Well how about that, our third consecutive day of sunshine. Now if the air would warm up we’d be off to the wonderments of an early Spring. But alas not so this year as I look ahead at the 14 day weather forecast and only see day time highs in the mid thirties with each night still well below the freezing mark.
AT GODERICH’’S ROTARY COVE BEACH AREA I SURPRISED TO SEE THE MILE WIDE ICE PACK GONE FROM JUST A COUPLE DAYS AGO
SOME OF THAT ICE PACK MAY HAVE BEEN DRIVEN ASHORE AND PILED UP
APPEARS TO BE A SMALL CAVE OUT THERE IN THE ICE AND SNOW
AYES A SMALL CAVE HAS FORMED
I COULD SEE WATER AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS LITTLE CAVE
SEAGULLS AND ICE BERGS
I WATCHED THIS LITTLE FELLA PADDLE UP TO THIS CHUNK OF ICE AND DAINTILY CLIMB HIMSELF ABOARD
GODERICH LIGHTHOUSE ON THE BLUFFS OVERLOOKING THE HARBOR MOUTH
Pheebs and I wandered up to Goderich and I was surprised to see the ice along the Lake Huron shore line gone. Figured easterly winds had probably blown it out further into the lake but later from atop the bluffs overlooking the lake I could see no sign of it. Hard to believe it could have all melted in just a couple days but maybe that is exactly what it did. However, checking the Grand Bend Yacht Club web and beach cams I see the ice pack there is still butted up against the shore so that tells me the Goderich ice did not melt but simply moved elsewhere.
PHEEBS LOOKS BACK ASHORE TO WHERE THE JEEP IS PARKED I
‘COME ON PHEEBS TIME TO GO’
SAW A FEW FOLKS OUT FOR A LATE WINTER’S WALK ALONG THE BEACH
FROM ATOP THE GODERICH BLUFFS I COULD SEE NO SIGN OF WHERE THE BIG SNOW PACK HAD GONE
SPOTTED THIS ELDERLY SNOWMAN ON A GODERICH CORNER WAITING FOR THE REFRIGERATED BUS AND PHEEBS CHECKS OUT A NEIGHBORHOOD BOOK EXCHANGE
THIS IS THE BACK OF A LAKEFRONT HOUSE BETWEEN GODERICH AND BAYFIELD AND IF THIS IS THE BACK OF THE HOUSE THEN ‘GEEEEZZZZZ’ WHAT MUST THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE LOOK LIKE
THIS NEW HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION OVERLOOKING THE BEAUTIFUL BLUE WATERS OF LAKE HURON WOULD SURE BE MY IDEA OF A DREAMHOUSE ALRIGHT
We have only been home a week and a day now and maybe it’s too early to be thinking of next years winter travels but I thought I’d at least offer up some thoughts while they are still fresh in my mind from this winter’s travels. We noticed in the past few years our beloved American Southwest has not had the same attraction for us as in earlier years. The Southwest hasn’t changed and is as enchantingly beautiful as ever and I truly mean all the wonderful things I have said about it these last dozen years. I can’t think of another place in all of the United States I would rather be than in the Southwest. No, the Southwest hasn’t changed….but we have.
A DRIVE DOWN AROUND THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HARBOR
LOTS OF LITTLE TUGBOATS NESTLED INTO THEIR BIRTHS FOR THE WINTER
A NUMBER OF FISHING BOATS ALSO SPEND THE WINTER SEASON HERE
Our best Snowbird RVing years were the first 5 years we spent in the Southwest. Everything was new and exciting to us, we had lots of energy for hikes, walks, and rock scrambles, etc. By the 6th year we were beginning to tire and to be frank we began getting a wee bit board. Well, along came our house in Congress Arizona in 2012 and we were rejuvenated and excited all over again working away on that house for a few years. But then that too became kind of routine and boring and so it was back on the road boon-docking we went again which of course was great for awhile but then…….well you know. So that brings us up to today and now we don’t know what we want to do next winter. Where’s the next excitement, the next enjoyable challenge, the next change of scenery.
