Kelly and Jon's Wedding - After the Ceremony

Here are some pictures and thoughts of Kelly and Jon's wedding.

Amber took this one of us before we got ready to walk down the aisle.  It is one of my favorite.

In my last post, I showed some pictures of beginning and during the wedding.  Now for some after the ceremony:

The wedding party moved over to the garden for some pictures while everyone else was getting some food and drink.

And one of the Kelly's side of the family:

And Jon and his folks:

We were very happy to have all Kelly's uncles and aunts and some nephews and nieces there from the Warner side:

Reid and Amy, Adam, Heidi, Lesley and Ben with Ezra, Pam and me, Brad and Sue, Marty and Elena

It was a beautiful setting and thank God the we escaped the rain!

I had a few words and a toast

And the dancing started!

Something special about the Father-Daughter dance...

There was a lot of dancing going on with Brannon and the Big Mighty - they were great!

 It was fun to watch and listen

We had something to eat and tried to talk to everyone.  

And then the cake…

And they made their get away on bikes….

It was a glorious night and we have more pictures to share!

Thanks for joining us today on the Roadrunner Chronicles!  Until next time...

Jon and Kelly's Wedding

Kelly Warner became Kelly Goldman on Sunday, August 12 at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens in Norfolk, VA.  It was a fantastic venue, a beautiful afternoon and evening and a momentous occasion!  We don't have all the photos yet… as the Father of the Bride, I had some other duties during the ceremony and didn't get some ones I wanted but here are a few:

The area where the wedding party gathered before the ceremony

On our way down the aisle.

Wes did a great job in the ceremony! I love weddings because they remind me how it was and can be and I try to take note of things I can do better in our marriage.

After they said their vows and Wes talked, Brannon came to sing 

While the wedding party gathered to pray for Kelly and Jon.  (I have to say, contrary to my natural tendencies, I held it together throughout the ceremony.  Here I did get a little choked up.)

And a little flair…everyone in the wedding party paused to don their shades and:

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Goldman

And the wedding party got into and busted out in some fun too!

During the ceremony Wes used one-word descriptors of Kelly and the same for Jon.  For Kelly he said, "Decorative".  For Jon he said, "Driven".  I'd say for them:  "Fun"!  Among other things they share the same sense of enjoyment, having a great time and doing it with each other.  So in the midst of one of the most deeply moving, spiritual, emotional, important and profound days of their lives -- they interjected a degree of 'fun' for themselves and every one there.  

More pictures later on the rest of the evening.  But for now,

Thanks for joining us on the Roadrunner Chronicles!  Until next time...

Roadrunner Financials - July 2012

Roadrunner Recap
 This was a pretty fantastic month!  We spent the Fourth of July in Bar Harbor ME watching the parade and then going over to the fairgrounds for the lobster races.

Our specific stops along the way:

• Hadleys Point Campground, Bar Harbor ME
• Pumpkin Patch RV Resort, Herman ME
• Camping la Cle des Champs, Saint-Philippe, Quebec CA
• Camping Alouette, Montreal Quebec
• Lacawanna State Park, Dalton, PA
• Iroquois Campground, Rome NY
• Sea Mist Military RV Campground, Virginia Beach VA

Here's an interactive map of where we camped during the month. Click on the letters (waypoints) to see locations:

Or if you prefer, a static map of travels during the month:

Good News Areas We Are Under Budget
Here's a snapshot of our spending for the month:

We 'saved' a lot of money this money on 'Campgrounds', purchase of 'Household Items', and '1 Time Costs'.

Biggest Expenses
Had a second visit to Portsmouth to repair a leak cause by support that was wearing through the casing.
We also spent a lot on Diesel fuel since we put in a lot of miles on the road.

Large One Time Cost Item
$708 on the RV repair.

Monthly Average

Even with a big repair bill once we got back to Virginia Beach, we were able to stay well below our target monthly spending.  We were glad about that!  
I have often said this is more of a tracking tool and an estimate than a budget -- this month's spending proves it.  That's what our spending looked like for the month.  Thanks for taking a peek.  Hopefully they provide help or entertainment of some sort...  If you'd like a free copy of the spreadsheet I use, drop me a note and I will be glad to send it along.

Thanks for joining us today on the Roadrunner Chronicles!

Roadrunner Reflections - Thanks to Our Readers

One thing I don't do often enough is thank YOU --- our faithful and/or curious readers! So THANK YOU!  I had no idea when I started this years ago that it would be something that is so important to us.

As RVer's, one thing that is of great benefit to us is to know that we are not alone.  We know that you are out there and it is encouraging to get a note or some response from friends 'out there'.

It is almost like that 'letter in the mail' -- someone IS out there!  In a way, we feel connected and a part of your interest group.  We have some things in common…

It is also great to meet new people who happen by and stop long enough to say something.  Even those that take a look and become one of the 'stats' are if fact interesting to us.

