The DisFort's Chit Chat Cafe

[bama_ed]

"Alabama Is The New Florida For Retirees"

https://www.wsj.com/articles/retiring-in-alabama-b59c55b3

Article focuses on Gulf Coast but there is more to the state than that.

Ed

PS - unfortunately, we don't have a discount at WDW for Alabama residents like they offer Florida residents.

 

[Stratman50th]

"Alabama Is The New Florida For Retirees"

https://www.wsj.com/articles/retiring-in-alabama-b59c55b3

Article focuses on Gulf Coast but there is more to the state than that.

Ed

PS - unfortunately, we don't have a discount at WDW for Alabama residents like they offer Florida residents.

My wife just read that to me this morning. You were ahead of the curve Ed.

 

[bama_ed]

My wife just read that to me this morning. You were ahead of the curve Ed.

There's not much difference along the northern Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Jacksonville in terms of weather, sun, and lifestyle. About the only difference is Mississippi doesn't have as many nice beaches as the rest since they have more barrier islands off shore that inhibit sand beach growth.

People are seduced by the zero income tax in Florida but everything generally comes out in the wash once you factor in sales and property taxes, insurance, and the like.

Granted, Central and South Florida are nothing like Alabama. Those are very different animals. But as I like to say, we still have seasons (spring/summer/fall/winter) in Alabama and the northern Gulf Coast whereas when we lived in South Florida, you had the wetter season and drier season ( ). And even that is influenced by distance to the ocean.

Florida leads the way for inward migration in the region but the other states around it have a lot to offer too.

Ed

PS - the foothills of the Appalachian Mtns chain come into Northeast Alabama which is lovely in the fall. And our Gulf beaches are beautiful year round. Makes for very nice camping in our little state.

 

[bama_ed]

Hey @Teamubr:

I just booked my site (8 nights) in the greater Phoenix area for the Cleveland Indians' 2024 Spring Training games - their first week (best calendar guess) with games in camp to be precise. IIRC, you're going to see your Cards in March but I will see my Tribe in February.

And we will do some sightseeing to/from 'Zona from Bama.

Psyched.

Ed

 

[Teamubr]

Hey @Teamubr:

I just booked my site (8 nights) in the greater Phoenix area for the Cleveland Indians' 2024 Spring Training games - their first week (best calendar guess) with games in camp to be precise. IIRC, you're going to see your Cards in March but I will see my Tribe in February.

Congrats! I know that has been on your list for a while.

We did snag an RV site in Florida, 15 minutes from Roger Dean Stadium. Be there March 3-9 next year.

Have a great time!

j

 

[Sjm9911]

My wife just read that to me this morning. You were ahead of the curve Ed.

Dam, I missed it. Lol.

 

[Sjm9911]

New hobby, i figured since I drink wine, and wine is expensive, and I am retiring and have time, why not make it. So, after a lot of money spent on wine I cant drink now, at least I can look at it and think in 3 months I will find out if it was cheaper to buy it or make it. Lol. Right now I have 4 six gallon batches .

 

[bama_ed]

Is it a red or white batch? Cabernet or Pinot Grigio?

You may want to fill your beer growler instead. I get a "sour" refill about twice a month. Hate the IPA - I can buy grapefruit juice for cheap instead (no wonder why ).

Ed

PS - Spence, if your recipe is the least little bit off, you might go blind. That's a little "White Lightnin'" advice from down South.

 

[Sjm9911]

1 merlot, 2 cabs, 1 pino. So a bit of everything. I will transfer them to bottles, and growlers in a few. Only 2 weeks into it. They are kits, so not as good as from the grape, but easier, and I need less equipment. If they turn out ok, and they should, this may be a good investment. Its not hard, just takes a little time.

 

[bama_ed]

Hey @Teamubr:

I just booked my site (8 nights) in the greater Phoenix area for the Cleveland Indians' 2024 Spring Training games - their first week (best calendar guess) with games in camp to be precise. IIRC, you're going to see your Cards in March but I will see my Tribe in February.

