What’s Up in 2026?

I notice that I have been remiss in updating our Adventure Blog of late so it’s time to let you know what we have been up to.  Probably the biggest reason I haven’t posted about a new adventure is that we haven’t had any big trips in the motorhome this year.  We made the decision late last fall that it was time to part ways with our Winnebago – after all, it was 20 years old, had 100,000 miles and we had been adventuring with it for 10 years.  Although we loved it and all the great times we had camping and traveling about with it, we felt that it was best to sell it while everything worked and it was in decent shape.  We sold it to someone who repairs motorhomes and who was eager to use ours as his own recreational van.

So that leaves us reflecting on what’s next.  When we first retired we set out to visit as much of the US as we could, visiting key national and state parks and discovering as much as we could around the country.  And we did.  We saw so many natural features, hiked some wild trails, did our best to spot and film wildlife along the way and to just enjoy the journey.  After our recent trip to the Galapagos Islands we realized that we were ready for more adventure travel outside the US – and we’ve found our next big deal – but I will save that announcement about 2027’s big adventure for a later blog.

2026 is the start of our second year in the “Hollow” – our one acre spot that we are reworking to be great for family visits, entertaining, working on hobbies and just enjoying being home.  So that meant we spent time here rather than traveling.  Plenty to keep us busy.  There were three new grandbabies arriving among our extended family, so that meant Jackie was busy crocheting blankets.  We had our grandsons’ soccer games to watch (just 8 minutes away!).  We had grass to mow! – a change from our previously wooded yard.  I tilled up a garden spot for tomatoes that I started from seed, planted corn, beans and root crops, built stone walkways and steps, created a rock garden on our back slope, transplanted and moved some shrubs and perennials and got to enjoy our new patio.

The patio project transformed the backyard, turning an otherwise overgrown and weedy slope into a tiered patio.  It also allowed us to add a swim spa that has been an amazing, fun addition (who needs the beach?)  We worked with a fantastic contractor to get this built late last fall and were finally ready to enjoy the bubbles and pool.  BUT it was mid-winter, so we had to be sure the water was good and warm, we had thick robes and were prepared to hop in when temps were in the 30’s.  It worked just fine, and we continued to use it all spring and summer – managing to cool it down to maybe 89/90 for some refreshing daily dips.  No, we aren’t yet swimming laps against the current, but that might come soon.

Back to the farm report – the tomatoes were plentiful this summer, we also had a few beets, carrots, plenty of beans, one rutabaga, tons of yellow squash and lots of corn.  Late summer the fig tree produced plenty of delicious fruit – this was something of a new discovery for us and I have been busy harvesting, cooking up and canning fig preserves – and baking some fig shortbread.  

Our detached garage works well for other hobbies besides starting the seedlings for the garden.  My glass studio in the loft has allowed me to keep building my glass sculptures, filming the process and posting on YouTube.  Quite the following of crafty folks who are watching them, too.  It gets a bit hot upstairs, so summer glass work has been slower. I also had a collection of wine crates from a local liquor store that I refinished as serving trays and Charcuterie platters. Still not sure what to do with a dozen or so cigar boxes.

So you see we have been so busy having fun home at the Hollow we didn’t miss traveling this year.  Well, maybe just a little.  The cruise bug bit us again and we have two coming up this fall.  Our first is in September with our favorite cruise companions, my brother and sister-in-law.  Just a 5 night cruise to the Caribbean, visiting two private island spots by Royal Caribbean:  CoCo Cay and Paradise Island in Nassau.  Can’t wait (brushing up on my craps betting strategy).

The second cruise is farther south to the ABC islands in November.  Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.  We have excursions planned for each of the islands, mostly snorkeling adventures in what should be some beautiful reefs and waters.  This one is just Jackie and I on the new Celebrity Xcel for 8 nights out of Miami. 

Oh, and we just had a great visit to Alex and Bethany’s home in Chattanooga. Alex arranged a wonderful tour of the Chattanooga Whiskey distillery, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all!

Now you are all caught up on our local adventures and a few that are coming up.  I should have pictures and stories to post soon after each cruise, and in early 2027 I will share where our travels will take us next.  Thanks for reading along – be sure to visit our YouTube page for more videos of our adventures and loads of me and my glass studio.  https://www.youtube.com/@adventureswithdougandjackie  

See you again soon! Doug