Today I resurrected my blog & created an additional domain. Nearly five years ago when I began my solo cross country tiny house journey, I wrote about my adventures with my beloved beagle Sadie … that blog was titled theadventuresofsadiethebeagle.dog this domain is still available to read. I encourage you to check it out … it is packed full of my experiences ( both good & challenging ) while traveling alone 6,310 miles during a pandemic and the thousands of people I met while staying at 38 campgrounds across the US. Going forward, I have created a new domain that highlights Paso and the Central Coast’s incredible food scene, wineries & entertainment. My Sadie blog was more of a journal, but I shared 100’s of photos that I believe are of interest to anyone who chooses to travel & camp via an RV. If you’ve enjoyed my Instagram posts & stories, you will enjoy my new domain as it will be filled with similar awesome content !! Cheers !!

Being ‘stuck’ in Florida during a scary pandemic with an invisible virus was definitely not an item on my bucket list. But, here we are, trying to make the best of it. The best way to get through very long days without being able to go many places is with some humor.

You all may recall in a past blog I included a video of Pluto the Schnauzer. Well … Pluto has become quite the internet sensation & his videos have gone viral. You can find Pluto on numerous social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram & YouTube. Please take a moment to check him out !!

Attached below is an amusing Florida meme compliments of social media. Plus some Sadie photos that will make you smile. It’s been hot as 🔥🥵 here, so, our walks are numerous but abbreviated.

Disney revealed its famous Churro recipe – I attached it in case you feel kitchen adventurous. Or, if you like games, Dorney Park offered a few retro word search puzzles for your solitary enjoyment !

Depending on what happens with this virus, I am hoping that we can soon continue our journey west. I’d like to leave Florida before the disgusting lovebugs make their appearance. Right now, there’s an incredible influx of fire ants, dragonflies & lizards everywhere!! Hundreds, if not thousands of them !! Sometimes the dragonflies follow you when you walk 🤷🏻‍♀️ ! And the damn turkey buzzards … Add them to the bizarre list of things I’ve encountered in Florida.

As a side note … gray hair is awesome & sometimes sexy on lots of folks … me … well … not so much !! 🤣

Until next time, continue to social distance & stay healthy. Constant prayers 🙏 for all the essential workers, medical personnel & maintenance staff risking their lives every day to save & help others. Hoping you can celebrate Passover or Easter as best you can. Sadie & Donna 🐣 💖🐾

During these times of adversity & uncertainty, it’s good to take a long walk to clear your head, all while practicing sensible social distancing. It’s also good to take a moment to pause & remind ourselves of all the blessings we do have including all the free beauty that our majestic nature has to offer.

This virus is affecting all of us in so many similar & different ways. I worry for all those that are unemployed & suffering financially. I worry for all the seniors and all those with compromised immune systems. I worry for all the first responders & medical personnel. I worry for all those who are now experiencing depression. I worry for all of us whose lives have been unimaginably disrupted. This has taken its toll on all of us whose lives are now on hold. I am heartbroken for all the families who have lost loved ones. 🙏💖

I know y’all miss many things in your lives like seeing your children or grandchildren or Friday night dates or eating inside restaurants or going to work or going to sports events, festivals or the movies, etc. It’s wonderful that folks can Skype or FaceTime with loved ones. Sadie definitely misses greeting folks on our daily walks. I miss sightseeing with my friends. I miss meeting my friends for lunch. I miss the taste of a freshly baked margherita pizza while sitting inside a pizza shop. I miss paper products. I know I will never take any new day for granted.

P.S. It’s 91 degrees here today 🥵! Take care of each other. Stay healthy in mind & body my friends !! 💖👍🐾😷🧼 🧤💖🙏☮️

My friend & former colleague & Sadie’s Auntie Ann sent us this incredibly cute video this morning. We absolutely had to share it with our blog friends. Turn up the volume & Enjoy !! Sadie 🐾🤣💖☮️

Uncertain & nervous times these days ! Just thought I’d send equal portions of humor & seriousness your way !

I was supposed to leave Florida at the end of this month, but, decided to extend my stay another month. Was concerned about traveling alone with Sadie. Didn’t want to get sick on the road and have to worry about who would care for Sadie. The community I have been staying at since the end of January has over 2,000 snowbirds. Many have left already or will be leaving this week, so there will be approximately 200 of us left to freely & safely enjoy the 13 miles of roads that make up this community. For now, I feel safer here than on the road.

Many of you know I’ve been a proactive germaphobe for many years. So, these hand washing, glove wearing & social distancing rules are something I am quite familiar with and do very well. In fact, I know my habits were a loving annoyance to some of you 🤣 and others just gave in and adopted it as part of their lifestyle too. I am proud of y’all !! LOL !!

Yesterday I felt like I won the lottery when I found toilet paper at Walgreens !! Sweet !! Actually a 9 roll pack for $5 was quite the deal !!

I witnessed my first SpaceX launch a few days ago … too far to see the actual rocket, but being able to see the vapor trail was cool enough!

Stay healthy my friends !! Enjoy the attached silly memes from social media & tonight’s gorgeous sunset !! It was sunny & 88 degrees here today. I have the sunburn to prove it !! We’ll get through this !! XO Sleeping Sadie 🐾 & Mommy

Sadie is a social butterfly & not fond of the idea of social distancing. As soon as she sees people, she gravitates towards them. Especially if they say her name. At every campground we visited, once we introduce ourselves to others, not many remember my name, but everyone remembers Sadie’s 😂. And of course, everyone has to pet her & sometimes kiss her head & she loves the attention !! We now have adopted a new routine when we return from our walks … after I am done washing my hands for 20 seconds, Sadie now gets wiped down as well !! She’s ok with that as long as she can continue to be the cute social butterfly that she is !! Sadie wants everyone to remain safe & healthy !! Enjoy the attached video !!

