Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas everyone!

It's hard to believe how the time has passed so quickly since my last post. I hate going so long without providing even small updates, but it's been a very busy month here at Kelly's RV Park in White Springs, FL. Between working, taking a short trip back to Greenville, SC for the family Christmas gathering and doing the usual holiday things, we have had little time to do anything else.

The park is looking very festive these days. Along with our old, trusty RV Howie (House on Wheels is Excellent), most of the other RV's here are adorned with lights, wreaths and other decorations. It's been nice to see the lights around the park while spending time around the campfire ring. The other decorations we are seeing is holiday sweaters on dogs, including Quincy. We now have 51 dogs in the park and most of them are usually wearing sweaters. I'll admit, it's been cold here for several weeks with temps. below freezing many nights. But I still have to wonder about the need for a dog to wear a sweater; especially in Florida. I've mentioned this to Deb several times and the usual response is that it's "because he looks so adorable". Ok, I'll accept that, but I still say there's something wrong about a male dog wearing a sweater in Florida. So much for owning a masculine, protective animal. I guess he can just scare away all threats with his cuteness.

Last Thursday through Sunday, we returned to Greenville for a very nice gathering with the family. Quincy went with us, was very good the whole time, and ended up being very spoiled by my father who snuck him pieces of cheese. Because gas is currently $3 per gallon in this area, we decided to give Howie a rest and rented a car for the journey. While we were there we indulged in another great meal from Bucky's Bar-B-Que and, once again, bask in the pleasure of cooking the meal for the gathering in a full-size kitchen. We love Howie, but cooking in an RV kitchen can prove to be limiting at best.

One of the strange things about the trip is that we both felt as if we had never left the area last May. It was like returning home in many ways. One year ago we were parked at the Flower Mill RV Park in Taylors, SC for a 5 month stay. It's hard to believe that our lives have changed so much since we were there. Where did the time go? We both feel very blessed that since leaving Taylors we have found a place that has brought us so much joy and so many true friends. It's the best Christmas present we could have hoped for this year!

For the rest of the week we plan to continue enjoying the holiday spirit around the park and enjoying the nightly campfires while sharing time with friends. There is a cookie exchange today that Deb is attending and, on Christmas Day, we will be taking part in a huge meal in the clubhouse. We hope that everyone has an equally enjoyable week and is blessed with the joys of the season.

“The best Christmas of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up with one another.”

Copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer
Photos by Deb

A Wonderful Year

On the first of this month, Deb and I celebrated our one-year anniversary of being full-time RVers. In looking back on how many places we have been and all the wonderful things we have experienced (see previous posts), it's amazing how fast the time passed. It seems like it was just yesterday that we departed Hollywood, FL with no previous experience in this lifestyle and no set goals except to enjoy whatever the journey brought our way. So far, the journey has been nothing short of incredible.

During our extended stay in Taylors, SC over the past Winter, we began referring to our first year on the road as the East Coast Tour 2009. We slowly made our way North from S. Florida until our stop in the Boston, MA area in late September. From there we headed West into Indiana and then back South until our current stay here in White Springs, FL. Overall, we travelled through fifteen states and stayed at fifteen different places in less than ten months. As I've shared in the previous posts, the things we have seen and the people we met brought us unexpected blessings beyond compare. If someone were to ask me how I would describe the past 365 days, there's only one phrase that comes to mind - "Wow, what an awesome ride!"

Along the way we have also learned many things about the full-time RV lifestyle and about each other. We now see we were naive when we first set out about travel times, cooking in a smaller kitchen and not thoroughly researching the truths about some of the places we stayed. We have learned that less really can mean more and have always kept to the advise we were given of taking something out if something new comes into our house-on-wheels. We have adapted to constantly being around each other in a small space and have learned it really is true in this lifestyle that you can't just simply love each other, you really have to like each other.

Perhaps the most important thing we learned is to slow down. We kept up a very hectic pace for most of last year in order to spend time with our children, my grandson, my parents and be as far South as possible before cold weather arrived. During some of that time, the pace wore us out and took away opportunities to really get to better know the places and local people where we stayed. Although our time in Taylors was longer than anticipated due to my mother's heart problems, it provided a blessing in keeping us in one place long enough to realize that we don't have to go everywhere and see everything as soon as possible. We have the rest of our lives to continue this journey, so why push the pace and miss out on so much along the way?

