Beginning of the Big Adventure, July, 2011

Early July, 2011

Visiting Larry's Dad, Family & Friends and loading the RV

There is a lot to do getting ready to take off on a 4 month long workamping adventure!  From Houston, we went out to the West Texas area to visit Larry's father and extended family.  It was so wonderful to catch up with everyone and spend time with family/friends, and all of their children.  We even managed a couples dinner with just the brothers.  Larry's father is 91 and while he's careful not to call me his favorite daughter-in-law, I'm pretty sure he conveys that with a hug!  He has been called a man of few words and these days, he's pretty quiet most of the time.  But, sometimes, you can get him to talk about days past and you wonder if you would have had the strength to live and work the way they did in that time era.  He's a man to be admired as a role model. 

Just catching up

Once back home, we worked to get the RV ready to go - a 27' Jayco 5th wheel with one slide-out.  Packing for an extended stay like this is quite different than packing for a few days or week's vacation!  First, you have the challenge of needing things for different weather conditions and seasons - more clothes and jackets, etc.  Then, the agonizing decision of whether you need that bread machine or both crock pots! 

We even spent our final night at home sleeping in the RV in our driveway!  The real test was whether we would suddenly think of something we needed or couldn't live without.  Much later into the trip we found only two things we wish we had brought - the bathroom scales and the heating pad!  Not bad, right?

We parked the car in the garage, hooked up the truck to the RV, set up a mail service, asked our son to mow the grass when necessary, said goodbye to the neighbors, enjoyed a last dinner and time with our kids and grandson and pulled out onto the highway...

Fun day at the playground

 The Lazy L RV Park, Sherman, Texas - July 20th, 2011 - My Birthday!

We spent the first night at The Lazy L RV Park in Sherman, Texas on our way to our first Workamping Adventure in Branson, Missouri.  We thought it was appropriate to stay at the Lazy L - both of our first names start with "L" and we planned on being a little lazy after 30+ year careers.

Thoughts, emotions, and discussions as we were driving through downtown Houston in the early morning hours, watching the sun rise over the tall buildings, centered around what new days were in store for us.  I couldn't help but feel a little painful stomach-flopping as I thought about deeply missing my kids and grandson, Adler. Adler holds a pretty big spot in our hearts being such a precious little man.

Back and forth went these feelings!  We went from a sense of great freedom to niggling thoughts of "can we really do this or are we crazy?!"  I just kept repeating a saying I felt applied in this situation from a sign outside an upscale living community:  "Every day is completely up to me".  And, when that one got a little over-used, I pulled out my other favorite saying: "Why the hell not?"

So, off to Branson by way of Oklahoma to visit my brother, Fred.

Leaving Houston

July 21, 2011 - July 29, 2011

Fred and Kim's home-site, Oklahoma

We had such wonderful days spent with my brother, Fred and sister-in-law, Kim.  We met and enjoyed Kim's Dad, Ken and his friend, Rosemary.  We woke up with the chickens (literally), ate extremely well, and picked fresh okra and tomatoes from their garden.  We enjoyed seeing the work Ken does in restoring beautiful automobiles and especially enjoyed the lake views and hikes along the water.

We watched the fascinating daily operations of their business - rhinestone pet collars - you will love what you see if you check it out at:  http://www.rhinestonedogcollars.net/ 

We also got a chance to watch the work in progress on  Fred and Kim's new home on the banks of a beautiful lake. Other outings included a visit to a local winery (Gander Way), a nearby casino (lost $$'s and got that out of the way), and visiting a neat antique shop.  We loaded up one morning and took a drive into Arkansas to see our little brother, Joe and we also saw my Nephew, Robert and his boys! They have really grown!

It's amazing how quickly time flies!  Soon, it was time for us to make our way to Branson.