To Plan or Not to Plan. That is the question!

We often think that because we are on the road traveling full-time, that we should have a plan, and head from point A to point B non-stop.  But as we celebrate the one year anniversary of our "odyssey travels of the USA", we realize we can comfortably combine both planning and footloose as our mode of operation.

Here we are in Sam Houston National Forest for a month already!  We didn't plan for this, but it has worked out beautifully.  It's been a nice break from the steady driving, and almost feels like a vacation from our vacation!

The fact we have found the spot we are in has worked out well, due to some medical issues, like that "heart attack" scare.  As far as that goes, I had a stress test yesterday, and am awaiting results.  So far no call, so maybe no news is good news.  A follow up appointment is scheduled for the end of the month.  Then we expect to be heading out.

The birding is very good.  Lots of expected birds, but other nice surprises like a whip-por-will who calls every night.  A blue-headed vireo, hermit thrush, scarlet tanager, and a pileated woodpecker are our favorite special birds of the moment.  We have found a nesting spot for red-cockaded woodpeckers that we'll keep checking for birds.

So, we have a plan now following our departure at the end of the month!  We will head toward northern New Mexico and visit Sante Fe. We'll continue northwest to Washington state.  Then we'll head into Canada and head east for awhile.  Ultimately, we will end up in Wisconsin by late July, first to Eau-Claire for the World Flute Society convention, and then to Necedah to get some work done on the teardrop and add a propane tank to the tongue.  After that we will head south back to Texas for an appointment and then back up to Iowa for a flute festival.  Then east to Cape Cod and a visit there for a week or so.  Following the Cape, our plan is to head to NJ to visit family and friends, and then to Florida for November and December.  We are planning (see how planning comes up in our adventure!) to visit Key West and then west again toward Texas for late winter.

So yes, we sometimes plan, and sometimes fly by the seat of our pants!  It has made our adventure a true adventure, full of surprises and beauty!  

We'll be in touch soon!

Red clover flowers.

Nevelle climbing trees!