I had planned an Arizona MLB Cactus League visit this past spring but had to cancel it due to a family illness where we played a support role. So I want to attempt it again for Spring 2024 (will be a one-and-done), enjoy it, and put it behind us. A lot of the pre-planning I did can carry forward so it's not a complete do-over.

Ed

 

[jbrostek]

@Sjm9911 Well since you have the time, might as well right? I think we will stick to our two wine clubs and random shopping trips. May not be cheaper, but at least it gives M and I an reason for a weekend date night to go to our pickup party ever quarter.


The rains have passed and it feels like the end of March again. I hope we get some weather to make working outside comfortable. Just want a couple clear and high 60 F maybe even mid 70F days so I have the motivation and can enjoy being outside.

 

[MrsPAHunter]

Hey, I found the Chit Chat Cafe! Shout out to my cheering section! I've been busy last few months (2023 camping season started early for me and will hardly slow down this year.)

March - maiden solo trip, to Perry, GA for FMCA rally, pulled out of driveway at 4pm Saturday afternoon to beat forecast ice...best crash course in driving, (sunny to sunset, dusk to dark), passing semis in the dark, pulling into Fort Chiswell in the dark (have the RV basement door scar to prove it) - I swore I knew where that pole was), de-winterizing and sanitizing the water system in VA in the dark, running out of propane, troubleshooting the new water pump that didn't work one moment to the next (thanks jbrostek for talking me through that! think I found the short the other night), get propane (and Walmart trip in the RV for phone charging cord), continue on to Perry and only had to turn around once!...with Reba in my lap half the time! Great rally, lots of helpful seminars, met up with garneska, bought tow bar, return trip stopped at Fort Chiswell and overnight temp dropped to 16 degrees...colder than home the whole trip. But I did it!

April - 4 weeks later, base plate installed on 20-year-old Jeep Liberty - thanks to dear friend and colleague, Reba loaded , toad hitched, and food/clothes re-stocked, headed to Pittsburgh, PA and in-laws, boondocking in mall parking lot for the night, and then on to Indiana and SIL. Not nearly as adventurous, until snow/sleet/freezing rain and IN colder than PA, explored some of their state parks & forests, great visit with SIL, then joined by TeamUBR for some water heater replacement consideration (not a campground swap-out, appointment next week for the professionals to do the job anyway, then 2-day drive home bringing colder weather back to PA. Spent last night in East Branch State Park, OH.

Next, May and Gettysburg followed by months working from the motorhome as I crisscross PA and many state forest districts intermingled with weekend trips booked last summer already. Will be getting so many miles on the odometer the house will be getting lonely! Wrapping up with a trip to WV (FMCA again) and probably a last turn through PA forest district.

Stay tuned for updates as wifi and time allows.

 

[2goofycampers]

Hey, I found the Chit Chat Cafe! Shout out to my cheering section! I've been busy last few months (2023 camping season started early for me and will hardly slow down this year.)

March - maiden solo trip, to Perry, GA for FMCA rally, pulled out of driveway at 4pm Saturday afternoon to beat forecast ice...best crash course in driving, (sunny to sunset, dusk to dark), passing semis in the dark, pulling into Fort Chiswell in the dark (have the RV basement door scar to prove it) - I swore I knew where that pole was), de-winterizing and sanitizing the water system in VA in the dark, running out of propane, troubleshooting the new water pump that didn't work one moment to the next (thanks jbrostek for talking me through that! think I found the short the other night), get propane (and Walmart trip in the RV for phone charging cord), continue on to Perry and only had to turn around once!...with Reba in my lap half the time! Great rally, lots of helpful seminars, met up with garneska, bought tow bar, return trip stopped at Fort Chiswell and overnight temp dropped to 16 degrees...colder than home the whole trip. But I did it!

