May is here and it is time to hit those Red Roads again. The wild west calls. Our winter respite has been a mixed bag. Florida had a wonderful winter, weather-wise. The best we’ve had for a while. We’ve enjoyed all our outdoor activities and the gardens are ablaze with color. The weather didn’t make two medical procedures on my left hand any less painful or annoying. Typing has been hard to do one handed, so I took the winter off from blogging, and limited my photography outings. It still isn’t recovered completely, but my doctor said not to baby it so I carry on and hope the stiffness abates and the flexibility returns.
Getting ready to take an extended RV trip can be as complex as you want to make it. We have the basics down…what to pack in terms of clothes, electronics, food and other basic necessities. The dining room becomes the staging area and piles begin to grow as backpacks, chargers, guidebooks and maps are gathered and sorted through. We have the general outline of the trip worked out…a few weeks in glorious Utah, a favorite state to visit. A return to Yellowstone, and our first time in the Canadian Rockies, Alberta, British Columbia and Vancouver Island will get us through July. Then we’ll take a few months working our way down the west coast to San Diego by early October. For the first time in eight years we will be making the trip without a golden retriever on board. We lost our sweet Melissa last week. We knew for a while she wouldn’t be joining us, but that doesn’t make it any easier. As I said, it has been a mixed bag this winter.
So off we go. We have some fishing to do in Alabama and Oklahoma before we hit Utah. So hop on board and buckle up if you want to come along.
Lissa loved to run
Red Road Diaries 
Glad to see your back. I’ve been wondering where you were. Sorry about your lost.
Thank you, we are looking forward to roaming the open road again.
Looking forward to the ride. So sorry to hear about Melissa. It’s never easy loosing a four-legged family member. Safe travels……I’m with you – love Utah!
Thank you, it’s not our first loss and probably not our last. It never gets easy.
I’m in…can’t wait!
My condolences on sweet Melissa…
welcome aboard. lissa was a sweet soul, missed but never forgotten
Sorry to hear about Melissa. Safe travels.
Thanks, Sylvia. Looking forward to what we will find on this one…no shortage of photography opportunities I’m sure.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
It sounds like you’ve planned a spectacular trip! Utah is a favourite of ours too, and you’ll be seeing the best that Canada has to offer. Enjoy! We’ll be waiting to hear all about it!
Thank you, looking forward to it all.
Glad you are getting ready to hit the road again. Hope all continues to moves forward with your hand. Sorry to read about Melissa. We are presently in Utah visiting our last of five parks. We have been here since the beginning of March. What an awesome state! Safe travels!
Thank you for your kind words. Loved your blog. We did Zion, and Bryce and Escalante last time through. This time we hit Arches and Canyonlands. Have taken our jeep on many of Utah’s backroads and enjoyed seeing your pics of some we were considering when we get to Moab. Hubby is not big on those switchbacks.
Oh my dear, the loss of a dear friend is always so challenging. My heart goes out to you. What a rough go of it you have had! That must mean that soon the clouds will part and the sun will warm your heart. Happy trails and if you would like to connect when you come through Vancouver, let me know.
Thank you for your kind words. We will be on Vancouver Island last half of July. Not sure if we will venture over to Vancouver proper or head down to the Olympic peninsula. Not big on driving in big cities, will keep you posted.
We look forward to hearing about your travels. We know how hard it is to lose a 4 legged friend! Sorry to hear about that.
Remember, if you are within a few hundred miles of Denver, lets try to connect!
thanks, Barry not sure what route we will take heading east but will keep you in mind if it’s not snowing!
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Good travels. Sorry for your loss… a good and loving friend makes it so hard to say good-bye. Jerry and I each had surgery on a hand for different reasons. Your doctor is so right! The old “move it, or loose it” applies here. We still have some mild stiffness in the affected hand upon waking but glad to say we both have full function and you will too. Be well and safe travels, Ann and Jerry.
Ann thanks for your comments, you give me hope that time will heal the hand. Look forward to being back on the road. Judith
Carol and I, and Thelma and Louise, send our sympathies along regarding Lissa. She was a sweet dog, and I enjoyed the few times I looked in on her for you.
Safe travels. We shove off for NH this time next week.
Mike
Thanks, mike. We will miss her. Hope the road trip will occupy us. Say hi to all, we’ll see you next year.
Welcome back, just as you are emerging out of winter we are creeping into it. Sorry to hear the sad news about Melissa. I lost my constant Poodle companion, Freddie, almost twenty years ago and still think of him today. He has not been replaced. Cheers…
Thanks, we’ll miss her. Look forward to being back on road and catching up with all my blogging pals. Stay warm this winter…
so sorry to hear about Lissa. She was a great dog. I will miss her as you will too. Enjoy your trip and be safe.
Thanks ellen. Sorry we missed you before we left. Keep in touch
Count me in, I’ve missed being on the road with you guys! (digitally, of course) So sorry to hear about your winter, what with your injury and the loss of your beloved dog.
Wishing you the best in your travels! Can’t wait to hear and see your upcoming trips.
Thanks for your comments. It is good to be back on the road with all our friends on board…
Judy & Rich, we are sorry to hear that Melissa has passed, she was terrific. You have a magnificent trip planned, enjoy it.
Thanks, sorry we won’t see you in Florida when you get there…have fun on your trip, hi to Joe. Loved your Sicily trip. J
It was great running into you at Mesa Verde…Scott, “Cinder” and I look forward to sharing the road with you this summer. Safe Travels!
same here, we’ll follow along with you as well…safe travels