SO LONG, FAREWELL, AUF WIEDERSEHEN, ADIEU!!!

     It is with a tear in my eye that I have to announce that this will be the last blog post of the MEANDERING MOOSE.  As I alluded in my prior post there have been some life changing events in 2018 which altered the course of our path.  2018 has been the most wonderful year of our lives as well as one of the worst years of our lives.
     The year started on an ominous note as Nancy just got out of the emergency room with a pulmonary embolism; a major life threatening issue!  Then, in January, some of the best news of our lives happened; the birth of Darynn Rae Ransom, our first granddaughter!!!  This beautiful child proved to be the light of our lives considering the events to follow.

Darynn Rae Ransom

     In March Nancy lost her mother, a beautiful women and a perfect mom.  We loved her so much and this loss was devastating.  I had known her since I was16 years old and I cannot tell you how much this women meant to me.

Nancy's mother, Mariel.

     Once the grieving subsided, we then had a great summer traveling the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  However, when we returned to Connecticut in August everything changed.  First, it became painfully clear to us that, due to Nancy's orthopedic issues, she could not tour in our motor home as she had in the past.  We knew that Nancy could still drive to fantastic locations and events, but upon arrival Nancy could not do anything to experience the area other than driving tours or very short walks.  So Nancy would be sitting in the rig while I went on my adventures.  This was not acceptable.  Fixed locations would better suit Nancy so we went decided to head down another path.
     One of our lifelong dreams has been to live on a lake and we found the perfect place.  So we are now homeowners of a "sticks & bricks" abode on Highland Lake in Winchester, Connecticut.  The place is gorgeous, the lake is clean and beautiful, and it is only 20 minutes from my daughter, Acacia, her husband Adam and our granddaughter Darynn.  Also, it is only 45 minutes from my daughter Bryce, her partner Jarrod and her family, and it was only 60 minutes from my mother, Hazel.  The lake is in the beautiful northwest corner of Connecticut in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, close to the Appalachian Trail, near the Farmington River (a National Wild and Scenic River), near 2 ski slopes, and near charming New England towns.  For us this place is a dream come true.

The view from our living room at our new "Lake House"
in Winchester, CT.

Another view from our "Lake House."
Notice Harry the heron in the foreground,
a daily visitor to our new digs.

     Next we decided to become "snowbirds," as we decided that a condominium in Stuart, Florida would be perfect.  So off we went to look for property.  We found a great place but just as we were in the process of completing the paperwork for our offer to purchase the condo when we received a call from Connecticut that my mother was in the hospital with a massive stroke.  We quickly finished signing the documents then we made our way to the nearest airport.  Fortunately, we arrived back in Connecticut in time to be able to see and talk with my mother, but unfortunately, a couple of day later she left us.  She was 95 years old, in perfect health, and was loving her new life (1 1/2 months) in the independent facility when a sudden stroke took her life.  This wonderful person could not have been a better mother raising 2 boys, one perfect one, and the other being my exceptional brother.  She was a kind, gentle and classy lady who was genuinely loved by family and friends.  What a crappy way to end the year, but we were fortunate to have the distractions provided by my daughters and their families.  I don't think I could have made it without them.  I lost my father 25 years ago and still grieve every day, now I lost my mother and the hurt can not be worse.  They both are missed.  I am fortunate to have Nancy, 2 daughters and their families to help me through these difficult times.
     To pile it up further, a few days after my mother died, Nancy lost an Uncle, Herbert Nile Eddy ("Nuc"), with whom she was very close.  Nuc lived for many years in Nancy's house while she was young and she was very attached.  Nuc was a great guy and treated the entire family like gold.  He was deeply loved.

Nuc

     Now onto life:

Me feeling bluesy as I am sitting in the empty living room of my
parents home in which I lived in since age 5.

Jarrod, Bryce & Darynn

Bryce & Hazel

Hazel, Darynn & Acacia

Me & Darynn

Me, Darynn & Nancy

Adam & Darynn

     Our new condo in Stuart overlooks the Saint Lucie River, is 1+ mile from Stuart's unique downtown and only 15 minutes from the ocean.  This place is perfect for Nancy.  It is one of the last undiscovered unique towns in Florida and it has a very active art community.  Nancy has always wanted to live in a real art community and Stuart meets all of her requirements.  Now she will be able to associate with "her type of people."  You know...people who think out of the wrong side of their brain, can't find their way out of their own house without GPS, and who form the foundation of most of the desirable and interesting communities in the USA.  Also, Stuart is 25 minutes from some of the best mountain biking in Florida and a has top-tier pickleball club.

The view from the living room of our new "River Condo"
in Stuart, FL.

The bridge over the St. Lucie River in downtown Stuart. 

     So  now we have a "Lake House" for Connecticut's 5 summer-like months and we have a "River Condo" in Florida for 7 winter months each year.  We feel fortunate to have 2 unbelievable places to live and we can't wait to start hosting visitors.
     The downside is that we can no longer afford to own a motor home as we would only have a limited need for one.  Although, we are really, really, really going to miss our winters in the Southwest as well as the gatherings with the Boomers and our RV friends, we can no longer head down that path.  This depresses both Nancy and me!!!
     We hope that our new life will take us on different and exciting adventures.  We will miss you all and are thankful for your support and friendship as we travelled this great continent of ours.  Safe travels!
     CHEERS!

All States Visited Map

All Provinces Visited Map

     The map of our 2018 travels and then the map of all of our travels from 2013-2018.