Time, Trips and Tidbits...

(Authored by Jack)
I can't believe it's been nine months since we went full time. It's surprising how fast the time has gone. The days seem to fly by, whether we do something interesting or just hang out around the 5er. I've always heard that once you are retired this happens, but experiencing it is really strange.

The other day we went to the Naval Aviation Museum at the Pensacola Naval Air Station thinking it would take maybe an hour and a half to see everything. Got there at around 2:00 pm and started wandering. Lo and behold, by 4:00 pm, we had only seen about 3/4 of the exhibits and were pooped from all the walking and standing. I couldn't believe we spent two hours at the museum and didn't see the whole thing. It was the fastest 2 hours we've spent sightseeing since we went to the Newseum in Washington DC.

The thing that amazes me most is that while we were in Navarre, Florida for a month it seemed a bit longer than that to me. I guess there just wasn't enough to do there but, looking back now, it doesn't feel like a month. How weird! Since we've been in Pensacola time has really flown by but, then again, there's a lot more to do here and things are not that far away like they were in Navarre.

We made a trip to Mobile, Alabama to visit the USS Alabama battleship and the submarine, the USS Drum, that they have on display. The sub, which is from the second world war, was very interesting. Since I'd never been to Mobile, I was looking forward to the trip. It's about 40 or 50 miles from the RV park, so it was a hike, but certainly worth it.

The other thing that has been dragging out is waiting for our new La-Z Boy furniture to arrive. That's the reason we extended our stay in Pensacola. The furniture that came with the 5er is not the least bit comfortable and, since we live in our 5er 24/7, we might as well be happy with our interior surroundings, right? The furniture's supposed to arrive around the first week in April, if all goes well. The people that own the RV park have said they'll work with us if we need extra time; that's so wonderful of them, they're such nice folks. It seems we've been waiting for 6 months instead of about 6 weeks. Another incidence of time passing slowly yet, in some respects, fast.

Before the furniture arrives we have to figure out how to get our couch and two recliners out through the 28 inch door so we can bring in the new. As I'm writing this, I found out that our new furniture will arrive Wednesday 2 April. We got lucky and found someone here at the RV park that wants the old stuff and will come get it Tuesday evening. Things couldn't be better. Did I mention that the folks at the park are going to help us remove the couch and recliners? These folks are quite super!

Once the furniture issue is settled, we will be heading north to North Carolina and doctor visits to see what we can do about my back troubles. Which way we go north depends on whether an old California friend of mine is still living in Jacksonville, Florida. The last time I was in contact with Al Follette was about four years ago and he was in bad health. I lost his phone number and have not heard from him since. If he is there, and well enough for a visit, we will spend a day or two in Jacksonville. If he is no longer around or is too ill to visit, then our trip north may take another direction. I do hope he is not in ill health and able to visit with us.

Anyway, time is moving along and so are we. It will be great to see Gail's daughter and her family again. Not looking forward to the medical side of our visit but whatever happens, happens....Jack