Karen & Collins' Great RV Adventures: ON TO NEW PLACES

Sun Rise

Sun rise in Punta Cana

Three months in Punta Cana flew by this year. The weather was beautiful the whole time. I think we only had 2 days that were cloudy all day. Most of the rain occurred at night or in very early morning. Our weather was mid 80’s & breezy the whole time. It didn’t get humid until about the last 10 days.

Beautiful Colored Water

On my last blog I left off the day our son Doug arrived. It was nice having him around & he & Collins enjoyed many games of Chess while he was there. As he was leaving, daughter Pam & her husband Aaron arrived. They also spent a couple days at a nearby all- inclusive, enjoying a little together time.

Doug & Collins

Doug, Pam, Aaron & Collins

Pam relaxes on the beach

Aaron relaxes at the pool

We had a 3 week break & enjoyed more socializing with our increasing group of friends.

Karen, Sue, Collins & Joe out for a night at the Casino

Relaxing around the pool with friends

Some of the group were Irish so we had a St. Patricks Day celebration. Some even took part in a parade around the pool.

St. Patrick's Day Parade around the Pool

March 19^th brought the arrival of daughter Collina & granddaughter Lexi. They enjoyed the pool & beach & took a couple excursions.

Lexi enjoys the pool

Collins & I joined them on a trip to Saona Island. We took a couple hour bus ride, then a 1 ½ hr trip on a catamaran to get to the island.

The water colors were beautiful. After a few hours on the island we took a speed boat back. On the way we stopped in a shallow water area with absolutely clear water. There were jellyfish in the area, along with other sea urchins. That was the only excursion Collins & I took while there.

Saona Beach

Beautiful Blue Water

Karen, Collins, Collina & Lexi

The day after Collina & Lexi left, daughter, Paula & her husband Dave arrived. They enjoyed a week of relaxation, including a couple days at the all-inclusive where Pam & Aaron stayed.

Paula enjoys a fruity drink

Dinner with Paula, Dave, Collins & Karen

Dave, Paula, Karen & Collins

Hopefully, they all went home more relaxed than when they arrived. After Paula & Dave left, we started packing to go home.

Views of our complex

We left April 4^th & headed to IL.

We spent 2 weeks in IL, mostly freezing. I think there were 2 days in the 70’s & 80’s. the rest were mostly 30’s & 40’s. The day before we left, we had snow flurries & the kids said they had snow the week after we left. We just aren’t cold weather people any more. While we were there, we did have a chance to visit with the kids & grandkids. One night we rented a hotel room in a place with an indoor pool. We had all the kids come there & the grandkids had a ball swimming. We bought pizzas & Kentucky Fried Chicken & had birthday cake to celebrate Becca (13) & Aaron’s (40) birthdays. It was a fun evening!! We were very lucky & were able to stay with my brother Rob & his wife Lisa while we were in IL.

Karen & Brother Rob

It was fun being with them. We also had a chance to visit neighbors & friends.

April 17^th we headed for FL. It was 38 when we left IL that morning. The next afternoon we were arriving in FL to high 80’s. We also discovered our AC wasn’t working, not a good surprise!

Larry & Deanna, my brother & sister-in-law were gracious enough to allow us to stay with them while we got the RV ready for travel again. It also gave me time to spend a few days with my mom, who also lives in FL. Larry & Deanna had a big gathering for Easter dinner, which was really nice. Everyone brought a dish so we had plenty of great things to enjoy.