Exploring Bradenton and Sarasota, FL

We've been in Bradenton for the month of November and have explored the area.  Although very busy and sometimes congested area, the weather and beaches have been super!   Saw the Ringling Bros. mansion in Sarasota and Anna Maria Island.  Meeting some great RVers here in the park, Arbor Terrace, from New Jersey, Michigan, Delaware, Ontario, and Wisconsin.  Had a very nice Thanksgiving feast with our group. 

Will be heading to Sebring for December.  Looking forward to exploring a new area of Florida.

Homosassa Springs, FL

Arrived in Homosassa Springs.  Staying at Turtle Creek RV Park for a week.  Enjoying lots of local wildlife.  This is a friendly, laid-back community.  Seeing the sights with Pam & Todd and Todd's parents, Jim & Verla.

Enjoying the Beautiful Sunshine State--Florida

Finally made it to Florida..starting out in Mexico Beach.  What a quaint beach community!  Enjoying the quiet side of the panhandle Gulf side.  We had dinner with Pam & Todd (fun cousins!!) at Tucan's on the beach and caught up on everything since we saw them last.  I'll take pictures and post them later.  Really enjoying this new lifestyle!  No hurry!!!!

On the Road...Our First Trek as Fulltimers

Well, we're finally on the road.  We left Wisconsin 10/17, but got a chance to see our first snowfall for the year (& hopefully last!) Our first stop will be in Illinois for the night, then to Nashville, TN for a few days.   We've got almost 2 weeks to get to Bradenton, FL for our November reservations, so we'll take our time and see the sights. 

Feels great not to have a rushed agenda, like we've been used to doing all our lives.  Retirement....it is grand!!  Of course, Irene isn't really retired...still doing her medical transcription from the RV, which has been working out great.  We'll both be doing some job searching in Florida...some part-time work to keep us busy.  I'll keep the updates coming.

Plans for the Winter in Florida

We're heading to Florida for the winter...leaving Wisconsin in mid-October. We will be in Bradenton for the month of November and Sebring for the month of December. Pam & Todd from Club Forest will also be staying at these same parks, so we'll have fun catching up with them and being able to celebrate the holidays with family!

We'll get a chance to research other areas in Florida and decide where to go after December, and where we can start our Workamping experiences. Dennis is anxious to get back into working somewhere. I continue doing my medical transcription from our fifth wheel, which is working out great!

The kids are throwing us a party to celebrate Irene's retirement, Irene's big 6-0 birthday and our new life as fulltime RVers...party to be Oct. 4th.

Looking forward to our first travels as fulltime RVers!

Tina & Scott's Wedding

Tina & Scott's wedding is over (Sept. 19th). It was a great day...beautiful ceremony and a fun reception! The weather was perfect and everything came out as planned. Great meal, fantastic music (ended up to be an 8-piece band...with my dad playing the trumpet, Scott playing his concertina, and my brother Kevin joining in on the concertina) They all sounded great and made it a memorable evening.

God bless you both, Tina & Scott, and here's to a long and happy marriage!!

Officially retired!

It's official. We are now both retired. My last day at the mall was 9/4/09! After 22 years, it was really bittersweet leaving the mall for the last time...as the property manager. But...time for the next chapter in our lives.

We're almost finished cleaning out the house. The sale was successful and we got rid of all the furniture and most of our "stuff." Never believed how much stuff we've accumulated over the years. It's been quite a stressful process, but hopefully the end will justify the means! We just have the last of the things that we have to move into the fifth wheel. Not sure if there'll be enough room for everything we think we need to keep. We'll see.

The closing is 9/14 and then we'll officially be RV fulltimers. I'll keep you posted on our destinations after Tina's wedding.