Minor RV repairs, Family, and Relaxation (Markin Glen County Park, Kalamazoo, MI)

The past couple of weeks were consumed with family as we had a mini-reunion with Pat’s brothers in Kalamazoo. We also returned to Indiana Interstate Enterprises in LaGrange, IN for some minor but important RV fixes. They main one for our comfort was to have the air chamber in our bed replaced—ahh what comfort!! The other fix was to repair a tear in our vinyl floor where the kitchen slide-in rubbed it. That was an excellent but EXPENSIVE repair--$180 trip charge from Goshen to LaGrange and $20 actual repair.


We returned to Markin Glen County Park for a week of pure relaxation. Our four-legged children have been getting lessons on NOT barking. We have discovered that squirting water on their faces when they start barking is a real deterrent. Abby especially does not like the water and now when she sees something of interest, she squeals as if to say “Mommy, I really do want to bark but I’ll be good.” Duke seems to need a bit more training but he also has come a long way.

A week ago, a couple who we met last fall had a fire in their RV while traveling down the road and lost almost all of their personal possessions plus their RV. A very sad day for them and my heart goes out to Ed and Marilyn. One of the big concerns with RV’s seems to be wheels locking up. In hopes that we can prevent a similar occurrence, we are planning to have the bearings changed and new tires put on the RV. This is something that needs to be done every five years and since our rig is five years old, we are taking care of it this summer even though we don’t have too many miles on it.

Sorry I don’t have pictures to share. I am hoping we will be able to visit the Kalamazoo Nature Center this week and should be able to upload some pictures.

Church and Relaxing (Markin Glen County Park, Kalamazoo, MI)

Attended church this morning at Portage United Church of Christ.  This church is very much like St. Marks UCC in New Albany, IN in that it uses the phrase "No matter where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."  I found that to be true--for a first time visitor, I felt quite welcome.  The service was very uplifting and an excellent sermon by Rev. Lisa D. Kothe, one of the co-pastors.  The conclusion of the service also ended with the same commissioning as used by St. Marks: "Let us go forth into the world in peace, be of good courage, hold fast to that which is good, render to no one evil for evil, strengthen the fainthearted, support the weak, help the afflicted, honor all persons, love and serve the Lord, and rejoice in the power of the Holy Spirit."  All in all it was a very rewarding and enjoyable morning.

Yesterday, we were finally able to take some pictures of the park.  There is a nice paved walking path with cattails lining both sides.  We walked as far as a small island between the campground and the swimming beach where we saw a couple of swans and a large flock of geese including a mommy and her little ones.

Back to Michigan (Markin Glen County Park, Kalamazoo)

Almost eighteen years ago we moved from Michigan to Southern Indiana. Now we have returned to Michigan and re-established legal residency in the Kalamazoo area.  We spent the better part of two days at the Secretary of State's Office (what fun) while we transferred car titles, applied for driver's licenses, and transferred title of the RV.  Whew--are we glad that task is done!!

The county park where we are staying for two weeks is a beautiful location with very nice level concrete pads and paved roads.  It is a small campground with only about 36 sites but has hiking paths, a swimming beach, and a fishing lake.  Close by is also the Nature Center which we plan to visit soon--more details about this will follow.  We haven't been able to take any pictures yet.  The first day when we arrived it was about 96 degrees and felt like about 110.  Today has been rainy and quite chilly which is a nice change from the heat.  Hopefully, tomorrow will bring drier weather and we will be able to take some pictures of the area.

I (Susan) still have been in contact with my office every day in an effort to help with the transition and train my replacement by phone.  I am feeling a bit more relaxed as a week has gone by since I left Guthrie/Mayes.  I believe each day will be better and better.  After nearly 16 years it is difficult to leave everything behind and cut the ties all at once.

