Month: January 2024

From the Gulf Coast to Mississippi

~ Wandering Cindi ~ 1 Comment

After we said goodbye to Mason, Gage, Jenna and Quentin, we hit the road. That road being I10, one of the most boring roads I have ever driven. We had a reservation at Grayton Beach State Park on the Gulf Coast. I was really excited to get to the Gulf beaches. The emerald green water and the soft, white sand call to me. Unfortunately, a super cold front went through and dropped the temperature into the 20’s. We did not even attempt to have any beach time. The call is not that strong. The state park was wonderful. And I look forward to visiting it again in better weather.

We spent 3 days at the state park. It was good to get back in the routine. It was also a good place to introduce Lola to a totally different life than she had been accustomed. She quickly got into the routine of leashed walks and waiting for me to clean up her poop. After our three days, it was time to move north and west. We did need to get to northwest Louisiana by a certain date (for Aaron’s job), so it was time to pack it up and get moving.

Our next home for a few days was Lake Lincoln State Park in Mississippi. This is another beautiful state park a little south of Jackson, Mississippi. The ranger was so warm and welcoming! She even gave us a huge sample of coffee that is packaged especially for the Mississippi State Parks. This is another place I would love to revisit when it is a bit warmer. One of the bonuses of camping in the winter (except in Florida) is that the campgrounds are almost completely empty. I think there was one, maybe two other campers the whole time we were there. The dogs were able to wander and explore off the leash. They both really enjoy that!

Lola and Murphy really enjoyed exploring in the woods, playing in the icy creeks, and trying to break and eat the ice on top of the frozen water puddles.

During our 5 day stay, I had a realization. We lived about two and a half hours away (in Louisiana) from this beautiful park in Mississippi for 20+ years and never knew it existed. That realization helped cement (in my mind) that Aaron and I have made the right choice in continuing this wandering life. There are so many places and hidden gems that we have yet to identify or explore, some closer to us than we knew.

After our five days in Mississippi, it was time for us to head west into northwest Louisiana. All of our family lives in southeast Louisiana, so we did not have the opportunity to pay them a visit, yet. Luckily, it is Mardi Gras season, and I am sure we will find some yummy king cake while we are there. Look out, Louisiana, Aaron, Murphy, Lola, and I are are coming!

Goodbye 2023 and Hello 2024

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Aaron and our three kids on the patio

The most difficult thing about the life Aaron and I have chosen is being away from our kids for extended periods of time. We were fortunate that Gage’s job enabled us to see him a few times while on the road, but we had not seen Jenna and Mason for almost 10 months. We decided that an extended visit to Florida and our kids was the best way to spend December, Christmas, and the New Year. So, we spent December and half of January parked in the back yard of our old home in Yulee. Mason, Jenna, and Quentin (Jenna’s fiancé) are renting the home from us while we wander.

Jenna and Quentin had found an inflatable Santa gnome for us. Aaron became inspired and hung some Christmas lights.

Christmas was full of laughs, amazing food cooked by Quentin, and yummy mimosas! The kids gave us the best gift! They had this blog turned into a beautiful book. The best part of Christmas was being together (and the mimosas).

Gage brought an insane amount of fireworks, and we had a blast toasting the new year and making a lot of pretty booms in the sky. None of us could remember how long it had been since we all celebrated New Year’s Eve together. It was magical.

Murphy and Lola

Girl, Honey, and Stella

Jenna and Quentin have 3 dogs that they brought with them when they moved to Florida. We had Lola (who is actually Gage’s dog) while we were living in Florida. Gage couldn’t have her at his apartment. When Aaron and I decided to start this journey, we chose to not have any pets along. Jenna, Mason, and Quentin agreed to have Lola continue to stay with them at the house. Of course, after 5 months we adopted Murphy. With Murphy, there were 5 dogs all sharing one yard. They did not all get along. So we made sure they took turns using the back yard. Lola and Stella never learned to get along, and as soon as we parked the camper, Lola came out to us, and decided she was moving into the Airstream. Luckily, she and Murphy became fast friends.

Girl would come visit the Airstream quite often.

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend time with some of my friends! I was able to make it to Karen’s Christmas party, have margaritas and dinner with Gia and Barbara, mimosas and lunch with Terri, see Tonia’s new office, and more dinner and a little shopping with Karen. Once again, I failed on all levels with taking pictures. At least Karen was able to grab a selfie of us during our last dinner together before Aaron and I hit the road.

After discussion with Gage, Jenna, Mason and Quentin, we decided to keep Lola with us for a few months. Gage’s lease will be up in March, and he is getting a place where he can have Lola with him. In the meantime, Lola is going to have some adventures of her own with Aaron, Murphy and myself. She is 10 years old and Murphy is only a year and a half. They are good for each other. He is keeping her active and she is keeping him in line.

After a month and a half being stationary, it was time to say goodbye for now to our kids and friends. When we started this journey, we said we were going to travel for a year and then decide if we were going to continue the journey. Our first year isn’t finished until the end of February, but we have already decided that we are going to keep wandering for at least another 1-2 years if not longer. We have seen some beautiful things, but we have hardly scratched the surface of places to see and adventures to be had. Back on the road we go!