We found ourselves in Palm Springs in the early part of December during the pandemic. In “normal” times, I imagine this is where retired golfers converge. Palm trees, sunny skies, temps in the 70s, and golf courses scattered everywhere. Ten months into a pandemic, however, found California in another serious lockdown as emergency rooms and ICU beds filled to capacity and beyond. Most Canadian snowbirds were not able to cross the border to migrate to the south for the winter. Although our RV park was at about 75% capacity and the pickleball courts were active, the area seemed saddened by the lack of its usual hubbub of activity.

Eighteen thousand miles. Nineteen states. Hundreds of gallons of fuel. The year 2020 in our rearview. Were there hiccups, oopsies, mishaps, problems as we began our U.S. tour? YES! But all were minor and manageable, with a few maybe even laughable. Here’s a recap…

May this next year bring all of us

More smiles
     Less face masks
More social
     Less distancing
More hugs and kisses
     Less waves and elbow bumps
More dining out
     Less eating in
More gatherings
     Less binge watching
More luxurious destinations
     Less stay-cations
More freedom
     Less restriction
More of the good
     Less of the bad
More laughter
     Less tears
More real
     Less virtual
More face and frolic
     Less Zoom and Teams
More beauty
     Less ugly
More generosity
     Less greed
More benevolence
     Less malevolence
More unity
     Less division
More love
     Less hate … less fear

We all know this year, 2020, will go down as one of the most memorable, simply because everyone’s life has been upended one way or the other by the Covid-19 pandemic. We didn’t let that stop us, though, from allowing our long-in-the-making plans come to fruition. But first, a quick update on Madeline and Rachel.

Let me just state, right off the bat, that we did not have a chance this trip to hike to any energy vortexes in Sedona. You might be shocked, but I promise we will do this when we go back in March. Our RV park in Cottonwood (Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort) was off the beaten path and quiet, providing a perfect spot for some down time. We took the pressure off of ourselves for a couple of weeks to slow down, catch up on routine things, and just chill before our daughters, Madeline and Rachel, and Madeline’s boyfriend, Layne, arrived for a visit.