Recap of the Trip

We had a wonderful trip.  We saw some of the most beautiful countryside, learned a lot about this country (some of which we learned once and didn't remember). meet some great people (all of whom had some Florida connection) and we ate GOOD! 

I came to realize on this trip that FL is behind the times.  Most of the states had wind turbines and solar everywhere, from utility poles, to 200 years old homes with panels on the roof, and scores of panels on the side of the roads, in yards and on the mountains.  We are the sunshine state and we should be the leader in solar produced energy.  Maybe not enough wind for the wind turbines, but sun we have!

Our roads are in far better shape then many we traveled. I know it is due to their weather, but I think there must be a way to keep them in better shape.  And it seemed like there was road work everywhere.  Seems to be that is the field to be in.  And speaking of that, everyone was hiring, no matter where we were so I don't get why unemployment is not at zero. They are begging for help in all industries; factories, the service industry, builder and craftsmen, and  medical.

Patriotism is very strong in the North.  Flags fly everywhere.  We would be in the middle of no where, and there would be an American Flag flying,  many small towns are lined with them as well as farm houses.  In the day and age, it was wonderful to see!

And no litter on the roads.  Recycling centers were clear of garbage and junk, unlike where we live now.  

We saw road signs we would never see in Florida:

• Moose Crossing - Watch out for Moose
• Falling Rocks
• Texting Stop
• No Snow Boarding - Snow Boarding Allowed
• Share the road with off road vehicles
• Step incline
• Runaway Truck Ramp

And the numbers are in.

• Motor Home - 4200 miles driven. 6.7 miles per gallon and a total of $1918.00 in gas
• My Car - 4, 794 miles driven and a total of $648.00 in gas
• Campgrounds - Sixteen for a total of  just over $2,000 (Cost was helped a lot due to Thousand Trails and Lazy Day's 14 days of free camping that came with the motor home purchase)
• Sightseeing - $1100 (so much fun)
• Our Harley Habit - $839.00 ( I am now purging the closet to make room)
• Our Quest for Local Cuisine - $1300.0 (all were um, um good)

We didn't spend much of groceries - mainly milk, eggs, and milk since I had a freezer full of food when we left.  I am glad I had freezer meals prepped,  frozen meat loafs and  lasagnas for when I didn't want to cook.  And I really did cook a lot.

I am already making plans for next year, the best campgrounds fill up fast  We hope to go to Red Bay, AL and tour the Tiffon Factory, see Graceland, TN, WI, the Upper MI, Baseball Hall of Fame (we didn't make it this year as planned) and maybe spend some more time in New England that we didn't get to do and try again for Washington in DC in the fall.

We do have several small trips planned until then,

NEXT DESTINATION:  Estero and Willie Nelson Concert