In keeping with the spirit of slowing down, we have decided to call this next stage in our journey the Year Of Doing Nothing 2010. Of course, we will be doing the basic, daily routines that are required, but have decided to make no definite plans on travel until we feel like moving on. We'll go where we want, only when we want and do nothing about living by definitive routes or timetables. If we find a really nice place like Kelly's RV Park here in White Springs, we'll stay to enjoy the area and people until we both agree we're ready for a change. This slower pace may not be suitable to other full-time Rvers, but for right now it's working for us.

The only sure thing I do know is that I can't wait to see what this next year brings our way!

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer
photos by Deb

Back Into The Sauna

It's good to finally be in White Springs, FL again!

We arrived at Kelly's RV Park early afternoon on the 5th. As soon as we started setting up our site we were quickly reminded how humid and how much more intense the sun is here in Florida. We're not complaining because we lived in S. Florida for years and love this kind of weather. But after being in 40% humidity and a UV index of 3, it's an adjustment to suddenly step into 95% humidity and a UV index of 10.

Our departure from the Flower Mill RV Park in Taylors, SC was delayed by one day due to very heavy rains. The front that caused the flooding in Nashville, TN moved through the Carolinas on the third resulting in heavy downpours and high winds. We have driven through that kind of weather before and swore we would never do it again unless absolutely necessary. It's not safe and it's not fun. So we just waited for the weather to improve and enjoyed the fact that the full-time RV lifestyle allows that kind of freedom.

The first leg of our journey was on I-26 to the Jolly Acres RV Park in St. George, SC. It was a pleasant four hour ride with clear roads and blessedly light traffic around the Columbia, SC area. We stayed there for one night enjoying through our front window the peaceful setting of a farm pasture with cows and. The park was well maintained with level sites and a great rate of only $16.00 with our PassPort America discount. The only drawbacks were a rooster from the farm and a bird outside our window that never shut up throughout the entire night. There's nothing like waking up every two hours thinking that morning has arrived and it's time to hit the road again.

Still a bit sleep deprived, we headed South the next morning on I-95 towards Jacksonville, FL. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I-95 is right at the top of my list as one of the boringest stretches of drives anywhere. Except for too many billboards advertising the same things every ten miles, there's nothing to break the monotony. Every time I drive that stretch of road I'm reminded of the quote by Charles Kuralt who said, "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."

After a brief stop at a Flying J in Brunswick, GA to fill up on gas ($3.00 per gallon!), we headed West on I-10 outside of Jacksonville for a much more scenic drive to U.S. 41 and then North for six miles to our stop here at Kelly's.

It hasn't taken us long to fall in love with this place. It is a very well-maintained RV park with many permanent and long term residents. The property is surrounded by woods of Southern pines, palmetto palms and oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. The access roads are paved, the sights spacious and level with full hook-ups and the people are openly friendly. We have a fast wifi connection, crystal clear spring water, a paved patio area under our awning, on-site laundry facilities, a 24-hour clubhouse with a very large library and a short one mile walk into the town of White Springs for miscellaneous supplies. When we do need to stock up on major items, there is a Wal-Mart just ten miles down the road in Lake City. The best part is the monthly rate is very reasonable for this part of the country. We are booked in for a month, but are already discussing extending our stay for much longer.

Next week we plan to further explore White Springs, walk the extensive trails around the area, work on regaining our tans and enjoy the peacefulness of this place. We'll move at a slower pace than we have over the past five months because, once your back to living in a sauna, the only way to survive the Florida conditions is to adapt a local attitude and just slow down.

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer
photos by Deb

Carolina State Of Mind

Over the past week Deb & I have been preparing to hit the open road again. After our delays in departing a month ago, I am hesitant to say we will be leaving the Flower Mill RV Park in Taylors, SC next Monday for a month stay in White Springs, FL.(Karmic projections and all that.) But the one thing the delays taught me is that life has a way of disrupting even the best-laid plans. However, this time, except for an act of God or some other freak occurrence everything is in place for a certain departure.

During our preparations we have also discussed how much we will miss this area. It has given us so much in many blessed ways. Our stay was longer than planned, but that worked out for the best. It provided quality time with family, a chance to meet new friends, the opportunities to enjoy exquisite foods and the joys of entering into a Carolina state of mind.

