We're Not in Kansas Anymore

  It's hard to believe that this snowbird adventure is coming to an end. In total... We spent eleven weeks on the road  Traveled approximately 3,400 miles Visited a dozen different states Stayed at fifteen separate RV Parks ... from family farms to upscale resorts and everything in-between Experienced some mechanical mishaps Made a few problematic wrong turns Settled into a daily rhythm Discovered we LOVE the RV but are not fond of the dolly. We plan to trade in my car ASAP for one that can be flat-towed. We have lots to discuss regarding future plans, but for now, we are focused on returning home. Lessons Learned The trip to Florida taught us the value - and necessity - of spending two nights at an RV campground between each travel day. While we "can" power through and travel several days in a row, we don't want to. We prefer to rest upon arrival ... leisurely wake up the next morning ... take time to double-check the rig to ensure all is running well ... enjoy a hot...

When we first considered snowbirding, Florida was our top destination. Geoff has fond childhood memories of visiting extended family near Miami, his parents once owned a condo near Hollywood Beach, and we recently considered purchasing property in Pensacola. However, trying to book a waterfront lot in October for a January arrival proved impossible. Once we discovered (and booked) the six-week stay at Sargent Beach , however, Geoff decided he did not want to return to Kansas until April so as to avoid any late-season snowfall. So... we extended our snowbird adventure and chose to explore inland Florida options. Following our 2-2-3-4 rule , we will travel the 950 miles over the course of seven days. I will combine some genealogy research along the way, and we have one unique campground experience booked as well. This is our attempt at enjoying the journey rather than solely focusing on the final destination 😊 Itinerary: Sargent Beach, TX to Keystone Heights, FL Day1: Sargent Beach, TX ...

Even though the camper is in storage for the next several weeks that does not mean we take a break from Rving. Geoff visits Toto about twice a week. He has a running list of projects to tend to, and he likes to start the rig periodically to make sure all is running smoothly (and batteries remain fully charged). I, on the other hand, am responsible for planning the next trip. It's a thankless job but someone's got to do it 😊 Seriously, I do enjoy the anticipation that comes from planning ... but it is a long, involved process. Today I thought I'd share the step-by-step considerations I ponder in creating a travel itinerary. 2-2-2 Rule While the first step is to select the route, there's a bit more to RV traveling than knowing the general direction you want to travel.  High-profile vehicles are far more dependent on weather conditions than the typical family car. High wind speeds make steering difficult. And can cause major damage to awnings (don't ask how we know 😐...