We had a very emotional, roller coaster year in 2008.  It started out with a trip to Disney's Fort Wilderness with our daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons (4 &1).  We had planned the trip back in summer of 2007, never thinking that our SiL, Brian, a Navy Reserve LT, would be called up in Oct 2007 to serve with the U.S. Army (!?) in Afghanistan.

We were thankful that he was able to get leave and enjoy 2 days at Disney with us, but then he had to fly out from Orlando and then on to Afghanistan.  This begain our helping our daughter, Heather cope with his absence and trying to fill the void with our two grandsons.  Even though the rest of our time at Disney was great, it was also very sad.

June found me taking my son Ryan, and his family (DIL Amber and our two grandaughters, 2 & 1) cross country in the motorhome.  Ryan, a Coast Guard Petty Officer, was transferred from his cutter in Bayonne, NJ to a new duty station in Astoria, OR.  I rented a tow dolly to pull their car and we did a 14 day trip to OR while enjoying sites such as Wall Drug, Mt Rushmore, Custer Battlefield, Devil's Tower and others along the way.

Upon arrival, we got them settled and my bonnie bride, Marti, flew in to spend the weekend.  She was not able to get off from work, so enjoyed the quick visit.  I dropped her off at the Portland, OR airport and picked up my 86 year old father, who flew into OR to accompany me back on my 5  1/2 day return trip from OR to VA.  It was really a windshield tour, but he and I both enjoyed the time together.  I would have liked to have taken longer, but as an active duty Coast Guard Officer, I had to get back to work.  I'm thankful I was able to take as much leave as I did.

We used the MH again in August to take Heather and the boys to Sesame Place in PA.  GS Andrew got me to go on the water slides again and again (and again!).  We had a ball and I came home really soggy!

Thanksgiving was really special as we welcomed home Brian from Afghanistan.  He had used his engineering skills to help build security infastructure for the Afghan Army and Police.  He returned home safe and sound despite several really close calls.  We had a great Welcome Home party with over 150 friends and relatives turning out.

So we look forward to 2009 and are leaving on the 14th of January for Fort Wilderness with Brian, Heather and the gransons to finish the Disney World vaction that was upset in 2008!

Wishing all the RV Dreams Family a Happy New Year and wonderful miles ahead!

Best Regards!

-- Edited by Old Snipe at 13:16, 2009-01-01

-- Edited by Old Snipe at 13:16, 2009-01-01

I guess the biggest highlite in our year was just being able to be a part of this great bunch of people. Knowing this we look forward to this year and once more getting to be included with the RV Dreams family. It was so much fun meeting up with Mac and Netters..Bill and Debbie..
Ellie and Jim...Mark and Dortha...Weldon and Sandy...and I know that this coming year we will be able to meet up with more of you when we retire in June. Knowing that no matter which road we travel we will have a friend near by that we can set down and talk about things that we both have in common.

Thanks Dreamers

Joe and Sherri

Buying our motorhome in late summer was our big event for 2008. 

This year will be filled with milestones.

Our highlight has to be the summer we spent in Alaska, despite the fact that it was the coldest, wettest on record. We're already planning on a return trip and we'll leave earlier in the spring the next time.

The highlights of 2008:

1. Getting the courage to quit the 9-to-5, sell most of our belonging, and hit the road on July 1st.
2. Visiting Prince Edward Island and Cape Bretton Island
3. Boondocking next to a beautiful, quiet lake near Topsfield, Maine
4. Exploring the carriage roads at Acadia National Park
5. Travelling on the Blue Ridge Parkway
6. Visiting St. Augustine, FL
7. Camping on the beach in Carrabbelle Beach, FL
8. Visiting Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park
9. Spending Thanksgiving with friends
10. Visiting with old friends and new friends all across the country
11. Being able to share our experiences with family and friends.

I agree with Speedy!  The RV-Dreams rally was our turning point. We had the date of June 2012 all set for full time, but with the seminars and talking to the RV-Dream family in Branson, MO we've decided 2009/2010 will be our starting time.  We're hoping to get the 5er in June this year. 

See you on the road.
Jim & Dee

We had a great 2008
As workampers we did have a bad job the first three months, but that didn't lower our spirits.
We than spend about 1 month near our families in PA.
Leaving there we went to Life on Wheels (which is now out of business), got to meet Gaylord Maxwell (prior to his passing).
We than went to work in MT. for the summer, on the way we went to Badlands NP, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, drove Spearfish canyon, Devil's Tower.
While in MT. Kathleen's granddaughter was graduating from high school and we went to Seattle/Tacoma area and on the way we spent time in Glacier NP. In the Seattle area we visited the Beoing plant did a tour of the city on a DUCK, and drove around MT. Ranier.
While in MT. we visited Yellowstone NP about 6 times and spend two days in the Grand Teton's, along with touring Virginia City, MT and the Earthquake area in MT. several times.
On the way back east we visited Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Capital Reef NP, Bryce Canyon NP.
Did a tour on Boulder Dam, went to the Grand Canyon, got our picture taken in Four Corners (while in four states) drove over Wolf Creek Pass.
On the way east we passed the Arch in St. Louis.
We also spent a great week in Celina, OH at the Gypsy Journal Rally and met several RV Dreamers there.
Spent another month with our families in PA. upon leaving there went did Punkin Chunkin in DE.
The last two months we are at a great RV Resort in Avon Park, FL.
We were so blessed this past year, as all of our travels were safe.