CELEBRATING OUR 2ND YEAR OF FULL TIMING

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take.....but by the number of moments that take our breath away!”

UNBELIEVABLE.....the end of our 2^nd Year on the road! When we began this full-timing adventure, Paul asked Marsha to commit to two years of traveling. Well, time flies and we aren't near ready to settle down. Where did the year go? What amazed us? How many events took our breath away?

We began our second year amazed by the beauty of the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert in Holbrook, Arizona. Soon after, you could find us “Standin' on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona” listening to the song made famous by the Eagles.

From there, it was off to one of our favorite campsites – Elephant Butte Lake SP, NM where we saw our first coyote in the wild and enjoyed the “enchanted land” of New Mexico.

After nearly six weeks exploring New Mexico, we moved into Texas. Talk about seeing a BIG STATE. We stayed in Texas from October 25, 2010 until May 23, 2011. One of our goals for our second year was to slow down....I'd say we did pretty well!

We explored the gorgeous Hill Country of Texas visiting Boerne, Bandera, Fredicksburg, New Brunfels and other quaint little towns. We climbed Enchanted Rock where Paul helped the scared stiff Marsha off that geographic wonder.

And what would fall be, in the German settled Hill Country, without attending the Beer Wustfest in New Brunfels. We met up with friends, Jay & Betty Crane, who convinced us to head to the Rio Grande Valley for the winter.

We visited the Texas Gulf cities of Rockport, Port Aransas, and Corpus Christi. This is where Paul checked off an item on his “bucket list.” We saw a HUGE alligator in the wild at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. We also saw Whopping Cranes and Javelinas.

After a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday in Houston with our two daughters it was off to Mission Texas in the tropics of the Rio Grande Valley.

We spent January, February, and March enjoying the warm weather and making a whole slew of new friends. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we are returning there for two months this winter.

Spring found us back in Houston to spend some time with our daughters. We decided to continue our tour of Texas.

This decision was largely due to the extreme weather occurring in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Alabama – our intended destinations. We weren't ready to experience those wild tornadoes! Ahhhh! But Mother Nature intended to throw us a curve ball.....

Oklahoma Bombing Memorial

Arkansas..Pinnacle Mt

After a short stay in the Escapee's Rainbow's End in Livingston, Texas, we were off to visit three college towns. First was College Station, home of Texas A & M. Next was Waco, where we explored the beautiful Baylor University, and finally Texas Tech in Lubbock. Also in Lubbock was Paul's favorite museum – The American Wind and Power Center. You just have to see that museum!

Heading west we stayed in the beautiful San Angelo State Park. Another awesome Texas State Park where we recharged our bodies in preparation for the rest of Texas.

We entered Texas Oil Country visiting Midland and Odessa. This is home of one oil well after another. You could just hear the “ding” of the cash register driving through the land dotted with all this wealth, all these jobs, and all these oilmen. Paul feels like he is still cleaning off the motor home from all the dust stirred-up by all the pick-ups and oil service trucks.

Heading into the Texas Pan Handle we visited Amarillo. We stayed at Palo Duro Canyon hiking for several days on the many wonder trails. What a beautiful park!

We then left Texas after seven consecutive months in the state.....and we still haven't see it all. We were off to Oklahoma City. We were there to see the Oklahoma City Memorial. What a moving experience. A very sad day in American history and one of several highlights of our second year. We wanted to see the College Softball World Series but had difficulty obtaining tickets and after several near misses by Mother Nature and tornadoes, we decided to head back to the safety of Houston.

Paul took a break from “full-time life with Marsha” to help move our daughter, Kelly, to Ohio. She's been in Texas for two years and decided to return “home” to Ohio. After Paul flew home, it was off to Arkansas.

We searched for Diamonds in Murfreesboro, AR and spent the July 4th holiday weekend in Maumelle State Park. This was another favorite campground for our second year. We spent time in Little Rock and hiked and biked on many of the local trails.

It was then off to Red Bay, Alabama and the Tiffin Factory Service Center. Here we met up with friends Brian & Janet Henderson and enjoyed about ten days with them while getting some updates and repairs done on our motor home.