SOON AS THE HARBOR AND LAKE ICE BREAK UP THIS LAKE FREIGHTER (ALGOWAY) WILL ONCE AGAIN BE BUSY ON THE GREAT LAKES HAULING VARIOUS CARGOES
GUESS THEY HAVE TO KEEP THESE FELLERS TIED UP OR THEY MIGHT FLOAT AWAY….ALGOWAY ON THE LEFT AND ALGORAIL ON THE RIGHT
Trying to realistically look and plan ahead there has been some talk of staying home next winter, some talk of Florida, and some talk about returning to the Southwest again. But….there are some hard and fast decisions to be made between now and next Fall. Our 37’ 2003 Triple E Motorhome is aging but still in great condition. Needs a couple tailpipes, a new rear light assembly replaced, and the ladder fixed. But here’s the big expense for us should we decide to continue our RV Snowbird travels. The 6 Michelin tires will be in their 8th year next winter so they all need to be replaced and I’m guessing that could be pushing a four thousand dollar bill. Do we want to invest that kind of money if maybe we only have 1 or 2 RV Snowbird years left….if that. Thoughts are still afoot in the backs of our minds about selling our place here where we are and maybe moving to Goderich at some point. And that of course would involve selling the Motorhome which we of course at this stage are still hesitant to do. Yes we have lots to think about this summer before next October rolls around again. Do we go somewhere new like Georgia or Florida or do we return to our beloved Southwest and find new places to go and new things to do. Or…….????????????????
SEAGULL IN BLUE
GROANER’S CORNER:(( I stopped at a fast-food restaurant recently. I was fascinated by a sign which offered Fat-Free French Fries. I decided to give them a try. I was dismayed when the clerk pulled a basket of fries from the fryer, which was dripping with fat. He filled a bag with these fries and put them in my order. "Just a minute!" I said. "Those aren't fat-free." "Yes, they are. We only charge for the potatoes . . . the fat is free!"
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- I've tried to find a suitable exercise video for women my age, but they haven't made one called "Buns of Putty."
- Know how to prevent sagging? Just eat till the wrinkles fill out.
- I'm getting into swing dancing.. Not on purpose. Some parts of my body are just prone to swinging.
- These days about half the stuff in my shopping cart says, "For fast relief."
- Don't let aging get you down. It's too hard to get back up.
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An elderly couple were in church. The wife leaned over and whispered to her husband, "I just let out a long silent blast of gas... what should I do?" The husband replied, "Replace the batteries in your hearing aid."
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I am in year 11 of full timing and am finding myself in the same thought process as you are. Right now I am thinking of many ideas and none of them are "just right" so far.
ReplyDeleteEven though Kathy says she has seen it all there are plenty of places to visit in Florida. The only thing is that Florida can be so expensive. I've read many Blogs that state if you want to see Man-Made go to Florida. If you want to see what Nature-Made go to the Southwest. We might consider some of the Gulf Coast States for future destinations when the long Drive gets to be too much.
ReplyDeleteYou also have to look at Health problems where you may have to skip a year. Don't beat yourself up over the Summer because you'll know exactly what to do in the Fall.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
Maybe a change of scenery will find you with new excitement and the new areas that beckon will fill you with that awe you seem to have misplaced. Whatever you and Kelly decide will be the right thing for you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the signs of spring coming, ice going out is one of the first ones!!!
I hear you about wanting to go somewhere new next winter. I find it very hard to spend time with my camera when I am living at home in the sticks and bricks. I have photographed around here for so long its hard to find something interesting. I am amazed at how you avoid that stagnation around Bayfield, so I am considering new approaches.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, we have spent 4 winters in AZ. I kept my camera going this year, even though it was not new, by doing the blog experiment. No old photos in the blog, only new ones. Next winter???
For some reason, the photos of Pheebe stirred something inside my mind. We should all be like Pheebe. She was on grass sometimes and on the desert other times--she smiled. Now, she is in colder weather and on snow--she still smiles. She's just happy for today and being part of the 3-pack. She is your answer.
ReplyDeleteWe are considering a different place than Florida for next winter. Seriously thinking about Folkston, GA which is sounding pretty nice with reasonably priced RV parks. Weather is a little cooler than Florida, but that means less A/C needed. ;)
ReplyDeleteWe were pleasantly surprised by the area around Cedar Key this year, Al. Does it get cold? Sure....but nowhere as cold as Canada. It's a lot closer than the Southwest, and nowhere near as crowded as Sarasota. Might be worth a try for a year or two!
ReplyDeleteWhere’s the next excitement, the next enjoyable challenge, the next change of scenery.
ReplyDeleteYou need to come to Mexico! Of course your rig is a little too big in our opinion, but if you're looking for "excitement, a challenge, and a change of scenery", then that would fit the bill.