The best way to understand a Carolina state of mind is to stand in a check-out line at a grocery store. Nobody is in a rush. Everyone is talking to each other. The clerks are asking a customer about their Momma or Daddy. The person in front of you will kindly ask if you would like to go ahead of them. A total stranger will proceed to tell you their life story. If you ask someone behind you if they would like to go first their response will usually be, "No, you go right ahead. I'm in no hurry. All I've got to do is go home and clean the house, so I'll just rest while I'm here in line and how ya doing today?"

Everyone here is openly friendly, patient and makes you feel a part of the community even though you've never met them before. People wave at total strangers as they drive down the street. They sit quietly in line at a congested traffic light. During our five months here we heard a total of two honking car horns and both vehicles had plates from Northeastern states (go figure). The pace of life is slower and more respectful. All one has to do is experience the rudeness of people in S. Florida, New York or many others places we have been and it becomes vividly clear that people in the Carolinas define the meaning of the Golden Rule.

A Carolina state of mind also arises from the land. This is a good land blessed with ample water, the gently rolling majesty of the mountains, the soft-wave music of the beach and the explosion of flowers in the spring. It is in the sounds of the Whip-Or-Wills singing through the night. It is in the reflections of a full moon on lush forests or fertile farmlands. It is the peace one feels from experiencing these gifts of the land - and more.
So, for now, we say goodbye and thank you to the Carolinas for a wonderful visit. Thank you Mom and Dad for your hospitality. Thank you Bucky's Bar-B-Que and the Plaid Pelican for marvelous food. Thank you local residents for your friendship and thank you Flower Mill RV Park for a peaceful place to stay.

Although we are headed to new regions, we know that the Carolinas will be a part of us forever. That's the one thing about entering into a Carolina state of mind - once it's there it never leaves you no matter where you go. Somewhere down the road that fine old tune by James Taylor will resound through our heads and we'll be singing:

In my mind I'm gone to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Maybe just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind...

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer
photos by Deb

Random Thoughts

A few random thoughts that have been bouncing around my head recently:

Bad Neighbors - Just like living in any type of house, the full-time RV life also includes dealing with bad neighbors on occasion. We have some now that leads me to believe there should be some kind of screening process before people are trusted with the care and transport of any type of RV.

First, to their credit, they are very friendly people who are only here at the Flower Mill RV Park (at least right now) during weekends. But they have exhibited the same behaviors we have seen in many other places that make us shake our heads in disbelieve.

The first sign of pending concerns was when they arrived several weeks ago. They have a 20 foot tow-behind trailer that was being pulled by a truck way too small for the job. As they made their way to a site, it was obvious they had no clue how to adjust the settings on the braking system. Every time the driver hit the brakes in the truck, the trailer brakes totally locked up causing it to skid wildly. On top of this, the brake lights on the trailer were not working. Given that they drove here from middle Tennessee, I had to wonder how many potential accidents could have happened along the way.

This is only one example of too many RV owners we have seen throughout our travels who have no idea how to safely operate their equipment on the open road. It's bad that those of us who drive large motor homes have to be constantly on guard for aggressive or unsafe drivers. If some idiot hits me I have a major concern about the amount of LP and gas inboard, but the impact to this 6 ton behemoth will be minor compared to that of a smaller vehicle. However, if I drive stupidly or do not know how to handle this same 6 tons safely, I have a very good chance of quickly killing someone. If you have not had previous experience or training in driving large vehicles or towing extended tonnage behind you, please do not assume it's easy. It's not; and knowing that could save a life.

The other thing they have done is constantly left burning campfires unattended. On more than one occasion it has been necessary to drag my hose to their fire ring to douse smoldering embers after they had gone elsewhere. The last time was a few mornings ago when wind gusts of 25 mph+ threw red embers from their smoldering fire over three different sites. How stupid (and inconsiderate) can one be? If you've never seen how quickly an RV can burn, go to UTube and enter a video search for RV On Fire. It's scary. It takes, on average, only 10 minutes for an RV of any type to completely burn to the ground.

One last thought on this topic. There is a very good reason that most RV parks have posted speed limits of 5 mph. Besides safety for the children who are usually present, lower speeds reduce noise, dust and freak accidents. There are too many people who want to drive their RVs through parks at the same speeds normally found on Interstate highways.

