Hello Springfield, OH

Left Champaign, IL on our way to Springfield, OH to visit our friends there. We crossed into Indiana around Noon and crossed the Wabash River around Covington. Could see many areas that had been flooded, many areas still covered with water. Indiana roads are very good, a pleasure to drive. The drive was uneventful, enjoyed the scenery as we drove, a bit chilly, sunny most of the way. Pulled into Tomorrow’s Stars RV campground just outside Springfield, OH and set up our fifth wheel. What a great feeling to be in our little home. Oreo was very pleased also, she climbed into the fifth as soon as the first door opened and didn’t bother coming out while we were setting up at all, even though both doors were open. The campground is quite nice (very well cared for) with wide lots, nature trails, laundry facilities, along with a big pool, Mini golf, outdoor shuffle board game (none of which was open yet). That was okay we just enjoyed being able to walk the nature trails, seeing all the new vegetation popping up on the bush floor, spring flowers and green grass!

We called our friends around 7:00 pm to let them know we had arrived. We totally kicked back and relaxed the rest of the evening. Had a great sleep in our very own bed, what a treat! This is what we had waited for, now we felt like our fulltime living had actually began.

We planned to spend three days in Ohio but after the first day, we decided to spend a week. There are seasonal sites at this campground, they are very well cared for, a few of the seasonal people did show up on the weekend checking out there units and getting them ready for the summer’s use. Every day there would units stopping for a night, then off again in the morning. We chatted with a few and most were on their way home after spending the winter in a warm State.

We had an awesome time with friends catching up on news meeting some friends we had made online in person for the first time! We were treated like Royalty. One day only we supplied a brunch for a couple of friends, the rest of the time, we were invited out or the meals were brought over to us, just doesn’t bet any better than that! The second night after our arrival we had 11 people in our fifth, standing room only, it was great, the weather was not conducive for outside visiting. Most of the week the weather was cool with showers, we still got out everyday for our walks with Oreo and totally enjoyed ourselves. Here is Elizabeth (Frank and Toni's granddaughter), Heather (Todd's wife) and Frankie (Frank and Toni's son).

Frankie and Toni (Frank's wife) the little guy you can barely see Dameon (Toni and Frank's grandson). Sorry Heather we kinda cut you off!

These pics were taken our second night in Springfield, Monday 31st.

Another day of travel

Headed for Champaign, Illinois today! Very excited as we are very close to Springfield, Ohio where we can start living in our little home, (our fifth wheel) we know it is warm enough and there is a good campground open.

The drive was good, no snow to contend with (out of the snow belt Hurray) and the roads are better. We crossed the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, always exciting to see those rivers.
Saw lots of areas where flood waters had been and still lots of water laying in many low areas. At some point in our travels we will spend some time in both areas and do some sight seeing. Sure wishing we had taken some pictures at least!

On the Road Again Day number 10

Left Albert Lea, MN about noon, the roads in Minnesota are very bad, lots of frost heaves, pot holes, etc., not real relaxing driving bouncing up and down or listening to the ka-thunk, ka-thunk all the time where the pavement cracks have been patched but the patch has sunk or separated. We were happy to hit Iowa where the roads were a little better. We did see the first river that had open water though in MN, that made us feel better knowing we were getting to warmer weather. Interestingly enough there was more snow in southern MN and North Iowa than in North Dakota. We were glad that we had waited the extra day in Albert Lea, MN as we could see some areas received lots of snow. There were three places on the highway that the snow was blowing across so we slowed right down. Trucks and cars in the ditch and just after we passed through one area, we saw a car hit the ditch. The fire department and the police were already there so we didn't need to stop and help. Northern Iowa is pretty though with rolling hills and winding roads. We saw our first lake without ice at Nashau, Iowa but more snow here than we have seen since leaving Alberta.

We booked into a Days Inn at Coralville, Iowa (just east of Iowa City), didn’t want to take a chance on another Super8 after our last experience, and spent a relaxing evening. We were hopeful that we would be able to stay in our fifth wheel in Iowa but the weather was not good at all so opted for another night in a motel.

