Hi Y'all!

As day 3 comes to a close, I feel such a sense of contentment that I haven't felt in a very long time. I just got off the phone with my dear, sweet mother who I really hated leaving behind in Ohio.

When Dennis and I first started planning our retirement, we spoke frequently with Mom about it, and how we were going to take her with us. My parents spent many, many days traveling around this beautiful country pulling their travel trailer behind them. They actually were in every state of the Union, except, of course, Hawaii. I never got to go with them because by the time they were able to travel, I was raising 2 small boys. I will always regret that, but it is what it is.

Now, Moms health isn't good enough for her to travel with us, and it breaks my heart. She is one of the most fun people to be around, and is a wealth of knowledge about traveling. What we are learning every day, sometimes the hard way, she could be telling us and saving a lot of hassles! I so wish I could be sharing all of this with her, and her sharing her experience with us. Ah, if wishes were horses...as she used to always tell me.

We didn't travel today, at least not with the 5th wheel. We did some around town sight seeing, but mostly rested today. We went to the outlet mall close by, and there were only about 5 stores left, the rest closed and boarded up. Sad, this economy is affecting so many. We did find a discount book store, and even though both of us have brand new Kindles, we bought a few books to take to the beach with us. Old habits die hard. I bought a great Fairy Tale book for my grandchildren, hoping to instill our love of reading and books in them. I'm now anxious to sit down and read it with them.

We found a good steak house to eat dinner at, and enjoyed it very much. When we get to Ft. Myers, we'll grocery shop and I'll have to start cooking again. All good things must come to an end.

I also went to the local Walmart and bought a small vacuum cleaner for our new home. Got it out and put it to good use already too. Much better. We dragged so much muck and grass in when we were packing in the rain at home, it really needed a good sweeping. You don't have to sweep in a hotel!

I still miss my family. My son sent me a picture of my front yard, or as we're calling it now, Johnstonbaugh Pond. When will the rains end? If not soon, Justin may have to fire up the boat by our barn and take it to work. And still dry as a bone down here in the South.

Gonna go to bed and rise early to hit the road again. Destination tomorrow, Ft. Myers, Florida. Happy trails!!!