January 2020 - Big Guy Tiny Trailer

Year Three of Retirement, Still Loving It

Year Three of Retirement

Year three of retirement looked a lot like one and two. The time went by so quickly! It is a bit scary how easy it has been to adapt to a very relaxed lifestyle. I still love that we can basically sleep as much as we like. However, we do like getting up early to maximize sunshine. I can’t seem to get enough of that.

My husband and I are together 24/7 and most of the time it is fine, but sometimes we get on each other’s nerves. But, he is still my best friend and I can’t imagine doing this retirement thing with anyone besides him.

Family

It is good to be able to spend as much time as possible with family. Our grandchildren are in their teens and beyond now. We had another grandson graduate high school this year. Even our great grandchildren are no longer babies. The passage of time is so easily seen through our grandchildren and especially our great grandchildren.

Our son got married, so we have a new daughter. But, they moved out of the country this year. They are happy and we are happy for them, but hope we will continue to see them often. This year, they visited several times and we were very grateful.

Travel

Our favorite retirement pastime is traveling. This year we traveled by plane, train, coach, and camper. All were a blast! We know that our ability to travel can end abruptly at any time, so we cherish this time of mobility and exploration.

Camping in the 400

Most of our traveling time was in our T@B 400, which we had for the entire year. We took one fabulous 3,000-mile trip, Long Summer Trip 2019, with Friends Old and New , that included a üCamp Rally, five new states to add to our map, an island with wild horses, Shenandoah National Park, and the gorgeous Outer Banks.

Year Three of Retirement Big Camping Trip — Our Big Camping Trip

We attended our second üCamp and it was so much fun despite quite a bit of rain and muddy conditions. This rally left us even more impressed with nüCamp as an RV brand.

Winklepleck Grove Campground — Winklepleck Grove, the site of üCamp 19

The T@B 400 really increased our comfort while camping. It performed beautifully for our five week long trip and some smaller ones. We sold our T@G early in the year and it was sad to see it go, but we love the 400. No regrets whatsoever!

Third year of retirement camping — Comfortable in our 400

A highlight of our trip was seeing wild horses in our campsite at Assateague Island. It was so exciting to see them.

Wild horses at Assateague Island — Wild horses in our campsite

The Outer Banks were even more beautiful than anticipated. We were in a small campground in Rodanthe and were blessed to experience the most beautiful sunsets over the sound.

Many of our camping trips were with groups. We camped a couple of times with our friends from dancing and a couple of our camping trips were with the Southeastern T@Bs, T@Gs and Friends. We also attended the Tiny Christmas Campout for the third time.

Winter Getaway to Miami

Miami was our winter getaway for this third year of retirement and it was more fun than we could have imagined. We stayed at the Dream Hotel in Miami Beach, which was in a fabulous location. It was a couple of blocks from legendary Ocean Drive and the Beach. The weather was clear, warm, and sunny during our entire stay.

Tear three of retirement in Miami Beach — Beautiful Miami Beach

We tried to take in all the local sights of interest to us including Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Wynwood Walls, the Holocaust Memorial, Little Havana, and the Wolfsonian Museum. We also took a bus tour of the city and one to the Everglades for an airboat ride.

Lastly, Miami gave me one of my favorite short haircuts ever. I spent the rest of the year trying in vain to find someone local to replicate it.

The United Kingdom

This was our first trip to Europe since retirement and it did not disappoint. We booked a Collette tour through Alabama Public Television. Collette Tours has become our favorite guided tour company. This tour had two spectacular inclusions that are not always available, Highclere Castle (the Downton Abbey site) and the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland. Both were wonderful beyond words.

Military Tatoo — Military Tattoo in Edinburgh Scotland

I have wanted to visit the UK for many years and this was truly a dream vacation.

A Train Ride to NOLA

We traveled by train to New Orleans in May with our Viking Dance Group. It was our first time to travel by train in the United States. We loved being able to hang out with our Viking friends while visiting this historic city. It was quite lively because our hotel, the Saint Marie, is in the French Quarter.

Year Three of Retirement in Jackson Square — Jackson Square

Dancing

I am sad to say that our ballroom dancing has fallen by the wayside a bit. It declined over the years as my husband’s knee issues progressed and we have forgotten much of what we knew. I hope to revive it some in 2020.

Fortunately, we did attend some dances, including our Viking group’s Leadout. The theme this year was “Around the World in 40 Songs.” Everyone dressed to represent a country and ours was Scotland. My husband’s legs were the focus of much attention. He is a bold man!

