Saying "Farewell"
- thewanderwomanrv
- Jun 28, 2023
- 5 min read
March-April 2023
After being stationary for nine months while work camping at Murrell Park in Flower Mound TX it was time to leave. The RV park at Murrell where we lived was called Volunteer Village and I will miss my “Village People”. We are/were gate attendants and checked people in at the small primitive (tent only) campground. We worked 20 hours a week and although we weren't paid, we got a free campsite with utilities so it was a sweet deal!
It was so nice to work with such a great group of folks that I definitely consider family. Thank you Marilyn, Schannia, Shelley, Mike and Renee for making my stay so great!
On the way to Georgia I stayed in the parking lots at Margaritaville Casino in Bossier City LA and Bass Pro Shop in Pearl MS. Both were great for a free, overnight place to stay. Always call ahead and verify overnighting is allowed and for crying out loud be respectful so we can still use these places. Bonus – both had grassy areas where I could throw the ball and exercise Sage before we got back on the road.
My first layover was just outside Montgomery AL at Gunter Hill COE campground. I’d heard wonderful things about GH and they were right – well partially. There are two loops in the campground. Catoma loop has been renovated and has full hookups. The roads and pads are all paved and it’s really nice and spacious. Antioch loop is the “ghetto side” and that’s where I stayed. The roads are pretty rough in spots and the spaces are, in my opinion, strangely laid out and a little close together. It has electric and water only and gravel pads but there is a dump station down the street. Since I didn’t have sewer, I was going to use the bathhouse, however, it was disgusting so I showered in my rig. My site overlooked the Alabama River and was very scenic. Sage enjoyed the dog park a few miles away and we had a great visit with my cousin Terri.
After three days in Bama, we finally arrived in my hometown of Warner Robins, Georgia.
My sister and I lost our mom on Feb 6th and had her memorial service here so her brother could attend. Mama was actually my inspiration for full-time RVing. She lived in Florida, sold her condo, bought a small Class C and traveled for several years. She did this back in the early 90s before there were all the apps and websites too! She would've been 89 this past April and had been in bad health for the last few years. My amazing sister Cathy took such good care of her and she passed peacefully in her sleep.
Her memorial service was so special. Two of our pastors and my brother-in-law spoke and told stories about her. Everyone there that didn’t personally know her said they felt like they did after the service.
From there we went to Destin FL to scatter her ashes. She lived in Fort Walton Beach for many years and loved that area and the beach. She wanted her ashes spread in the Gulf of Mexico so we couldn’t think of a better place to do it. Cousin Terri’s husband is a mechanic and repairs a lot of the fishing boat engines, so she knows all the captains. She arranged for Captain Rusty to take us out on his appropriately named boat, Done Deal. We told him how much mama loved dolphins and how much it would mean to us if we saw one. He said they see them every day, so he was positive we’d see some going out...so, of course we didn’t!
When we got to the drop spot, Terri said a prayer over her ashes and we released her. It was a bittersweet moment. We were happy to have fulfilled all her wishes but it was hard to completely let her physical remains go. But, she was a Christian and so am I so I know that this is just farewell and I'll see her again one day in Heaven.
On the way back to the harbor Captain Rusty motored around until he found us a pod of dolphins! What an awesome way to honor her and end the morning!
I was lucky enough to get 6 nights at Destin Army Recreation Area. If you're military, I highly recommend this place. They have an RV park, bungalows and hotel rooms.
It’s right on Choctawhatchee Bay and has a pool and splash pad for the kids. It was awesome! The RV sites are tight but where else can you stay in Destin for $40 a night? Of course we ate some good seafood while we were there. I also caught up with my dad who lives nearby, my cousin Darwin and an Air Force friend Dina. It was good to see them again.
From there I went just up the road to Milton to visit another wing chick, Lisa. We were supposed to go kayaking but the weather just wouldn’t cooperate. We did have a great seafood dinner, caught some live music by the river and indulged in a much needed pedicure.
If you’re a Harvest Host member there’s a lavender farm north of Panama City that I stayed at on the way back to Georgia. They have three electric sites as well as dry camping area. I booked an electric site thinking it was going to be hot and I’d need a/c but it was actually very comfortable. Each site has a fire pit and they even provide wood for a fire.
They gave me a tour and showed me the new lavender plants they’re growing. They also have have chickens, hogs, a Great Pyrenees and a couple cats roaming around.
Lavender fields, dog and hog, lounging cat, Fitz checking out the yard birds
Their gift shop was divine. I spent way too much in there. The have soaps, lotions, sprays, bath bombs, candles, and even lavender jelly. Highly recommend Southern Grace Lavender Farm. Even if you don't stay there, stop by and visit the gift shop if you’re in the area.
My last stop before going back to Warner Robins was in Valdosta GA to visit my friends Pat and Susan. They’re the couple I lived with between the time I sold my house and got my RV. Sage had a great time playing with their dog, Finn.
They have bunnies! They were so cute and cuddly. We just hung out at their house and caught up on each other's lives. They're the greatest people and I'm so glad we've stayed friends for over 25 years.
Me and one of the bunnies; Sage stalking the bunny bungalow; me, their youngest daughter Justine and Susan; Pat getting kisses from Sage.
So that's it for now. I'm glad to be back traveling and I hope you're all doing well! See you next time...
Enjoyed our visits while you were here. Hope to see you again soon. Take care of yourself.