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RV Life Daily Blog – 12/14/23

December 15, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

Another day in paradise —

We spent the morning deep-cleaning the RV. We swept and dusted everything well, used Pledge and Windex, opened windows, and cleaned the screens. It was a warm sunny day. It was so refreshing to open the windows and get fresh air flowing in and out of the windows.

I have a shark vacuum but I would rather use the shop vac for the edges and furniture.

After lunch, we went for a drive over to Mobile Bay and explored a little bit along the bay coast.

The first place we stopped at was Mary Ann Nelson Park. There were several pelicans on the piers in the photos below.

This is a wonderful small park with a picnic table and a tiny public beach area.

Located clear down on the eastern point of Mobile Bay and Bon Secaur Bay, this is a nice place not to be missed.

From here we headed up Highway 1 north to Mullet Point Park closer to Fairhope, Alabama.

There isn’t much here except a boat ramp and dock. The views of the bay today were gorgeous.

Highway 1 turns into Scenic Highway 98 and continues up the bay to Point Clear and Battles Wharf. There are a couple of spots where you can stop and see the bay, but mostly this drive is filled with private residences.

From here, I took Rich on a side trip to the Point Clear Confederate Rest Cemetery.

The sign says that the Grand Hotel and the Gunnison House served as a hospital for wounded Confederate soldiers from the Battle of Vicksburg during the Civil War.

More than 300 Confederate soldiers who died in the hospital are buried here.

The identities of these soldiers were kept in the hospital records until a fire in 1869 destroyed all the records and the names of the soldiers buried here were lost forever.

We finished our scenic drive for the day at the Fairhope Municipal Pier. This is a well-known fishing pier in the area that boasts great fishing, lots of pelicans, scenic views, and a seafood restaurant.

North Beach, which is right beside the pier, was closed and we weren’t able to drive to North Beach Park. We didn’t feel like going any further north so we headed back home from the pier.

The evening was spent watching Christmas movies on one of the free LG internet channels we get on our LG TV. We saw Scrooged, The Christmas Story, Jack Frost, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

What did you do today?

Thanks for reading and being interested in our travels.

RV Life Daily Blog 12/09/23

December 10, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

Another day in paradise –

Today was a beautiful warm day in Foley, Alabama. The temperature was 79 and humid. We turned on the air conditioning for the first time this month.

We stayed home today for the most part and relaxed outside. We are parked at Alabama Coast Campground and as of now plan to stay put until the end of January.

We played a few games of Sequence this afternoon. It has become one of our favorite games. We have quite the competition and always play at least the best out of five games. And I painted my fingernails a pretty coral green.

The neighbors across the way put up some Christmas decorations today. It was fun watching him put the Santa up.

We left home at 4:00 pm and headed to the Portage Creek Canal and parked the car on E. Canal Drive with tons of other vehicles to watch the annual Christmas Boat Parade.

With a perfect view of the canal, we set up the lawn chairs and relaxed until dusk. The boat parade begins at Lulu’s Gulf Shores and ends at The Wharf in Orange Beach.

The neighbors sitting beside us were extremely nice and conversational. We visited with them and listened to Christmas music together. They informed us that there will be fireworks on the beach on New Year’s Eve.

The first Christmas boat parade we ever saw was last year in Florida. Having lived in Ohio our whole lives we didn’t know there was such a thing.

Fog started to roll in just around dusk as the parade started due to the warm temperature of the air and colder water temperatures.

It was a wonderful parade with a lot of fun decorated boats playing loud Christmas songs. The boats here were much larger than the ones we saw last year in Florida.

We were back home by 6:00 pm and it was already dark. We aren’t allowed to have fires here, mostly due to the statewide burn ban. It would have been a nice night to sit outside around a fire.

Thanks for traveling with us and reading about our adventures. I hope you had an enjoyable day today like we did.

Tips For Making Your RV Feel Like Home

November 26, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

Home is wherever you lay your head to sleep.

Transforming our RV into a cozy and inviting home on wheels didn’t require extensive renovations or expensive decorations. With a few simple touches and personalization, I created a comfortable and inviting space that reflects our unique style and makes us feel at home wherever our travels take us.