Third year of retirement Viking 2019 Leadout — Viking 2019 Leadout

Year Three of Retirement Health Issues

This year was our healthiest one to date because I fought respiratory issues for three months the first year and my husband’s had knee issues and then pulmonary embolisms which made it quite challenging. In year two I was good, but knee replacement occurred for my husband and it was not easy.

While this year provided more mobility for my husband, I learned that bronchiectasis is the reason for my decades old respiratory issues. I started getting sick in late October and ended the year still trying to get over the repeated infections. However, I have high hope for a Kirklin Clinic specialist I am seeing in January.

Conclusion

This third year of retirement, 2019, was truly wonderful. It was not perfect or without its challenges, but it was wonderful to be able to live this year as we did and especially to be together. Time is passing though and nothing is guaranteed for tomorrow. As a plaque of mine says, “Dream as if you’ll live forever, Live as if you’ll die tomorrow.”

Three Years of Retirement — Anniversary Dinner

Phoenix, A Winter Getaway in the Desert

Phoenix in January

In retirement, we have tried to take a short trip during January. Last year, we visited Los Angeles, Escape from the Cold to Los Angeles. This year, to get away from the cold and dreary that seems to go on forever, we spent a few days in Phoenix. It was our first time to stay in the city, though we have visited nearby Tucson.

The weather was beautiful—clear blue skies with daytime highs in the mid sixties. Above all, it was 10 to 15 degrees higher in the daytime than at home in Alabama. The sunsets were incredible from the rooftop bar at our hotel and the bartender makes an incredible Old Fashioned, our new favorite drink!

Phoenix Sunset — Sunset view from the hotel rooftop

A Downtown Hotel

We chose the Downtown Hilton Garden Inn because of its location and great reviews. There are many nice restaurants nearby and the Phoenix light rail is just a few blocks away.

Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Phoenix — Hilton Garden Inn Downtown

The hotel is a newly remodeled historic landmark building, the 1931 Professional Building. Though the building is historic, its interior is modern and comfortable. Also, the Art Deco building was in the opening scene for the movie, “Psycho”, and there are references to the movie on several hotel walls. A lighted revolving sign, once atop the building, was said to be the country’s largest revolving sign.

Phoenix Attractions

We wanted to see all the highlights of the Phoenix area. Most of our travel is in an 18-foot camper, but we only pass through large cities. It was nice to be in the heart of downtown.

Desert Botanical Garden

The garden is one of the most popular attractions in Phoenix and it was truly beautiful. It is located in Papago Park. There were two other attractions in Papago we did not visit, the Zoo and Hole in the Rock. For younger, more active visitors, they would be something to consider.

Camelback Mountain View from Desert Botanical Garden

Arizona Capital Museum

This free museum devoted to the history of Arizona was worth the time. It is in the 1901 State Capitol Building. It has information on the history of the Arizona Constitution, an enormous model train, some touching artifacts from the USS Arizona, and some really cool petrified wood.

Phoenix Art Museum

The museum is one of the largest in the Southwest. A bonus for my husband, there was a temporary exhibit devoted to race cars, Legends of Speed. I was happy there was something he really liked.

Legends of Speed Exhibit in Phoenix — Legends of Speed

Taliesin West

Taliesin West was the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, certainly the most famous architect ever in North America. Our tour guide, Jane, was very entertaining and shared lots of personal details about the architectural legend. It was quite a distance from downtown Phoenix, but I would have regretted not seeing it while in the area. Today, the building houses an accredited master’s degree program in architecture.

Scottsdale

We took the light rail to Scottsdale, a nearby city that is east of Phoenix. It is known for spa resorts and golf courses. While we did neither, we enjoyed walking around Old Town, which has an abundance of restaurants and shopping. We had a delicious lunch at Barrio Queen, rode the trolley around the area, and checked out some of the shops.

Fantastic Food

We had several outstanding meals while in Phoenix. The absolute best meal as at Harumi Sushi, which was just a few blocks from our hotel. It was also the best sushi ever for both of us.

“Oh My God” sushi at Harumi Sushi in Phoenix — “Oh My God” Sushi at Harumi Sushi

We also visited MacAlpine’s Diner and Soda Fountain, which is like stepping back in time. A 1928 pharmacy and soda fountain was sold to Fred MacAlpine in 1938 and it has continued in the same location ever since. It has wooden booths with juke box selections, 50s-style food and drinks, and vintage decor. Additionally, there is an antique store in the building and it spills into the restaurant. The food was good, but the ambiance was excellent.

