Helen and I had plans to travel to Florida to escape the winter cold and start the New Year off right. We made campground reservations and began packing for an early January departure when things took an ugly turn. My Mother’s health began to deteriorate quickly.
Mom lived in a nursing home and was remarkably sharp for someone who lived to 97. Nevertheless, as sharp as her mind was, arthritis had taken quite a toll on her body. She has been confined to a wheelchair since she arrived at the home in 2022. Mom received excellent care, enjoyed the company of many visitors, and loved watching the birds at the feeders outside her window. Suddenly, Mom began to weaken, losing the ability to speak clearly, and passed away on January 9th. Mom’s death was a “down” for our entire family—three children, 10 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
My Mother was a lovely and gentle person who devoted her early adult years to caring for my brother, my sister, and me. Mom was very active in our church, always volunteered as a room mother at our elementary school, served as a Den Mother for my Cub Scout den, and cheered loudly at every sporting event. She had many friends, though she outlived most of them, including every member of her high school class. We miss her greatly.
After wrapping up the necessary funeral details and planning a Memorial Service for later in the spring, Helen and I resurrected our Florida trip and left Knoxville on January 15—first stop, Cherokee, NC, one of our favorite places. We were greeted by a light snowfall on our first day there. We enjoyed three relaxing days there, as well as a very lovely sunrise on the last day.
Our original plans called for three days in Charleston to visit Collin, Austin, and our granddaughters, but to salvage most of our reservations, we ended up spending only one night there. Collin, an Indiana University alum, had secured a ticket to the National Championship game in Miami and drove down with another IU grad. We didn’t see Collin, but we had a great evening with Austin and the girls. Shortly after we left Charleston, our granddaughter, Bennett, went to her first high school formal with a handsome young man named Sheppard. They looked so fabulous in the picture I received later, I had to share it here.
Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, FL, was our next stop. We have camped here at Pelican’s Roost Campground three times before and, if we’re lucky, we will have a waterfront campsite. Mother Luck smiled on us again, this time—Campsite 11 on the water. Originally, we made reservations for 14 nights. Because the start of our trip was postponed, the waterfront sites were filled for the remainder of the 14-night stay. Helen asked to be notified of any cancellations. We felt that the severe weather to our north might slow down some of the Snowbirds heading south; sure enough, it did. We were allowed to stay in Campsite 11 for two weeks, plus two more days in the third row. Definitely an “up.”
One “down” hit when we connected to the campsite water connection. No water would flow from our faucet on the hot-water side for three days. The campground manager recommended an RV Mobile Repairman, who came and replaced a frozen check valve on the back of the water heater. It’s good that the repairman (Gerald) was a small person because he had to snake his way through the storage compartment to reach the water heater. I asked him to check the wheel bearings while he was here. They were in good shape (”up”).
Pelican’s Roost faces a main channel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Navy and commercial ports in Jacksonville. Enormous Navy vessels and commercial ships pass in front of us throughout the day to entertain us. I love seeing the decks filled with sailors coming home after a long deployment. They hang over the ship rails and wave at all of us standing by to wave back (big “up”).
Mayport Beach is a short walk from the campground and is a lovely stretch of water. The sunrises and sunsets have been exceptional during our visit, and I’ve posted a few here.
Helen and I will leave Mayport on Thursday, 2/5/2026, and Ease Along to Orlando. Abby, our California granddaughter, will compete with her cheer team in the National High School Cheerleading Championship at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Walt Disney World. Readers may remember that her team won two years ago when Abby was a freshman. Keep your fingers crossed for another “up.”
This post will be shared on the Monthly Wrap-Up hosted by my bloggy friend, Natalie the Explorer. Mortimer says to get on the ball and visit her well-written blog, which takes readers all over the world.
Grand rising
Sorry to learn about your mom,
ICE has swarmed Orlando, photos coming from friends are deeply disturbing..
ICE is now terrorizing Gainesville ,major protests all day yesterday. stay safe
Good morning!
Thanks for stopping by! Hope you’ll come back! Joe
Joe, condolences regarding your Mom. It was just 2 years ago, on 1.17, that Malcolm’s mom passed at 94. We can relate to what you are feeling. I’m sure she would have appreciated the kind words you said here. She sounds like a kind and loving mother.
It is actually nice juxtaposed with your beautiful granddaughter, so alive and filled with promise.
I hope your RV has a good heater. If the reports are correct, we will be shivering for the next several days.
Good luck in Orlando. I hope all goes well in the cheerleader competition.
I’m sure your son enjoyed the game. Us, not so much. We watched it from the comfort of our sofa, and I slumped away to bed in the 3rd quarter. Malcolm held onto hope until the bitter end. He and our daughter are alumni.
Hey there!
Mom was a lovely person, and it was hard to witness her rapid decline. She is in a better place now. Weren’t Bennet and her date a handsome pair? We go to Orlando on Thursday and watch thousands of cuties and their million miles of hair ribbon rehearse and cheer. Abby’s team won her regionals and that’s not easy to do in California. We’re proud of her and her team. They work hard!
We were equally proud of IU for the year they had. Give Malcolm a hug from us…just not his year (and we’ve been there)!