The one upside of having bad neighbors in the full-time RV lifestyle is that you can quickly move your house at any time to get away from them.

Gas Prices - We own a home-on-wheels that has an 80 gallon gas tank and can get 8-10 miles per gallon under the best of conditions. There have been times, like when we where driving through the steep grades of the Allegheny mountains, that our fuel average dropped to 3-4 mpg. Needless to say, we have to keep a very close eye on gas prices. I track the crude oil prices almost daily to try and stay ahead of the fluctuations at the pump.

The thing that burns my butt over the current average of $3.00 per gallon is that it has not been driven by supply and demand. It has only happened because of investment speculators in the commodities markets. Without their influences over the past several months, most experts state that gas prices would still be in the same ranges as a year ago.

Aside from the extra money current gas prices are costing us, my biggest concern is that there is no way for our economy to recover if these trends continue. Gas prices affect everything from shipping costs to manufacturing, which keeps consumer prices high and expansion stifled. We all need some kind of relieve from the overbearing influences that gas prices have on our lives.

The Continued Media Fascination With Lady Gaga - What's up with that? Enough of just another no-talent freak show!

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

photo by Deb

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Best Laid Plans

Have you ever had one of those days when you wake up and life delivers an unexpected reality THWACK out of nowhere? Well, we had one of those days early last week that altered our plans to be in Florida by now. Man, I hate when that happens; especially before my first cup of coffee.

Not to fear. Our change in plans are not due to any major problems. My Mom is doing fine, we are fine and our old RV Howie (House On Wheels Is Excellent) is in great shape. The decision to hang out a little while longer here in Taylors, SC is due to "circumstances beyond our control".

I should have known better than to check my phone messages before I was fully awake, but I did and had one from the RV park we were going to in Florida. There was a problem and they requested a return call as soon as possible. After downing enough coffee to feel conscious, I called and found out they had major water line problems. They were more than willing to accommodate us anyway, but warned that the spaces would be tight and the repairs could take as long as three weeks to complete. Although they didn't elaborate, I was left with the impression that the problem was based in their sewer lines and drain field.

We have stayed in places where underground repairs were being completed and it is not a pleasant experience. There is a lot of noise, dust, mud if it rains and disruptions to water access. If the problem is indeed in their septic system, that also leads to the additional potential for some very offensive odors. The fact that they said it could take up to three weeks to complete repairs left us with a potential situation of being in tight, uncomfortable surroundings for longer than is desirable.

We could have arranged for another place to stay, but after careful discussions, came to the conclusion it was in our best long-term interests to stay put for now based upon several factors. One is the desire to be in Florida for a potential work/camp position and the other is financial.

Our first stay on this journey was at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park and we feel in love with the place. It is a quaint, small "Old Florida" town with genuinely nice people and beautiful scenery. Between the dense Spanish moss dripping from the trees and the hourly music heard emanating from the park's 97-bell carillon, the area has an almost ethereal quality. Landing a work/camp position at the park is something we have always worked towards. It would provide a free, full hook-up site at no charge for up to three months in exchange for 20 hours of light work per week. The weird thing about Florida State Parks is that they have no central point for obtaining a work/camp position. They suggest that it is best to just go, in person, to the park your interested in and check availability. I can see their wisdom in this structure in that it is much easier to make a decision about a person first-hand than through other routes. Besides, outside of the surreal madhouse that is South Florida, that is the way business is done throughout most of the state.

In addition, it would provide us a chance to spend enough time in Florida to maintain our residency in the state. One of the odd aspects of full-time RV living is maintaining a legal residency when you have no other residence than your "house on wheels" and travel constantly. It is best to stay a little while each year in your registered state to avoid complications with voting rights, insurance claims and other legal considerations.

As far as the financial considerations, it was pretty much a no-brainer. We have a steady monthly income, but aren't exactly swimming in money and try to save a buck whenever we can. You never know when a tire will go flat, a mechanical problem will arise or something else will come up that makes you glad you've set something aside to cover unexpected expenses. The rate at the park in Florida is very reasonable and equal to what we are paying here at the Flower Mill. To stay anywhere else in between would have been more expensive overall. Add to that the fact that fuel prices are currently around $2.90 for mid-grade and the numbers are in favor of just riding out the situation. We are comfortable, safe and still close to family. Sure, we are disappointed to not be on the road again, but this too shall soon pass. As they say, "life happens".

