Our first stop in the new year. We have a prime site close to the entrance. It never gets old watching the show. We managed to be #5 in line this time. We met up with friends and tried to stay warm. Winter sucks. 😂 We went to the RV show in Tampa once again resisting buying a new RV. I did order a new electronic lock and new filters for the water filtration system.

It’s cold in Florida. We stopped here for two nights to see Charlene’s Neurologist. We tried some Greek food. Why does everything have to be Americanized? Did I mention it’s cold in Florida?

We went from winter to summer in three weeks. We used the time to finalize our trip planning for 2025 and did more routine maintenance on the RV and the truck. Doctor visits have been taken care of and we are ready to go.

I finished up more projects. I ran cables for the solar panels through the bathroom closet. So now they are not dangling on the side of the RV anymore. Starlink switched us to the roaming plan. So I got the new Gen 3 dish, built a box on the roof for it, and ran that cable through the same hole in the roof. This way, we have Starlink in motion. The fridge is stocked, and the laundry is done. We are ready for this year’s voyage. Enjoy it with us. We will try to upload videos weekly.

2/27 Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing

Char wasn’t doing well today, so I went and toured the museum myself. These guys were nuts. Char wasn’t bad enough to miss the Sonny’s on the way into the museum. So, guess what’s for dinner?

2/28 Tallahassee Automobile Museum

Char is doing a little better. Slept most of the day. I explored the museum on my own. I learned that Ford made a chainsaw at some point in time. And just like the last stop, you are locked in for the night. The gate closes at 17:00 and opens at 08:00. Oh no! 10:00 on the weekends.

3/1 Wilderness RV Park, Robertsdale, AL

We couldn’t make it to our boondocking spot. We would have bottomed out on some railroad tracks, so plan C it was. There is an interesting rundown RV park here where little dogs run wild. It’s in the woods and only for one night. Taking a long shower and dumping the tanks.

3/2 Whiskey Bay Highway Camping Area

They were not joking about the washboard road leading here. Roadtrippers was a little wrong about the path here, too, and took us to a bridge that must have closed to traffic for quite some time. So we just stopped at the bridge and spent the night there. Originally, we would stay at the Mississippi Welcome Center, but that place is closed. So, are we now on plan C? It was a nice, quiet night. Dark and quiet.

Thanks to a few last-minute changes in our plans, we arrived at Rutherford Beach a day early—and I’m glad we did. After driving about half a mile down the beach, where it narrows, we found the perfect spot. The area behind us got a little crowded, but with nothing in front of us except the Gulf, we had an incredible, unobstructed view of the sunrise every morning.

The winds were strong at times, but the RV handled them like a champ. The dogs were a little confused at first—no grass in sight, just sand stretching for miles—but they adjusted quickly. Jenny, in particular, loved it. I took her on a three-mile off-leash walk, and she had the time of her life exploring.

We ended up staying six nights, soaking in the peaceful, off-grid vibe of the beach. Char has already decided we need to come back. She even took the wheel and drove the RV off the sand, adding another adventure to the list!

Rutherford Beach may not have the amenities of a big RV park, but its raw beauty and free beachside camping make it a special stop. Definitely one for the books!

We stopped at the alligator capital of Texas, Anahuac, and stayed at Fort Anahuac Park—the very site of the original Fort Anahuac. Though we didn’t spot any gators, the weather was great, and the dogs were thrilled to see grass again. We also took the opportunity to top off our water, and Charlene was especially happy to enjoy a well-earned shower.

The park holds a fascinating piece of Texas history. Built in the 1830s by the Mexican government, Fort Anahuac was meant to enforce customs duties but became a flashpoint for the unrest that helped spark the Texas Revolution. Tensions between Texan settlers and the Mexican military escalated here, leading to the 1832 Anahuac Disturbances—a key step toward Texas’s fight for independence.

Today, the fort is long gone, but the peaceful park overlooking Trinity Bay made for a relaxing stop on our voyage.

Our stay at Thousand Trails Colorado River was a great mix of relaxation and a great BBQ. I took full advantage of the scenic trails, taking Jenny for some hikes. One of the highlights was accessing the Colorado River directly from the campground. Charlene and I stood by the water, enjoying the serene view and having a moment remembering Mitchell.

Saturday brought a delicious detour to Woods BBQ in Columbus, Texas. I’d heard great things about their smoked meats and legendary mac and cheese, so I had to stop by. I wasn’t disappointed—the barbecue was packed with smoky flavor. I didn’t get any of the mac and cheese; Charlene claimed those.

During our stay, we also sold our Gen 2 Starlink dish; we upgraded to a Gen 3 dish that is mounted on the roof now and gives us in-motion internet.

We made new friends, connected with fellow travelers, and even met other YouTubers who share our passion for documenting life on the road. Despite some heavy winds that rolled through, our time at Thousand Trails was filled with great moments.

Charlene and I even got competitive on the campground’s miniature golf course, playing all 18 holes and having a blast.