One time in the state of Washington the neighbors wanted to see the inside of our motorhome. As soon as the wife came in she commented on how cozy it felt. She noticed the family pictures on the walls and she saw my hand crocheted blankets on the back of the couch and chair.

A few days later we were invited to see the inside of their RV. I noticed how all of those personal touches were missing. No wonder she didn’t feel at home on the road.

Here are some tips to help you make your RV feel like home.

Hang artwork and photos

I have decorated the RV walls with meaningful artwork, family photos, and sometimes travel souvenirs, which add a touch of personality and create a sense of familiarity.

I have even taped drawings from the grandkids on the refrigerator door.

Add throw pillows and blankets

I layer the seating areas with plush throw pillows and blankets to enhance comfort and create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

I have crocheted my own to match the color scheme in the RV.

Incorporate greenery

I love plants and had several when we lived in a house. Bringing the outdoors in by adding plants and flowers to the RV improves my mood. Sometimes when we set up for a month I will buy some of those cheap flowers at Walmart for the kitchen table.

Choosing low-maintenance varieties that can withstand movement is best. I still want to get a cactus or two. Providing a touch of nature to the living space enhances the area and gives it a homey feel.

Currently, I have just one live plant on the kitchen counter by the window.

Enhance the lighting

Replace the harsh overhead lights with softer and more ambient lighting options, such as dimmable bulbs, string lights, or table lamps.

I don’t like bright overhead lights but they are there if we need them. I feel more cozy with softer bulbs and lamps on.

Utilize natural light

I maximize natural light by opening windows and curtains during the day. It brightens up the RV and creates a more spacious feel. Daylight is important for us, especially during the short winter days.

Create a cozy bedroom

We upgraded the bedding by investing in a better-quality mattress that was comfortable. Sleep is important. I purchased some new bedding, including pillows, sheets, and a comforter I liked that matched the RV colors.

Adding personal touches with things like bedside lamps on our side areas, pictures of the grandkids, and a cozy throw blanket at the bottom of the bed makes the bedroom feel like home.

Optimize the storage

We utilize every inch of space. In the old RV, we took advantage of vertical space by installing shelves, hanging organizers, and using over-the-door storage solutions.

We implement storage containers, baskets, and drawer dividers to keep things organized and prevent clutter from overwhelming the limited space we have.

When we lived in the smaller RV we had to be more creative with space, but this newer one has plenty of room so far.

Incorporate scents

I use essential oils in a diffuser in the bathroom and burn scented candles in the living area. It creates a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere in our RV. Now at the holidays, I enjoy cinnamon and pine scents. In the warmer months, I like fruit scents like cherry and ocean scents.

Keep it fresh

We regularly air out the RV by opening windows as much as possible and use natural air fresheners to eliminate musty smells and maintain a fresh and clean environment.

Add rugs and floor coverings

We have laid down throw rugs to add warmth, texture, and visual interest to the floor. These are easy to throw in a washer.

Remember, making your RV feel like home is an ongoing process that involves personalizing the space to reflect your unique style and preferences.

I hope you embrace the journey and enjoy the process of creating a comfortable and inviting home on wheels.

Just like we have.

Thanks for reading.

Traveling With Rich & Julie

July 17, 2023 – Welcome to the new blog.

I have been thinking about starting a new blog to document our travels and experiences since moving into an RV and traveling full-time.

I have been writing faithfully about the places we have seen at Medium, but feel that more people would be able to read about our travels here where it is free to read.

At Medium it costs $4.99 per month to read unlimited stories and articles, although you can read three articles per month for free.

Don’t get me wrong, I love it when you read my posts at Medium because that’s how I get paid, but reaching my readers is more important than the tiny amount of money I might make.

I also love taking photos. All the photos on this site were taken by me unless otherwise noted. Some of my favorites are posted in the side bar slideshow on the bottom right.

I have decided the best way to bring you along with us on our journeys is to post a daily blog right here on the landing page of my website. I hope you bookmark it and check back regularly. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Travel on.