Day 29: Williston, FL - Marathon, FL

Day 29: Williston, FL - Marathon, FL

Our last day in the KeyZRV (at least for a while) and we have mixed feelings about going "home". We were so fortunate that we had this opportunity to travel with Mom/Maye, Brigit and Riley... especially considering the fall that Mom had an hour before we were to depart. After two weeks of TLC, she was looking good... after four weeks on the road... Maye looks great! She wanted everyone to know that she healed.

The "Maye Baggs 2009 North American Tour" was a trip of a lifetime for all of us. There were only a few moments of tension considering the miles we traveled (7,641 miles to be exact) and the close constraints of spending 29 days and nights in a 31' motor home with three adults and two large dogs. We traveled through 22 states and 1 Canadian Provence, climbed many mountain ranges, crossed many rivers, plains and deserts... pictures and words can not capture the beauty of this country... every state and every corner is unique. It is truly spectacular!!!

We saw many different wild and domestic animals including... white tail and mule deer, wild turkeys, antelope, elk, eagles, hawks, owls, coyotes, wild mustangs, llamas, bison, ostrich, mountain goats and too much "road kill". Along with all the natural beauty of our country, there is a tremendous amount of industry... logging, oil and gas production, farming, ranching and interstate commerce. We saw more trains criss-crossing the country then we could count and the highways were busy with 18 wheelers. In almost every state, there was highway, road and bridge construction... with signs indicating that the projects were funded with stimulus money under the American Recovery Act. This is money well spent as the roads were in dire need of repair and improvement. We also saw hundreds and hundreds of giant wind generators in most of the states out west already at work and many more being trucked in pieces on the highways. And even with all of this country's industry, cities and roadways, there is still plenty of open and wild spaces.

But the best part of the trip was seeing all the family and friends... there just wasn't enough time to see everyone we wanted to. The important thing is that Maye got to see people that she hadn't seen in quite a while like her brother Don Lee, his wife Peggy and grandson Austin, her niece Dee, her children and their families in Victoria, BC; Idaho and Utah. A special treat to see Cory & Julie in Utah, High school friends from the class of 75', Spencer in Colorado, Julie's family in New Mexico and Cory in Alabama. Mom enjoyed memories and re-lived her roots in Twin Falls and Ogden. She even spent an afternoon with several of her lady friends in Ogden that she has known for sixty years.

Drew got to see much of the country that he had never seen. He particularly enjoyed the drive along the Columbia River, Arches National Park and Utah and Colorado near the four corners area. We will certainly go back to spend some time exploring and fly-fishing. He also wishes he could have taken more pictures of the beautiful and interesting scenery. If we had stopped at every photo opportunity, we would never have made it through the trip. He loved spending every day with Lieutenant Riley by his side... his trusty co-pilot. And me... well I got to spend precious time with my 89 year old Mom, my sweetie and best friend Drew and one of the best reasons we bought the motor home is so that Brigit and Riley could join us. I would not trade one moment of this trip for another and only hope that we all have another opportunity to spend this kind of time together.

It was a 411 mile drive from Williston to Marathon and it was filled with anticipation of being home. Although we enjoyed so much of the country and wanted another week or two on the road, we were all happy to be in the fabulous Florida Keys and back in Marathon. Brigit and Riley really were surprised when we opened the motor home door and they were home and not at another RV park or visiting new doggie friends. They were both such good dogs and acclimated very well to where ever we were... didn't miss a meal, grateful for a potty break, played with every toy in their RV toy box and slept so peaceful in their home on the road.

It's a big beautiful country out there and the people are fantastic. Don't worry about forgetting anything either, it's America... you can just stop at Wal-Mart. There are millions of RV parks all over our country to suit all lifestyles and ages from casinos in Vegas to Disneyworld in Orlando or State and National Parks and be close to nature.

For all those who have ever thought about going RV'ing... life is too short... go out and do it!!! It was an adventure of a lifetime for us... and our lives have been enriched by the experience.

Photos: Williston Crossing RV Resort, our last RV park on this trip; Brigit sunning on the couch; Drew and his co-pilot Riley; Brigit sleeping in her make shift "kennel" under the dinette; Maye enjoying the last day on the road