July 20, 2020

The Calm After the Storm

This post represents another installment in The Big Switcheroo series – tales from last spring’s epic journey from the northeast to the Florida Keys and back – involving family, friends and an extraordinary range of adventures.

We are so blessed; that’s all there is to it.  I have one older brother, and I love him to pieces – even though he tormented me when I was young.  Additionally, one of my cousins is, age-wise, right in the middle between my brother and me, and close enough at heart to be considered a bonus brother.  Unlike my actual brother, he has always been nothing but kind to me, and I love him to pieces, too.    Alan has three older siblings – two sisters and a brother – and Alan gets along fabulously with all of them.  The four of them are interesting blends of their parents’ personalities, and no two are alike.  Beyond the siblings, Alan and I lucked out in the in-law department, as well.  Our siblings’ spouses, as well as my cousin’s wife, are absolutely delightful people, and we all enjoy each other’s company.

So, when we checked out of Fort Wilderness after spending a week at Disney World with our daughter, son and son’s girlfriend, we were really excited about the next stop on our journey – a visit with Alan’s brother, Tom, and Tom’s wife, Joan, on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Tom and Alan

Tom is the only one of Alan’s siblings who doesn’t live near the others in the northeast.  He and Joan moved to Florida (a little more than 10 years ago, if I remember correctly) after deciding that the winters up north were Just.  Too.  Cold.  I must admit, I don’t disagree.   Fortunately, visitors are welcome at their home – and welcomed enthusiastically.  In fact, Tom set up an RV pad right next to their home which includes an electrical connection, and we were quite happy to take advantage of it.  (Yay!  Air conditioning!)   As the former owners of a gorgeous Class A coach, they know exactly what makes RVers happy.

Our excellent "campsite"

The interlude at “Tom & Joan’s Family Campground” couldn’t have been better.  The serenity of a few days with the “proprietors” was a perfect antidote to the week of near manic activity that came with a visit to Disney World and the additional chaos of living with our three guests in the travel trailer.  By way of explanation, although I used the word “chaos,” I was referring more to the struggle of figuring out meals, showers and the daily schedule than anything else.  All went well and, anyway, I firmly believe in the “a crowded camper is better than an empty castle” way of life.  Alan and I always enjoy our quiet camping time together, but we love it when the kids show up and we get to spend time with them, too.

Our visit with Tom and Joan was nothing more than a couple of days spent lounging around their home, followed by an afternoon they spent with us at Ortona Locks, an Army Corps of Engineers campground that was the next stop on our journey.  It was just what the doctor ordered.  After a week of go, go, go, it was such a pleasure to simply sit back and enjoy catching up.

Ah, peace and quiet . . .

“The boys” share similar interests, including boating and all types of construction projects, so they never lack for conversation.  Joan is one of the warmest and most caring people I’ve ever met, so we were treated like royalty throughout our visit.  Spending time with these two is always enjoyable and effortless.  We shared a couple of meals out, including one at a cheerful waterfront restaurant, but pretty much spent most of our time together doing nothing but chatting and chilling.  Good times, great family – what’s not to like?

Another happy family reunion ~ me, Alan, Joan and Tom

Tom & Joan’s Family Campground - an excellent place to recover from the hectic pace of Disney life, recharge our batteries and catch up with the brother and sister-in-law we love – and don’t see nearly often enough.  Many thanks to both of you for your heartwarming hospitality!

10 comments:

  1. Mary,
    It's always a blessing to reconnect with family and loved ones...especially when they live in fun places to visit. Thanks for sharing this visit. Have a great week! Joe

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    1. Joe, you and Helen would, of course, understand family connections, having had such wonderful experiences with your own family. We get to camp and enjoy making more family memories. Life is good, isn't it?!

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  2. Mary, your visit was so relaxing and enjoyable for us, I hope you choose to stay at our "facility" again very soon. I think the majority of the visit was spent...talking!, but that was wonderful and a great catch-up. One correction though...can you believe we have been down here more than 18 years already? Where DOES the time go? Love you guys.

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    1. Wow! Eighteen years! That seems almost impossible, doesn't it? You and Tom are terrific hosts. If and when you get tired of this retirement gig, I'll bet you'd be very successful in the Bed & Breakfast industry. (Had to throw that ampersand in there to annoy Mike Mills.) By the way, Alan and I have talked about this on more than one occasion - there are not many people with whom we could comfortably vacation, and you guys are definitely on the short list! Stay well and take care, Joan!

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  3. What a heartwarming paean to what appears to be a totally loving and non-dysfunctional family. I'm sure you appreciate the rarity thereof these days. Some in my own family appear to be missing a spark plug or two, and my fear is that I may be one of them! My favorite among your clan, of course, is your tormenting brother, with whom I could easily identify. How disappointing it was for me to find no fuel for criticism in this piece, save for your gratuitous inclusion of an ampersand, another of those maddening little foibles that I'm convinced you toss in there from time to time to make me bite my fingernails. From this, I conclude that your brother had ample reason to torment you--revenge! He and I have your number, missy.

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    1. Mike, I can assure you that, between your quick wit and your love of sarcasm, you'd fit right in at our family gatherings. There are always lots of laughs and lots of teasing. In fact, my Mom always said, "If we didn't love you, we wouldn't tease you." But, really, my brother? He should know better - he has ten years on me. He's supposed to be more mature. By the way, I've had limited internet access, and haven't yet had an opportunity to read your latest post at Phannie and Mae (Phannie & Mae!). I'm looking forward to checking out the big surprise!

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  4. Mary I was a bit shocked when you mentioned your dear cousin being nothing but kind to you. From what stories I've been told from other family members he wasn't very nice to be around. His poor nieces have had some scarring from him over the years. Of course they all still love him to pieces, and always tell the stories with much laughter. Thank you for considering him as your bonus brother that means a lot to him.

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    1. Well, there is a difference between teasing and tormenting. My dear cousin is certainly responsible for a decent amount of teasing, but that goes with the territory in this family. He never crossed the line into tormenting which cannot be said for my brother. I think my brother would have tickled me to death if my parents hadn't prevented it. Still, I will admit that I lucked out in the big brother department with both of them.

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  5. It's nice to read about a family that gets along well with each other. I came from one like that too and I thought it was normal until I started to hear otherwise.

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    1. My Mom's side of the family was especially close; my Dad's side of the family got along, but they didn't value family gatherings like my Mom's did. We've done our best to impress upon the kids that they're very fortunate because, as you said, there are many families without solid, loving relationships. We just lucked out and, believe me, I'll be forever grateful!

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