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We spent a lot of time in Texas last year so we decided to go through southern New Mexico.  Our daughter -in-law told us how much she loved Carlsbad Cavern National Park so we headed there!
We stayed at a state park on Brantley Lake and most of the sites where full. Considering it has been only high in the 40’s we thought we would be the only crazy people there!

We went to Carlsbad Caverns and boy it was not what we expected…it was much more. The walk down is a paved switchback as you descend 700 ft. Thought that was the impressive part until you get into the Caverns themselves. Words are not adequate to describe this colossal space. It is 300 ft high in some places and it is full if formations created by water dripping through gypsum. Be sure to click on the videos!

We usually stay at RV parks or campgrounds that let have full hook ups meaning water, electricity and sewer. We can run all our appliances, take hot showers and even do laundry. Sometimes you just need a place for an overnight stay and free is the right price!  We have a generator and lots of batteries so we can comfortably do an overnight and there are websites that help you find places that you can park in overnight.
Our first stop was between New Orleans and Galveston at a Texas Rest Area. Texas is one of a few states that wants you to be safe so they let you stay for 24 hours. We found one just inside Texas and got a spot at the end. Most of the spots are full of truckers but the noise wasn’t too bad. We even found a geocache in the parking lot.

Our second night was between Waco and New Mexico. Walmart is a popular spot to park overnight and many allow it. Some Cracker Barrel’s, Cabelas and Bass Pro shops do as well.  It depends on the location.
We spent last night in a Walmart parking lot in Tye, Texas. We went in and asked if we could stay and did some shopping. We were the only RV went we went to bed but there were 3 more next to us when we woke up!

We have a couple of open nights in Arizona maybe we will find another Walmart!

While planning our voyage across Texas (yes,voyage, it is a huge state!) we decided to go north a bit to get to New Mexico instead of across western Texas , Waco showed up in our path. Those of you who watch HGTV Fixer Upper know that Waco is the home of Chip and Joanna Gains and their mega brand Magnolia Farms. Waco is also the home Mammoth National Monument so we went!

We stayed at an Army Corp of Engineers campground at Airport Park on Lake Waco.  Nice site and close to everything.  Mammoth National Monument was a really neat stop.  It is the excavation site of lots of mammoths and other animals from the Ice Age.  The ice and cold did not extend this far south so these are not Wooly mammoths but Columbia’s mammoth , still big creatures!  Great tour.

Woke up the next morning to a cold rig and snow on the ground! Glad we have a good propane furnace. The sun came out and the snow melted but it makes you realize that parts of the country that are south are not always warm!

The day warmed up nicely so off we went to Magnolia Farms at the Silos .  Chip and Joanna bought these big old corn solos in Waco and built a complex with a store, food trucks, a big lawn to hang out on and a bakery. The cupcakes were very good and it was neat to see the bakery since we watched them design it on TV.  The store is big and has a lot of their home decor line but actually is mostly merchandise with their name on it! Glad we went but once is enough!

Our last evening was warm and wonderful!  Had a camp fire and steaks grilled over it. Nice spot.

We can’t  get to California without  making our way across Texas. (Unless we head north which is not an option). We decided to spend a few days in Galveston to get our last beach fix before the Pacific.
We stayed at an RV resort right on the beach and enjoyed listing to the surf at night as it was warm enough for us to sleep with the windows open. Galveston is a big beach town and we caught in off season (the theme on the Gulf coast).

We walked on the beach, had an amazing lunch at Fish Company Tacos and went to an oil rig museum. Deb had just read a book about the hurricane in 1900 that killed almost 8,000 people in Galveston so we checked out a movie about that.

The weather held out until our last day when a cold front arrived. Unfortunately the cold is going to follow us to our next stop, Waco. Just need to remind ourselves that night temperatures in the 30’s is warm in Vermont!

We have three weeks to get to the Pacific Ocean so let’s get moving. Next stop, New Orleans!

Believe it or not there is an RV park in the French Quarter. It is nicely maintained and is walled in with a gate. We could walk in town or Uber in the dark. Two nights gave us a chance to meet up with a colleague of Derick’s and have some good food!

Last year we drove right through Alabama so we decided to stop for awhile this year. Florida hogged the Gulf Coast but they do have some. We decided to spend a whole week there.