One of the great things about living in an RV is that you have your house with you, so it doesn't matter where you are, because you're always home. If you don't like your surroundings, you can move on at any time. If the weather is bad, you can just wait until it improves. If you are comfortable with the surroundings, you can stay as long as you like. And, if unexpected surprises arise, you can quickly adapt to the new realities of a sudden change in plans. The lifestyle has a lot of freedoms that cannot be found otherwise.

Hopefully, the problems in Florida will be resolved quickly, but we are not counting on it. For now, we will continue enjoying the beautiful spring blossoms that surrounds us and stay ready to move on as soon as the opportunity arises.

Thought For The Day - If you're not where you are, you're nowhere!

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

photos by Deb

Some Days Are Diamonds, Some Days Are Stone

For the third day in a row, temperatures here at the Flower Mill RV Park in Taylors, SC will be around 70 degrees! What a wonderful change from the really cold and snowy weather we have lived through over the past three months. It is nice to have the doors and vents open again, feel a warm sun on our skin and turn off the heaters.

The improved weather has allowed us to spend a lot of time outdoors over the past week. Last Friday and Saturday we helped my father build and plant a 6 ft. x 32 ft. raised bed garden. Although the work left our "aging bodies" a little stiff and sore, it was great to be in the sun and get our hands back into the dirt. There's nothing like smelling the aromas of fresh soil and planting the first vegetables of the year to make one feel that spring is finally here. Hopefully, we will be able to enjoy some of our plantings before we hit the road again come the first of next month.

Yesterday's great weather also allowed me to start on much overdo work on the RV. One of the biggest mistakes people make is allowing RVs to sit in one place without routine maintenance; especially running the engine and generator. Like all working systems, engines need to be run on a regular basis to distribute fluids, keep working parts lubricated and prevent seals from drying out. Thankfully, both the engine and generator started and ran perfectly for almost an hour. There is still much work to be done before our departure, but our trusty twenty-five-year-old RV Howie (House On Wheels Is Excellent) has proven to be a real trooper given the rough winter.

The down side over the past two days is that both Deb and myself are working through some kind of "bug" that has left us feeling lethargic, feverish and just plain crappy. Oh well, this too shall pass. Like the title says, some days are diamonds and some days are stone.

"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden." ~ Ruth Stout

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

photos by Deb

Same Old, Same Old

Once again, we are spending the day here in Taylors, SC watching a heavy snow storm. The flakes began falling about 9:30 this morning and are predicted to continue throughout the day. To have this much snow in one year in this part of the country is extremely rare. Lucky us. After living in S. Florida for ten years and seeing no snow, the first few storms were nice. But now I'm to the point of hoping not to see snow for another ten years: It's getting old and I'm tired of the cold. Every part of me longs to be hanging out again at our favorite places on Islamorada in the Keys!

Part of the frustration with this winter has been the reminder of what it means to have cabin-fever. We have spent a great deal of time over the past few months with my parents helping around the house and assisting with landscaping projects. But when it snows here, everything shuts down quickly and people don't venture far from home unless absolutely necessary. The municipalities do not salt or sand side roads and folks here are not experienced with driving in these kinds of conditions. It's just safer to stay put for a few days until the temperatures rise above freezing again.

But the onset of cabin-fever also reminded me of a very important aspect every couple should consider before entering a full-time RV life. One of the best pieces of advise we came across in our early research about the RV lifestlye was to seriously think about spending time in the close confines of an RV. It is a situation that can be either heaven or hell on earth depending on the couple.

Almost everyone who has extensive experience with full-time RV living will tell newbies and wannabe RVers the same thing; it is one thing to love your significant other, but you had better really like each other too! It is one thing to live in a 2,500 square foot house and have a bedroom, garage or other places to escape to when you start to get on each others nerves. It is an entirely different thing to live in a 300 square foot tin box on wheels and have nowhere to go to cool off. To put this in perspective, undertake a simple survey. Over the next two weeks track the total number of awake hours you actually spend in the direct presence of your significant other. The results may surprise you.

Spending many hours of time directly with each other was not a huge transition for Deb and myself. We lived in, and managed together, a 40 room resort in Hollywood, FL for several years. We were in constant contact during days to handle the business end of things and always were together during our rare off hours. Sure, we always have and still occasionally do need our private space. But we have found ways to do that without sacrificing our dream of sharing a very rewarding life; even in this small space we now call home.

