Blogs, random thoughts, travel

  • You Meet the Nicest People

    by Dave McAda
    The man in the Ford Transit van came out and we struck up a conversation.  I was as mesmerized by his Minnesota accent as he may have been by my southern drawl.  (Asking ‘where y’all headed?’ tends to indicate I ain’t from around there).  
    Posted in Hiking, Life, Living With Wanda, Retirement, Travel, Van Life

  • Writing on the Road

    by Dave McAda
    Writing on the road is difficult.   First, there’s the lack of reliable internet and no WiFi.  You would think that would be great for ‘going off g...
    Posted in Life, Living With Wanda, Retirement, Travel

  • The Oil Change

    by Dave McAda
    He immediately asked if I had to replace the O2 sensor (or something like that) and I replied no.  So he told me how easy it was to reach.  Good to know.  I wanted to say I had replaced my own flux capacitor but thought twice about engaging him in meaningful dialogue.  
    Posted in Life, Retirement

  • Turtle People

    by Dave McAda
    A legion of highly trained volunteers, affectionately referred to as the Turtle People in our conversations that week, patrol and protect the beach all in the name of encouraging the propagation of the species.  I understood that they were granted certain powers, such as the right to knock on your door to remind you “lights out” if your house lights were too bright and, thus, disorienting to newly hatched turtles.  They also monitored any holes that were dug in the sand since a baby turtle could get trapped.  
    Posted in Life, Retirement, Travel

  • Oops I Did It Again

    by Dave McAda
    With much less trepidation than the first time around, I published a second book this week. “Living With Wanda 2: Campervan Adventures Continue” is now available on Amazon as a Kindle eBook or in paperback.
    Posted in Hiking, Life, Living With Wanda, Pets, Retirement, Travel, Van Life

  • Prime Day

    by Dave McAda
    For the two people who have never heard of it, Amazon Prime Day is akin to Black Friday and Cyber Monday after Thanksgiving.  It is an online buying frenzy with a few super bargains but mostly just another opportunity to buy something you normally wouldn’t but a few cents-off enticed you. 
    Posted in Life, Retirement

  • Grandpa Merit Badge

    by Dave McAda

    I finally earned my Grandpa merit badge last week.  I successfully collapsed the baby stroller before stashing it in the trunk.

    Posted in Life, Retirement

  • Lake Day

    by Dave McAda
    Last weekend Jenni and I spent a day cruising Lake Keowee with our immediate family while we celebrated Jenni’s birthday.  It was a day of building...
    Posted in Hiking, Life, Retirement

  • They say You’re Getting Old When . . .

    by Dave McAda
    If it is possible to “inherit” a trait from a non-blood-related person I would say I inherited my love for birds from my mother-in-law.  As long as I knew her, she had multiple feeders strategically placed throughout her yard.  It didn’t even bother her when a varmint like an opossum would dine on the bird seed because she knew it would spread a few seeds on the ground and attract another variety of bird to the yard.
    Posted in Life, Pets, Retirement

  • Wildlife Goals

    by Dave McAda
    Basically to see wildlife in the parks you watch other people.  As we entered Yellowstone, we asked one ranger if there were any carcasses attracting bears or wolves.  (Obvious by her reaction it wasn’t the first time she had been asked such a thing.) 
    Posted in Hiking, Retirement, Van Life

  • Oh, And We Saw a Bear

    by Dave McAda
    At some point we put Emma down for a nap and later heard what we thought was the UPS delivery truck start down our driveway, but he never made it the hundred yards to our house.  On rare occasions they have left packages at our mailbox in the cul-de-sac so Jenni headed out the door to investigate.  She quickly returned to the house excitedly announcing there was a very large rattlesnake between her and the mailbox!  
    Posted in Life, Retirement

  • All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go

    by Dave McAda
    As I sipped my Thursday morning coffee I wondered what I would write about this week.  Nothing had really stood out to me thus far, but I knew Jenni and I were headed into town for a luncheon at church that day and a trip to town is ALWAYS fodder for a good blog.
    Posted in Life, Retirement