Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts

Friday, April 19, 2024

Fly On The Wall At Our 40th Wedding Anniversary


Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In A  Tornado. Today there are three of us brave souls inviting you into our homes for a peek at what goes on behind closed doors. 

The nosey fly followed Hubs and me to St Augustine last week for our annual wedding anniversary vacation (this year was our 40th!). He definitely overheard some weird conversations but mostly he saw us relaxing on the bay and eating waaaay too much seafood. 


It was such a fun trip! Mac got to jet ski in the bay (I will never do THAT again after almost falling off into frigid water that was infested with little worms!!) and one evening we went out on a sunset cruise that was also a wine tasting party. The wind was CRAZY but we had a blast (who wouldn't when you're out on the ocean sipping wine for 2 hours!).

Our favorite part of these annual trips to St. Augustine is exploring the historic district and tasting all the culinary delights the city has to offer. Best seafood, best martinis, quaint shops, adorable old homes and B&Bs, friendly locals..... I'd buy a home here if I could afford it.



We went back to the special place that rents clown cars---a tradition of ours every year---but looking at those mini mobiles this time (and feeling horribly bloated from so much calorie-laden indulgence), we looked at each other and realized there was no way we could fit our fat butts into the tiny car---not to mention crawling back out. FUGGEDABOUTIT. So we rented a golf cart instead to toodle around town. Much more comfortable!

In typical Doyle fashion---and the motto we live by: "Go Big Or Go Home," Mac and I got matching tattoos to celebrate our 40 years together. We chose the Japanese symbol for love since we love Japanese culture and we're still deeply in love (yeah, I see your eye rolls....). It was a funny experience even though there were some OUCH moments while getting inked (but totally worth it!). 


So here are some snippets of conversation with the hubs during our trip and a total photo dump of St.  Augustine: 

ME: "That was a great meal and a great dessert!"

HUBS: "It was....but now I need to hibernate for a few months to digest it all."




ME: "There are vultures circling over our hotel!"

HUBS: "That's because I haven't showered in a few days."

ME: "Ah yes, they DO like the scent of rot."


ME: "Why are you lying on the hotel bed like that?"

HUBS: "I ate too much lobster at the restaurant---I have to lie in the fetal position to feel better."



HUBS: "My back is killing me from all the walking we've been doing at the tourist spots."

ME: "You should just get back surgery and be done with it." 

HUBS: "No way. The surgeons will remove one or two of my disks and then I'll be shorter. In fact, I'll probably be so short that you'll stick me in the backyard and use me as a yard gnome."

ME: "Or a door stop....."





HUBS: "We're eating too much rich food at all these restaurants. It's making me gassy. But at least my farts are kinda quiet---like tiptoeing through the tulips."

ME: "I wouldn't call that tiptoeing. More like galloping."



ME: "Aren't you glad I'm not a picky person like some other women we know?"

HUBS: "Yes, you're definitely not a picky person because you picked me. Happy Anniversary!"



Happy Anniversary Honey, and cheers to many, many more!

Want more Meno Mama? First off, some menopause humor (it felt great to write humor again!) over at AARP/The Girlfriend which you can read HERE. Next, healthy spring dishes for AARP/The Ethel that you can read HERE.

Now it's time to go buzz around with the fly at Karen and Diane's house to see what they've been up to!

Baking In A Tornado                                https://www.BakingInATornado.com

                               

On the Border                                         https://dlt-lifeontheranch.blogspot.com/


Friday, June 23, 2023

Fly On The Wall On A Camping Trip


Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall, hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today, the two of us are inviting you into our homes to give you a fly's eye view of what goes on behind closed doors. 

That nosy fly felt right at home with us recently on our first RV trip we took over the weekend of June 9. He brought a bunch of his friends, too, but I didn't care because I was having too much fun exploring beautiful Highlands Hammock State Park in Florida. If you know me well, then you already know that RV camping has been on my bucket list for many years. Hubs and I have dreamed of retiring together and hitting the road in a little RV, and we finally took the first step to make that dream come true. 




