First week back in the USA 2014

In light of the tragedy of the missing Malaysian Airlines jet, Murray and I were relieved to arrive safely in LA and then Kansas City, following our flight from Brisbane. Our flight didn't get into Kansas City until 5pm, so by the time we collected our luggage and picked up a hire car, it was just after 6pm when we got to the cave to retrieve the RV. Once again the engine started immediately, despite being in storage for 8 months this time. As usual, our first step before hitting the road for another 6 months of RVing was to put the RV into Ford for a routine service. It was also time to replace the 6 tyres - yikes - the price of each tyre has gone up $180 per tyre since this time 3 years ago when we purchased an extra spare tyre for our Alaskan trip. We dropped the RV off to Ford at 7pm the night we arrived, and left it with them for 2 days while we recovered from jet lag by eating out at our favourite local haunts (Red Lobster, Outback, Olive Garden), shopping  (DSW - Discount Shoe Warehouse got a nice visit) and resting up in the motel!

In she goes for a service - 7 pm at night!

We spent the first 2 nights in our usual campground in Independence, Missouri and woke to a very light dusting of snow (see photo on the left) and black ice, which delayed our planned departure by an hour. Mind you, Benn and Daina must have been sniggering at our 'snow', compared to what they were driving in over in Iceland. The black dot in the photo below is Daina - Benn stayed warm in the vehicle! During our first night in the RV we noticed a slight leak from the water valve at the back of the toilet. As we had also had a temporary leak from a water valve and a  toilet seal last year (resolved without any action taken or money spent), we figured we were on borrowed time, so decided to replace the toilet as it didn't cost much more than just replacing the valve! We were keen to hit the road so didn't arrange the replacement until we reached Arkansas. 

Our drive south from Missouri to Arkansas was like old times - sun shining, fields rolling past the window - ah, bliss! When the RV hit 63 mph (101 kph) the steering wheel vibrated a bit, indicating a problem with the tyre balance/alignment since the new tyres were fitted. Ford have arranged for us to get the balance corrected at another Ford on our route. For now we are just enjoying our home away from home - the photo on the left is a selfie I took just as we were passing Joplin, Missouri, and just over an hour from our destination.

At 8.30am we found ourselves driving through morning fog to get the new toilet installed. As we rounded a bend I liked how the old barn in the photo on the left looked in the eerie light. The new toilet in the photo on the right was installed in 30 mins. Too easy. 

While it is still cold here for us today (high of 13 C (55 F) predicted), tomorrow, Thursday, is supposed to be 21C (70F). That's more like my kind of weather! Our friends Sandy and Joe Bill from Fordyce are driving up to visit us on Sunday. They will check into a nearby motel for 2 nights - we are looking forward to seeing them and hearing all their family news. Sadly Joe Bill lost his mother in February - she was 104 years of age. Until 6 months before her death, she was driving her car and playing the organ at her church. What an amazing and wonderful lady Francis Benton Meador was. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and the Fordyce community at large.

Aunty Dympna with Francis Meador - Fordyce, Arkansas  2010

Last Transmission from Australia for 6 Months...

Fred, Angela, Trish and Murray Byron Bay lighthouse

The end of our time at home before spending another 6 months in the USA is always exciting yet tinged with regret. We had an especially full-packed 8 months, most of which is already covered in earlier blogs. What wasn't covered was a visit from Daina's parents, Angela & Fred. They flew up from Adelaide and we were able to fit in some wonderful activities. Gemma and Bill invited us over to dinner along with our aunt. We managed a visit to Byron Bay's lighthouse and the Eastern-most point of Australia. Angela and I joined my sister Ret for a life validating Gratitude Seminar that went from 9am-4pm on the Sunday. Meanwhile Murray took Fred for a spin up Mt Tamborine and then to lunch with my brother Tony. 

In the last few weeks it is usually a time of farewell lunches and dinners, with the odd farewell breakfast thrown in too - that was great to see you Nadia and hear about your recent trip to Italy. My girlfriends had lunch at the Lighthouse Cafe and posed for the obligatory photo. Jenny, Carol & Julie, I will miss you all. On the Gold Coast it was great for Ret and I to catch up with old nursing mates Jenny and Caren, and had breakfast with Lynne. 

Julie, Carol, Jenny and Trish at Lighthouse Cafe

Ret, Caren and Jen

Breakfast with Lynne

Paw Paws 

I had a lot of fun cooking with my Thermomix, and made my own butter and baked my own bread most of the time. Our home in Ballina is in good hands with friends and family holding the fort while we are away. Thanks to Bev & Keith, Peter & Sam, Brid and Shona (our cousins out from Ireland), and a few others yet to confirm. I wonder who will be there when our pawpaws ripen?

While we were getting ready to leave our summer weather and head to a more cooler USA, Benn, Kim & Daina were dogsledding in Norway. What a life these kids have - our fun didn't really kick off until retirement, but they have got an early start!

Benn and Kim with dog sled dogs

Jackson with cigar - Cuban style

The saddest occasion was saying goodbye to little Jackson. You may recall I attended his birth back at the end of November. He has grown a lot since then, and just this morning Yudian advised me that Jackson had crawled for the first time. I got to have a few visits with him recently, but the last visit was difficult for me. Thank goodness for Skype!! 

Jackson smiling

Last playtime and smiles from Jackson

Look at that face…so cute

Lunch with Tracy, Ret and Rose

Last but not least was a very enjoyable St Patricks Day lunch with brother Tracy and sister Rosemary. Then that evening about 16 of us caught up for a farewell dinner. So besides my eldest sister Gemma and her husband Bill, were 2 nieces and 2 nephews and their spouses and some of the kids. 

Gemma with our nephew Mark - eerily looking like our dad!

Farewell dinner