It was then off to Ohio, our hometown, to visit family and friends. We had doctor, dentist, and vet appointments to take care off. Paul and Bella checked out okay but Marsha needs some unscheduled surgery. She had an eye lid giving her problems and the doctor recommended corrective surgery. Unfortunately, they can't get insurance approval and the surgery scheduled until December.....JEESH!!!

We also upgraded our toad. Our Jeep Liberty was showing it's age and since it doesn't get very good miles per gallon, we decided to purchase a new Honda CRV. So far, that has been a delightful upgrade.

We found ourselves enjoying the Kentucky Bourbon Tour, near the end of our second year. A delightful experience spread out over two days in late September.

Then it was off to Ashville, SC to enjoy Mother Nature's paint brush and the fabulous fall colors.

We ended our second year of travel at Paul's brother John's home in Augusta, GA. We enjoyed visiting with John and Paul's nephew, Ryan and wife Holly and their family. They recently added twin boys to their family so it was a house full of kids!

The last two years have been quite an experience. I wonder what this year has in store for “WHERE'S WEAVER?”

SECOND YEAR INTERESTING STATISTICS

Starting Date: October 17, 2010
Starting Location: Albuquerque, NM
Ending Location: Augusta, GA

MH Miles:
We drove the motor home and our towed vehicle (Jeep & CRV) quite a bit less the 2^nd year. The motor home was driven a total of 12,357 miles (compared to 22,186 the first year). Our car was driven 15,631 miles in our 2^nd year (compared to 22,186 our first year).

We stopped in 34 different cities for over-night stays during our second year.
Private Campgrounds: 94 days
Escapee Campgrounds: 33 days
Nat'l, State, City Campgrounds: 24 days
Elks : 106 days
Winter in Mission: 69 (Thanks Norm and Donna)
Free: 39 days….Thanks family, Tiffin Motor Service Facility and FMCA

Average nightly CG Cost:  $12.25

Longest Stay:
Leisure Valley Ranch (Norm's Place); Mission, TX

Best CG:
Maumelle State Park, Little Rock, AR (Marsha's favorite)
San Angelo SP; San Angelo, TX (Paul's favorite)

Worst CG:
Midland RV Park; Midland, TX…practically a gravel pit...so dusty.

Best Elks:
Lubbock, TX…A beautiful campground and a friendly group of people in the Lodge.

NO FUEL PURCHASED: JANUARY/FEBRUARY/AUGUST
Total Gallons of Diesel Fuel Purchased: 1031.41 
Highest price: $4.05
Lowest price: $2.83
Average Price of Diesel Fuel: $3.63
Average Miles Per Gallon: 7.23
Best MPG: 9.36

Longest Driving Day: 364 Miles 
Shortest Driving Day: 58 Miles 

Number of States First Time Visited: (4)  Arkansas, Indiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma
(NOTE: States visited must be in the MH since we began full-timing and we must spend at least one night in the state).

Paul's Top Ten Favorite Places but not in any particular order:
Enchanted Rock – Texas Hill Country
LBJ Ranch – Texas Hill Country
Port Aransas National Wildlife Refuse (gators)
Mission Texas – new friends & country dancing
Houston Rodeo
Micro Brewery in Houston with our daughters, Kelly and Carrie
Windmill Museum – Lubbock, TX
Oklahoma City Memorial
Palo Duro Canyon – Amarillo, TX
Garvan Woodlands Gardens, Hot Springs, AR

Marsha's Top Ten Favorite Places but not in any particular order:
Helen Keller Museum
Windmill Museum – Lubbock, TX
Port Aransas National Wildlife Refuse
Mission, TX
Houston Rodeo
Oklahoma City Memorial
Palo Duro Canyon – Amarillo, TX
Garvan Woodlands Gardens, Hot Springs, AR
Oklahoma State Capitol Building
Fredricksburg, TX (Hill Country)

Best Tour:
Bourbon Trail

Best Festival:
Wurstfest, New Braunfels, TX (Hill Country)

Best Restaurant:
McClard's BBQ in Little Rock, AR (Bill Clinton's favorite spot)

Marsha's Scariest Experience:
Enchanted Rock, Hill Country, TX

Paul's Scariest Experience:
Mt. Mitchell, Asheville, NC…car sick

Bella's Worst Experience:
Sand Burrs in Mission, TX ........ no grass to walk in

Largest Budget Expenses: 
MH Upgrades                                          
MH Tires
Groceries    
Campgrounds                                          

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!

