THE HONEYMOONERS

In the inverse, then, maybe no expectations lead to exultation. 

After much deliberation, shared equally by Mommy & Daddy, and extensive planning, borne solely by Mommy, we booked it. 

We were determined to get back on the road although it had to be right - the right time (chronic snow in Balltown), the right size rig (virtual school) and the right destination (Hilton Head, SC).

So, on Saturday 2/20, we left in Mommy’s car for Clifton, VA where Rad Rufus (our 34ft Forest River RV named by its owner) was waiting for us at a local Church bc the ice and snow to get to the Owners house would have been too hard to get to. 

It's important to reflect that technology undoubtedly helped us identify Rad Rufus through the Outdoorsy website, but there is no replacing the human element as we met and became friends with Andrew, the owner of Rad Rufus, a military Dad with 4 children. 

Andrew grew up in Delaware, went to the Navy, flew planes, lived in Oregon for awhile for work and recently acquired Rad Rufus to travel back East for his new assignment in VA. 

After living on Rad Rufus with his family for 2 MONTHS (4 kids AND 2 dogs!), he recently listed Rad Rufus for lease with just 10,000 miles on em. 

Amanda snapped Rad Rufus up before Andrew could even get his instructional You Tube videos uploaded. 

After a quick walk-thru, we vowed to take great care of Rad Rufus and we set off...for lunch. 

Here’s where the expectation part always comes in. 

We discovered the adorable Town of Clifton, opting for take-out Italian (covid safe to eat in your RV of course) that lasted us 2-3 meals. Although the ice-cream shop was closed, the latte was delicious and we were hopped up to get on 95 and head South. 

As always, Mommy had us scheduled just right where we’d go about half-way to Hilton Head and stay in Raleigh, NC - which we did, sort of.

Instead of 2 nights in Raleigh, we continued on the next morning to Santee State Park, which we literally discovered on the road. 

And, it turned out to be that destination experience that Amanda and I would uniquely compare to Hot Springs, Arkansas and OhioPyle, PA - places that were never on our radar but that will never be erased from our memories. 

Santee was simple. 

A South Carolina State Park - lush forests on the bluff of a muddy river with fishing, hiking, fire pits and some country music playing next door. 

It was quick, but memorable. 

Maybe bc I got lost on my hike w/o my phone and had to jog back in fear my family was searching for me, but they weren’t. The boys were just in school and Mommy was reading her book. 

It was when I took too long at the Food Lion just outside Santee that Amanda and the boys stared angrily at my absence. But, no one is complaining about eating Prinkles & twinkies and drinking wine now.  

And, so just a short 90 minute drive to Hilton Head from Santee, we arrived at this luxurious RV Park called MotorCoach RV Resort where we were valeted by a golf cart driver to our pad and aided in backing in our motor coach.

With our bicycles pre-delivered by Mommy’s doing, of course, we’ve been busy:

School, work, coffee, tennis, basketball, football, mini golf, reading, writing, biking.

 It’s good here. 

Link to Pictures: