Out of the Frying Pan...

6/17/20 - 6/19/20 - Gulf Shores, AL  to Bonifay, FL - Outback Springs RV Resort, two nights for $74
6/19/20 - 6/20/20 - Bonifay, FL to Lamont, FL - one night at Stones Throw RV Park for $31.50
6/20/20 - 6/23/20 - Lamont, FL to Reddick, FL- three nights at Ocala North RV Resort for $44/night
6/23/20 - 6/25/20 - Reddick, FL to Seffner, FL- two nights at Lazy Days RV Resort for $32/night
6/25/20 - 6/28/20 - Seffner, FL to Sarasota, FL - three nights at Sarasota Lakes RV Park for $139

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
After extending our stay in Gulf Shores for months, we finally decided it would be safe to venture out.  But with Independence Day looming, we gratefully accepted an offer from friends to stay at their spot at Cypress Trails RV Resort, Ft Myers, FL for the two weeks surrounding it. We just have to get there.

The tricky part is that each state, heck each city, has different rules about being in public. We are pretty conservative in our approach anyway. We wear masks in public, only take out restaurant food, or very rarely, eat on the patio. We carry disinfectant wipes to wipe down the table and use hand sanitizer after we handle the menu. However, we met up with my sister-in-law, niece and nephew from Idaho in Panama City and are hanging out with old friends from San Antonio who now live near Sarasota (no hugs and we ate outside!) We haven’t been as strict as we usually would (but it’s so nice to see friends)  All of it is a calculated risk.

We are trying to plan our route out of FL after the holiday. It’s SO HOT that it’s not even enjoyable to go to the beach or take my morning walk. Since COVID is a moving target, we’ll make reservations and hope that we can still get into those states when it’s time. Florida had a checkpoint on I10, checking for those coming from Louisiana.  It closed about a week before we left.  Hopefully, the states we want to go to won’t deny us entrance now that we’ve been in Florida. I’ve heard New York, Connecticut and New Jersey are considering denying some entries. So, for now, we’re spending a lot more time indoors and enjoying seeing friends. This year has just been frustratingly weird. I’m ready for a vaccine!

One Year Anniversary

May 22 - June 10, 2020, Gulf Shores, AL, Luxury RV Park

Today marks the one-year anniversary of living full time on our RV. The first 8 months went just as we planned. Then COVID -19 restrictions went in place and we’ve been in Gulf Shores for five months!  I can definitely say that RVing is more fun when you’re moving!  But we have been SO blessed to have this place to hide out. It’s become our second home. And, while we swore we had too many places to see, we’ve come to know the people, and we may come back next winter. Mind you, I don’t want to get stuck in a rut. But this is a nice spot to weather the cold.  I think I like the beach better BEFORE Spring Break. There are far fewer people to contend with.

We’ve also gotten to know the restaurants! Especially the ones with outdoor dining and take-out. (We always take handy wipes and sanitizer!). For bbq, we get pulled pork sandwiches at Hog Wild. For fried shrimp, we go to the Shrimp Basket, just across the street from us. For sub sandwiches and pizza, Chico’s - again, an easy walk across the street. Good Mexican food is harder to come by, but we found Pedro’s in Perdido Key and El Paso up in Foley. And of course, the granddaddy of home cooking (but very pricey and touristy) Lambert’s Cafe. The best thing is the “throwed rolls”  Yes, they throw them across the dining room. They are light and fluffy and hot.  Yum!

Bill has finally gotten back into fishing with the warmer weather.  Though for some reason, Gulf State Park decided to close and repair their pier during the best part of the year. So we found the pier at Little Lagoon Pass (thanks Ron!), which is also near a beach. I can wander the shore looking for shells, and Bill can catch lunch for the herons who always hover nearby begging for a handout.

Thank you, Alabama for taking good care of us. We’re leaving next week with many good memories. Now we can move more freely around the country.  The check point into Florida has been removed, and the Keys are reopening. So we’re headed that way. Then, we’ll go North, maybe see Brendan, before we get back to Texas for the holidays. Each state is reopening at different rates.  It’s the right thing to do to protect their citizens, but difficult for travelers to know what to expect. We’ll keep our masks and sanitizer handy, just in case. Open road, here we come!

