Breakfast with Bahnson

Our first destination in Florida was Rally Park, the huge RV park maintained by Lazy Days. Lazy Days is arguably the world's largest retailer of RVs of all classes, fifth wheels, caravans and related mobile accommodation and claims to sell about 1,000 units per month during the first quarter of each year.
Our plan in stopping here was to regroup, do our periodic chores in 70 degree weather rather than 7 degrees and then think about what we would do next. We met up with Rod Bahnson (shown here in his best suit) and his lovely bride Jean at breakfast, and have subsequently and unofficially assigned Rod as our mentor in the skills of long term and relaxed RVing. Rod and Jean have "full-timed" at this point for half-a-dozen years or so and appear to be succeeding mightily. Full timing means no regular house - just living and traveling permanently in their rig.
Rod is the "knower of all things". Whether it's where to go (or not go) when to go and why, he always comes up with sound advice. For long-term (not full time) tyros such as ourselves it has been a valuable association. We also met Bob and Maribel Clerc who long-time rather than full-time, and became convinced that we ought to give a major rally a shot. Thus, we are now destined to attend the South East FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) Rally in Brooksville, Florida next week. To date, there are more than 1,500 coaches booked to attend with more than 2,000 family units overall. We have low expectations and therefore are unlikely to be disappointed :-))
Another great (but slightly risky) activity at Lazy Days is to check out all of the new coaches to confirm that there are none that hold a candle to ours. This was working pretty well for the first two days but then an up and coming manufacturer, Tiffin, caught Marian's eye. This is the risky part. Another day was spent investigating this parvenu and there is even some desire to "stop by the factory" on the way home. Thus, a self image enhancing experience that "we did the right thing" when we bought Black Bess, could rapidly turn into a gut-wrenching case of deja-vu as we restart the entire process. Hopefully, a couple of glasses of Merlot and some flowers for Valentines day will vanquish such notions from her mind.