The Life of a Retiree - #23

Retirement is a great time of life! What I love most is the slower pace I have chosen to live. I definitely do not miss the hustle of getting up and going to work and all the activities associated with work - making lunches, picking out clothes for work and the commute. I did enjoy working but really got tired of dealing with people. My days now are easy, less stressed (for the most part) and although I have things I want to accomplish - there isn't anything I necessarily have to do. Of course, there can sometimes be a down side to this.  I have to admit - there have been days I have felt bored. With all the things I am interested in and want to do - sometimes I just don't feel like doing anything.

One of the big things I have been working on (and now have time to focus on) is improving my health. Losing weight, eating better (though I still love my ice cream!) and exercising has taken a priority in my life. By making myself a priority, I function better all around and therefore can be more available and helpful to my family.

I was just weeks away from retiring when the pandemic hit and had a lot of activities I was looking forward to participating in - Scrabble Club, Cookbook Club, Book Clubs, Library Programs just to name a few. I am hoping that "in person" clubs resume in the not too distant future. Zoom and virtual get togethers were wonderful during isolation, but I want to physically be transported and interact with three dimensional people.

Now that we are fully vaccinated and most of our friends as well, we are starting to see more people, go more places and make plans. Life for us can only get better! My dearest friends from New York visited just this past week - it was so exciting to see them after several years!  They are both retired now as well and everyone just seems so much more relaxed! Last week we housesat down in Carver and visited the Heritage Gardens and Plantation for the rhododendron festival with our good friend Myra from Plymouth. It was such a lovely day to be together and enjoy all the beauty! 

           

   

Next week, we leave for a 2+week road trip through Pennsylvania and Maryland. This includes visiting family that reside in MD and staying at the Cherry Hill RV Resort in College Park, MD - not too far from my mom's home. This is a wonder RV park with lots to do! The bulk of our trip will be stopping at all new places - both to and from - some boondocking and new campgrounds. We hope to visit Hershey Park on our way home as well.

Shortly after we return, Brooke and I will be jetting off to Paris to visit with Holly ( and Greg) both whom celebrate big birthday milestones this year! It will be a short trip, 5 days, but should be exciting! We haven't seen Holly since January,2020 and it's been 9 years since my last trip to France.

It always feels like no matter how much you plan during the summer months, there's just never enough time to do all the things you want. But I am looking forward to enjoying as much possible!

Part 2 - And We're Off! - Circle CG, Bellingham, MA - #22

This wasn't our first rodeo at Circle CG - a western themed, privately owned RV park just southwest of Boston.

We have been guests here half dozen or so times over the years and have always enjoyed our stay and found the staff very accommodating.  Actually, thinking back, this was the very first place we stayed after we took possession of our travel trailer! We camped here last October with exquisite foliage colors as our backdrop.  The early spring is a little different with trees just barely greening and  temperatures varying throughout the day - mostly still cool and rain at some point just about every day. 

Camping for us is relaxing, getting a lot of fresh air and just hanging out together. I still cook and clean and do laundry - just like at home  - but it feels different doing it here. Cleaning approximately 160 sq ft takes about 15 minutes. Due to the damp weather, I didn't use the outdoor kitchen or gas grill at all this outing. Last year I purchased an electric skillet I absolutely love using and prepared a lot of meals using this convenient appliance.  I am very good at making the most of small spaces. Organization and keeping it simple is definitely the key.

Minnie reconnected with her friend, Blackie. We actually requested this particular campsite (#14) knowing Blackie would be here (he is a permanent resident). 

We revisited Blackstone Gorge. It is such a pretty spot, oddly situated at the end of a residential neighborhood. It must be lovely having such a beautiful park right down your street.

    

As the weather was warming up, we made plans to walk through Garden in the Woods, a native plant reserve/botanical garden in Framingham. It had been many years since our last visit; it seemed different - partially due to the pandemic - it was a nice outing but it just seemed like something it was missing.    

              

There were actually only a couple of days we strictly stayed at the campsite, Besides jaunts to outdoor spaces, we strolled through a Barnes and Noble (we really miss book stores), shopped at Whole Foods (always a food adventure) and went searching in Home Depot for a piece of molding to repair a small spot inside the trailer, I previously talked about.  Couldn't believe how pricey a 3' piece of wood molding was!  The days relaxing at the campsite were great, The weather was a little more stable those days and we could really enjoy being outdoors.  We installed the colored strip lighting bought at IKEA and were thrilled with the results.  Charlie is in love with it!  Charlie also set up his new flag pole/antenna. A nice additional to our campsite and a way to "disguise" his HAM radio antenna.

Charlie also discovered there was an in-person test available in Natick for his next level (General) HAM radio license; he had been studying for many months. We had the time and made an evening of it. We had dinner at Cafe Yafa - a Mediterranean restaurant in Natick and then headed over to the exam.

He was in heaven when he passed! This now opens up a lot more possibilities for him on the radio!

Overall - a relaxing first get-a-way! The truck and trailer had no apparent issues - other than the few minor aesthetic repairs/adjustments.  We look forward to our next trip - destination Maryland just 3-1/2 weeks away. We will be meandering through CT and PE over the course of 2-1/2 weeks, visiting family and hopefully some fun venues!

And We're Off! - Foxwoods - #21

It is so great to finally be traveling and living in our trailer! I already feel this trip (10 days) is going by too quick; I am so glad we have another trip planned for June - longer time and greater distance. In the meantime, we are enjoying this adventure!

We arrived at Foxwoods on Tuesday, 4/27 midday - and much to our surprise -  the designated RV parking lot was empty! We couldn't believe it - we had never seen it like this - ever! Could it possibly be closed? After deciding on a spot at the end closest to the Outpost - we contacted security to check in and make sure it was okay.  Turns out, they were not only happy to have us but would even waive the length of time to stay - we could pretty much stay as long as we'd like!

Boondocking is pretty easy - no need to disconnect from your truck if you're not planning any excursions away from where you are parked. Casinos are great for this - they are destinations in themselves. So, I prepared  lunch and we then headed over to the Rainmaker Casino. 

The door we entered in was just to the side of the Hard Rock Cafe. Shuttle service from parking was not available (pandemic); we usually walk anyway.  The entry foyer had also been set up as a COVID vaccine site. (was not crowded). As we walked further heading towards the Pequot casino, we realized how desolate it was! The various casinos themselves had only handfuls of gamblers, restaurants were closed, shops and kiosks were closed. (I'm guessing more of these place are opened on the weekend) It was disappointing, to say the least. The Pequot casino was definitely the hub of activity. 

During our two day-two night stay, we did manage to make the best of what was offered and enjoy ourselves.  We went shopping at the Tanger Outlets and each bought a new pair of Sketchers. We had coffee a couple of times at Starbucks, gambled a bit, but probably the highlight for me was ice cream sundaes at Sugar!🍨

In the meantime, Minnie transitioned beautifully to living in the TT. Still not crazy about traveling in the truck; we are trying to find ways to make her more comfortable.

I had forgotten how cozy and comfortable it is sleeping in our trailer. And the best part was listening to the rain as I slept.