MacAlpine’s Diner in Phoenix — MacAlpine’s Diner and Soda Fountain

We also had excellent breakfasts at Breakfast Club (delicious Herve Rancheros) and Centrico, located in the historic San Carlos Hotel.

Getting Around

Uber was our primary mode of transportation and we loved using it because all our drivers were amiable and helpful. However, I wish we had utilized the light rail earlier in our trip. The stops were just a few blocks from our hotel. One can ride all day for $4 ($2 for seniors). We took the light rail to Tempe on our last full day and got off at Mill Avenue and Third. This stop is at the main shopping and restaurant area in Tempe.

Conclusion

Phoenix was a nice break from winter in Alabama because it offers warm temperatures, great food, and plenty of interesting things to do! Everything about our trip was positive except for the impact the dry climate had on our sinuses. We both had sinus issues during our stay. If visiting, I strongly advise the frequent use of a saline nasal spray.

Cold Weather Camping in North Carolina

Cold Weather Camping

Cold weather camping can be tricky because of uncertain temperatures and the necessity to prevent water from freezing in the camper. Our trip was in mid-November to North Carolina with the Southeast T@B group. Ironically, we experienced temperatures in the high nineties just a couple of weeks prior.

We had been tracking our local weather and the weather in Apex, where we would be camping. It became clear that temperatures in the teens would be occurring in our home area a couple of days before we left, so we had to winterize our camper. However, we wanted to use our water system camping in Apex and it would be above freezing while we were there. So, we used the blowout method for winterization and filled our fresh water tank while on the road. If freezing temperatures had continued on our trip, we would left our camper winterized.

Crosswinds Campground

Our group had a nice representation at Crosswinds Campground, despite the weather. There were approximately 10 campers from our group. The campground is very nice with an immaculate, heated bathhouse. We kept our campsite pretty basic because rain and high winds were expected.

Cold weather camping at Crosswinds — C Loop Site #27

Southeastern T@B Group

It was good to see several friends with whom we have camped before and to meet new people. The weather impeded some activities, but we were still able to spend some quality time with group members. There was a meet and greet by a campfire one night and a potluck on another. We also met several in the group for an early dinner out at nearby Al’s Burger Shack. The weather was good enough one day to allow for a brief hike with a few from the group. We really enjoy camping with these people!

Cold weather camping and potluck — Group Potluck

Cold Weather Outside Activities

Cold weather camping also means that it is more likely to be unpleasant outside. Two of our days were windy, cold and/or rainy. We went to nearby Raleigh one of those days. I needed a refill on antibiotics for an upper respiratory issue and Raleigh’s CVS took care of my meds. I was happy to have that done as I was beginning to feel quite unwell.

Because we have visited this area before, North Carolina Camping, Mountain, City, and Coast, we had seen several of its major attractions. So, on this very cold and windy day, we visited one of its lesser attractions, the City of Raleigh Museum. It is a small museum, but indoors and free! I enjoyed a display on “A History of Political Cartoons”, featuring the career of Dwane Powell. It gave me a new appreciation for the craft.

Political Satire — “Mom Begged Aunt Myrtle”, November 2000

Dinner in Raleigh

We topped off our day in Raleigh by meeting Kevin and Gloria, a couple we have known for a couple of years, at a new trendy Raleigh Food Court, Morgan Street Food Hall. They have just about every food you can imagine. The food was good, but pricey for what you get. It was good to spend time with Kevin and Gloria.

Camping Drama

Our last day camping, most everyone from our group had left and it was a rainy day. We planned a movie and dinner out. Leaving the campground, we encountered a truck whose driver was behaving suspiciously. The driver was going slowly through the campground and stopping as various campsites. We felt that our campsite was at risk in this mostly deserted campground, so we followed the truck. The driver continued to behave suspiciously and because the entrance to the park was not manned, we called the number associated with the park. The said they would send someone. When we returned, we met a ranger and we told him we were the ones who called. Was it paranoia or a real threat? We will never know.

What’s Next

While we enjoyed this trip with our SE camping group, it was a long way to travel and the weather was far less than ideal. However, it was a bit of an adventure.

Our next trip is Pensacola and the Tiny Christmas Campout.

Happy Camping!