to admire.

Paved walking/biking path.

This alligator lives a short distance down from the site on which we were staying.

Spacious swimming pool.

During our return visit to FL we had the opportunity to visit our friends John and Gina, who were camping at Ortona Locks South Campground, in Moore Haven, FL.  This campground is operated by the Army Corp of Engineers and features working locks that move boats traveling across FL via Lake Okeechobee.  Again, we saw some amazing wild life.  All of these photos were taken from a bridge.  I did not get remotely close to the snakes. 

Turtle sunning on a rock.

The first snake, which I believe is a water moccasin;  AKA Cottonmouth.

The second snake.  If I've correctly identified it as a Water Moccasin, Wikipedia states, "This is the world's only semiaquatic viper, usually found in or near water, particularly in slow-moving and shallow lakes, streams, and marshes."

Picturesque stream feeding into the Caloosahatchie  River.

I'm absolutely smitten with this Little Blue Heron.

Busy fishing for minnows.

I couldn't take my eyes off him.  

Heading back to FL and again when leaving FL to start our trek north, we stayed at a Harvest Host site at a golf course.  I've mentioned before, but will again, because this is such a great option.  Harvest Hosts is a network of farms, vineyards, breweries, and other similar locations that will allow RVs a free overnight stay.  Harvest Host members are encouraged to patronize the host, to support the business that is sharing their space.  The names and locations of Harvest Host sites are available only to members.  If you are interested in becoming a member, use this link and look for the code at the top of the screen to get 15% off the membership fee: http://harvesthosts.refr.cc/kellywight

Hanging out in Lake City, FL at Harvest Host site

It was the right decision for us to change plans and return to FL.  We got to soak up some beloved sun and enjoy the tremendous hospitality of our dear friends, Patti and Freddie.  We've made it back "on track" and are now in Asheville, NC as planned.  We are finding a balance between "Hit the Road Jack" and "Sorry, no room at the Inn".  S'all good!

Galveston, TX

When planning our route, we picked Galveston because we've never been to Texas and wanted to see it, because it's a coastal location and we 💞 beaches and because our friend Luanne lives here and we've always wanted to visit her.  As it turned out Luanne was in NY while we were in TX and she didn't get to show us around in person.  But her hand was on many aspects of our trip, beginning with our RV park.  When I told her we were coming to Galveston and had made reservations at the state park, she vetoed that plan and told us we needed to stay at Jamaica Beach RV Resort.  So we did.  Luanne was right, this was an awesome place to stay.  We had a great pull through site (because every site is a pull through site).  In addition to the standard amenities, JBRV had a mini-golf course in the RV park that we played and thoroughly enjoyed.  There was a hot tub the size of a small pool, which I enjoyed on several occasions.  We did not use the pools or lazy river as it was too cool to pool during our visit, but the place was loaded with fun spots for all ages.  Additionally, the beach was just a walk across the street.  We did take a walk over and walk the beach one day.  We had some unseasonably cold weather during this visit, including freeze warnings, so we didn't get the full benefit of many aspects of the great RV park and location.  However, we highly recommend this RV park and hope to return someday.

Pirate's Treasure Adventure Golf at Jamaica Beach RV Resort

Indoor Infinity Hot Tub

Looking across the road from the beach to Jamaica Beach RV Resort

We visited a couple of wonderful nature preserves during our visit.  One was just down the road from the RV park.  Lafitte's Cove Nature Preserve is located within a neighborhood.  There is a small parking area and a boardwalk into the wooded area with wooded walking paths.  

Boardwalk into Lafitte's Cove Nature Preserve

Galveston is a birding mecca and we found this map very helpful for finding places to visit to look for birds and enjoy a great nature walk.  Upper Texas Coast - Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail
In addition to the cardinal seen in the next photo, we also saw an otter and many other birds.

Cardinal at Lafitte's Cove Nature Preserve

Another stellar birding location was on the Bolivar Peninsula.  From the East End of Galveston there is a free ferry to the Bolivar Peninsula.  This was another one of Luanne's suggestions, and we are so grateful to have had the benefit of her inside knowledge of all the best places to go.

On the FREE ferry from Galveston to Bolivar Peninsula

Looking back at Galveston from the ferry

We enjoyed the ferry ride, lunch at a bayside restaurant, shopping at the Gulf Coast Market (which was a great general store with an entire ACE Hardware, grocery story, touristy gift store all in one) and driving on the beach.  But the best part of our trip to Bolivar was Houston Audubon Society's Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary.  There is an $8/person admission fee.  This location features a Rookery where thousands of shore birds nest.  The picture can not do justice to the multitudes of birds we saw at this spot.

Herons, egrets and others at the Smith Oaks Rookery

There was a wonderful nature trailed that looped around the bird sanctuary.  We enjoyed the walk as much as seeing the plethora of birds at the Rookery.

Kelly and Carol walking the nature trail at Smith Oaks Sanctuary

Amazing ancient tree at Smith Oaks Sanctuary

In addition to enjoying the natural world in Galveston (and surrounding areas), we found some of the man made additions to be quite spectacular as well.  There are architectural masterpieces in Galveston which are truly magnificent to behold.  These iconic landmarks include The Bishop's Palace, the Sacred Heart Church (just across the street) and Moody Mansion (just down the road).

The Bishop's Palace

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Moody Mansion

There are many beautiful homes, both in town as well as along the beach.  There is no shortage of real estate to ogle!