After driving through some pretty hefty winds, we stopped at Lagarto Regenerative Ranch, a place dedicated to producing grass-fed, grass-finished cattle with the ultimate goal of restoring soil health. This visit was an eye-opener into the world of regenerative ranching, an approach that not only produces healthier livestock but also revitalizes the land itself. We were greeted by Gail, who made us feel right at home. Our overnight spot was next to a utility shack with full hookups, which made for a comfortable stay. Gus and Gail have gone the extra mile for their guests, even building a shed with a bathroom and a dog wash station—they truly thought of everything!
At 5:30 PM, Gus led us and another traveling couple on a tour of the farm, where he shared the philosophy and challenges of regenerative ranching. Unlike conventional farming, regenerative methods aim to work with nature rather than against it, focusing on improving soil health, biodiversity, and water retention. One of the unexpected benefits of their approach has been the return of dung beetles. These tiny insects play a crucial role in breaking down manure, aerating the soil, and improving nutrient cycling.
Charlene especially loved seeing the cows and donkeys up close.

Three Weeks at Sun-N-Fun – A Flood, A Tattoo, and A Whole Lot of Bean Soup

We just wrapped up three weeks at Encore Sun-N-Fun RV Resort in San Benito, Texas—and let me tell you, it was anything but dull. Between fixing a tire, honoring a memory, navigating floodwaters, and celebrating a birthday, we made the most of every twist and turn that came our way.

Fixing Flats and Finding Humor
The adventure kicked off when I noticed our outer driver-side rear tire had sprung a leak. After pulling it off, I found the culprit: a sneaky little screw. Southern Tire Mart had us back on the road in no time, and Charlene stepped up—literally. She used Mitchell’s impact wrench to tighten the lug nuts down. Looks like I’ve got a new mechanic in the family!

A Tattoo with Heart
On March 26th, Charlene got a very special tattoo—a chipmunk in honor of her son Mitchell. He used to store food in his cheeks while eating, and she’d always tease him about looking like a chipmunk. It’s a beautiful tribute, and now she carries that sweet memory with her everywhere.

When It Rains… It Floods
Later that night, the skies opened up. And kept opening. What started as a storm quickly turned the campground into a lake. The rain poured down through the night and into the next day, eventually dumping a whopping 21.6 inches on us. Thankfully, we had no damage, but I did have to load up the dogs and drive them to dry land just so they could do their business. Some neighbors weren’t as lucky—several homes took on up to three inches of water.

Birthday BBQ and a Beach Drive
Charlene’s birthday was on March 31st. Her favorite BBQ joint—Longhorn Cattle Company—was closed that day, but we planned around it. We went for lunch the day before and dinner the day after. Their famous bean soup is no joke; they serve it as soon as you sit down, and we made sure to bring home extra smoked turkey and soup for later.

On her actual birthday, we took a scenic drive out to Boca Chica, rolled onto the beach, and spent some time watching SpaceX activity. There’s something about mixing beach breezes with a bit of rocket science that makes for a pretty unforgettable day.

The Calm After the Storm… and Then Mosquitoes
A week after the flood, the mosquitoes showed up like they were invited to a party. We were swarmed. They were everywhere, and let’s just say—our bug spray got a workout. We kept things low-key after that.

Charlene also had a few rough days dealing with her MS, but, as always, she pushed through like the fighter she is. Some days just hit harder than others, but she never lets it hold her back for long.

Despite the weather challenges, the resort itself offered plenty to enjoy. Sun-N-Fun is known for its wide variety of activities, and their Sunday ice cream social is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s a great way to meet fellow travelers, swap stories, and treat yourself to something sweet.

Another Big Move (All 8 Miles of It)

This week brought us one of the longest travel days in a while—a grueling eight miles from Encore Fun-N-Sun to Encore Tropical Winds. 😄 Twenty minutes later (including a stop at a light), we at our new spot.

Just like at Fun-N-Sun, the snowbirds have packed up and left for the north. The Thousand Trails section here was nearly empty when we arrived. Quiet is nice, but it always feels a little strange seeing so many empty sites.

While we were parked, I took advantage of the time to install a new supplemental braking system from NSA, the ReadyBrake. It’s a mechanical surge brake system that uses the towed vehicle’s motion to apply proportional braking. No electronics, no fuss—just a solid, reliable setup that adds an extra layer of safety when we’re towing the truck. I also added the Towed Vehicle Emergency Break Away Kit, just in case anything ever goes sideways on the road. Hopefully, we’ll never need it, but better safe than sorry.

Here’s the product I used:
🔧 NSA ReadyBrake Towed Vehicle Supplemental Brake System

We also did a big supply run, stocking up on groceries and all the essentials. Boondocking is coming up, so we’re trying to be as prepared as possible. The rig is loaded down like we’re heading out on a survival mission!

But the highlight of the week? April 13 marked our three-year anniversary of full-time life on the road! It’s wild to think how far we’ve come—literally and figuratively—since we rolled out for the first time. The adventures, the people, the challenges, and the memories… we wouldn’t trade it for anything. Life on the road has become home.

Next on the to-do list: call our upcoming stop. From what we can tell, we might only have partial hookups there. Not a huge deal, but we want to make sure we’re ready.

Until next week—keep rolling, keep smiling, and keep the journey going.