Getting Ready - Part2 - #20

The weather predicted rain for Sunday - today - so I tried to get as much done yesterday as possible. I'm glad for the rain, the gardens and grass need it!

First thing on Saturday was my great niece, Rachel's becoming a Bat Mitzvah. The service for us was virtual but very lovely! It was nice to be able to share in on the event; in-person guests were limited. I made a quiche and roasted vegetables while I watched (hope this wasn't sacrilegious).

By midday - I was packing the trailer with clothes and food items.  Charlie and I are very casual people - prefer jeans to dressing up - so the camping lifestyle really jells with our personal style. We each have our own "wardrobe" in the bedroom and I think I've made pretty good use of the space by adding these hanging shoe holders to use as "shelves" for our clothes. I also placed a plastic shoe box on the bottom of each closet to hold our socks and underwear. We don't need a lot and can always do laundry on the road.  I collect quarters in a container all year to have for doing laundry.

A travel trailer is a moving house - which means the contents of your house is moving around as well. I store a lot of things inside plastic shoe boxes - they are inexpensive and just the right size for my ceramic mugs, utensils, keep bathroom accessories all in one place and they help everything stay clean as well.  I also save giant produce containers (from salad); they also fit perfectly inside my pantry and I use them to keep food items contained and from shifting around while on the road.  I love that they are stackable! Recently, I started putting contents of drawers inside zip lock bags.  This is helpful for springtime cleaning when inevitably, mice do their thing inside drawers and the lower cabinets during the winter.

Charlie and I also reorganized the truck bed.  We took our bicycles out (hung them on the rack inside garage); we won't be using them on this trip. We combined two containers into one for trailer accessories; hoses, electrical chords, etc... and the emptied container is to store firewood we cut from our yard to use for campfires. (wanted to get it stored before the rain).  While it is not recommended to bring "outside wood" to different areas of the country due to insect infestation, this campground is less than 30 miles from our home and if the wood goes directly into the firepit and is used right away, it should be fine.  Our wood is kept inside container when not used. I still need to clean the inside of the truck cab; I might do that today if the rain lets up.

The rest of yesterday afternoon I spent spreading the last of the bags of mulch I had purchased, weeding and cleaning up the yard. I got a lot done!

Monday I plan a trip to the store for a few final food purchases but particularly for water.  I don't like to drink the water from the fresh water tank.  Showering, washing dishes is where I limit my usage. We still need to flush the pink winterizing fluid out and fill the tank with water for the beginning of our trip. That might be on the agenda for today as well. Still a few more personal items to pack.  I need to do laundry, run the dishwasher, clean out refrig, clean the litterbox, strip the bed and straighten the apt - before we leave as well on Tuesday. I like to leave and come home to an organized and clean home. OCD.

Getting Ready - #19

We are only a week away from our first camping adventure! Lots to do to get ready!

I have completed the initial cleaning and have already started to stock the trailer with non-perishable foods - like tuna, coffee, drinks, etc... Since the first couple of days of our trip will be boondocking at Foxwoods, I am limiting the foods that require refrigeration.  When not directly connected to electric (even though we have a portable generator used intermittently) and even though refrigeration can run off propane, I never like to take a chance. I plan on doing a full food shopping when we arrive at the campground in Bellingham. The Foxwoods RV parking area isn't the most scenic, but it is within easy walking to the casino.  (some of the shuttle services from parking areas, like Mohegan Sun, are not running at this time) And - there is also a convenience store, Burger King and gas station, right at the end of the parking which makes it convenient to get a cup of coffee or gas if we need it. 

Foxwoods is really big and offers more than just gambling.  We enjoy walking through the Tanger Outlets and have gotten some excellent deals in the past. 

For my birthday this year, Brooke, Rakib and the kids bought me a chair I had been coveting -  for the inside of the TT.  It is very comfy and I will really enjoy using it!

Charlie has checked the operation of the generator - running fine.  Will need to get gas and fill up the truck at the same time as well. We will need to reorganize the storage in the back of the truck; we need as much usable space as possible. And we will need to clean the truck cab to make room for Minnie.

I have a few projects for repairs and additions to the camper.  I plan to have a couple of plexiglass inserts made to put over the inside of the screen door.  For a couple of reasons.  First, so Minnie doesn't rip the screen on the bottom, should she scratch on it; second, to be able to keep the door opened and let more light in on cooler days. I also want to make a little curtain to cover Minnie's cat station. I hope to get that done before we leave.

We need to repair some molding which expanded and delaminated - just in one spot at the bottom of the bathroom entry.  Since we won't be able to get a match, my idea is to just cut the bottoms off on both sides and get matching rosettes to put on the bottom.  I will take before and after when we do the project. 

I've been doing some measuring of the storage areas inside the trailer to see what space we are working with.  Charlie really wants to bring his keyboard when we go to Texas, and I was hoping it would fit in the under-the-bed storage - but it's just a couple of inches too short.  No worries - the alternative is to put it in the under-storage area - plenty of room there.

I am excited about leaving - and my next post will be from the road!