One of the biggest responses I receive from people when they learn of our full-time RV lifestyle is a wish that they, too, could do the same thing. They always talk in terms of it being a constant vacation. While it may seem like a constant vacation, the reality is that there are some days that are diamonds and some days that are stone. No matter where someone lives there are still days when you will be sick, just have the blues or be really tired of looking at snow. It comes with the territory and the saving grace is knowing, in spite of it all, you still have your best friend to share the adventure with.

So here's to warmer weather and more happy trails!

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

photos by Deb & Lane

Where Is Spring??

Where Is Spring??

Will this Winter never end?!?!?!??

Once again, we awoke this morning to a heavy blanket of snow here at the Flower Mill RV Park in Taylors, SC. It began falling around 3 p.m. yesterday and continued throughout most of the night. Thankfully, there was no ice with this storm; just large, fluffy flakes that quickly shut down every activity in the area. Although it accumulated to only around three inches in depth, people here at not experienced in driving on snowy roads. It has been very unusual to have two major snow storms in this part of the country in one year. Hopefully, it is the last one.

Too many days have passed since my last post due to fighting the weather and helping my Mom after another emergency trip to the hospital. She is once again resting at home, but for almost two weeks Deb and I were busy with trips to the hospital and then helping Mom at her house while Dad was away on business. During that time we were out in weather that included snow, sleet, ice, torrential rains, flash floods and more snow. It's been nice to have a few days of doing nothing except staying at home here in the RV and getting some rest.

I'm sure I am expressing the sentiments of many people by saying that Spring can't come soon enough this year! Oh how nice it will be to once again feel a warm sun, see the first signs of new leaves and flowers, breath deeply the aromas of newly awakened soil and finally turn off the damned heaters. It's past time for some extended outdoor activities. I fully concur with Robin Williams who said, "Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let' party!""

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

photos by Deb & Lane

Winter Weather In South Carolina

These are photos of the weather we woke up to this morning at the Flower Mill RV Park. The snow, sleet and rain moved into the area about 6 P.M. yesterday and continued throughout the night.

Conditions like this are rare for South Carolina, so there is no traffic on the roads and the landscape is unusually quiet. Happily, we have not lost power and plan to do nothing today except bake bread and enjoy the view.

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

photos by Deb & Lane

The Sounds Of Silence

Two postings ago I wrote about the pleasures of a quiet place like the Flower Mill RV Park here in Taylors, SC. One of the greatest gifts we have been given over the past eight months is the opportunities to stay in places that are devoid of constant human noises.

We have stayed in campgrounds that are as far off the grid as one can get; places like Beaver Springs Lake Campground in upstate New York or Skidaway Island State Park in Georgia where we had no TV signals or phone connections and really didn't care. After managing, and living in, a forty room resort in Hollywood, FL for three years it has been nice to enjoy the sounds of nature as opposed to street traffic or idiots knocking on our door at 3 A.M. asking if we had change for the soda machine. Now we fall asleep to the sounds of loons on a high mountain lake, awake to the shrills of hawks flying in a clear morning sky and to the songs of chickadees, titmice, cardinals, blue jays and other birds at the feeder outside our window.

There is much to be said for silence. While our lives may never be truly without noise, there is a huge difference between human noise and the sounds of nature. Even with the sounds of wind in the trees, the songs of birds or the cries of coyotes on a cold, clear night a sense of silence still prevails. Within that silence there is a great space for the spirit to rest, grow and mature.

This paraphrase by Mother Teresa best captures what we have found in quiet spaces: We need to find Spirit, and it cannot be found in noise and restlessness. Spirit is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...We need silence to be able to touch souls.

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

Photo by Deb

Road Tested: Grilled German Bratwurst

It is a very rainy, damp day here at the Flower Mill RV Park in Taylors, SC. It's the kind of weather where I look forward to the aromas of a warm meal being prepared.

Here is another recipe we have found works well in an RV kitchen. It can be easily completed with only an electric skillet and toaster oven.

