Sunday, August 25, 2013

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

Were we really in Michigan since June 1?  While in Michigan, every summer day felt like a fall day to us.  Recently, we traded the Great Lakes for the Tennessee River and the Wilson Dam, in Florence, AL.  This weekend was an important bass fishing tournament.  Around 7:00 AM this morning at least 100 boats were roaring down the river.  Also, instead of 1000 foot tankers in the Great Lakes, we are seeing tugboats pushing huge barges in both directions on the Tennessee River.

Florence, AL and the Tennessee River
McFarland Park - Florence, AL

Getting ready to catch bass at 7:00 AM in the morning!
 We treasure the memories of  the past few months.  We've missed our family and friends, and they have missed us as well.  RV full-timing involves such a small window of your life and we know this isn't going to last forever, but so far it has been 6 years of an interesting and wonderful lifestyle.
Our home - Allegro Bus
  We enjoy receiving and reading blogs from other RV'ers...sometimes people who just reflect on their retirement, or they may share drop-dead gorgeous photos they take of American treasures.  One blog really meant something to me.  The blogger wrote about making an effort to be a positive part of someone's day - just by extending a smile, a positive gesture, and seeing where that leads.  We agree, because sometimes, unknown to us, we have had encounters with people we would never have met.   Sometimes when we make the first move to meet people, it may be the nicest gesture anyone has made that day.  For instance, RV always says, "Welcome to the neighborhood!", when someone arrives. We may not have been set up more than 30 minutes ourselves (but they don't know it), and it always brings a smile to their face.
On the way to the next adventure!
 To say we've met some of the most interesting people since we started full time RVing is an understatement.  Some of our new friends are retired, some are leading up to retirement, and some still work but can travel.  Some have 5th wheels,  vintage trailers (Sisters On The Fly), travel trailers, and others like us may have a Class A motorhome.  We've met new friends who have brought us dinner, given us beautiful handmade gifts, asked us to visit them in their homes, given us buckets of just-picked field peas, peppers and okra, and shared their technical knowledge of RVing with RV.
Getting together with friends in Traverse City, MI

Tent Campers in Michigan

Vintage Serro Scotty - Sisters On The Fly - Michigan

Travel Trailer Campers

The Whitney's at Indigo Bluffs - Empire, MI

Vintage  Class A Motor Home - 1970 GMC
 If we are in northwest Alabama, close to Tupelo, MS, then we are most likely getting ready for our annual visit to the coach manufacturer, Tiffin Motorhomes, in Red Bay, AL.  We haven't had any major issues this year with the coach, so nothing is being held together with duct tape (Alabama chrome) or zip ties.  After getting some sexy new tires and some minor repairs and modifications, we'll leave this area after Labor Day.    

4 comments :

Unknown said...

Bob, Marty: You couldn't have said it any better. We are newbies to this full timin thing but in our short 3-4 months we have met many interesting folks.... Thanks for the encouragement and information you two bring through your BLOG; we are learning from you.....
Maynard & Barb

RV THERE YET? said...

Maynard and Barb: Thanks for the kind words. I'm sure you and Barb are the envy of many of your friends as you seem to enjoy the full time lifestyle. See you down the road!
Marty and Bob

Unknown said...

MBug, glad to hear you're back in The Land of Cotton. (You were away for a while, but not forgotten!) At the Harmon's last night, your ears must have been ringing. Bob and Laurie have extended to you and Robert honorary Michigan Citizenship. And, they say, 'Hi' and give their love. BTW, that picture of your coach going down the road, 'On the way to the next adventure!'...so it IS true that Robert sometimes makes you get out and run!

Unknown said...

I'm happy y'all are headed back down south! :-) Rocky, Harley, Bootsy, Chris and I are all looking forward to seeing you hopefully soon!