We rented a fully equipped 24 ft. drivable RV and it was perfect! I'm a very organized person who did my research, so the trip went smoothly and was absolutely the most relaxing vacation I have ever had. In fact, I'd say this trip was a game changer for me and my hubs. We know for sure now that this is the life we want, so we are making future plans to turn this dream lifestyle into a reality. The cool thing is that Hubs will be retiring next year, and I work remotely with my writing job, so I can continue to write anywhere, anytime. 


What I loved most about this trip was the pure serenity we felt in the park--it was so peaceful, plus we were surrounded by all kinds of wildlife. The sites, the sounds....we were totally immersed in nature, exploring her glory---but with A/C, indoor plumbing, comfy beds, and a mini kitchen, of course! We spent our days walking trails, checking out the park's CCC museum, photographing wild birds and animals, and socializing with other campers. We also ate like kings during the trip---steaks, ribs, and fresh veggies on the grill as well as yummy side dishes and desserts (calories don't count while you're on vacation, right?). 


But I'd say the best part of the trip was the evenings spent outside playing many rounds of horseshoes,  cornhole, and lawn darts. It was also nice listening to our son softly playing his acoustic guitar while Hubs and I sipped cocktails as the sun set over the thick line of trees. The night sky was so vast and clear that we could see hundreds of stars and track the constellations above us. 

There were also many funny moments on the trip between my son and Hubs, but the funniest was watching them try to figure out how to empty and clean the bathroom tanks. Yes, I'm talking about poo, and it was hilarious. 

This trip was by far one of our best--so much so that we already booked another one in October. Words cannot express how much this experience meant to me, so I'll have to share some of the highlights with photos: 
































If you've been thinking of taking a camping trip in an RV, I highly recommend it! It was one of the best vacations I've ever had, so I can't say enough good stuff about it. I promise it will be an experience you will never forget---bathroom tanks and all!


***WANT MORE MENO MAMA? You can catch me over at AARP talking about another type of vacation (cruising!) with my helpful tips here:  https://www.aarpethel.com/lifestyle/what-you-should-know-before-booking-your-next-cruise

Be sure to buzz around Karen's blog at https://www.bakinginatornado.com and see what the fly has been up to over there!



Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Ready To Hit The Road? Listen To The Skiptown All-Stars Podcast!


 Who hasn't dreamed of hitting the road after retirement (or if you work remotely) to explore the country? My husband and I have discussed doing just that once we can afford to buy an RV. But I'm a planner, so I'll need to research not only the vehicles but the destinations that we have in mind. This is where the Skiptown All-Stars Podcast comes in handy---the Gordons have already put in the miles and are sharing all the important info with their listeners. Here is one of my favorite episodes (#34) of theirs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re_EIca_cmA&t=5s  Want more? This is what you'll find when you tune in:


Skiptown All-Stars Podcast

Ever wonder what it’d be like to liquidate your life and hit the road at the tender age of 50? JAMES and DENISE GORDON did just that. After their youngest daughter flew the coop for college, the married couple of 25 years sold everything they owned in Los Angeles, loaded up the minivan, and headed on a cross-country journey in search of their forever home. Their weekly podcast is an adventure like no other. It’s an immersive deep dive into American cities and coastal towns. They take their listeners into every tourist trap, hidden gem, and off-the-beaten-path escapade. All the while, asking the most important question, “Can we live here?” 



It’s not just about skipping town. They’re also breaking down retirement, remote working, real estate, and all the other impending issues Gen Xers and Boomers are facing. Whether you’re looking to check off those bucket-list boxes or want to know the scoop about where to hang up your hat, Skiptown All-Stars Podcast is for you! With thousands of miles under their tires and countless cities visited, they’re quickly becoming known as the wildly amusing Trusted Trip Advisors, appealing to the wanderlust in us all. Episodes are available everywhere you get your podcasts. #empty nest #full tank


 

***You can find the Gordons here: https://skiptownallstars.com/ (plus anywhere you listen to podcasts) or their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@skiptownallstars 

 

***If you need the audio-only links for the podcast:

 

For Apple users

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skiptown-all-stars/id1636817938

 

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0LY5k3G0n03N0pDtO8Zx72?si=c3f9daa1902b4741

 





 





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