There must be some mistake!!

How can the Admiral be 60?? What happened to those other 40 years?? But, after checking the newly-renewed driver's license (which doesn't require new pictures anymore, you just draw some wrinkles in with a Sharpie every year or two), it appears to be true (that's supposed to be a "60" with the hands at the pool).


No trauma, drama, or tears, just some nice surprises from the Captain. There were flowers and a Happy Birthday balloon on the boat, great dinner and morning-after mimosa supplies, and we started the day planning someplace to go. After not much debate, we settled on a park called Sun 'n Fun, because it had more amenities than could be listed in a one-page ad. There were 1500 sites for motor homes, a huge pool, two large kidney-shaped hot tubs, bocci ball courts, lawn bowling courts, shuffleboard courts, miniature golf, driving range, restaurant and bar, three man-made lakes, two dog parks (one for shy and/or small and one for boisterous and/or very large), and lots of trails and streets for strolling, biking, power and manual scootering (new verb I just made up), golf carts, roller blading, etc. It was huge, almost totally full, and quite an experience for us since we're novices.

















We have now learned some important Motor Home Lessons:

1. Size does matter.

2. Outdoor accessories (mats, chairs, entertainment systems, lighting, fans tablecloths) matter.

3. Auxiliary travel options matter. There were golf carts (with their own trailers and some with outfits coordinated to the season/attitude) in all shapes and sizes, even a souped-up, big-tired one with "Granny" painted on the sides (and lots of empty beer cans in the holders). There were at least 40 teeny parking spaces for golf carts....like looking at a parking lot through the wrong section of your progressive lenses.

4. You gotta have a dog. It can be small as a lab mouse, or large as a Clydesdale, but you gotta have one. If you don't, you have to use your husband as a conversation-starter, and at his age it's hard for him to lift his leg at every tree and tire.

5. Learn how to back that sucker up. We saw several drivers who may have been new, but they certainly weren't unknown by the time they made several passes at their space. Of course (as is also true of docking) if you're gonna screw it up, you'll have LOTS of witnesses. Thankfully, the Captain is a driving/parking savant, so we didn't have to take a Walk of Shame through the park.

It was a great experience, and we've learned that motor camping is just like boating in that you meet lots of nice people, you already have something in common, and there's something about enjoying the outdoors that brings out the best in most people. We had a ball and have already started planning another trip. We're also very happy to be back on Serendipity and the best mattress on earth!

Friends and Family

The Admiral flew to Tennessee for a week with her Mom and oldest son John, then rode back to Florida with long-time best friends Bob and Mary. The Captain met us in Indian Rocks Beach, and we spent several days at their condo.



We came back to Bradenton on the weekend to welcome the Admiral's sister Becky and her boyfriend Michael for a brief visit, and we showed them the marina, some of the city of Bradenton, had happy hour(s) at Mattison's (and a long chat and recipe exchange with the chef), and a moonlight boat ride across the Manatee River where we picked up a bride and groom and brought them back to dance and head for their honeymoon suite. Even though it was a short visit, it was nice to see them and show them where we live and play.


We went back to Indian Rocks the next week so Captains Bob and Jay could replace some tile on the patio of the condo and tell tall tales and sip cold ones.


















Bob and Mary's granddaughter Katie visited the second week, so we got to bore her with oldies talk and laziness. It was nice to catch up, walk on the beach, and make plans for future trips.