One of many Galveston homes decked out for Mardi Gras

Beachside Village, Galveston Island Beach

In 2008, as a result of Hurricane Ike, many large trees were destroyed, leaving large stumps in the yards of many lovely homes.  Many of those trunks have since been turned into beautiful sculptures.  This link includes a map of the area where 20 different tree sculptures can be found.  Tree Sculpture Map

The Geisha

Two Crested Herons

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Tin Man and Toto

We were in Galveston for the first week of March.  There were a couple days that were socked in with fog, we had 25 mile an hour winds for a period of time and woke up to 31 degrees one morning.  It was a wild weather ride while we were here.  Due to the weather, we didn't get to the beach.  But it's worth mentioning that Galveston sits on a beach.  On one side of the seawall is the beach and on the other side are restaurants, hotels, bars, shops, etc.  It's a great beach town location.  We feel like we only scratched the surface of what Galveston holds, so "we'll be back"! 

Photo Credit to Carol Baker:  I'd like to say thank you to my wife for taking great photos.  Many of the pictures posted were actually taken by her.  We make a good team.  

Day to Day RV Life

When we decided to become full-time RVers, part of what we were seeking was simplification.  In fact I came across this blog post, Top 10 List from 2017, which lists simplification as one of the reasons I wanted to be a full-timer.  The following is a quote from that post: 

I'm making a list of the 10 Reasons I want to Live the Full-time Dream.

1. To spend more time in the great outdoors; to soak up the majesty of Nature!
2. To explore and experience new places, new people, new things.
3. To simplify; to live with less, to be able to enjoy life more.
4. To connect: to put our attention on each other and savoring our time together.
5. To disconnect: to break free of the ties that bind; the "work, mortgage, repeat" routine.
6. To find the sun.  (AKA To get out of Dodge in the winter!)
7. To be free to roam - stay as long as we want, look for new vistas when we are ready to roll.
8. To grow - to face new challenges, to solve new problems, to learn skills.
9. To be present - to slow down, to be in the present moment, to meditate, to be grateful.
10. To have adventures and create wonderful memories together.

Simplification is not only a goal to aspire to, it's a real necessity.  Living in a 20' camper, there is a very limited amount of space.  So the question is not, "Would I like this?", or even, "Do I need this?", the question is, "Where am I going to put this?"  

Carol drinks tea everyday, so when we started out we brought our tea kettle from home.  But we quickly realized we had no place to put it.  The issue of "where am I going to put this?" is not just (and really not much) about where it will go when you are living in the camper, the real question is about where it will go while traveling.  When traveling the amount of movement inside the camper is extraordinary.  Pam Michielen of Happy Camping RV, where we purchased our Lance 1475, says it's like there's an earthquake and hurricane happening inside the RV when you're driving.  Which means everything must be stowed securely.  So we left that tea kettle at a rest room in South Carolina and simplified.  (Campground rest rooms are a great place to drop off stuff you want to give away, a high traffic area where someone is likely to find your unwanted item and give it a new home.)  We have two pots/pans with us, and quickly realized our small pot could do double duty as a tea pot.  This pot has a collapsable handle which made it ideal for packing up in a small space.  Thank you Dan and Colleen Olson, this perfect pot was a gift from you 💖. Our microwave serves as a storage location both while camping and traveling.

Pot that doubles as tea kettle

Pot with handle collapsed inside microwave, where it is stored when not in use.

We have one other multi-use pan that we purchased specifically for RV life.  We got rid of an entire set of Revere Ware copper bottom pans, and bought this one 5-quart pan which we use for 75% of our cooking.  In addition to being a great non-stick Calphalon pan, it has no long handle, which makes it easier to store.  This lives under the sink when not in use.

Our "do-it-all" Calphalon pan

Another item we "wanted", but knew there was no space for, was a toaster.  We had toast for breakfast, most mornings before RVing, so this was a tough adjustment.  I recently discovered a simple alternative - broiling bread on a cookie sheet.  We have one cookie sheet and one 8x12 baking dish which we use to do the remainder of our cooking.  

Bread on cookie sheet under broiler.

Broiled bread; AKA toast

Another item that got left behind at that rest room in South Carolina was a dish drainer.  We had a wooden collapsable rack that we've used camping for years, and I loved it.  I had thought it would work in the RV as it collapsed and could be stowed somewhere.  The reality was, it is much simpler to put the dishes on the counter to dry on a towel.  

In addition to simplification, RV life requires creative solutions.  Our camper has a round sink, and there aren't round dish pans out there.  However, Tupperware makes this really big storage bowl that I've had for years, and it makes a great dish pan.  

When we are traveling this bowl becomes the location for the tub of Damp Rid that sits on the counter (a must have when traveling in humid areas to help absorb moisture from the air),  the dish cloth, dish soap, hand soap, sponge and pot scrubbers.

In the bathroom, the sink also becomes the travel spot for the travel clock, the hand soap, tooth paste and toothbrushes.  Well, it did until recently.  I've really wanted to find a way to get the toothbrushes off the side of the sink.  I didn't like having them laying on the side of the sink, it seemed kind of unsanitary.  I was so thrilled when I found these cute toothbrush holders on Amazon.  

Mansa 5 pc animal Antibacterial Toothbrush Holders with Suction Cup by Cukyteck

Our toothbrushes NOT laying on the edge of the sink.

We really like our camper, our space, our simple and minimal stuff.  We've found that living in a small space is part game of Tetris, part genie in a bottle, and part radical detachment.  And figuring it all out together is the best part.