Welcome April! - #18

The mild weather of March really gave us a head start on outdoor work. I have been weeding, edging and mulching and generally cleaning up, getting the yard ready for that burst of spring color! The tulips I planted a few Octobers ago have pushed through; the plantings on the sunny side of the house have already bloomed! Still too cool and uncertain yet to plant additional flowers and veggies but it's not too far off now!

I have to moved out cushions I temporarily stored inside the camper this past winter. We have also decided to uncover the TT - with 70 degree temps it only seems right! The trailer held up well during the cold months.  There is definitely indication mice used our trailer for shelter  - but not too bad and fairly easy to clean up. One thing I learned from our very first winter - don't leave any paper products inside the trailer that can be used as nesting material. That even includes canned food items that might have a paper label on them! Over the next week, I will finish my cleaning inside the camper and start to get it ready for our first trip.  Only about 2 weeks away! Yay!

Monday, 4/5 - I completed the second of my COVID vaccines; Charlie will complete his on 4/15. We are happy to have these behind us and feel a little more confident now in public, though we still plan on masking and sanitizing.  With just this effort, it will probably reduce the likelihood of regular flu and colds too!

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Life can change in an instant.  My mom has very recently been having falling issues.. Last week, another such occurrence resulted in a trip to the hospital. Luckily, she was not injured this time. My sister and I are now in uncharted territory and want to make sure we make the right decisions for her.  We thought this would be a good, safe place for her at least temporarily until we could get more information from professionals.  At the hospital, she would be evaluated and we would be advised and given information to make the best decisions possible.  We were just taking these necessary steps, when the third fall happened; this might have helped move things along for us. We thought, perhaps, this was turning to be a positive, giving us some additional time.  Until... mom's dementia went to a new level and she because abusive, paranoid and angry.  Likely, it was her reaction to being in an unfamiliar environment with people she did not know - she was afraid and confused. The dementia really took hold; the psychiatrist Anne spoke with felt she was also suffering from delusions, - brought on by incidents. (I refer to it more as trauma). It has been a very long, terrible, awful week.  We could not even be of any comfort to her - she lashed out at us, accusing us of all sorts of things; we felt helpless as we listened to her behavior and talk to us like we were her enemy. She is finally back to her home at assisted living and hopefully with the help of medication, this will reset her brain.  We don't know.  We take it a day at a time keeping each other updated.

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Keeping busy, doing physical activity this past week, has helped me get through it. I finally am feeling less stressed. I guess we'll see how it goes. Flexibility is the key.

 

Life As We Know It - #17

Every weekday morning, a thunder storm rolls through - directly above our heads. It is a burst of energy, excitement - footsteps, running, jumping, loud voices, crying - a cluster of activity!.  It begins at one end of the house, works it way across the kitchen through the mudroom and tapers off in the garage as the kids climb into the car and are delivered to their respective day care and pre-school. Then, in an instant - all is silent once again and we drift back to sleep for a little while longer.

Coffee is the first order of the day in our world - a morning addiction Charlie and I both share. We are rested, non-rushed, sipping our caffeine fix and planning the day in our minds. For Charlie, today is working on his motorcycle, studying for his next level HAM radio license, hanging out in his ham shack.  For me, it's starts with straightening up, repairing a squeak in our adjustable bed, exercising, making some foods for an upcoming Passover Seder with friends, a good long walk/run and doing some writing. If the weather was a little nicer, I would definitely be outside doing yardwork and enjoying the sun - but no sun today.

Everyday is a little different.  Starting Monday, Charlie will  be training new employees, part time at his former employer, Kingston Trailers.  It will be a nice change of pace for him for a little while and it means a little extra money, too. For me, I plan to start cleaning the inside of the trailer for our first camping trip which is about 4 weeks off. Depending on the weather, I have lots of yardwork and exterior maintenance work to do.  I have designated myself as the unofficial house manager (along with Brooke).  I have more time to think about and actually perform the tasks that need to be done to keep things up. There is always a lot to do and I enjoy this type of work,

As life starts to reopen, I look forward to taking some classes (in person) and going to programs at the library I previously enjoyed. 

I've thought about volunteering or even getting some part time work... but then, I enjoy my freedom and non-scheduled life. Plus, the next four months are already well booked with activity and travel.

We try to be flexible and open to anything that might come our way. Being available to help with the grandkids, helping friends. It's nice to have time, enjoy a more relaxed pace and truly embrace everything we now do.- even the small things.

Spring Turns A Retiree's Fancy To Thoughts Of Camping - #16

Winter is now officially behind us according to the calendar; today is the first day of spring and what a glorious day!  The forecast for the upcoming week is promising as well. The sun is bright, warming and I just want to get moving! All I can think about is getting on the road!