Haircuts!

4/18/20 - 5/22/20 - Still in Gulf Shores, AL

Alabama was one of the last states to issue stay-at-home orders and one of the first to open up again. I have to say we enjoyed having the place largely to ourselves. Many of the snowbirds in our park delayed going home because their homes were still under orders and their kids urged them to stay. There’s nothing like a pandemic and physical distancing to make people crave social closeness. We need each other. And this group of folks have become our friends. Because they are older, they are very careful about getting too close.  But we gather for “happy hour” most afternoons, outdoors, with six feet between, and no more than 10 people.

We’ve decided to stay one last month, to make it through Memorial Day weekend, but are making plans and reservations to move on. FINALLY!  We’ll be one of the last of the winter folks to leave. From here, we’re headed into Florida, where Covid-19 is still on the rise.  Some very generous friends offered us their site at an RV resort for two weeks around July 4. It is very difficult to get reservations during that time. It will be HOT!  But the lovebugs swarms should have died down and viruses don’t spread as easily in hot climates (so the theory goes).

Just before the lockdown, Bill and I got our hair cut at Great Clips. I can usually go 6-8 weeks between cuts. Bill used to get his cut every two weeks, like clockwork.  He had one trusted stylist who knew how to do it just right. Two days ago, I cut Bill’s hair for the third time.  I must be doing an okay job if he keeps asking. In fairness, I only let him clean up my neck because I have pesky hairs that grow upward and make the hairs stick out.

It’s been about two and a half month since my last cut. Now that the salons are allowed open again, I decided I’d venture to Great Clips to get my mop cut.  I used their online check-in that put me in the queue for 154 minutes and read their website about safety measures they’d put in place. I was pleasantly surprised.

When I arrived, I was met at the door by a mask-wearing “hair traffic controller”. It is his sole job to maintain distance and keep everyone safe. All people inside had to wear a mask. He asked me a series of questions about if I’d been sick or been around others who were sick. Then he made me wash my hands. There were only two people allowed in the waiting area with one customer at each of the four workstations with their stylists. I wore my mask the whole time, even holding it to my face as the stylist worked around my ears. He was all business and got me in and out quickly. I thanked him for the safety measures and he said they had to follow CDC guidelines to be open. He thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each cut. I got out to the car, took off my mask and sanitized before I drove away.

So, I survived. I suppose, in theory, I should wait 14 days to be sure I’m symptom free to say that. But as places open up, this is going to be the new normal until a vaccine. It makes you appreciate the service workers, truly ESSENTIAL WORKERS, who haven’t had the ability to quarantine. I always said the custodians and janitors were the true superheroes in disguise. This pandemic proved that. Maybe they should get paid more for their essential work.

How are you faring?  Have you ventured out to do a simple task that now seems monumental?  How do you show your gratitude for the people you encounter who are just doing their job?

New Venture

3/17/20 - 4/17/20 - still in Gulf Shores, AL

Alabama’s Governor Ivy finally issued the official Stay-at-home order yesterday to begin at 5 pm.  However, it does not apply to some church situations, same as Florida and Georgia - which leaves a very confusing gray area for many. One Mega-church pastor was arrested in Florida for endangerment after thousands worshipped together.

While I believe that God is all-powerful and he WILL protect us, one of the ways he does this is by giving us intelligence and discernment, so as not to put ourselves in unnecessary danger.  Just a few weeks ago, the message I watched on Facebook Live from my home church was about Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness.  When Satan suggested that Jesus throw himself down from a high place (because angels would surely come and save him), Jesus told him we are not to tempt God.  There are many who MUST put their lives at risk to do their work of protecting and healing. Showy acts to prove that God is with us seem to diminish that sacrifice.

So, for now, we are limiting our contact with others. On my solo morning walks I see very few people. I view the beach from a distance and marvel at how nature moves on without us when I see the seagulls and wildflowers. We get take-out food to ease the boredom. AND I’m finally trying my hand at posting drawing videos on YouTube - something I’ve been wanting to do for years and now have all the time I need.  If you’re interested you can find my channel @ Beth Cooper portraits. Subscribe. Grab a paper and pencil. Follow along.  It’ll give you something to do, too.