On the Road Again

It is a nice sunny day today the temps up to 10C about 50F with very little wind. Went through Minneappolis/StPaul or I should say around it, just driving the ring road was stressful enough, 6 lanes of traffic lots of merges, exits etc. and we went through during the middle of the day so not as busy as it could have been but of course people do stupid things in any big city anywhere. Just driving about half around to our exit was just over 20 miles. It is one of those areas that also have all kinds of smaller cities around it, so when you look at the population at Minneapolis it is deceiving. Didn’t remember it being so busy the last trip we made through there. Anyway, we made with no major problems and of course everything is well marked and we had the Tom-Tom on so no wrong turn’s lol. Did an average on fuel usage and we have averaged 12 mpg so far so we are happy.

We are at the Albert Lea Inn, a nice hotel with free breakfast, laundry etc. They also have room service at a reasonable cost; we had a good meal last night and actually ordered a real breakfast this morning, eggs, bacon, and hash browns! Did some laundry here today, Woody is folding it as I type this, gotta love that eh! Was very cheap to do laundry here, 50 cents to wash, and 75 cents to dry. The last hotel we did laundry in cost us 1.25 to wash and 1.50 to dry! Just happy some places have laundry and we didn't have to go hunting for a Laundromat.

Staying another day due to snow warnings, haven't got too much here but have no way to know about the rest of the route to our next destination of Iowa City, Iowa, the forecast all the way was for snow so not taking any chances. Looks good for leaving tomorrow though and it better be because this hotel is fully booked for the weekend, a big blue grass festival going on!

When we arrived we had booked into a Super8, got here about 3:00, nice and early, then after checking in found our room was absolutely disgusting so complained and they moved us to a different room, looked okay but then when we went to hang our coats the coat hangers were filthy, then checked some more and it was dusty and dirty so we spent some time (using their phone to find another place to stay). Made a call to Super8 customer care to report them and then checked out. The desk clerk could hardly speak or understand English guess that should have been our first sign eh! We got our money back and the Manager said, yeah this happens a lot and the owners don't care, they have never even seen the place! Can you believe it! Must be just using it for tax write off. We will be more careful after this, sure is too bad because we have always been able to count on Super8 for a certain level of service and cleanliness.

Be warned, don't stay at the Super8 in Alberta Lea, MN!

Weather Radio is a good item to have

Had to change our travel plans a bit, the weather radio came on at 3:00 am announcing a high wind warning around the Soiux Falls, ND area where we planned on going today. We drove to Grand Forks, ND instead. We always check the weather in the morning when we are able, (either TV or Internet) but may have missed this report if not for the weather radio. The drive was uneventful, a little grey, with some showers here and there. We did drive through the geographical centre of North America, which we have never done before, and also the North Dakata hills, gently rolling hills, nice for a change after driving in such flat land for so long. We have not taken any pictures at all! I think we are too anxious to hit warmer weather and of course nothing exciting about motel rooms to take pics of anyway. Most of the terrain is very similar to Saskatchewan and of course still snow covered.

Left Grand Forks, ND heading for Alexandria, MN. Took I29 south. Was a good drive today, just a bit windy but mostly it pushed us but sure knew when we getting the side wind hitting us. Was a pretty drive, went from flat open fields in ND and part way into MN (crossed into MN at Fargo, ND). Interesting that there was more snow in south ND and the first while after we hit MN than there was in Grand Forks, ND but then we hit rolling hills with trees and less snow. Arrived here about 2:30, got settled in the motel, grabbed bite to eat, relaxed a bit and then took Oreo for a nice long walk, very chilly here with the wind, while Woody did some needed shopping. We are heading to Albert Lea, MN tomorrow but might get stuck there as they are predicting snow for that area, hopeful that forecast will change, if not oh well. We are not travelling anymore than 4 hours a day as otherwise we just get too tired. Also we can grab breakfast at the hotel (free), eat lunch in the truck and have some relax time, walk Oreo once we get settled in the motel then get some dinner and have down time! Makes for a more relaxing trip than pushing too far. Hard to remember that we don't have to rush, we do not have to follow a tight schedule, we are retired!