GRILLED GERMAN BRATWURST

Ingredients:

• 4 bratwurst
• Cooking oil
• 1 1/2 c. chopped onion
• 1 can (12 oz.) beer of choice
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/2 tsp. onion salt
• 1/2 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
• 4 frankfurter buns

Directions:

• Cook bacon until crispy, crumble and set aside for topping.
• Brown bratwurst in cooking oil over medium heat in electric skillet.
• Add onion and beer with bratwurst, then simmer uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes.
• While brats are simmering, stir together butter and onion salt and spread on buns.
• Make a lengthwise cut in finished bratwurst to within 1/2 inch from each end. Spoon in drained onion and sprinkle with cheese.
• Place filled bratwurst on foil "boat", leaving sides open.
• Broil in toaster oven, 4 inches from heat, for two minutes.
• Place in buns, top with crumbled bacon and serve.

For a different flavor, this recipe can also be done ahead of time and completed with final heating over a charcoal grill. Just place filled bratwurst on a baking sheet and bring to heat under covered grill. It does not take long to bring them to heat, so be careful that the bottoms don't burn.

Enjoy!

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

photo by Lane

In Praise Of Smaller RV Parks

In Praise Of Smaller RV Parks

It is a glorious day here in Taylors, SC. Temps are in the low 60s, the sun is warm in a cloudless sky and we are loving it! After several months of cold weather it is nice to have the door and overhead vents open again. We know there are still chilly days ahead, but for today it is a blessing to feel a touch of Spring.

Our stay here at the Flower Mill RV Park has turned out to be longer in length than anticipated, but in hindsight has proven to be a blessing. The park is close to my parent's home and, although basic in amenities, has provided everything we need. While there are no bathhouses we have full electric and sewer hookups, over 70 channels of cable TV, free wifi access and numerous shopping areas within a very short drive. The best part is the rate is only $250.00 per month plus electricity. We were amazed that, even with two space heaters running almost constantly last month, our total electric charge was only $16.00. All things considered, for all it lacks in amenities, this place has been comfortable with friendly neighbors, inexpensive and provides a feeling of home.

That being said, the Flower Mill RV Park would not be a preferred stop for the usual RVers seeking an on-site store, swimming areas or family activities. Most sites are not level and poorly drained. This park is maintained as a place for long-term or permanent stays at a reasonable price. It does not pretend to be anything else and should be appreciated for what it is; a quiet place in a wooded setting with no hassles.

After staying in fifteen RV campgrounds - both state and private - over the past seven months we have come to appreciate the difference a smaller place like this provides. While the larger places may have their added "extras" they also can be noisy, crowded and overpriced. A lot can be said for a small campground with just the basics. It is a welcome change to look at the trees outside our window and the numerous birds at our feeder, not to mention the friendly waves from our neighbors, instead of RVs packed together like sardines. Sometimes simple is best.

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

photos by Deb

Keeping Busy & Staying Warm

I normally do not like going so many days between postings when we have a reliable wifi connection, but life has a way of constantly proving that change is inevitable.

On December 30th my Mom was once again rushed to the hospital by ambulance because of heart problems. She was there for three days while doctors adjusted her meds and recalibrated the settings on her defibrillator implant. Happily, she is now resting well at home without further complications.

Needless to say, since that day Deb and I have been busy with trips to the hospital and, after her return home, helping around their house. Most of this week was a blur of leaving early each morning to spend time with Mom while Dad was taking care of business in Gatlinburg, TN. Because of the cold weather, I returned to our current spot at the Flower Mill RV Park each afternoon to keep the unit warm while Deb helped Mom with cooking and cleaning. Although it's been a hectic schedule, we both feel blessed in having the time to give whatever support is needed without other obligations or distractions.

Wintertime and RVs do not mix well, which is why our original plan was to be further South by this time of year. Most models are designed for Summer weather and staying warm in an RV when temperatures dive below the freezing point can be a challenge. As it turns out, we would not be any warmer in Florida than we are here in Taylors, SC right now. While it's meant a daily routine of keeping the chill out of the interior, we have enjoyed constant warmth even during nights when temps. have fallen into the teens.

We have a furnace in our unit, but choose not to use it for a very good reason; RV furnaces are notorious energy wasters. Just stand outside an RV when the furnace is on and feel the heat blowing out of the exhaust. That is wasted propane. Instead, we use two space heaters that have proven very reliable. We cannot keep them running when we are gone, but they heat the space quickly while using very little energy. With almost constant use last month, our total electric charge was only $16.00.

We have decided to stay here for another month and look forward to warmer weather. Until the next post, we wish everyone warmth and happy travels.