Retirement!! (Charlestown State Park)

This was Susan's last week of work and what a week it was.  In the eleventh hour, the firm finally decided to bring in a temp to learn the day-to-day responsibilities.  Three days of training was hardly sufficient but the lady brought in seems very capable.

Driving to work the past two weeks from the state park has been interesting with some deer and lots of wild turkeys and rabbits seen every morning.  This particular morning there were three turkeys who were doing a little romance as one kept fanning his tail feathers in hopes of winning the affections of a female (I think).

Today was Susan's retirement lunch at Proof on Main in Louisville.  It was a wonderful time spent with the folks I have known and worked with over the last 16 years. 

Jennifer, Rita, Dan H., and Dan I.



John (our son), Jordan, Clair, and Andy

Sunday, we head north towards Michigan with a few day stop in Northern Indiana to have a couple of minor problems corrected on the RV.  One of the problems developed at around 2 am on Thursday--Pat was up early which woke Susan.  It seemed the bed (we have a sleep number bed) was terribly hard so I tried to get up.  However, I was in a slump--when I finally was able to get up, I called to Pat that something was wrong with the bed.  My side had lost all the air but we couldn't figure out what had happened.  I was about to get back into bed on Pat's side, but being determined (not stubborn, just determined :-)) I decided to find out what was really wrong.  Well, it seemed that the air hose had come loose and that caused all the air to escape.  OK so I figured that all I had to de was put the hose back in the hole and inflate the mattress.  But you have to lay on the bed for the sensors to work.  OK no problem until Duke decided to walk over to me which again caused the sensors to stop.  Finally, after an hour, everything was back to normal. :-)   Never a dull moment!!

Come back and visit soon!

Moving Out, Moving In, and Storms

Yesterday was busy as we finished moving out of our nine room house and into our 36 foot Mobile Suite 5th Wheel RV.  New owners were moving in as we pulled out of the driveway so I didn't have a chance to take a picture of Pat pulling the RV out of the driveway.

A short drive to our first stop as full-timers--Charlestown State Park in Charlestown, IN.  Fortunately, parking the RV was relatively simple.  The site is level and has full hook-ups so at least for a few days until the holiday weekend we will have it easy.  Then we have to move to another site for the weekend since all the full hook-up sites are reserved. 

Storms rolled through during the night but no tornados thank goodness.  More storms came through this evening with high winds and hail.  We pulled the slides in and dashed to the bath house for cover during the worst of the storm.  I hope there are no more tonight so that we can get a good night's sleep.

Stay tuned for new adventures of Pat and Susan.

Preparation, Packing, Moving

What a day!  We drove up to Indianapolis to purchase some camping necessities at Camping World.  We wanted to get a pet fence for our four-legged kids, but they were sold out.  I guess we'll be making another trip up there before we head out of the Louisville area.  Oh well, such is life!

The rest of the day was spent packing items to store at our childrens' house.  Then we loaded up the truck and the car to take a load to their house.  Next weekend will be the final move (yea, rah) but not much yet to go.  Just have the washer and dryer, a couple of recliners, the kitchen table and chairs and a few other odds and ends.  The end to this moving process and clean out of 17 years of accumulation is actually in sight.   One week from tomorrow, we will be full-time RVers!!!!

Enjoy Life!

House Sold!!

Yesterday, we closed on the sale of the house.  We are so lucky that the buyers of the house want most of the furniture.  Some of the furniture will go to Cathy's house in New Albany for storage and use while we pursue our camping dream.  Now our RV adventure can begin.  It still feels like it might be a dream and probably won't feel real until we move out of the house on May 22.  Until then, we have to move everything out of the house and into the RV.  Our first stop will be Charlestown (IN) State Park for two weeks while Susan finishes work.  Official date of retirement is June 2, 2011!!   This is our home on wheels:

Of course, our two four-legged children will travel with us.  Duke will not have a problem but we don't know what Abigail will think about it.  I suspect she will be fine since she will be with "mommy" and "daddy"! 

Come back and visit us again.