So I guess most everyone knows by now that the traffic tie-up led us to a hotel only 1 mile from a hospital where I had to have emergency surgery on my hernia. Spent 6 days in the hospital, another 2 days in the hotel and exactly 1 week later we were back on the road. Made it to Florida by the 10th ready to enjoy our new home. And do we ever enjoy it!

It is so roomy and comfortable and we haven't even utilized the lanai yet which is 10' wide x 32'. Well, I did get to sit in the sun a little. You can see I got the 3' Christmas tree up and decorated. The white railing is the ramp.

I'll take some more pictures as soon as we get things picked up and put away.

I can't do as much as I want because I can't really bend too much so am trying to be careful and not overdo it like I did the first day.

We did at least get some drapes hung for some privacy in the evening. Still need something to put the TV on too.

Traffic was just as bad going North

Sunday, we got going about 9:30, worried about possible traffic tie-ups because  when we pulled off last night it was backed up for miles but it was all clear for about 3 hours then there was a sign saying an accident 13 miles ahead. Stop and go the whole way. Finally it opened up around 2pm, but not for long. We had planned to stop and visit Karen but we lost so much time and were so tired that we just kept going till we could find a room. Didn't get nearly as far as we should have today.

Of course then it dawned on us that every one is going back to college and heading home from Thanksgiving. Poor planning on our part, next year we'll have to rethink our departure date.

We are on the road again, anxiously heading for FL. Of course it had to snow before we left, I guess just to show what we'll be missing. This is on Thanksgiving day.














It was a lot easier packing the van in the freezing weather than it was the motorhome but getting it all in there was quite a feat. We'll be doing a lot of shopping when we get there for all the things we couldn't fit in. Took this one heading over the Connecticut River in Charlestown.

Drove about 7 hours and stopped in PA for the night. Got to about 43 today. A little better than back home.

4 Wheelin'

So Doug got this Ranger side-by-side 4 wheeler three years ago. We've been saying I should go riding with him but we just never got around to it till last week. We accomplished it by me transferring to my power chair which has the capability of rising 10" and from there it was a level transfer to the Ranger.

I was seat belted in and away we went. Had to stop in the mud hole to take this picture. We didn't go too far because there were some trees down across the trail from the previous weeks storm. Doug moved a couple but the last one will need a chain saw to remove it. Still had fun and I got to see the field where we have some potatoes and onions planted, dug a few for supper while we were there. Felt good to be in the woods with a change in scenery.


Potatoes, onions and a couple of tomatoes

New van

So I finally have a picture. I'm driving my new (to me) 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Van. Looks more like an SUV though. It's black, kind of hard to tell with all the reflections. Not my first choice of color but I figured we'd be leaving FL before it gets real hot so it shouldn't be too bad. 

We had it set up with two transfer seats. The original seats are mounted on a platform that slides back and then twists around so I can slide into & out of my wheelchair. So I can transfer into either seat.
Everything is operated by remote. Can't get over all the bells & whistles. Will take me awhile to learn everything it will do.

When the door opens the whole van lowers to the ground and the ramp automatically unfolds. Will make travel in bad weather a lot easier. No more Doug holding the umbrella over my head while he gets soaked.

So last month I got a van and we have yet to get a picture of it but in the meantime, Doug has been reliving his teen years when his son in law found him this 1972 340 'cuda. It's been sitting in a garage for 23 years in CT and we will need to tow it home. So if he wasn't busy enough he will be now. He says I just don't understand that it's "matching numbers" and a "classic" but I'm sure everyone else will appreciate it's value, right?

So while I'm at it let me show you what  else Doug was up to in Florida. He decided to plant carrots in a pot. I said no way that'll work. Well last week we picked and ate some yummy "organic" carrots about two months earlier than anyone else around here.

Once again I am behind in updating with pictures. This was actually taken a month ago when the railings were put on the ramp. Looks very nice. The screens and vinyl windows were put on the next day but all my other pictures are on the "crashed" computer. (Hopefully I'll be able to do a backup and not lose everything.) They just put the flooring on the lanai last week and still have to lay sod all around. So while we're waiting for them to finish up, they pay insurance on it and we don't make a final payment till it's all complete. So we're not complaining.

I was just reminded that I haven't updated with any pictures recently so here is a picture from the front. It's pretty much all done, just waiting for the windows for the lanai and the railings on the ramp.

Here is the driveway in front, we were happy to see how much room we'd have. That's about it. They did all that just last week. Still need to landscape, sod and some flowers.

More pictures

Right side of the kitchen, fridge and small counter where I'll put the microwave are on the other side. (Black line is the camera strap)

View of the street, it's not very long. We are on the left by the big pine tree. There are 2 more spots behind us, one between the 2 you can see and 2 or 3 more closer up to where I'm standing.

home

Today we finally got to go look inside. Maintenance brought these temporary steps and practically lifted me up the stairs in my chair. The home is 13 x 38' and there will be a 10 x 38 lanai down this side which almost doubles our living space.








Bath with shower on right



Here's the 2 most visible rooms. only other is bedroom which is empty

Living/Dining Room





Pool

After waiting 4 months we finally got a chance to try out the outdoor pool. It was actually easier then the inside lift and felt so good. I was afraid I'd be cold but the temp was rising and the water was 85 so I had no complaints. Here I'm hanging out in the 6' end with weights on my ankles and a noodle under my arms. Without the weights, my feet will float. Speaking of floating, before this I swam on my back awhile, soaking up the sun. luckily there were some clouds too because when I went to bed I was shocked to see the sunburn on my legs. Never thought to put on lotion beforehand. Live and learn.