Anniversary

Fort Myers, Florida

A year ago today, we left our home in Georgia to become “snowbirds.”  As it turned out, we never spent another night in our Georgia home again.

When we left, our house was listed with a Realtor and our hope was to get a contact around March or April.  We wanted to spend the winter in Florida and didn’t want to have to go back to Georgia until it warmed up!  As it turned out, that is exactly what happened.  We got our winter vacation in before we got a contract on the house.  For some reason, I had a feeling of confidence that everything would work out like we wanted it to….and it did. 

When we arrived in Tamp last December,  a cold front arrived with us.  We learned our first lesson living fulltime in our motor home.  In the winter, we need to  park in a sunny campsite!

It’s been an interesting year.  We got a contract on the house in March and we went back to Georgia to empty our house.  We had tons of garage sales and eventually got most everything sold or given away. 

We closed on the house in June and headed straight to Lazy Days to look for a larger motor home. We ended up purchasing a 41 foot Monaco Windsor, and are very happy with our choice.  We are so much more comfortable in the larger motor home.  We haven’t missed living in Georgia (at all) and do not miss the house and 11 acres.  We don’t miss all the maintenance that goes with owning property.

We spent the rest of the summer and fall exploring Florida.  Even though we lived in Florida 30 years, we never tire of Florida.  It’s really an amazing state with lots to do and beautiful places to see.

We have been staying in Florida partly due to my Mothers health.  We have been talking about making a trip to Washington DC this summer.  As usual, our plans are set in jello.  We prefer to be spontaneous and really prefer to just go when the mood hits us.  We’ll see what the summer brings.

It’s been a good year!

Yesterday, we got together with fellow bloggers and fulltimers,  Jeanne and Eldo.  They are staying in nearby Naples.   We met at Berts Bar, in Matlacha, Florida.  It’s a little waterfront restaurant/bar that is pretty popular with the bikers.  There were so many bikes parked out front that I didn’t know if we were going to be able to find a place to park. 

We chose a table outside with a view of the water. It was a little chilly (for a Florida girl) when we first got there when the sun was behind the clouds, but it warmed up and was very nice.

Al and Eldy had fish, and Jeanne and I had burgers.  The food and company was great!  Thanks for taking the time to meet us Jeanne and Eldy!

It’s always the same when you meet other full-timers.  There is never a problem finding things to talk about.  We sat and talked a couple hours before Jeanne and Eldy had to go “campground looking.”   They’re trying to find a nice place in this area to stay…nice and affordable…and with availability!   December is no problem, but after Christmas, Florida really fills up. 

…..and that is why we reserved our site in Zephyrhills last month.  We have it through the end of March and even though we’re going on short  “vacations”, we know we have a place to come back to. 

The only problem is getting back into our spot once all the rest of the snowbirds arrive.  It will be tricky and I spent a few hours overnight worrying about it!

We’re leaving Fort Myers tomorrow and here’s hoping we can get back into our site!