April - 4 weeks later, base plate installed on 20-year-old Jeep Liberty - thanks to dear friend and colleague, Reba loaded , toad hitched, and food/clothes re-stocked, headed to Pittsburgh, PA and in-laws, boondocking in mall parking lot for the night, and then on to Indiana and SIL. Not nearly as adventurous, until snow/sleet/freezing rain and IN colder than PA, explored some of their state parks & forests, great visit with SIL, then joined by TeamUBR for some water heater replacement consideration (not a campground swap-out, appointment next week for the professionals to do the job anyway, then 2-day drive home bringing colder weather back to PA. Spent last night in East Branch State Park, OH.

Next, May and Gettysburg followed by months working from the motorhome as I crisscross PA and many state forest districts intermingled with weekend trips booked last summer already. Will be getting so many miles on the odometer the house will be getting lonely! Wrapping up with a trip to WV (FMCA again) and probably a last turn through PA forest district.

Stay tuned for updates as wifi and time allows.

I have to say, you're amazing. I would never attempt to drive a MH and definitely not with a TOAD. I'd say I'm a class B kind of gal. Safe travels.

 

[Teamubr]

Hey, I found the Chit Chat Cafe! Shout out to my cheering section! I've been busy last few months (2023 camping season started early for me and will hardly slow down this year.)

Next, May and Gettysburg followed by months working from the motorhome as I crisscross PA and many state forest districts intermingled with weekend trips booked last summer already. Will be getting so many miles on the odometer the house will be getting lonely! Wrapping up with a trip to WV (FMCA again) and probably a last turn through PA forest district.

Stay tuned for updates as wifi and time allows.

It was great seeing you, Jenn!

You have a busy summer planned. I didn't realize you were doing the Pennsylvania working tour. Great way to enjoy the rig and keep up with the districts. I saw you post on the 2024 DIS meet. Hopefully we can work out getting together again before then.

j

 

[jbrostek]

Jenn that rocks! Seriously, you took a question of "is this too much for me" and now you'll be taking it all over!!!

Our next trip is in 2 weeks, back to French Creek State Park in hopes of having an enjoyable Mother's day weekend instead of inches of rain and flooding. Not much planned for June other then a few race weekends, then July is off to FL and Disney for 10 days. August is a short week trip to Buttonwood Campground up in Mifflintown before mom is back to the schoolroom and time off and trips are limited to school breaks.

 

[garneska]

In case you all saw the news, thought I would mark myself safe. Bert and Whisky are at home and fine. The shooting was 4 blocks due west of the condo. I happened to be at the office today. The office is about 2 blocks south of the shooting. We are currently on lock down but have been told we are allowed to leave at our own risk. Of course I walk to work so at the moment I am not planning on leaving. If they dont catch the shooter i may have to have someone drop me a little closer to the condo. Though i suspect the shooter is out of midtown now.

On the Whisky front, she went to the vet yesterday for her annual exam and vaccines. Unfortunately she has worms so we need to get her medicine for that (not a big deal just needs meds). We walk to the vet so probably not getting it till tomorrow. She might have finally stopped growing though. She hates the scale as most women do, but she was a svelty 77.5 pounds (only up 2.5 pounds since her last visit).

 

[jbrostek]

The news article just loaded, but I didnt think it was that close to you. Glad to hear you are safe and Ms. Whiskey is in good health outside the worms. Hoping all is safe and you can get home with little worry.

 

[Teamubr]

Thanks Kris.

I saw it pop up on my news feed as "Midtown". I knew that was close. This is the 2nd shooting not far from you in less than a year. ATL trying to keep up with STL?

j

 

[garneska]

Thanks Kris.

I saw it pop up on my news feed as "Midtown". I knew that was close. This is the 2nd shooting not far from you in less than a year. ATL trying to keep up with STL?

j

Yes it was the second close one. The first was targeted and a disgruntled employee. Not sure on this one, seems a bit more random. We are on the clear in midtown. The suspect is still on the loose but they know who he is and the car he is driving. They might catch him in TN.

 

[Teamubr]

Not sure on this one, seems a bit more random. We are on the clear in midtown.

The news (FWIW) said he had a history of mental illness and was in the urgent care wanting treatment and got frustrated with the wait times.

They will likely find/catch him.

j