Google Analytics indicates on this blog there have been:

• 709 posts 
• Over 130,000 page views
• 2865 comments 
• 274 followers

So for whatever reason it is that you stop by and view the Roadrunner Chronicles -- we appreciate it!  And keep adding those comments and notes!

That is all from the Roadrunner Chronicles this time!  Thanks for joining us!  Until next time...

Great Days in Virginia Beach

Like most of the rest of the country, it has been hot here.  But I like hot, so it has been great.  I love warm weather.  Like yesterday - it was upper 90's when I went for a bike ride.  I use the mobile app:  MapMyRide on my iPhone to log my 'workout'.

Here is the route I took from our campground near the Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana.  I rode down to Virginia Beach and along the boardwalk.  I love Virginia Beach!

It has one of the best beaches any where.  Even in the middle of the week it was busy.  From 1st Street to 40th Street, it seems like there was a lot going on and a lot of folks on the beach.

For as long as the eye could see, there were beach chairs and umbrellas and people enjoying the great morning weather.

Our days are busy and I thought I'd give a recap for those of you that wonder, "What do those guys do with their time?"  Here is a rundown on my day:

I got up the usual time:  about 5:15 AM.  I do some reading and mulling over things during my 'quiet time'.  Early morning is the best part of the day for me - with a good cup of coffee, some morning solitude and a bit of a clear head, I like to think about things and plan my day.

Pam gets up a little after 7:00 AM and most days Kelly gives me a quick call on the way to work.  So we can check in and see how she's doing.  With the wedding a little over two weeks, things are moving right along.  She is a planner and a detail person, so it pretty much under control at this point.

The last week of the month, I begin getting ready for my online work by sending my accounts an email and giving them a 'heads up' that the Monthly Report is coming due.  I create folders, download report templates and basically get set up for about 40 hours of online on the 1st.

I also spent time contacting the Medical Group, our two doctors, and the lab that all have sent medical bills for two office visits and some lab blood work done six weeks ago.  Our mail service is in Sioux Falls, SD and we only get delivery of our mail every four weeks.  So bill payment for our doctors visits lag a bit.  Other items on our Visa, MasterCard, AT&T phone bill, Verizon mifi -- I pay online so we keep up on it with no problem.

After that, it was time for a bike ride.  While Pam was doing some wash, I went for the bike ride down to Virginia Beach.  By the time I got back it was lunch time.  I drank a couple of Gatorades and ate lunch.  Next it was time to get a haircut so I spent about 30 minutes getting out the clippers and giving my self a buzz.  Then I took a shower.

In the after noon, I answered some emails and had an issue with my computer access.  I need to make some updates on my work paperwork and went over to the Rec Center at the Navy Annex to use their computer.  I was partially successful and will need to work it some more.

By that time, it was almost time to head over to Kelly's for dinner with her.  Pam took some food and we actually went over to Jon's place.  She is moving some things from her place to his before the wedding.  He is out of town for a few days.  While Pam fixed dinner, Kelly and I fiddled with their bikes, went down to the beach to see a house one of their friend just bought.

Then we had dinner together and hung out a little while before returning to the Roadrunner.  I did some reading while Pam watched a baseball game.  I fell asleep for a few minutes and decided it was time to hit the hay sometime after 10:30 PM.

So - there is a rundown on a 'typical' day in the life of a full-time RVer.  I say "typical" because I am not sure there is any such thing…  We are here for another month or so and expect to be here at the same campground, so that part will be the same.  The rest of our time here promises to be more exciting and eventful as we get ready for the wedding in a couple of weeks.

That is all for now - Thanks for joining us on the Roadrunner Chronicles!  Until next time...

Oh Canada! - Quebec City

First - I am way behind in my blogging.  Anyone of my readers ever have that issue?  We are now in Virginia Beach where we will be for about six weeks.  But I wanted to do a post on our time in Quebec City so here goes.

We drove from Presque Isle, Maine crossing the border into New Brunswick Canada at Fort Fairfield.  From there we headed north and then west into Quebec.

We stopped at the nearest rest stop/tourist information center for a stretch of the legs.
We traveled along the Saint Lawrence River and had moderately long driving day.

We arrived at our campground (Campground Transit) mid-afternoon.  It was a 243 mile day and we were tired.  We got set up and enjoyed an uneventful evening at a nice campground.

The next morning we drove into Levis and caught the ferry over to Quebec City.  Ferries are always interesting.

We were in the midst of regular 'commuter' folks and some tourists like ourselves.  The approach over to the city is pretty spectacular.

You can see the Citadel, Frontenac and some of the old city.

Once on the island we proceeded to the historic section of the city which was about a two blocks from the ferry.

 In the middle of the old section stands the Notre Dame des Vicotires church.

We had lunch at an outdoor cafe

And we walked around some more after lunch

Along the Promenade

To the Citadel

We came across some street performers before we went back to the ferry

It was pretty day for walking around the old city.

That is all for this edition of the Roadrunner Chronicles!  Thanks for joining us.  Until next time...