Friday, October 18, 2013

WE’RE AT THE GATE & WE’RE READY TO RUMBLE:))

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FINALLY, AFTER 6 LONG MONTHS WE ARE ON THE EVE OF DEPARTURE:))

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PHEEBS WAS A BIG HELP LOADING THE RIG TODAY

First thing I did this morning when I got up was to check the weather map. Relieved to see our rains had moved on & we were in for a dry day but not happy to see rain & snow along the western edge of our route. Cold fronts moving in as well. Of course by the time we get out in that neck of the woods next week it's impossible to know what the weather will be doing. As I said before, we'll just monitor the weather day by day as we motor along. Right now it's looking like we may take the Chicago west trail.  Update:  Just checked the weather map again tonight & it looks like we’ll be into some rain whichever route we choose.  And we just heard reports of snow in the Texas panhandle………..Awww nuts!!
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It's funny how it happens but it does. Each time we head south I think to myself while sitting in my big cushy recliner the night before, why would anyone leave all this great comfort & security to once again venture out across the land with all it's variables & unknowns. Why indeed. Here I sit with our big screen TV, nice sounding stereo system, warm cozy air wafting through the house, lots of room to get up & walk around, hot shower with endless water every morning. No traffic to worry about, or flat tires, or engine problems to concern us. Everything is routine & easy going. No surprises. Why indeed would we voluntarily trade all that in for the great unknown which lies ahead. Well, my only answer to all those questions is to read them all over again & simply say, it is because of all those things, that's why. And 6 months from now when we once again look forward to returning home to Bayfield it is those exact same reasons again why we can't wait to get here. Oh the wondrous life of a Snow Bird:)) 
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WE ARE TRAVELING LIGHT THIS YEAR WITH NONE OF OUR BINS FILLED
Amazes me how the kitchen of our house always looks like a cyclone hit it just 24 hours before we pull out. It is the final staging area for all the last minute stuff it seems. And yet by the time we are ready to go in the morning everything is looking totally spiffy, clean, uncluttered, & organized. That Kelly does an amazing job. But I help too:))
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SAID A FINAL FAREWELL TO OUR LITTLE MUSHROOM FOREST THIS AFTERNOON

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NOTICE HOW THESE 2 MUSHROOM ARE PUSHING UP & OUT OF AN OLD STUMP EVEN LIFTING THE WOOD

Despite predictions of rain & cloud today we sailed right through another great looking sunny day. And that is a huge bonus for any Snow Bird making final preparations to head out the following morning. Too many times I have been hooking up our tow vehicle in the rain on the eve of departure. Long range weather looks really gloomy for this area next week.

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A FEW PARTING PHOTOS OF OUR HIDDEN AWAY HOUSE & YARD THIS AFTERNOON

Unlike many of we Snow Birds heading west, Chuck, Geri, Doogie Bowser, & Radar from HAPPY TRAILS are leaving Truth or Consequences New Mexico heading east to Florida where they will take up permanent residence. We met the Happy Trails gang near Ajo Arizona a couple winters ago. Nice folks. All the best in your travels guys:))  And IVAN his very self along with traveling companion Hailey who incidentally is very comfortable riding on Ivan’s lap, are well on their way from Alberta Canada to destinations unknown somewhere in the great American South West.  Ivan is a Master at always finding himself free boondocking sites wherever he goes.  Ride along with Ivan & Hailey again this winter as they take you to spots most other folks don’t ever get to see.

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AFTER HITCHING UP THE JEEP ABOUT 4 THIS AFTERNOON I TOOK A QUICK SPIN AROUND THE BLOCK TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS HOOKED UP CORRECTLY…IT WAS:))

Two new Google Friend Connect people made it aboard just in time for our departure. We welcome jhm 52000 as well as Linda & Jim from ON THE ROAD AGAIN.  Nice to have you along folks & thanks for stopping by.  Might want to set your alarm clocks cause we’re early birds & we’ll be hitching up the horses first thing in the morning:))

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THIS IS THE ROAD WE TRAVEL BACK & FORTH TO GODERICH ONTARIO…PORTAL HILL LINE

And every year at this time I like to remember an event that occurred in my life back in 1979.  And I like to remember the people who helped me through a very difficult period of my life.  I first posted this a few years ago…………………….  MY FIRST AA MEETING   

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KELLY HOOKS UP A SKYPE CONNECTION WITH HER DAUGHTER REBECCA & GRANDDAUGHTER ELLA THIS MORNING

Well that’s about it for my last post from Bayfield Ontario Canada this year.  Saturday night at this time we should be somewhere south & well west of here.  Kelly will get our Verizon internet up & running after we cross the border & considering all things are sometimes considered equal, I should be back right here tomorrow night.  Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, comments, emails, shouts, & Facebook ‘likes':))

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GROANER’S CORNER:((  Did you know hitting the gym to release stress is not nearly as effective as hitting the people that cause the stress to begin with.

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- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

23 comments:

  1. I was a day early wishing you a safe and enjoyable trip. Looking forward to your updates on the fun journey.
    We are in a heat wave up in Alaska, so who knows what you will have to drive through.

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  2. Glad the weather cooperated today. It's so much easier to load and hook up on a sunny day!

    Safe travels tomorrow!

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  3. Hope your departure tomorrow is as uneventful as my journey today.

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  4. Safe travels to you and Kelly and the Pheebes! we will be riding along with you!! Can't wait, now get those wheels moving!!

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  5. Safe travels, I hope you get wonderful weather.

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  6. Congratulations on your 34 year landmark.
    I wish safe travels, good weather and look forward to following your winter adventures.

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  7. Have a wonderful journey ! Be safe !

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  8. Ahhh, sweet - that you are soon taking off on your south western journey - many prayers and blessings to safe travels ahead to your destination in Congress! We always enjoy reading about your time spent in Arizona. Take care!Connie & Barry in PA

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  9. Safe travels and look forward to travelling along with you.

    MnM

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  10. I'm excited for you guys to be on the road. Safe travels and good weather. I really really liked the groaner.

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  11. I hope you can weave your way between storm systems and have an uneventful, safe trip.

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  12. You're sure leaving some beautiful countryside - and will soon be in more of the same, though beautiful in the Arizona way.

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  13. It may be hard to bid adieu to the comforts of home but the road calls to many of us. Safe journey.

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  14. Wishing you safe travels and looking forward to being along for the ride!

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  15. Blaze the trail for us , wish we were leaving now instead on Wednesday.
    Safe travels and have too much fun.

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  16. Safe, happy and successful travel!

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  17. So, today is THE BIG DAY? Be safe, you guys! Welcome to the Southwest...we have clear weather through next week! :-)
    Cheryl Ann in sunny Southern California

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  18. You have the best of two worlds. Safe travel!

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  19. Snow already gone in the panhandle of Texas. Only a skiff of the white fluffy stuff fell. In the 50's at this time and not noon yet. Snow around here does not stay long unless it is a wicked system. For an interesting weather map try www.wunderground.com Once you enter your zipcode you can go to layers, located at the top right hand of your screen. Click on Weather Stations and it will give you the temp, the direction the wind is blowing and how hard. Valuable tool for the RV traveler. Click on Legends and it will show how to read all the data. I seldom use weather.com now that I have found the Weather Underground site. Take care and safe travels.

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  20. safe travels! and enjoy this wonderful country....

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