BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

Can you believe this is our fourth Living the Dream RV Tour? It has truly become a terrific lifestyle and one that we plan to continue as long as physically possible, which means for many years to come!

Those of you who have received our blog consistently may have noticed that last year we started a blog and then trailed off and stopped. This was partly out of laziness (smile) and partly because we thought people might be getting bored with it. 

When we got home, we found the opposite was the case. Friends, relatives and even acquaintances mentioned how much they enjoy the blog and asked if we plan to continue. So, we'd like to thank our fan base for encouraging us to continue because we really do enjoy sharing our adventures. To those who wish to discontinue, please send an email or spam us. We won't be offended. 

"Good health and good sense are two of life's greatest blessings." - Publilius Syrus 

We are always grateful and appreciative to be able to travel as we do. This year some bumps, bruises and bugs, reminded us just how much good health is a critical factor for this lifestyle. 

Last fall, as Doug was washing and waxing the motor home, he fell off the scaffolding and broke his scapula. Oh, did we say scaffolding? Actually, it was a plank balanced precariously between two ladders Home Improvement style. Fortunately, he recovered with no residual effects. 

In February, we went to Florida and while strolling the streets of St Petersburg with friends, Sue tripped over a bump in the sidewalk and broke her big toe (which is still healing). Then, right after we got home, Doug accidentally tore his calf muscle riding a Costco cart like a 12 year old, just for fun. His reasoning? - "You're never too old to express youthful exuberance." 

So, we hobbled around together for about three weeks wondering how in the world we were going to pack the RV, as our departure date grew closer. Then we got the flu. Yep. Doug had the flu shot, Sue did not. We both got nailed and it zapped our energy for two more weeks as the RV departure date got even closer. 

Weaker souls might have given up at this point, but each setback only strengthened our determination and desire to head West and get out from under the dark cloud that seemed to hover over us. Not even two 6 inch snowstorms could stop us from leaving on March 21, as planned.

But 12 inches of snow could and did....... 

So we left the next day!

"He who walks in the eight-fold noble path with unswerving determination is sure to reach Nirvana."        - Buddha

Our first stop was North Carolina, where we visited Sue's brother Bob and his wife, Linda, to celebrate his retirement. 

 

It took 5 1/2 days to cross the country and included dodging the usual Weather Channel warnings of rain, hail and tornadoes. Even though we took a southerly route, this years' warnings also included snow and sleet.  No matter where you live, you will recall the particularly cold, dreary weather that dominated the month of March into April. We literally did not see any sun at all until we reached Albuquerque, New Mexico.  When we finally basked in it, our eyes hurt and we squinted like bears coming out of hibernation. Even Coco was blinded by the brightness.

Sedona, AZ was our final landing point and marked the official start of our 2018 Tour. Sedona in April is truly Nirvana on Earth. While the rest of the country was still under cloud cover and rain/snow, we settled into average daily temperatures of 70-75 degrees with constant sunshine. We felt a little guilty leaving our family and friends behind in soggy Pennsylvania. But seriously, is this not Nirvana?

This is the third year we have started our trip in Sedona and it is like coming home. The weather at this time of year is always perfect. Doug's sister Deb and husband Mike join us each year with their RV and we stay at a premier RV site just below town with beautiful Sycamore and Cottonwood trees all around. Doug taught a workshop there and everyone immersed themselves in the surrounding beauty. 

Distant Vista

Cathedral Rock 

Sycamore in Spring

Red Rock Crossing

Nature's Staircase

Morning at Slide Rock

There are three bucket list items for anyone who visits Sedona. The first is to visit the Palatki and V Bar V Heritage Sites. These sites date as far back as 900AD and contain the ruins of ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs.

The second bucket list item is sign up for a Star Gazing Tour.  

Sedona is a dark sky community, meaning that after 10pm, the light is highly restricted so that the stars show with amazing clarity. The "tour" is really of the night sky while sitting in a comfy chair covered with a warm blanket. Our host and guide was a retired professor with Masters' in Physics and Astronomy. He personally built a telescope with a 2ft diameter tube through which we were able to glimpse twin stars, the crab nebula, distant star clusters and even a star galaxy 30 million light years away. 

Bucket list item number three is to be sure to take a trip to the  nearby historic old mining town of Jerome, located high atop Cleopatra Hill (5,200ft). Here's some photos to entice you:

Besides great old ghost town buildings, Jerome's claim to fame is Bobby D's great pulled pork and barbequed ribs.

The original gold mine has been abandoned, but the property is covered with old rusting vehicles from many years.

 Doug captured one of these relics for posterity.

Out to Pasture

On Easter Sunday, we took a trip to Mesa, AZ to visit Doug's high school buddy, Bob Graham and his wife Nancy. This was the second year we were invited to join his family celebration. 
We're invited next year too. Three times is a tradition, don'tcha think?

Our RV site in Sedona is so popular, we have to make reservations a year in advance. So, as we left Sedona, we made reservations for next year. Each year, we add a few more days to the length of our stay because we always hate to leave.

We close with random shots from Sedona 2018. Enjoy!