 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Christmas 2016 Page 2 |
| In addition to my hip replacement this year, our Aussie, Tripp, tore his ACL. He had torn one last year and had surgery to repair it. The vet told us then that we could expect the second one to go as well. Almost a year to the day he tore the second one. Tripp recovered quickly too. He and I both now have titanium implants in our bodies. The ironic thing was that our medications were the same. |
Our journeys continue, both on and off road. I am scheduled to judge some shows again next year. Competition deadlines are hot on my heels, and there are more workshops scheduled for the coming years. The house is often filled with family, food, festivities and of course lots of laughter. Friends color our lives and pets warm our hearts. In Closing, we had a very eventful year full of lots of LIFE……and LIFE IS GOOD! We hope your year was full of good health, wealth and happiness, too. Wishing us all more of the same in 2017! Love Carol and Warren …on the road again….. |
| A hot and quiet summer was turned on its ear as we made some decisions that will take us in different directions – literally. Our Pacifica was getting up in years so I decided to change vehicles. The Dodge Durango was the choice. As we were getting ready to finalize the paperwork Carol asked the dealer if a tow package could be added later. The answer is yes, but only a lite weight package. To get the heavy weight package it had to be a factory add. We had always talked of buying a travel trailer and doing some extended travelling. Carol pretty much stopped us a minute from signing the contract and pretty much said “if not now, when?” We stopped the conversation and went back to square one on selection. I went on line that evening and found the model, color, and options we wanted on a vehicle at another dealer. The next morning, I contacted our dealer, gave them the info and two hours later we had a deal. |
| With trailer in tow (yes I said that) we took off on our maiden cruise. A short trip of about four hundred miles round-trip to check towing and systems. We had a great weekend getaway and everything works great. We are now in the process of planning several more trips with an extended trip coming this next summer. Life seems to go by so fast anymore. A year filled hope and joy included periods of sorrow as well. An increasing number of friends and relatives have suffered losses and pain this year as life has taken its toil. Our thoughts are with you. |
| We had the first of our "Weekenders" (Leave Thursday come back Monday). We left during east coast hurricane warnings in October, but missed it all, and had great weather, a wonderful location and a patio with a view to die for. That plus gift shops, restaurants, and internet, who could ask for anything more!?! We truly relaxed and enjoyed ourselves. The Durango proved to be very comfortable, and roomy. There was room for everything I took and bought... I can work with this! |
| We originally were going to wait until the first of the year and start looking for a trailer. We (I) did a lot of research and found several possible options that would fit our needs and Carol’s wants (full bathroom) LOL. While looking at options I found a Holiday Rambler 27-foot model for sale by a private owner about thirty miles from him. We went up and met the individual, looked over the trailer and the next thing you know – we own it. The couple that owned it had been forced to sell it because of his wife’s medical condition. The unit is like new and had been maintained meticulously by this gentleman. |
| Our second "Weekender"of the year took us camping at the Big Bend area of Florida, on the gulf coast. This saltwater flat area give us a fantastic camping spot, just feet from the water. A previous hurricane washed away most of the touristy stuff nearby so it was just us, the birds and amazing sunsets! Bummer! Trip proved to be an outstanding camper! He had never been tied out before but never noticed, he is so used to staying right with us, (often underfoot, as his name implies). By the way there seem to be chicken in all the parking lots in the keys. |
| REMINDER: Only SMALL picture can be enlarged |
We normally try and do a birthday trip every fall to celebrate both Carol and my birthdays. This year we decided to go to Key West for four days. I had gone on line through a site called Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) and found a nice place about twenty miles north of Key West. A Waterfront location with a great view and a ton of things we didn’t use – bicycles, dock space, kayaks etc. It was a single family one bedroom that fit our needs perfectly. We were close enough to everything so we could enjoy our time and far enough away to enjoy peace and quiet. This was the first time we had driven to the keys since 1975. We really enjoyed the trip down and back – great weather and some great memories. |