RV travels around the USA
One of my many hobbies is Amateur (Ham) Radio. And a sub-section of the hobby is setting up a portable radio station in a park and making as many contacts as possible with other ham operators. While I have been a “Hunter” for several months, this was the first time activating a park and have the hunters look for me. I selected a local state park, made reservations for four nights, and had a blast. My radio callsign is KC9LC.
Not sure where the month of February went to, but it is in the rear view mirror now. We seemed to be busy for most of the days, but had just a few noteworthy events. So it is to be retired and enjoying life in Florida, the capital of the 55 and over set. I try to capture items in this blog that have some interest for others and to document our travels. So where did February go?
We are now winding down the summer season in our Virginia home. Packing up to take a month long RV trip before arriving at our Florida destination. Over the summer we have made many updates to our vintage 1956 home. Back in the spring we finished the kitchen remodel. Then it was buying furniture for the screened in back patio. Finally, I have made some progress on two more dedicated rooms.
Continue reading “More Home Updates (Ham Shack & Art Studio)”
Clermont Florida – It was nice to arrive on a sunny 80 degree day after a pleasant drive south. Our home for the month of January is the Orlando suburb of Clermont. This is the same place that we stayed during the “shelter in place” order back in February through June. We have several day trips planned and hope to get the Vaccine scheduled in as well. It should be a relaxing and interesting month at our January Home!
Our extended winter stay is soon coming to an end and we will be back on the road again. I’m quite excited to get back to our travels, albeit it will be a stunted travel year. So far, we only have a plan to slowly travel back to our old home area of Virginia. After our three months there, I do not know yet. We are kicking around a long trip to the far west in 2021, but it just depends on many unknowns at this time. Here’s a recap of this last week from our southern headquarters…
Continue reading “Truck Mirror Repair & Clermont Florida Weekly Update”
I decided that it was time to activate a long dormant hobby, Amateur (Ham) Radio. With nothing but spare time on my hands, due to the Covid-19 lockdown, I sorted through our storage bins down in the RV’s basement compartments. Finding all the parts it was then just a matter of assembling and attaching the antenna, run the coax, and then set up all the gear. Finally, after a three year absence, I was able to activate ham radio station KC9LC!
After a great month of January, we packed up and left the JOY RV Park in Cocoa on Feb 1st for the short drive to the southwest of Orlando. Our new home location is the very fast growing town Clermont Florida, with a population of 37,000 people. This location is just a few minutes from the Disney theme parks and still has a small town feel even though it is just next door to Orlando. We recently had a trip to Disney for lunch and a few days later, I managed to hit the large amateur radio convention (hamfest) called the Hamcation.
Continue reading “Clermont, Florida – Disney Lunch & A Hamfest”
We really enjoyed our short nine day stay in this lovely small German town! Fredericksburg definitely made the “return to” list. Besides having a great and walkable downtown area (that was only 3-4 blocks from the RV park), the area has a multitude of wineries and great restaurants, the LBJ Texas White House and ranch nearby, and the surrounding hills are rich with abundant wildflowers!
Continue reading “Fredericksburg – Texas Hill Country and a Visit From Family!”
I have always enjoyed having hobbies, although some people do not seem to have an interest in pursuing a hobby. I just don’t understand them. In fact, I’ve had so many different hobbies over the years and just not enough time for them. That was back when I was working 50-60 hours a week. My plan was to really get into the hobbies after retirement.
We have now relocated to Nashville Tennessee after having delayed our departure twice. Maybe we packed too much into our stop at our former home area. Each delay causes me to shorten the stay at our next two stops and forfeit some camp fees. That is the downside to all the advance planning that we do. Although it has been a great time with family and friends and that has been very special. Continue reading “Goodbye Virginia (for now)”