Sadie & I send all our friends our love. We pray that you all stay healthy during this insane CoVid19 pandemic. I just saw an announcement that The World Health Organization stated dogs are safe from catching this virus … Alleluia !!

Broadway is shut down, last time was 9/11. Theme Parks are temporarily closing … Disneyland & Universal CA announced closure earlier today & now Disney World in Orlando just announced it will be closing this Sunday. They have only ever closed for a hurricane. Universal Orlando is closing. I am sure Sea World will be next. Flying is not recommended for those with health issues & the elderly.

The last pic attached is a cute cartoon from my buddy, Mike H !! 😂

Stay Safe, Healthy & God Bless everyone !! 🙏💖🐾☮️

Geez, those 10 days flew by, now it’s time for Michele to fly home tomorrow. We’ve had a blast & laughed A LOT !! Thanks to Michele & Kim for all the culinary adventures we shared during Michele’s visit ! Safe travels home !!

Today I met Kim & Michele at the RusTeak Restaurant & Wine Bar in Ocoee. We enjoyed Kung Pao Cauliflower while waiting on our entrees. Kim & I both had blackened chicken over Kale with shaved Brussels sprouts, candied walnuts, cranberries, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese & butternut squash with spiced fig vinaigrette. Michele enjoyed a ribeye with cauliflower & cheese pancetta casserole & broccolini. Another delicious meal in the books !! Michele shared her leftovers with Sadie, photo shows Sadie anxiously waiting for some ribeye for dinner !

We then made our way to a pretty cool home decor store, World Market in Winter Garden. (It’s similar to Pier1). Kim shopped for a chandelier while Michele & I assisted her in trying to make a decision … hmmm, to buy or not to buy 🤔 …

As a side note, it’s been 13 days since Sadie’s surgery. Tomorrow her stitches are finally removed. She is definitely feeling better! I had to share a Daylight Savings Time morning photo of Sadie as well as something funny I saw on social media. Take a peek outside tonight … The full worm moon is spectacular.

Stay well my friends !! 👍💖🐾☮️

The Villages is a census designated, age restricted community. It is the mastermind of one family that owns the entire community including commercial leases, although you can buy a home in any one of their developments. Besides the residences, it has 3 squares; Town Square, Market Square & Paddock Square, each unique & themed. The Villages has grown to over 130,000 residents. It even has its own radio station which is piped into the town square streets. Here they encourage health & wellness with plenty of activities to keep you moving & fit. Golf carts are a main means of transportation, they even have their own parking areas & lanes on the main roads. There are 26 golf courses & 2,400 organized clubs in The Villages !! I suggest you google it to find out more about The Villages eclectic history. This town is gorgeous and definitely worth a visit !!

Yesterday Kim & Michele came to my resort to pick me up. We headed to Lake Sumter Landing in The Villages. We met up with their friends, Bob & Cathy who gave us an abbreviated tour of the town square. We hopped on a boat for a $2 twenty minute tour of man made Lake Sumter. Our tour guide told us about the 20 active alligators in the lake then proceeded to throw a fake one on the life jacket box, of course he scared the crap out of me ! 😳 We then headed to Gator Dockside for drinks & lunch. Afterwards, Michele went shopping while Bob, Kim & I searched for an ice cream treat.

A small sample of The Villages amenities: Every day beginning at 2pm ALL drinks are 2 for 1 !!!! And every day from 5-9, there is free live entertainment in each of the 3 town squares. Michele said to me this is senior citizen heaven. “Where else can you go to drink, dance and party & still be in bed before 9pm !!!!” 😂🤣

I was amazed at a very elderly couple riding a tandem bicycle that stopped directly in front of me to take a cell phone break. See last photo attached. I applaud this couple who are totally serious about fitness. 👍. Enjoy the rest of the photos !!

Later we stopped back at my home to visit Sadie. While I showed Michele my home, Kim took Sadie for a walk. While walking, Sadie became spunky and she tried to run which surprised Kim !! Sadie is a very happy girl these days !!!! 🐾

My ex-coworkers will be pleased to read this blog … Today was a special day !! I drove to my favorite restaurant Columbia in my favorite town Celebration to meet up with some of my favorite retiree friends … Kim & Michele !! Yes, you heard me … Michele is in Florida visiting Kim for 10 days ! Since Kim & Michele are both PGA enthusiasts, Michele is thoroughly enjoying hanging out with Kim as Kim volunteers at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Classic ! An added bonus is they get to meet & get selfies with a few golf pros !!

Kim had a day off from volunteering, so we decided to meet up. We had a blast this afternoon enjoying Cava Sangria made table side, some Pinot Grigio, gazpacho, marinated white asparagus, 1905 house salad & a chicken entree with saffron rice. The girls even surprised me with presents !! Delicious Mickey coffee, my favorite patchouli oil, and coconut body polish. Thanks so much !!!!

Then we completed the feast with some Kilwins toasted coconut ice cream ! As Kim & I enjoyed our ice cream, tired Michele caught flies while taking a brief nap in the sunshine 🤣 !! It was an awesome, hilarious, fun, delicious & memorable afternoon !

Our next adventure is later this week when Michele & Kim visit Sadie & I at the campground. Then we head to the Villages to meet some other friends for lunch. Stay tuned for that blog.