From Kayaking In The Warm Sun To Snow & Cold - (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

Yesterday.  Blue skies, warm sun, palm trees, sand, and bare feet.

 

 

 

Today.  Snow, ice, single digit temps, heavy coats, gloves, and wool socks.

 

 

 

Fortunately, we're not the ones driving in that stuff.  :)

Yep, today was the day we vacated Florida and exchanged it for Michigan ... for a few days.  The somewhat comforting thought was that it was going to be cold (for Tampa) with temps only in the 50s today.

But, before we left the campground, we met Bill & Kris.  They had emailed us last night after discovering we were only four sites away from them.  We told them we'd have a few minutes this morning before we left.  Since they are leaving tomorrow, it would be our only shot.

We met Bill & Kris (Seeing The USA) as we were rushing around loading up the Jeep.  Bill said that we had a hand in them becoming full-timers as our website was one of the first they discovered back in 2009.  That's always nice to hear .... as long as they are lovin' it.  :)

They got a neighbor to take a few photos and they graciously emailed us a couple.

 

 

It was a brief meeting, but I expect we'll see them again down the road.

We pulled out around 9:15, made a post office stop, and then headed on to the Tampa International Airport. 

It was only in the 30s when we arrived in Atlanta, but it was only 10 degrees when we arrived in Grand Rapids at 5:00.  The baggage guys looked frozen (photo above) as we waited our turn to de-plane.

ShowSpan is the promoter of the Grand Rapids Camper, Travel, & RV Show, and they always send Derek to pick us up at the airport and deliver us to the downtown hotel.

We dug gloves and scarves and ear covers out of our luggage, and donned our heavy winter coats .... for the second or third time in eight and a half years.  Derek was quite amused with how bundled up we were, and I felt like the Michelin Man, barely able to move my upper body.  :)

We got on the interstate, but soon it backed up.  So, Derek took us into town the back way on this snowy evening.

 

 

Apparently, it's been one of the snowiest, coldest winters here in a long time.  One report says it's one of the ten coldest in the last 100 years.

I asked if that meant the RV show attendance would be down, but Derek said everyone's used to it and there shouldn't be much effect, if any.  We get paid the same whether anyone shows up or not, but it's not much fun speaking to a bunch of empty chairs.  :)

Derek dropped us off at the hotel -  the Courtyard Marriott Downtown - the same one we've been in each of the three years we've worked this show.  The great thing about this hotel is we can get to the show venue without ever going outside - there are skywalks all the way.

We considered going to the fitness center to work out, but we decided to just stay in, eat our leftovers from lunch, and watch the Louisville basketball game.  We'll work out in the morning.

Tomorrow, we're doing a live TV appearance on "Take Five & Company" at 9:00 a.m. on the local ABC affliliate.  Then we do one seminar at 4:00 at the show - "RV Living - Be Prepared!".  And then we do another live TV appearance on public television at 6:00 on a show called "Ask The ....".

ShowSpan does a great job as far as organization, getting us involved in the show promotion, and generally taking care of us.

So, if you're in the Grand Rapids area and you're willing to brave the cold, come out and see us!  :)

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Comments

[Joan and Mike]

We are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday! :)

[Sandy Schafer]

We were looking forward to visiting the show and attending one of your seminars on Saturday! But, with these conditions, we will stay in our igloo in Battle Creek! Stay Warm, and Safe Travels! We will get to meet you both one day down the road!!
Dilly & Randy