God bless you.  He will see us through.

Keep Calm and Beach On!

1/17/19 - 3/1719 - 2 months - Gulf Shores, AL, at Luxury RV Park.

We were expecting to leave tomorrow to head toward Washington, DC to meet Brendan by Easter weekend.  But because of the COVID-19 scare and after many emails that tours are cancelled, and museums are closed, we’ve decided to stay put for another month.  We’ve even heard stories of people getting kicked out of parks.  Some states are using them for emergency quarantine areas if necessary.

I’m not too disappointed.  The weather has finally changed.  We sit outside, sunning ourselves like turtles on a rock, soaking in the vitamin D. I’ve taken to putting on sunscreen EVERY morning so I don’t leather like some of the folks here do.

Spring Break is here!  The average age of the crowds has come down significantly.  Although there are many college kids, there seem to be more families, especially now that their holiday has been extended. The traffic to the beach has doubled.  There’s loud music and car horns and sirens well into the night.  Even so, there aren’t as many people on the beach as I had expected.  I still walk down every day, past Wade Ward Nature Park and look for alligators.  And look what we finally saw on Thursday!  Evidently the weather is finally warm enough for them to come out of hibernation, too!

The second gator we heard about at dinner Monday night, and headed right over to Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.  There’s a bayou on the side of the road, halfway to the beach.  A lady with a telephoto lens waved us over, pointed her out and showed us where the year-old babies usually can be found.  We didn’t see the babies, but the beach at the end of the street was nearly deserted.  We stayed and watched a glorious sunset! Amazing shells!

I’ve grown to love every mood of the beach.  The clear, sunny days are beautiful, but so are the storm-cloud, windy and foggy days.  Each one affects the water and sand in its own way, and I can’t take enough photos.  I can only post so many on this blog, but if you follow me on Instagram @toberving, you’ll see many more.  

Also, even though I have plenty of shells, I can’t keep myself from stopping and looking and picking up the very best ones.  I’ve gotten very picky!  Some of the tiniest shells have holes in them so I can string them onto bracelets.  Sadly, I have not found one whole sand dollar the entire time I’ve been here.  The waves must be too rough.  I find huge hunks, that if complete, would make sand dollars at least six inches in diameter.  

So, if we need to quarantine, this is a pretty good place to be. We plan to go out to eat a few more times before they close the restaurants.  As long as I have my beach, I’m happy!

Beautiful Beach, at last!

1/16/2020 - 1/17/2020 - Red Bay, AL to Meridian, AL (162 miles) one night at Benchmark RV Park for $20

1/17/2020 to 3/17/2020 - Meridian, MS to Gulf Shores, AL (193 miles) one month at Luxury RV Resort (four blocks from the beach!) $860

Snowbirds!

As I sit here, writing, I hear the low, long, rolling thunder announcing two days of storms to come.  The weather has been very changeable - even from hour to hour.  I get up early in the morning to walk to the beach.  Most mornings, the sun is out.  By lunchtime, the clouds have blanketed the sky and the breeze kicks up.  Even so, I’ve found my happy place.  The mountains and desert have their own brand of undeniable beauty, and I enjoyed visiting, but the beach feeds my soul, which is good, because we’re here for two months.

We originally thought we’d stay for a month, then head into Florida.  I wanted to go to Universal Studios in Orlando to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but we couldn’t find any places to stay between now and Spring Break, when it gets really crazy.  We’ve become very philosophical about our travels.  If we don’t make it this time, we’ll circle back later.  So we’re staying in Gulf Shores for two months, almost like REAL snowbirds, then go to Savannah, GA, Asheville, NC, through the Shenandoah valley to Washington DC. There are so many amazing places to see, I’m not disappointed.

Luxury RV Park is a great place to stay!  It’s only four blocks from the beach, is infinitely walkable, and there’s a wonderful close-knit, active community amongst the campers.  They plan all the activities, raise money for social events, and welcome newbies like me.  I attend yoga on Tuesday and Thursday, crafts on Tuesday, we go to potluck every other week, AND we’re here for Mardi Gras.  I’ve learned that Mardi Gras originated in Mobile, AL.  Every small town around here has a parade, including Gulf Shores, so I’m going to be in my first parade, walking next to the Luxury RV float!

