Life of Retirement

I've heard many times that I should enjoy the time off between my military service and any future employment, but I feel like I should probably return to the workforce.

There are days that have me wondering...is life better when you are chasing the almighty dollar or is it better chasing waves?  HMMMMMM...

Let's think about the past 27 years.  I devoted my life to the service of our country.  I was the guy who gave it all...all of the time.  Even to the detriment of my family, I gave and gave and gave.  I look back on those years and see that I made a very "grave" mistake.  I should never have WORKED more and spent LESS time with the family.  However, it was what I thought (yes I did have some thought into this life of service and work) would take me to the next level.  When I think about the days, months, years, events, birthdays, dances, anniversaries, etc. that I missed can NEVER be given back.

I don't know why I was so "driven"!   Some say that a man thinks his job or position is what "makes the man"!  I guess I was no different than anyone else.  I worked HARD to make the best of my career and provide for my family...but when I look back, I would take it all back to have MORE time with my wife and our daughter.

Normally, hard work is rewarded in the business sector.  I always believed in my bosses to take care of me.  However, they all fell SHORT.   You would think that GOs would be able to help put the right people in the right jobs.  However, I found out that it's all about WHO you know versus WHAT you do!  I was a doer while others (those who got moved on to the next level) were doers as well (doing their politicking).

So...now that I'm in retired life, I am making the MOST of it.  I am spending ALL of my time with the love of my life (myWife)!  She has been my best friend, biggest cheerleader, most trusted confident and the one I still love to spend the MOST time with.  So nowadays, I spend ALL of my time with here.  After 8 months, I'm surprised she is NOT tired of me.  She still goes on walks with me and holds my hand.  She loves to watch the beautiful sunsets here in Florida.  AND she loves just hanging out with me!

For all of you thinking that the J.O.B. is the most important thing in life...think again!  It's the people around you...the ones you L.O.V.E. that make life so wonderful!  So rethink your priorities...the almighty dollar will always be there to chase...but you only get one chance to take your daughter to her first day of kindergarten or teach her to ride a bike...make every day COUNT!!!!

Not all FamCamps are created =

While we are here in the Panhandle of Florida, we have decided to take a look at every option for FamCamps around.

The first few days we were here, we drove over to Hurlburt Field and Eglin, just to see what LIFE with the local Air Force would be like, since we are "roughing it" with the Army right now.   

I was completely impressed with Hurlburt Field's NEW FamCamp!  The only thing that is a downfall for this place is that they cleared ALL of the trees, made a field and then put in RV parking spots.  Who was the MORON that planned this?   I can't believe the people who build RV Camps...it is obvious that they are NOT campers!  However, the facility is NICE and NEW!  

As for the Eglin FamCamps (yes they have TWO camps).  Both are in need of some TLC (Tender Loving Care).  The Robbins FamCamp is in the trees, but once again they don't have cement pads.  Gravel pads make it tough to get things level!!!!  Then there is Postal Point which is "rustic"!  It has a great view (overlooking the water), but in very unprotected from the weather with NO trees!  Also, Postal Point only has water and electricity!!!!!  Again, who was the I D 10 T that thought this was a good idea.

Today, I finally made it over to the Maxwell-Gunter Recreation Area located near Niceville, Florida.  All I can say is WOW!  It was NOT what I was expecting.  

The Maxwell-Gunter Recreation Area (called Mid-Bay Shores) is located right next to the Mid-Bay Bridge (or should I say right UNDER the Mid-Bay Bridge) and on the Choctawhatchee Bay (north side).   While it is RIGHT ON the WATER, that's about all I can say about it.  The RV parking slots are sand and the landscape is in need of some attention.  But on the upside, it does have trees (we love trees since it helps keep the temperature down with it's hot outside, but also brings with it BUGS).  

Here are a few photos of the Mid-Bay Shores Recreation Area.   Rough is putting it nicely.  I am very disappointed that the Maxwell Leadership doesn't take an interest in taking care of this "jewel"!  They need to take some notes from the US Army...which is surprising since the Army doesn't usually do Quality of Life too seriously.  Again, Army...YOU ROCK with the Destin Facility!!!!

Now, to be fair, we have done our research on military FamCamps before we ever make the decision to stay in one.  Before we headed to the Panhandle, we looked (online) at al of the reviews for the local FamCamps to get a "feel" for what would be our type of place.  We read the militarycampgrounds.us for some good reviews from other RVers to get a their take on the landscape.  While we have "disagreed" with MANY of the RVers in pervious parks, sometimes they are RIGHT ON!  We very much appreciate the forums and posts from other campers on the FamCamps, so keep them coming.

We still need to head to Panama City and see Tyndall AFB's FamCamp!  I wonder what that place holds!!!

WhatSUP

Life in the RV allows us to enjoy the "finer things in life", like going to the beach just because we want to.

