We loved spending time with family recently and the changes we made to the HAVN have taken it to a whole new level.
Visits with Family and Friends
After picking up the HAVN in Colorado in February, we quickly moved to warmer weather in Arizona and spent several lovely weeks around the state, including my visits to Mayo Clinic in Phoenix.
After Arizona and a quick dip into the corner of Utah to see Goosenecks and Arches, we started making our way back to the Midwest.
Our initial stop was at the farm where we had paused last year when we got off the road post-diagnosis. It’s a true respite for us and always a welcome relief to spend time there seeing family.
During the ~3 week visit we went to Bloomington for IU graduations of two nephews (MBA & Law Degree) and also celebrated the graduation of a niece (Bachelor’s). Prior to retirement we probably wouldn’t have been able to attend these events and we’re grateful for the opportunity.
After the farm visit, we spent four days with my parents and a little over a week in Madison, WI seeing both friends and family. It was a busy time, but nourishing to catch up in person with so many who are dear to us.
We’re especially grateful for a “camping” spot in the driveway of friends in our old neighborhood. What a joy to take an evening stroll down to the lake and see people we know…just out & about.
Van reset
Because we moved into the HAVN fairly quickly while staying a short time in Longmont, several van areas were less than optimal in their organization. And having traveled from February through April, we could discern that some of the items we were carrying might not be needed. While we were stopped at the farm, we addressed all of these items. There was hardly anything in the HAVN that we didn’t take out, review & re-organize.
Projects we completed:
- Reduced the items in the “garage” by about a third
- Re-organized, moved, or bought/made better storage for:
- The “garage” overall and especially the outdoor lounging items and my backup hobby supplies
- Lots of kitchen things like the spices, pots & pans, tupperware
- Leashes, food and medicine for the dogs
- The large cabinet under the Breville Combi
- My shoes & clothing
- Surplus paper items like TP, Kleenex and paper towels
- Finalized the systems needed to be able to tow the Bronco, which is a huge deal, given that I may get sick. One person needs to be able to manage both vehicles if necessary.
- Various sewing projects: new cloth napkins, outdoor dog bed, kitchen towels
- Set up a second indoor dog bed – no more vying for position among the dogs at bedtime – and replaced our outdoor dog tethers with ones that are a better length.
- Various decor items:
- Birch tree vinyl stickers in the lounge
- Hung 3 pieces of artwork, one of which our son painted
- Created a new travel map in the same format as we had enjoyed in the prior RV
- Not to mention an entirely separate list of vehicle items like checking seals and lubing hinges that my husband executed!
