One of the benefits of the full-time RV lifestyle is the flexibility that it offers.  Originally, we had planned on staying in Florida until the end of March, but we have departed and are currently heading west to Texas to visit with my sister LuAnn and her family.  We are looking forward to spending some time with them, and seeing a new part of the country prior to returning to Wisconsin about a month sooner than expected.

At the end of January and the beginning of February Dan flew back to Wisconsin for a couple of weeks. Originally, he was going to stay in Milwaukee and help his friend Mike with more remodeling work on his new bar and grill.  However, Dan’s plans changed a little as his father was recently diagnosed with stage 3 bladder cancer. Along with being able to help his friend with more of the remodeling work, Dan was able to drive his parents to Green Bay so they could all attend several doctor appointments and his Dad’s first chemotherapy treatment. His Dad will be doing six rounds of chemo followed by surgery at a later date to remove the bladder and prostate.  To date Dan’s Dad has finished 3 out of his 6 chemo treatments with round four coming tomorrow and the good news – none of the usual chemo side effects have shown up. He is still lifting weights three days a week and walking two miles a day. He plans on swinging a golf club as soon as the weather in Wisconsin cooperates and he will turn a young 81 in a couple of weeks. We are all praying for a complete and speedy recovery!

We did manage a bit of fun while we were here in Florida.  Dan’s brother Gary and his wife Julia flew down, and we spent several days with them in Cocoa Beach where they were staying.  At the same time, one of Dan’s good friends from high school, Kevin, was down at Disney with his wife Kathy for a conference.  We have not seen them for several years, and they live in New Jersey (Kathy is a huuuuge Eagles fan, so we cheered for them in the Super Bowl!).  All of us had an enjoyable afternoon together at Disney Springs, on one of the rare cooler days in Florida.

Dan, Buzz (ole?) and Kevin

Me, Dan, Gary, Julia, Kevin & Kathy

I was quite fascinated by the Lego display at Disney Springs.  Getting paid to build Lego sculptures would be a fun job!

While Dan was away in Wisconsin, I went down to Titusville with another couple from the campground, and we waited about five hours, to witness an amazing launch of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket.  It kept getting delayed due to high atmospheric winds, and the launch window was coming to a close when it finally went off!  It was totally worth the sunburn!!  We found a spot due west of the Space Center, about 8 miles as the crow flies, to witness history!  This was our view from across the water.

Falcon Heavy liftoff

About 10 minutes later, we were able to watch two of the rocket boosters return accompanied by their loud sonic booms.  They looked like 2 shiny UFO’s!

2 rockets returning

I’d like to see SpaceX do a night launch with this rocket.  It would be spectacular!

Makena Update

With all this traveling we will be doing,  Makena will be spending a lot of time in her crate in the back seat of the truck. This will be a good thing. The mosquitos have been very active in Florida, and I think she has a few bites, which has caused her to scratch a lot.  With all the scratching, she has been walking a little more gingerly. I think she may have tweaked her back.  Hopefully this won’t be too much of a setback on her healing.   I did make an appointment for her in Wisconsin to see the veterinarian, so we’ll know more at that time.

I know it’s been a long time since I have blogged, but we have not really been up to too much.  Over these next few weeks, we will be seeing some new areas, so I will have more to write about soon.

Quote for the day:  “There is nothing permanent, except change.”  – Heraclitus