While pulling into Appleton, Wisconsin, we experienced our first big RV "issue." The water pump continued to run after we turned off the faucet. While troubleshooting the problem, I found a terminal on the pump that was corroded and basically fell off the pump when I touched it. This stopped the pump from working altogether.

Well, we are finally on the skyline of the city. Yesterday was Father’s Day and we are at Naval Air Station Great Lakes, IL. This beautiful RV site sits on Lake Michigan, just a few hundred feet from the water. Lisa and the kids woke me up yesterday with breakfast in bed, and Taylor called early to wish me a happy Father’s Day as he was heading for church. Life is good.


We have a few miles under our belt now and what have we learned? I think the biggest thing so far is that there is a much greater ratio of wonderful, all out nice folks out there than I expected. As the father and security of the family, I am extremely protective, and by instinct will continue to be, but our “people experiences” during our travels through RV parks, capitol buildings, restaurants, museums, etc., have been pleasantly surprising. I will credit the favor of God for all the helpful good people we have met along the way, but again, I am pleased to say that the list is pretty long of fine-quality, Americans folks out there.


Thanks for reading and know that God is blessing you.

Family, friends and fellow Americans,

Greetings and salutations,

As d-day approaches, we continue to put finishing touches on the motorhome and our plans. It is so very exciting but there are also some mixed emotions.

I simply cannot wait to get out on the road. I feel like a pinball in a pinball machine and the buffer has been pulled back and is about to launch the steel ball. I may be showing my age with the "pinball machine" but that's okay. I cannot wait to cross off states on our map. I cannot wait to wake up in the early morning hours and ask Lisa what state we are in. I cannot wait to document and share the first thing that I learn on the road when I think that we have thought of everything.

The "I cannot wait" list is almost endless but the mixed emotions are for my son Taylor who is in his third year of college and who will only be joining us periodically. He will probably fly out to wherever we are when he has a break from school. During dinner last night, I told him how much I would miss seeing him and he assured me that he would stay in touch with something called "scope". He said that we can actually talk to each other all the time on the computer which picked up my spirits BIGTIME!!!

So, first lesson: technology is our friend!!! :)


Be safe and know that God is blessing you,
Jimmy