Hurray! we are in the States

Crossed the border today without too much trouble, the border guards wanted to walk through the fifth wheel but just actually looked in the garage, they did confiscate Oreo’s dog food because it had lamb in it. Not a big deal as we didn’t have very much left, they even apologized for having to take it! They didn’t ask for any information on Oreo at all, which we thought they would, because all we have read about border crossing with a dog, we needed confirmation from our vet as to owner, shots, etc. oh well that was okay! The last time we took her over the border she was only a puppy so did not need any confirmation of shots, etc. They asked us to take the KY plate off the front of the truck, illegal here to have it on, but we still have it they didn’t take it. Woody still has to go inside for the pic, finger print, etc., even though he has a 5 year visa now (he carries a German passport) but at least he is good for 6 months instead of 3 which is better. Just don’t understand why they still have to do that when he has the 5 year visa but oh well. The border guards were also interested in the truck, I think the guy just loved trucks, it was kinda funny, between yaking about the fifth being a toy hauler and wanting to know all about the truck we spent a little longer there than usual. Of course they scan the fifth wheel as we drive through, but they were very courteous and wished us a happy safe journey. Always nice to have that behind us, even though we know we have everything in order it is a little nerve wracking!

Arrived in Minot, ND and decided to stay two days to relax and do laundry! Lot cheaper to stay in Super8 Motels in ND than it is in Canada, which we knew but sure nice to spend less money for the same type service. We have laundry facilities here, free breakfast, free wifi, etc. and they are only charging 5.00 for Oreo, in Moose Jaw at the Super8 they charged us 15.00 for her. The roads from Moose Jaw to Minot, ND were bad to very bad with some short distances of good road, just to give us a bit of relief from bouncing. We almost got stuck getting into the parking lot where we had to park the monster (all gravel and very soft) had to use 4 x 4 to pull through the entrance, my stomach just sank thinking oh no now we are stuck but the truck pulled us through, thank goodness! Just another experience not real serious. We have had a good trip over all though no major problems! It is sunny but cool here today about minus 7C or about 20F with wind chill, at least it is not snowing and for that we are thankful!

Day 3 on the road again!

We got up to fog and icy roads this morning so got off to a late start but made it to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan as planned. The roads were bad for an hour or so out of Lloydminster but cleared up. When we got to Saskatoon, it was trying to snow and we debated about staying there but decided to keep going and the snow quit, just was grey, windy and cold. Staying at Super8 tonight. We found that Super8 motels were big rig friendly and welcomed pets (with an extra charge of course). Oreo is settling into travelling very nicely, she sleeps mostly while in truck and settles into the motel well once we put her blanket and toys down for her, she still hates it when Woody leaves the truck or room for any reason without her but is getting much better at dealing with that also. She has always been so attached to him and would get upset when he left the house without her but we know she is more so now due to the new routine.

March 19th we started our life as fulltime Rvers

After a few get togethers with family and a surprise going away party arranged by a friend we were all ready to go! We both thought we would shed tears as we left our home of 15 years (we have many awesome memories) but we did not, feeling instead, relieved to be finally on the road, excited about our new adventure and somewhat apprehensive regarding the planned trip to Pennsylvania. It was a gorgeous sunny warm springlike day when we left but we both knew that weather in Alberta can turn nasty at any time and also it would be a few days of driving before we got out of the snow belt area. We had made a similar trip with our fifth wheel in 2006 to Maryland but not in the spring!

We did not travel far the first day, checked into a motel after driving about 3 1/2 hours at Lloydminster, right on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan for some rest and relaxation. This small city is divided by the border, we stayed on the Saskatchewan side. We were both exhausted mentally and physically after the frantic activity of the previous weeks. We decided we would spend a couple of days just relaxing before we travelled any further. Our black lab (Oreo) is just 1 1/2 years and was somewhat confused regarding this travelling thing so a couple of days to relax for her was good also. She is a very good traveller but wanted to get into the fifth wheel or the truck, not a motel room. We spent time walking her around town, relaxing, catching up on email and just plain vegging. Two days of doing nothing much was great!

Setting up our new home

We spent two weeks after the auction cleaning up the house, adding the final items to our fifth wheel and organizing all the "stuff" we had loaded in our fifth wheel previously. Our kids were there to help us and also to pick up the items that we gave to them! Our son-in-laws were the lucky ones to move most of the heavy items!

Couldn't leave withour our exercise machine!

Our marvelous Massage Chair also had to be on board, sure didn't want to leave without it! Great reason to purchase a Toy Hauler for all the extra items.

Finally living our dream of fulltime RVing

After 3 years of planning we are getting everything ready to hit the road. The house was sold February 22nd, with our kids helping us we managed to be ready for the auction on March 8th. Turned out to be a very nice spring like day, which we were so thankful for! The auction went very well, we were pleased but it was a very emotional day for us and the kids. Had to keep reminding ourselves that is was just "stuff".

The Auctioneer had a lunch wagon there and other amenities for the auction attendees.