Monday, December 26, 2011

Four years as Fulltime RVers

Kathy health update:
Since we have been here Kathy has been seen by four doctors, had surgery, X-rays, ultrasound, laparoscopy and colonoscopy. After all of that they don't know what is causing her original pain and don't know what else to try. They told her to "give it a few months and report back". We can certainly wait a few months at Arizona’s Kartchner Caverns State Park as well as we can wait here.
So, we will be leaving on Tuesday for  Kartchner Caverns State Park near Benson Arizona. To start our 2 months as volunteers on January 1st.
Our Four years as Fulltime RVers:
Yes, on Monday the 26th it is 4 years since we pulled out of San Jose and started our adventure. Oh, the places we have been, the things we have seen and the people we have met. It has been amazing! As I think back on it the time has flown by and yet I can’t believe we have had the time to go so many places, do so many things and meet so many people. It continues to be a great adventure.
Our past year in review:
Back on January 1st I posted the following:
New Year’s Resolutions:
1. To get the rest of our 2010 travel blog and pictures posted.
2. Do a better job in 2011 than I did in 2010 at keeping the blog up-to-date. Really, could I do any worse
Well it took me until April, but I did finally complete the posting of our 2010 travel blog and pictures. I also think that I did a much better job of keeping the blog up-to-date.
I also wrote:
Plans for 2011:
Having travelled so many miles last year, for 2011 we are going to try to go no further than the Mountain Time Zone and stay at places longer. We are also thinking that  we would like to do some volunteering at a wildlife refuge, state or national park. We don’t want to commit to a 3 month stay, but if an opportunity to volunteer for a month so that  we can “get our feet wet” in volunteering were to come up we would jump on it. However, the plans of fulltime RVers are always cast in Jell-O
.”
We cut back dramatically on the number of miles we travelled this past year. We only did about 8,000 miles. We never made it into the Mountain Time Zone but rather spent the whole year in the Pacific Time zone. After visiting 28 states and 4 Canadian provinces in 2010. We only visited 3 states in 2011.
The part of our 2011 plan that really came together was “we would like to do some volunteering at a wildlife refuge, state or national park. We don’t want to commit to a 3 month stay, but if an opportunity to volunteer for a month so that we can “get our feet wet” in volunteering were to come up we would jump on it.” We found 3 different Oregon coast Lighthouses to volunteer at for a month each. These were each a wonderful experience. Each Lighthouse has its own history, setting and personality. We met great volunteers that we remain in contact with and literally thousands of happy people that  went on our tours. Of course they were happy after all they were on vacation. At each Lighthouse we would have gladly stayed longer and look forward to returning at some time in the future.
Our tragedy in 2011: 
It has been almost 3 months since Raider past away. Neither of us can even look at a Golden Retriever without tearing up and yet if we see a Golden out for a walk we run over to it so that we can give it a hug. We still think of Raider everyday and miss him dearly.
Plans and resolutions for 2012:
None and none. We have been so focused on Kathy’s health issues that we haven’t even thought about where we might go or what we might do in 2012.

14 comments:

  1. Wow! Four years! That is awesome! I sure hope Kathys health get cleared up soon! And Raider? You sure will never forget him! I know how tough that is! Love and hugs!!!

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  2. Each year seems to be a mixed bag. Mostly good, but some not so good. Health issues are the biggest. Here's hoping Kathy gets a clean bill soon.

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  3. Glad to read you will be at Kartchner! Looking forward to meeting you.

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  4. nice recap of the last four years..now bring on the next four!..sending you a big 'golden hug' from our our boy, Tucker!!!

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  5. Oh, please drop us a note when you get settled and we will come down and visit you (although it may be better to just wave at Jack as we pass by in the car, since he still tends to get a bit excited when he meets new people!)

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  6. If you guys come up to Mesa let us know, we've got a couple of Golden's that would love you running up to give them a hug! I stop by and say hi next time I'm down that way!

    Sam

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  7. I think the quote 'Life happens when you make plans' seems to kind of fit you. But I think that it won't matter if you have plans or not for the coming year, I think wherever your life takes you in 2012, you will find friends--And I hope for good health to come with you on your journey too!

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  8. I hope Kathy feels better soon. Doctors only practice medicine so that could be why they haven't found the problem. LOL

    Congratulations on your 4th year on the road. I wish we were out there with you but it's not to be.

    I know how much you miss Raider. I still miss Bib and it's been nearly 5 years.

    Happy and safe travels!

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  9. Thank you for taking us along, and yes, hoping Kathy feels better is number one priority!
    I, too, think of Raider every time I see a Golden!

    Happy, safe trails,
    ~K

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  10. YAYAYAYAYAY you are on the road again and how ironic on your 4 year RVing anniversary. I hope the temps warm up soon as the Vit D is now the cure all supplement!! LOL

    Heaven must assuredly has a Golden Angel in residence with Raider. Every time I see a Golden I quietly say hello Raider!!
    Hugs Madi and HiC

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  11. Happy New Year and Have a better 2012

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  12. I understand about past doggy pals.(I have a little graveyard out back)

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  13. MS. KATHY (YES I'M SHOUTING) I'M INDEBTED TO YOU...FOR SUGGESTING TO MOM THAT SHE MOVE MY CAT TREE TO WHERE THE CHAIR IS...CRAZY MOM SAID SHE HAD NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT!! SHE ALWAYS HAS IT IN A CORNER NEAR THE WINDOW SO I CAN WATCH THE BIRDS BUT I'D RATER BE IN A SUNPUDDLE. NOW I'M VERY EXCITED FOR THE TREE TO COME DOWN.
    GREAT BIG HUG AND LOTS OF PURRING
    MADI

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  14. Hi! Great post! We think about Raider too. The sweetest traveler and biggest adventurer.
    Really hoping your health stays on the positive for 2012. Keep doing what you are doing, and enjoying every day.

    Big hugs,
    Sierra Rose and family

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