A place like this has such seasonal income, most businesses around here welcome the “winter visitors” to prop up the economy with lower prices, great discounts, and free parking.  But March is coming. Everything will change with Spring Breakers. Until then, we have the beach.  Here are some picks from my daily walks.

Motorhome Mecca

1/4/2020 - 1/5/2020 - San Antonio TX to Caldwell, TX (136 miles) one night at Brazil’s Valley RV Park $36
1/5/2020 - 1/6/2020 - Caldwell, TX to Carthage, TX (201 miles) one night at Carthage RV Campground $40
1/6/2020 - 1/8/2020 - Carthage, TX to Vicksburg, MI (217 miles) two nights at Ameristar RV Park, $32/night
1/8/2020 - 1/16/2020 - Vicksburg, MI to Red Bay, AL (278 miles) 8 nights at First Class RV Park for $150

Red Bay, Alabama is not what you’d call a destination.  But ever since 1972, when Bob Tiffin began manufacturing motor homes, owners have been coming to watch their RVs being built and get repairs.  Since then, they’ve built over 65,000 rigs.  Last year, Tiffin accounted for almost 8% of the motor home market.

We bought our Tiffin Allegro Open Road (a gasoline-powered RV) in 2018.  We were one of the last few who got to come hang out with the crew and watch it come together from the chassis, up.  It was amazing.  I thought I would be bored after the first day.  But each morning, we dragged ourselves to the production line at 5:30 am to take pictures, ask questions, and be a part of our build.  It looked like a carefully choreographed dance.  Each part had to be put in, in order, so the next could fit snuggly around it.  The plumbing, then the walls, the appliances, the fully-furnished slides, and finally the ceiling went on.  We marveled at the full access we had during the entire process.  We moved along the line as cranes ferried parts above us, and giant forklifts put parts in place.  We were even given a roll of green scotch tape, so we could mark things that didn’t look right, and headed off quite a few issues because we were there to question and get them fixed immediately.  We brought LOTS of candy, and shared personal stories with the workers that we got to know by name.  It was a great experience.  We even got to meet Bob Tiffin.

The reason this company has been so successful is because of this soft-spoken, kind, honorable man.   He was so in tune with his dealers and repair network, that he hand-wrote the names and numbers of the two best RV repair shops in San Antonio, which happened not to be the dealership. And he gave us his business card and told us to call if we ever needed anything.  That sounds hokey, but we have heard so many stories from Tiffin owners that confirm that he means it.  Like when two couples were traveling together.  One couple drove a Tiffin, the others didn’t.  The non-Tiffin owners broke down in a very remote area and could not get any help from their dealer or roadside assistance.  In desperation, the Tiffin owners suggested they call Bob.  Because of his connections and good reputation, he was able to get them the help they needed, and all he asked in return is that they consider buying a a Tiffin for their next RV.  That creates customers for life!

This tiny town in northwest Alabama has a multitude of businesses tied to the production of Tiffin Motorhomes.  Many people who work in the factory, paint shop or service center develop their skills there from 5:30 am to 2:30 pm, then run their own “after hours” after-market accessories shops.  And since Tiffin will not repair a rig over 10 years old, other shops in the area meet that need, too.

There are other businesses in Red Bay, like the Sunshine dog food factory, which you can smell all over town, and the Sunshine Manufactured Homes.  But, as Tiffin goes, so does much of the local economy.  Late in 2018, liability insurance did away with people being on the build line, so not fewer visitors come to Red Bay without an RV.  The result was that the Historic Red Bay Hotel closed down.  Which made me wonder, if the Tiffin family sells out to Winnebago, As rumors suggest, will they move the company?  Would all of these people lose their jobs?  I know as long as Bob is around, this won’t happen, but there are rumblings about his retirement.

Bill did a lot of research to guarantee that we got a quality RV we can call home.  I wish more companies had the same kind of commitment to quality and service as Tiffin. We are definitely Tiffinites, and As long as there is a Tiffin service center in Red Bay, AL, we will come back for our annual maintenance visit. Thanks, Bob!