HOME OF THE MASTERS…AUGUSTA, GA

Friday, October 14 – We are in Augusta, GA to visit Paul's oldest brother, John. We are staying at Heritage RV Park about fifteen minutes from his historic home. Each site is gravel with all sand roads. Each site has a HUGE picnic table. They are all being redone. Ours was taken away with a new one taking its place. Free WIFI. If you plan to stay here, be sure to make reservations. We have the best spot for overnight or weekly parking. Ask for Site #43.

Our site #43.

Down the road view.

John's home is a century home that he completely remodeled two years ago. It was designed by Willis Irwin who design the original Augusta National Clubhouse (Masters Clubhouse).  We don't have many big sightseeing plans. We're simply hanging-out with Brother John.

Servants quarters. John added the outdoor grill area.

Paul and John in the kitchen.

We heard that Georgia is the place to fine l-o-n-g pine needles. So one of the first things we did was begin our search for pine needles. We found some nice 12” needles in the park next to the Tennis Club. We've been there twice and spent an hour each time picking up needles.

BUT John said, "Have I got the place for you!" He made a phone call to Carolyn who was his Administrative Assistant in his early years working for a paper mill. Marsha couldn't believe her eyes.

Here is THE place for the longest pine needles we have ever seen.

YES, your eyes DO NOT deceive you. These pine needles are around 15-17". Can you see the puny one that Marsha is now using around 7". What a difference!

This is how many we have collected so far. What fun…until we have to clean them.

Thanks John and Paul for helping collect these needles. Thanks Carolyn for helping us and for allowing us to collect these AWESOME needles. We could spend days there collecting these needles. This is just the front yard…you see the back!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!

THE SOUTHEAST'S FAMOUS CHIMNEY

Monday, October 10 - One more hike before the rain comes and cancels outdoor activities. We hiked up the steps to Chimney Rock this morning. This is a little too touristy for our liking, but it is something we wanted to see.

When we arrived it was drizzling, so we hit the small town.

Can you believe that in the spring/summer, there are huge rapids that flow through this area? Looked scary to us!

Chimney Rock, the 535-million-year-old monolith for which the Park is named, is considered one of the most iconic sites in North Carolina. From its top, you’ll soak in the 75-mile panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.

Where we are headed…waaaay up there.

We climbed the 1000's of steps up to the this towering 315-foot monolith located on the very edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains high above beautiful Hickory Nut Gorge.This is a fairly strenuous adventure.

Original steps

New reinforced steps.

At a soaring elevation of 2,280 feet with its 75-mile views, this mountaintop experience will take your breath away. Once you reach the top at 2280 feet you can see for miles and miles. It's an unobstructed view of Hickory Nut Gorge.

We then ventured down Hickory Nut Falls Trail. The reward for hiking this trail is standing below the 404 foot waterfalls at trails end. You also enjoy the sweeping view as you wind your way back the two miles to the Falls. The trail is rough. Hiking boots are HIGHLY recommended but…

Marsha and I were amazed to see how some people dress for the hike. One lady had on flip flops, another Crocks, and a third younger girl was dressed like she was heading out to the club for an evening of dancing. Come on people, this is the woods not the mall. (Side note: we watched all three of these ladies lose their balance and just about land on the rough rock.)

We picked the wrong time of the year to see the Falls. There wasn't much water falling, but it was a great hike!

More like a trickle than a Falls.

On the way back to the motorhome, we stopped at a little place for our favorite lunch.

We noticed something very strange in the car painting shop across the street. Is it really…Big Boy?

It was an enjoyable morning of hiking so the predicted rains can come now. That pretty much ends our time in the Black Mountains. It's on to Augusta, GA.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!