That gull seems to enjoying it's iceberg. Enjoyed the variable prop pics again, they will be spinning and making money this Summer. No ideas on a place or anything, hope you enjoy Spring.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and chilly looking pics of the harbor. Love the reflections of the ice. Some of the piled snow and ice look like sand dunes. I'm not surprised to read you're considering changes for next year. This last summer season sounded less enthusiastic than years past. There's so many options to travel in the US - of course not all of them are the southwest. But Wyoming and Montana and certainly Utah have much of the natural and historical beauty you both love. Also, not making long travel days and single night stops as you cross the country might be less exhausting on you. Lots to see along the way :-)
ReplyDeleteAmazing the difference between your winters and our winters in Illinois. Why do I bother to go south when our winters are so mild in comparison.
ReplyDeleteYou two have a lot to think about but I know you'll come to the one that is right for you two. Until then just continue to enjoy today.
Your many decisions may seem difficult and they are. But isn't it nice to realize you have options. Some don't have any.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how the ice disappears so quickly on the great lakes but so nice to see.
ReplyDeleteMixing up travel plans and different destinations always seems to keep us interested. We too love the southwest but do need to change it up a bit next winter, nothing carved in stone but a change of pace is always nice. Only you know what is the best choice.
Have you considered traveling in the summer and staying home in the winter? You could take lengthy trips to Nova Scotia or the Canadian Rockies. Perhaps that wold fill the need to see something different and change your routine. I understand where you are though. I had the same thoughts as you last year. After 25 years, I decided I was done traveling across the US and came home from Colorado and sold my trailer. As I age, I am content to stay home more and make smaller trips to visit other places and people.
ReplyDeleteThis post is rather seditious. It is likely to get you blacklisted by RV manufacturers' trade groups, as well as other travel bloggers.
ReplyDeleteEssentially you are saying that RV-based eyeball tourism is great for a few years, and then the novelty wears off. If that is so, many people would be better off avoiding blowing a lot of money on RVs, and instead, jump on a plane every few years, rent a car, and stay in motels.
Of course, one could always look to expand the paradigm of travel away from eyeball tourism -- and towards some other dimension.
"Of course, one could always look to expand the paradigm of travel away from eyeball tourism -- and towards some other dimension."
DeleteLike Outer Space, maybe?
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ReplyDeleteLittle to None in the way of boon docking in Florida...or the Southeast in general. Can't imagine you guys being content in a full Rv park for long...Just saying :))
ReplyDeleteEven tho you feel like you've "been there, done that" in the Southwest (I sometimes get that feeling too) it is sooo big. We keep finding less traveled nooks and crannies still out there, waiting to be discovered and enjoyed...along with a few of our old favorites that we never tire of.
That said, I think you're like most of us who are "getting up there" in age...beginning to think of circling the wagons a little closer to home.
I hope to push on, even tho some of the excitement has worn off, till some medical "thing" makes it too difficult, because the alternative is "rust" and the feeling of that the "end" is near. Travel has a way of taking one's mind off those realities.
My Two Cents
mark
Or instead of renting a car at the airport, rent a mini-van, and camp wherever you want in the backcountry. Minimize the camping crap. Just have a little stove for heating up a cup of coffee.
ReplyDeleteThen, after a couple nights of sleeping in the minivan, treat yourself to a motel and a hot shower.
The way the world is going, we could all be gone by next winter. Enjoy the summer!
ReplyDeleteAl, hubby and I are kind of in the same situation. We get OUT of the desert during August (after kids return to school) and either go to the eastern Sierra or over to Arizona. However, last summer hubby fell off the bed and injured his shoulder and back and it is a 6 hour drive for me (I'm the driver), so we will pass this summer. We'll probably just stay home and hibernate.
ReplyDelete~Cheryl Ann~
The forced imprisonment of old age will come soon enough. For me, that will be an option only after one of these occurrences: 1) There isn't a dime left to buy fuel; 2) I cannot physically drag myself up the steps to the driver's seat or 3) I am insensible and do not realize I own a motorhome. Your blog is one long love letter to that which you contemplate betraying--being "out there." But here's the ultimate question I would ask myself: Is this something I would likely regret? If the answer is yes, then my direction would be clear.
ReplyDeleteAFter spending quite a few years of our extended vacations of 6-8 weeks in winters in the Southwest and Florida, this last winter we stayed home in Wisconsin. It was a VERY mild winter, which was nice. But... we are thinking of taking two shorter trips in 2018, 2-3 weeks in spring out west a bit, as far as we feel like going. Then in the fall another 3-4 weeks in Oct/Nov to stop in Tennessee by friends and then in Florida to see the folks for a few weeks. Then probably hole up again in Wisconsin for the winter. Also, we are nearing time to change out the tires on our rig and have to bite the bullet. Last ones were Oct of 2013 on sale for $2,500.00 for all six 22.5 Toyo's.
ReplyDelete