Getting Through Winter
As I sit here today reflecting on another Minnesota winter, I’m reminded of just how much my relationship with the season has changed over the years.
When I was younger, I watched the weather forecast hoping for snow. The more the better. Snow meant we could get the snowmobiles out and spend another weekend on the trails with friends.
Life has a way of changing our priorities.
The snowmobiles are gone, winters don’t seem quite as reliable as they once were, and that chapter of life has quietly come to an end.
Now I find myself looking at winter from a completely different perspective.
My biggest regret this year is that we didn’t stage Casa Roll farther south last fall. Towing a frozen trailer in the middle of winter has little appeal to me. Even when an RV has been properly winterized, the flexing that occurs while traveling can place unnecessary stress on frozen seals, fittings, and plumbing. It’s simply one more risk I’d rather avoid.
To help cure a little cabin fever, Pat and I have decided to fly to Florida for ten days.
We’ll spend time with family, enjoy some warmer weather, and look at potential RV parks for next winter.
One thing I’ve noticed while researching campgrounds is that there seem to be more vacancies than we’ve seen in recent years. Advertisements for next season are already appearing, and in some areas prices have actually begun to soften.
That may not be good news for campground owners, but it’s certainly encouraging for those of us hoping to spend part of the winter in warmer weather.
The biggest question we continue to wrestle with isn’t where to go.
It’s how long to stay.
During our first snowbird season, we spent the entire winter in one Florida campground. While it wasn’t our first choice of location because it was farther inland than we had hoped, we ended up having a wonderful experience and met some truly great people.
There’s something to be said for staying in one place long enough to become part of the community.
On the other hand, we also enjoy moving every few weeks and discovering new places.
For now, we’ve settled on what we think is the best balance.
Instead of spending six months away, we’re planning on about four months.
Our current plan is to stage Casa Roll somewhere near St. Louis after our final trip this fall. Then, once the holidays are behind us, we’ll head south in early January.
That seems to fit both our travel style and our family priorities.
In the meantime, we’re already busy planning another summer full of camping trips and new adventures.
Half the fun of RVing is planning where the next journey will take us.
To everyone already enjoying warmer weather, or preparing to head south soon, I have to admit…
I’m a little jealous.
Travel safely, enjoy every mile, and if you discover a campground or destination worth sharing, I’d love to hear about it.
Safe travels.