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Both Deb & I hope it's the best year for you; one filled with love, happiness and good journeys.

As I look back on the past year it is amazing how drastically our lives have changed. One year ago today we were co-managing a 40 room resort in Hollywood, FL and had no idea we would be parked at the Flower Mill RV Park in Greenville, SC today. The best decision we made over those months was to jump into the full-time RV lifestyle. It has brought peace, joy and unexpected discoveries.

I am either growing more cynical or wiser with each New Year Day, but I've given up on resolutions; they just seem to be goals most people undertake that set themselves up for self-defeat. The one thing I have absolutely learned over the past six months is that each day is a new beginning. Why dedicate only one day each year to make resolutions towards being a better person when everyone has the freedom to do that each and every day?

Who knows what the year ahead will bring. All we can strive for is to not miss the blessings along the way and be willing to embrace whatever may come to the fullest potential. To paraphrase motorcycle racer Bill McKenna: Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out and proclaiming, WOW, WHAT A RIDE!!!

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer

photo by Jim Geyer

Riding The Storms Out

One of the more interesting aspects of full-time RV living is dealing with the elements. As opposed to being in a typical "sticks and bricks" structure, you feel and hear in an RV every adverse effect of whatever Mother Nature may throw your way. Sometimes conditions arise that make you deal with the reality of residing in what is basically a large tin can.

As I posted previously, we arrived in the Greenville, SC area a week ago after driving through rains of biblical proportions. Today, we are experiencing wind gusts of 50+ mph. One way or the other, all negative weather conditions have to be paid attention to; strong rains lead to leaks somewhere in the interior, strong winds have a way of playing hell with awnings or throwing debris on the roof, lighting is a major concern for fried electrical systems and unstable trees in wet soil pose major threats. Given that every aspect of your life is in the RV once you go full-time, negative weather impacts of any form have to be tracked, prepared for and dealt with as they arise. At times it can be downright frightening.

The positive side is that riding the storms out in an RV can also be very exhilarating. You're out there in what is often remote locations left to your own wits and courage. You see and feel the strengths of Mother Nature in ways you can't in an urban setting. You are forced to secure an awning in strong winds, feel the unit rock and roll in driving winds, hear the rain pound down on the roof in decibels you never imagined possible and, when necessary, simply pull off the road until conditions improve. In a strange way, the more the conditions worsen, the more it makes you feel alive.

As with all things in life, full-time RV living has a way of proving that there is always a yin to the yang.

copyright 2009 Lane A Geyer

photo by Deb

Howie Breaks An Arm In The Rain

After arriving back in the Greenville, SC area last Wednesday, we are finally spending the entire day settling in for an extended stay. Deb is putting up decorations for what will be our first Christmas as full-time RVers.

We left Marietta, GA mid-morning on the 2nd for what would be a wet and wild drive. There were only light showers as we made our way through the always insane Atlanta traffic, but by the time we crossed the border into South Carolina the skies unleashed downpours of biblical proportions. At times it rained so hard I could barely see ten foot in front of us and traffic slowed to 40 mph. It was a situation were I should have pulled off the road and waited out the storms, but we had to reach Greenville as soon as possible to help out my parents after my Mom's hospital stay. We finally made it to the campground by mid-afternoon and did a quick set-up in the still pouring rain. It proved to be a wet, miserable and exhausting day.

Unfortunately, Howie (House On Wheels Is Excellent) experienced a broken wiper arm during the trip. About 30 miles outside of Greenville the passenger side wiper began to slowly disappear below the windshield until it finally stuck there. A few minutes later we heard a sharp snap and knew it was a goner. Fortunately, the drivers side wiper was not affected so we pushed on as fast as the weather would allow. Once the rains subsided, I discovered that the drive brace on the wiper arm had indeed cleanly snapped beyond repair. Oh well, one more thing to keep me busy.

For the past few days we have been occupied helping my parents put out decorations, preparing meals, completing household tasks and doing whatever we can to help out during Mom's recuperation. It is good to report that she is resting comfortably at home and making progress everyday.

We are booked into the FlowerMill RV Park in Taylors, SC for at least a month. It is a very basic campground, but provides everything we need while enjoying Holiday visits with family and friends. We'll keep you posted on our stay here as time allows.

copyright 2009 Lane A Geyer

photos by Deb