Today, we took it easy.  I have been determined to get my wife to going SUPing in the ocean.  Being that we are along the Gulf Coast, the ocean (Gulf of Mexico) has very few swells so it's almost like paddling on the lake.  So finally....I had her up on the SUP and enjoying herself.  She liked it even more because the Emerald Coast water is so "clear".  So she had the chance to see some wildlife (small stingray, some schools of fish and "sand sharks" (well that's what she calls them).

The best part of going to the beach was just chillaxin'.  For a long time, we both just sat on the SUP as the waves came to shore bouncing us around and "TALKED"!!!!   How awesome it is to just hang out with my wife.

'lil Lady SUPing

Here's our view from Destin Army Recreation Area RV Resort Camp.  We have been watching the sun set every day since we arrived.  Most are THIS beautiful.  Thank You to the US Army...you did a good job picking this location for a Recreation Area.

Daily Sunset....not too bad!

P.S.  If you are military, this place is well worth the stay.

Weather you like it or NOT!

It's all about the weather when you are RVing and since you have no control over it, it's drives the activities you do while living in an RV.

Today was supposed to be Sunny in the morning with clouds rolling in the afternoon.  So...I had a plan for the day!  We were going to head to the beach for the morning sunrise and a little SUPing and then head back to the RV for the afternoon for some relaxing and surfing (the Internet).

However, today's local weather man got it WRONG!  When we woke up this morning, it was already cloudy...not what I expected.  So the whole day has been changed.

I like SUNNY days!!!   Thanks for making a wrong forecast!!!!

Camping, Glamping or RV Resort Livin'

There are many different types of camping.  There is REAL Camping, Glamping and RV Resort Living.

REAL Camping is experiencing nature in an intimate way.  Some would say this is the only way to enjoy the wilderness.  Many would say you pack in your tent, food, water and toilet paper into some remote location which can NOT be reached by vehicles.   This is off the grid type of RVers who like wide open spaces.  They will sometimes install solar panels and battery banks into their RVs to allow them to remain longer without the normal RV hookups.  

Glamping on the other hand is defined as:  

Glamping 

Going camping, but with glamour. A combination of the two words. It's like regular camping , but with nicer things than usual, being warmer, and more comfortable. Glamping isn't done by usual outdoor types who climb mountains.

Glamping is going camping with all of the creature comforts of home.  Like... a bed vs a sleeping bag.  An RV or camper with plumbing vs using the Great Outdoors as your toilet.   Glamping is what most RVers are doing.  There are a few (and I mean very few) who like REAL Camping (going off the grid).  Most of us like to have the "finer things of life".  We like to have water connections, electricity (so that we can watch TV), and sewer hookups are ALWAYS NICE!!  Who wants to have to use the honey wagon to dump your poop!

Finally, there is RV Resort Living.  This is the BEST and worst of RV living.  For the best, it means you have ALL of the amenities you have at a nomal hotel.  However, this comes at a cost...usually RV Resort Living comes with a high monthly or nightly fee.  Also, with RV Resort Living, you have to deal will all of those BIG rigs...those people who have way too much money and buy RV coaches worth $500K.  Yeah, half a million dollars on a RV is NOT RVing.   Also, with RV Resort Living, usually the slots are a little closer than normal.  That means you are very close to your neighbors...no matter if you like it or not.  For example, this morning I was "looking" in the way of our neighbors coach and they quickly "pulled their shades".  It wasn't like I was snooping or peeping into what they were doing...but with close quarters, privacy is lacking.

We are currently RV Resort Living.  We have Cable TV hookups along with a pool, splash pad, boat dock among the other normal amenities (water, sewer, electric, bath house, laundry).

Destin Army Recreation Area Poolside view overlooking the Bay!

What's in size?

Every day you spend in an RV, you "notice" what others are driving.  I have seen it all...from the LARGEST of the LARGE to the smallest of the small.  

Each time I see another RV, I think...could we make it work in an RV of that size.  It's easy to answer the question when you see a 43+ foot bus pull in and park.  I say "OH YEAH" I could live in that!   It's really those smaller RVs that you see and wonder!

While I think I could manage in a smaller coach, I'm not sure I want to!  There is some benefits to having a little larger coach than a postage stamp.  It is nice not having to make the bed out of the dinette every night.  I mean, that's OK, but if you want to sleep in, where do you eat breakfast (I guess in bed). Also, where is the privacy in a small unit.

Sometimes we need our own space and with a bedroom in the back and the living room in the front, we can spread out!  This way my noisy TV doesn't bother my wife's reading her books.

We have talked about going smaller...like "stealth camping small" in a RoadTrek, but I'm just not there (yet).  However, I think there would be some great advantages to going smaller.  With our current rig getting 7.5 MPG, I think we could pull a nice bumper pull and A LOT better MPGs which translates into $$$$.

Also, with a smaller RV, we would be saving some money on the cost...and with that I could be like this guy and have more toys.

This guys has more invested in surfboards and SUPs than in his RV--6 boards.

So...I ask...what's in size?