Cold is on the way and I’m heading out to disconnect our water hoses to prevent freezing. Supposed to go to 26° in Jacksonville tonight. That’s better than Knoxville at 16° with six inches of snow.
Always great to hear from you. Joe
Joe, I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your mother.
Thanks, Nancy,
Mom had a great life and was a lovely lady. 97 is a pretty good run, but the last year was rough. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week. Joe
Hi Joe! I’m glad the arctic blast didn’t affect your plans too much. I am sorry to read about your dear mother. 97, wow! After watching my mom decline slowly in a nursing home for 10 years, a quick surrender into eternity is always best. May she rest in peace with our Lord. You and Helen are such excellent parents/grandparents, always there for your family and many events. Enjoy the cheer championships. Stay warm and safe and enjoy your travels. ❤️
Dear Terri,
Thankfully, when Mom’s time was up, she went quickly, and it was a blessing. She was a great mom. My brother, my sister, and me were blessed to have her raise us. Helen and I escaped Knoxville in time to avoid a six-inch snowfall and 16° degree weather. It’s cold in Jacksonville, FL but not that cold. We’re looking forward to watching Abby compete…keep your fingers crossed for us. Hope all is well with you and Hans. Thanks for checking in. Joe
My sincere condolences for your loss. She sure was blessed with a long life. Glad you were still able to get in some RV travels. Sending warm wishes and hugs.
Ingrid,
Always great to hear from you. I loved seeing some of your pictures from your Texas trip. My mom had a great run to 97 and, fortunately, passed quickly. We’re in Florida now, and avoided a snow storm in Knoxville. I love snow, but 16 degree weather is not my thing. Give our best to Al and please stay in touch. Joe
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother. It sounds she had a good life almost to the end, with intact cognitive abilities and that she was a great person.
That’s a lovely photo of your granddaughter and the boy! I hope your February goes to plan.
Good morning, Susanne,
Mom was a lovely person and very sharp and alert right to her last few days. We miss her. I’m glad you liked the picture of Bennett and her friend. In addition to being an excellent student, she is an outstanding athlete and probably would enjoy reading your tips on strength training. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week! Joe
Joe, My condolences regarding your Mom. My Mom passed away five months ago so I can relate to your loss. You captured some spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Bennett and Sheppard, as well as Mortimer all look so adorable. I’m glad you’re able to continue RVing. Thank you for linking up. Safe travels! I look forward to your February updates #MonthlyWrapUp
Good Morning, Natalie,
Thanks for stopping by and the nice comments. Loosing a Mom is sad, but ours are in a better place now. I’m looking forward to see what adventures are ahead for you in 2026. Keep exploring and know we’re with you all the way. Have a great week! Joe
I’m sorry to hear about your mother
passing away. I remember your Mom going to Donelson with the team and being a great fan. It wasn’t easy when my Mom died last year at 99 years. Then you realize she’s in a better place. You’ll miss her, but being the
photographer you are, she’ll be with you always. Once again Condolences
Mike
Good morning, Mike,
Sorry to hear about your Mom as well. Wow, 99 for yours and 97 for mine–that has to mean we’re both in a good gene pool, but I have to admit, there were time when I felt that 97 ain’t all it’s cracked up to be unless you can remain active. Great to hear from you. Thanks for checking in. Joe
I was sorry to hear of your mom’s passing, Joe. Alan and I extend our condolences to you and your family. She certainly set a wonderful example for her children, and I can hear in your words what a blessing she must have been in the lives of her family, friends and community members. That’s a lovely portrait of her! I always like to see and hear what your grandkids are up to. Good luck to Abby and her team, and hugs to you and Helen!
Hey, there!
We miss Mom, but she had a great life and is in a better place now. We leave on Thursday for Orlando to cheer Abby and her team to victory. They won the Nationals two years ago and have a great team this year. We’ll be with her all the way. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week. Stay warm up there. We enjoyed a balmy 70Âş today.
So very sorry to hear about your mom. Sounds like she had a wonderful 97 years. Your pictures are awesome as always and make me feel like I have been somewhere. Good luck to your Granddaughter in her cheerleading Competition!! Happy travels!!!!
Thanks, Luanne,
Mom had a great life and was a super Mom. We miss her. We leave Thursday for Orlando and will spend the weekend with our fingers crossed for Abby. Her team won the Nationals two years ago, and have a strong team again. I’ll post the results when they come in. I’m a doting grandfather and hoping for the best for her. Thanks for checking in. Joe
Joe, I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom. I love the photo of her…she looks like such a bright, beautiful soul! And she sounds like an absolutely wonderful mother.
I hope you and Helen and Mortimer are enjoying your Florida trip. We’re on our southern winter trip now, too, and although it has been cold, it’s nowhere near as cold as Flat Rock! Take good care!
Hi!
Long time–no hear from…
Mom was a lovely person and a great Mom. We miss her. We’re leaving Jacksonville today and heading south. It’s been very cold and windy here, but we still like this campground and hope to come back next year. We missed a six inch snowfall and an ice storm in Knoxville, and I hear your part of the world got hit harder. Would love to meet up with you and Eric sometime, so please stay in touch. Thanks for checking in. Safe travels. Joe