I haven't seen my mom, who will be 96 this May, in over a year. Living in Maryland makes it challenging  to visit as often as I would like. It will be great to also visit with my sister and brother-in-law and see my nephew and wife and their girls, who all reside in Maryland.  I am working on a trip to visit the beginning of June for a couple of weeks; just taking our time, traveling to and from will probably take us about a week or so and at our destination, we will be camping at Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD for 5 nights. This is a great cityish campground we have stayed at before and we really love it! When we drive to MD by car, we can usually make the trip easily in 8 or 9 hours - depending on the amount of stops. When towing your trailer, you need to be a little more cautious and go slower. We like to stop and smell the roses, so to speak and there is no way I want to spend all day sitting in a truck. I have been looking into places to stop and stay both going and returning; it will be a combination of boondocking and campgrounds.  I will need to make some tentative calls to make sure spots will be available for overnights.

With other activities filling our calendar, it's amazing how quickly our summer schedule is filling up! 

                

On The Road Again - #15

"Just can't wait to get on the road again"....🎵

Today, I made our first reservation for April camping. Although most campgrounds in this area don't have an opening date until May 1st, there are a select few opened all year round. Circle CG Farm and Campground in Bellingham, MA is one of them. We are actually planning several days of boondocking in Connecticut prior to our stay at Circle CG for a week, so we will be "camping out" for about 10 days.  It is exciting to have this first outing to look forward to!

Hopefully, around April 1st, the weather will have warmed up and stabilized a bit; we will uncover the trailer and begin to clean, air out.  I bring all the dish, glassware, pots and pans, cutlery into the house and run everything through the dishwasher as well as wash all the bedding and towels. I clean the insides of all the cabinets before returning items to their designated spots. Everything gets a thorough cleaning and we will usually give the outside of the trailer a good cleaning as well, if it really needs it. Sounds like work but this process brings me great joy! Gradually, I begin to stock with food, water, clothes as our date of departure gets closer. Once we are out on our maiden voyage for 2021, I will start to make lists of what we may need to do, repair, or purchase to get ready for our big trip in the fall, as well as making outings before then more comfortable. I am still considering a new mattress for our bed.

There are always interesting places to visit or a great park or hike at almost every location we camp. You just have to seek them out and with the help of the internet, that's easy!. During our last stay in Bellingham in October, we found beautiful scenic hiking areas - Blackstone Gorge, West Hill Dam - and also visited Southwick Zoo.  We found a great little produce stand not too far from the campground where we picked up some lovely fruit and veggies. On our upcoming trip, we are hoping to visit Garden in the Woods in Framingham, where we have been before but it's probably been about 9 years. I wouldn't mind visiting Blackstone Gorge again; we where there in the fall and the colors were absolutely amazing - it will look totally different in the springtime.  Mendon Drive-In is another popular venue; I am hoping they will have movies by then.

It won't be long now!

10 Things We Love About RVing - #14

 So what's the attraction?

Don't get me wrong - we love the luxury of a nice hotel! But there's just something about camping in the woods...

1-Our Travel Trailer - I have often referred to our travel trailer as "my happy place". Even when it's  parked in the driveway or yard and I'm inside just to clean it or stock it for a trip, I am "transported" mentally, somewhere special and happy. Adventure awaits!     

                                 

 

2-The Great Outdoors - First and foremost - we love being outside. Enjoying fresh air, sunshine, space. Our travel trailer is small - but our living room is the whole world! There's nothing more  enjoyable than eating a meal outdoors on a picnic table. The food just tastes better!     

3-Beauty -  As the seasons change, so do the colors of the trees, skies, water - everyday we are astounded by the natural beauty.

4-Nature - Charlie and I are both keen animal watchers. Their habits, behaviors, personalities  - birds to squirrels to any other critters we may encounter. We also enjoy observing plants and flowers. There is just so much to see, learn and appreciate!.

5-Relaxation - Not that our lives are very stressful these days, but camping out is on whole a different level. Maybe it's the casualness of the lifestyle. I don't worry about what I wear or makeup or my hair (Hey - that's normally me anyway!) I am more creative and enjoy cooking more. I can actually concentrate on reading a book - I am not distracted by chores at home.  We breathe deeper and smile more.

6-Campfires - Who isn't mesmerized by the dancing flames, smell of wood burning and the taste of delicious smores and toasted marshmallows!

7-Hiking & Exploring - I love hiking, Charlie not so much, but it is still something we do together.  We  have visited some great locations - especially during the pandemic when being outdoors has been deemed the safest venue. It has encouraged us to discover trails, different areas within our state and beautiful scenery!

8-Flexibility - Once our travel trailer has been opened for the season, we can go anywhere! We always have everything we need.  No packing or unpacking required.  We have all our clothes, bedding, toiletries, pots and pans, condiments, books, movies - you name it!  Of course, we do have to bring food, but it gives me a great opportunity to clean out the refrigerator, freezer and pantry every time we go on the road. 

9-Boondocking - We love boondocking - especially at our favorite casinos! There is nothing like being fully self-contained, parking a few steps from the casino entrance and being able to stay for free! 

10-Travel and Adventure -  Even though we've had our TT for many years, we really haven't had the opportunity to use it as we'd like.  The pandemic added further crush to our plans but now that we are retired (and fully vaccinated within the next month) we will gradually start to branch out. In the past, we alternated boondocking and local campgrounds, so we could empty our black and grey water tanks in between and we look forward to start making plans very soon! Where will we go? Anywhere we want! Stay tuned!