Traveling without her - She Spoiled us

It had been four months since we sold her. Four long months, enclosed in an air conditioned home during a HOT Florida summer.

It had been seven months since we stopped traveling the country and remained fixed in one location. After two years of amazing locations, views that would knock anyone's socks off, and wanderlust overload, it was stifling not to be on the road anymore. To not have the ability to just get up and go.

I miss her comforting small space. I miss her shining welcome when we returned after a day of sightseeing. Mostly, I just miss HER.

We decided enough was enough and it was time to take at least a 10-day road trip and get out of the house. It was hard knowing she would no longer be taking us anywhere.

What was it like to travel without Betty Jo (the Airstream).
Disadvantages
1. She wasn't with us on the journey.
2. Having to stop and use public restrooms.
3. Packing. When you have everything you need and all your stuff with you all the time, you tend to forget "how" to pack.
4. The Views from her window.
5. Our own bed.
6. Our own kitchen.
7. Home.

Advantages:
1. Size -  we were no longer 50' in length. Now, we travel in a small Subaru.  This means we no longer have to look for gas stations we fit in. If we want to drive through a small town with small streets, we can.
2. Flexibility - we did some back road driving with the Airstream, but not too many because of  the overall length. This trip we could explore more on the way to and from locations. We could explore roads not necessarily suitable for towing.
3. Parking - no longer driving the large truck we could park our little Subaru just about anywhere. A BIG bonus in towns with small spaces and tight parking lots.
4. Gas - gas is a little less expensive in a small car and when not towing.
5. I don't miss the constant route planning and research for RV spots.

It was different traveling without our Home-on-Wheels, relying on AirBnBs or hotels. It was strange sleeping in strange beds. We over packed because, well, you don't know what you will need.

Traveling in an Airstream was a spoil-us adventure. One we are forever grateful to experience. Nothing can replace Betty Jo (the Airstream), our trips will be more limited now and shorter in length, but our memories with her will be long and forever grateful.

Our 10 Days Of History

From Port Richey, Florida to the Space Coast and St Augustine.  I did have to do some route planning. :-) I looked for scenic back roads to get a flavor of the small towns in Central Florida.

Mt Dora

The early 1920s marked a significant boom in residential growth and business development, and Mount Dora began the transformation from a country town into a city.

Today, Mt Dora is an eclectic mix of history, antiques, art, and a touch of today's modernization. It is well known for its numerous special events throughout the year, for art, and for its quaintness. Situated along Lake Dora, it is a perfect old town to visit in Central Florida.

Port Richey to Mt Dora

Space Coast - Kennedy Space Center

Where history and technology blend together in a fascinating review of what was and what will be. We spent two days at the Kennedy Space Center.  It is possible to do the Kennedy Space Center in one day, from the time it opens till it closes, but no one can get all of it in one day.

For me personally, the visit to NASA would not have been complete without visiting Cocoa Beach, home of the legendary I DREAM OF JEANNIE. :-)  We found a great Airbnb in Cocoa Beach, close to the beach and close to downtown, she even had a photo on the wall from the T.V. show.

Mt Dora to Cocoa Beach

St Augustine

You ask anyone that has been to St Augustine and they will tell you, "I loved it there." We can now say the same. I love old buildings. They have character, unique qualities, and so many stories to tell, so St Augustine was old building heaven for me, similar to Charleston.

We found a wonderful Airbnb, just on the other side of the St John river from historical St Augustine, the Castillo de San Marcos, and the Lions Bridge.  A one-bedroom apartment in a building from 1926, in a quiet and delightful neighborhood.

Three days was not long enough, but it was all we had so we made the most of it. The Fort was at the top of the list, then we wondered the streets of the old town. Dinner at Harry's Seafood. Drives along the coast. And no visit to the area is complete without beach time.

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African-American origin in the United States.