We're back in Winter Garden for the winter season and couldn't be happier about that. We bought our motorhome, Pearl, here last January and spent the next 2.5 months in the area getting accustomed to RV living and enjoying the warm (with a few exceptions) winter weather. We're about two miles from the charming downtown and the very nice bike trails that we so enjoy bicycling. From our site, we have a perfect view of a small pond that hosts a variety of bird life. We can walk to grocery and other stores and are right on the bus line if we need to travel farther for shopping. Life is easy and good here, and since there's no two-week camping limit as at most national and state parks, we can stay just as long as we like. And we plan to do just that! After traveling for months, staying anywhere from a day to two weeks in one place, we are ready to be settled for a bit. We'll save money not buying so much fuel, and staying put gives us a chance to recharge, get some RV projects done, and make plans for next year. We had a nice Thanksgiving here shortly after arriving. The day began with Barry making an unexpected repair. The right rear of our kitchen counter had been sinking over time, more than we even realized. It had gotten to be about an inch below the level of the left side, so an intervention was required! The previous owners had replaced the counter when they took out the gas stove and put in an induction cooktop, and they hadn't done a great job of it. Barry made short work of it, and we now have a sturdy, level counter again. Whew! Have I mentioned lately how lucky I am to have such a handy husband? I can't imagine living in a motorhome without one. Repair completed, the turkey day cooking could commence. This was our first major holiday feast in Pearl, and it went pretty darn well! Planning and organization kept things running smoothly, and I had just enough vessels for all the dishes. Barry had made a lovely pumpkin pie the day before as well We were stuffed -- and very thankful. We have so much to be grateful for, and we try not to lose sight of that.
I think we're now ready to tackle the hills of Lake County! There are new signs at the pond at our campground. We don't know if these were posted in response to actual threats or just to keep people out of the pond. We've seen ducks on the pond, so it seems unlikely that there are serious predators lurking below, but who knows? This Belted Kingfisher doesn't seem to care; he's looking for fish! In the meantime, rest assured that Paisley will be keeping a sharp lookout!
6 Comments
Jo
11/30/2016 09:17:25 am
Your winter home sounds wonderful! Enjoy your respite from travelling. I'm glad Paisley is on the lookout for scary varmints. ;)
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Emily
12/1/2016 04:10:54 pm
Thanks, Jo! We'll keep a close eye on her in case of any varmints, but from what I've seen, there really aren't any. Other than some of the campers.... :)
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Barb Nutting
11/30/2016 10:59:55 am
WELCOME HOME!! You ought to have your adventures and photos published! You're as good as Bill Bryson - better!!
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Emily
12/1/2016 04:12:12 pm
Thanks, Barb, you are very kind! I have no interest in getting into the book-publishing world -- blogging is much simpler and gives me more time to read. :)
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12/1/2016 08:46:29 am
Winter Garden .. great name for a place to stay for the Winter! Looks like a great place to settle down a bit. Sadly, I wonder if the new warning signs are due to the Disney World tragedy. Yes, keep an eye on Paisley!
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Emily
12/1/2016 04:13:32 pm
Very good chance you are right, Cheryl. :-( Hope we never encounter a gator!
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Emily & BarryWe're a long-married, early-retired couple who are currently traveling as nomads with no fixed home base. After years of living in North Carolina (Emily's home state), we spent 18 months living oceanfront on Ambergris Caye, Belize, a year road-tripping the US in a Honda CR-V, a year in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and are now roaming North America in our 32' motorhome, Pearl, following warm weather whenever possible. Archives
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