Since it had been so long since posting, I needed to go back and do a review. (I'd forgotten that I had posted about the first half of 2020.) Part of the reason I quit blogging was because I felt guilty that we could travel while others were stuck at home. Our life during the pandemic did not change much. Andy was already working remotely from the RV, and because our home is on wheels, we could travel and remain fairly self contained. Of course, we limited contact with others. (Indeed, many people figured out they could still travel in an RV, which caused record sales in the industry in 2020.) I was also overwhelmed by everything that was going on, like everyone else.
After all my medical woes in MD, it seemed that Andy was due for his share of trouble also. While we were in IN getting our Lambright recliners Andy got sick. He had a fever and very little appetite. Of course, our first thought was Covid, so we went and got him tested right away. He continued to get worse while we waited for the results. Long story short, I ended up taking him to the ER of the local hospital in Elkart. That same day I found out the results were negative (it took 6 days to get the results!) and the hospital test also was negative. Turns out he had pneumonia. Oh, and also found out he had a-fib while he was in the hospital.
From there we went to Rochester, MN for our annual medical appointments. (Mayo Rochester became our new medical home in 2020.) We were able to get in a weekend with the kids at the Old Barn Resort near Lanesboro, MN. We felt we could be together since we were outside most of the time. Things had just started to open up a bit with Covid.
From Rochester we headed to the UP of Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie. Watching the ships go through the locks was amazing. We even did a locks tour and got to experience the locks ourselves.
Next stop was Traverse City, MI. I had been there many years ago for a work trip, and loved the area. Plus, we had heard from many other RV'ers that it was a great place to be. It did not disappoint. While there, we were able to reconnect with fellow RV'ers James and Connie R.
August 2020 brought us back to Red Bay for service again. Our lists of tasks are much less than what they used to be. Despite the distance to get there, we still feel it is the best place to get our coach taken care of. September took us to Pigeon Forge, TN. This was our first time there. I was not expecting the commercialization of the area-it compares to Branson, MO and Wisconsin Dells, WI. One of the main attractions is the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, where, unfortunately, we got skunked by the bears again. This despite a good bear population in the park and things like bear proof garbage cans in nearby Gatlinburg, TN.
Next up was Mama Gertie's, a famous campground near Asheville, NC. We were lucky to snag a campsite on their top level. It was worth it, because we had fantastic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from our spot. As usual, the pictures don't do it justice.
Also on our bucket list was the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Lin Cove Viaduct. We'd known that we would have to do it by car because of bridges that are too low. The views here were great also, and fall colors were just starting to pop. It's a popular place and all of the pull offs were full of cars so we couldn't stop to take pictures. While we were in the Asheville area we decided to take in the famous Biltmore Estate.
From TN we went to Florida. During that time we embarked on the journey of getting ourselves E-bikes. We first tried the RAD brand, decided they weren't for us, and then settled on the Vee Go brand. (Try re-packaging the bikes back into the boxes they arrived in so they could be returned-thank goodness Andy had taken pictures of things!) In order to accomodate the new foldable bikes, we purchased a different car that holds them (in tubs) while we are traveling.
We also had a few mishaps in FL. While we were driving the RV (out to exercise the engine after sitting for a month) we were hit by another RV while stopped at a stop light. The guy came up so fast and so close he broke our drivers side mirror. The day that we were supposed to go and get the replacement done, our slide wouldn't come in. More waiting. (I'm really trying to give you the Cliff notes here.) Finally got the mirror replaced, only to fail in the first trip out. Thankfully we were going to Red Bay (yes, again) where they discovered the wires had been pulled too tight and gotten pinched. Related saga-getting paid for the repairs, but that's another story for another time.
We had reservations for Bella Terra RV Resort in Foley, AL. However, our medical saga was not over. This time it was daughter Sara who was diagnosed with cancer. Surgery was set for early December. Of course, I wanted to be there to help out. Not willing to fly, Andy drove me to MN, where I stayed in a hotel for 14 days to quarantine. Kudos to Andy for being a bachelor while I was gone for 5 weeks. He drove back to MN to pick me up, and take me back to AL. (Fast forward, she is now cancer free!)
By this time, the first vaccines were becoming available and we wanted to get ours as soon as possible. The question was where? Every state was different and we weren't sure if we had to go back to FL because that was where our residency is, or if we could get them somewhere else. Once again, we shelved our west coast plans deciding getting vaccinated was more important. We scored appointments in MS, so decided to move to Biloxi for a month while waiting for them. Then we found appointments in a close by county of FL (an 1.5 hour drive) so we ended up going there for our vaccines.
Stay tuned for Part Two.
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