The Gulf Coast is not as warm as central and south Florida but is still way warmer than Vermont in January!  This is actually their off season so lots are less expensive and there not many people. We stayed at Heritage Motorcoach Resort a buy in community. You can buy your lot all of which have a casita ( a small one bedroom house) with very large outdoor sitting areas and or outdoor kitchens. When you rent you do not have access to the indoor space but we had a huge outdoor kitchen area. The people were very nice and friendly.

Orange Beach is a beach town with lots of tall buildings on the beach. You can just imagine how busy this place is in the summer. We had some great meals, walked an almost deserted beach and even found a geocache.

Our last stop in Alabama was a huge gas station chain Buccees.  They have a zillion pumps and the store is the size of a supermarket!  They had the cheapest price for diesel we have ever seen and a brisket sandwich to die for!

Had a great time in Alabama but the road is falling. Next stop, New Orleans!

We have been in Florida for 2 months and it is time to move on. Will miss the warm temps of SW Florida, visiting with family and some fun adventures but we are in a RV for a reason—-to see the country!
We had fun near The Villages and got to do the central Florida stuff; drive a golf cart, go for an airboat ride, hold an alligator and go to a theme park!

Florida is big state and it takes awhile to get out of it!  We spent our last night it Tallahassee on the grounds of the Tallahassee Auto Museum. Harvest Host hooks up overnight parking at businesses around the country. Let’s us visit places we might not know about. This museum is full of collections. Cars, outboard motors, pedal cars, Bat mobiles and the list goes on. Well put together.

We are spending a week on the beach in Alabama, then a few days in New Orleans the on to Galveston!  Join us!

Yes she can be away from the grandkids for 6 months she said. No problem she said.  But after only a month or so on the road, Deb decided we need to go north and see the grandkids! So off we went.

We flew to Burlington, Vt and spent time with our son Adam, his wife Emily and the main attraction our 7 month old granddaughter, Genevieve.  Lots of snuggles were had and they even hosted a New Years Day brunch!  We got to see our summer neighbors and plan for fun at Lake Carmi come June!

Next stop was in our old neighborhood in Williston with Deb’s bestie Vicki. Deb and Vicki have had many adventures over the past few years and there will be more to come!

Our last stop was in Oneonta ,NY to visit our oldest son, Nick, his wife Jen and our growing like a weed 3 year old granddaughter Hannah. We had a great visit and became very(very) familiar with Santa Paws 2 by Disney.

We are now back in Florida and heading north to Lady Lake to spend a few weeks with Deb’s mom. We have seen all of our family and had great family /friend time but our RV adventures is waiting!  Westward ho!

It has been a month since we posted and it has been a busy one!  We are staying at Myakka River Motorcoach Resort in Port Charlotte, Florida. We also stayed here last December and we love it!  It a beautiful resort and 5 minutes from Deb’s Dad so lots of family time. Here’s a few pics of the resort

Deb’s brother Dan and his wife Jacki came down to stay with her Dad. It is becoming an annual tradition!  Great meals and we tried a new beach in Boca Grande!

We missed our kids and the grandkids over the holidays so we are headed back to Vermont then NY to visit! Only for them would we spend 9 days in the cold!

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

After meandering down the south east, we finally arrived in Florida. Coming from New England, you might think the journey is over, but Florida is a long State and we decided to explore the east coast a bit. We stayed in St Augustine and right on the beach in Flagler Beach, just north of Daytona.
Both places were beautiful but the best part of the trip was spending time with our friends John and Cathy. We met them when we lived in Bennington, Vt in 1985 & 1986. We would spend every Friday night at their house for unmatched pizza and cards. Although we didn’t stay in Bennington for very long our friendship has survived!  We got to spend a few evenings together and the 25 plus years melted away!

Derick had to fly to Atlanta for a few days and the rig needed so warranty work done, so we dropped the rig in Fort Myers and spent a great night with Derick’s sister Melanie. Derick flew off to his meeting and Deb went to spend a few days with her Dad in Port Charlotte. Derick flew back, we picked up the rig and headed to Fort Myers Beach for a week. We stayed at this park last year and happy to be back.

Despite being in a tropical paradise Derick is fighting off a cold and Deb has been twerking her meds and is queasy way too often. She says it is like morning sickness!  A day by the pool should be good for both of us!