November in the Florida Keys and Sad Wrap-up to the Year

We checked into Miami Everglades RV Park in Miami, Florida, on November 2nd for a 7-night visit. Having stayed here previously, we didn't try anything new this time. Unfortunately, Myah began to feel unwell during our stay. We devoted most of our time to caring for her, taking her to vet appointments to find out the cause of her illness. We did visit Biscayne National Park with her, but our stay was brief as she wasn't up for much walking.

Biscayne National Park

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On November 9th, we traveled to the Keys and checked into Sunshine Key RV Park and Marina on Big Pine Key for a two-week visit. We visited the Keys a few years back, but we couldn't secure a reservation at our membership parks for more than a few days. This year, we were fortunate to book two weeks at each of the Encore parks. While most parks charge $150-$250 per night or more, our membership allowed us to pay just $20 per night.

Sunshine Key

We've always enjoyed our time in the Keys. The crystal-clear aqua-blue water, constant sunshine, and stunning sunsets create a relaxing atmosphere. However, Myah was still dealing with an unknown illness, which prevented us from fully enjoying our stay in "paradise."

A memorable moment during our stay was meeting the friendly resident manatee that often visited the dock at the park marina.

Pat joined a fishing charter on the same boat he had used during our previous visit. He had become friends with the captain of the Cora Beth and gifted him a 3-D print of his boat, which our son Eric had created. The trip was also successful, as Pat caught several good-sized fish.

Pat's fishing trip

We opted for a snorkeling excursion departing from the nearby Bahia Honda State Park. It wasn't the best snorkeling trip we've experienced, as the water was quite choppy that day.

During our stay at Sunshine Key, I traveled to Los Angeles for a long weekend to watch Alyssa's dance performance. It was wonderful to spend some much-needed time with her.

Los Angeles visit

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We worked our way a little North to Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina on November 23rd for a 2 week stay. We spent most of our time relaxing at the RV park, swimming, kayaking and just enjoying the sunshine. We rented a boat during our stay so Pat could do some fishing. It was nice getting out on the water. We also met Mike and Sarah here and soon became good friends with so much in common!

Relaxing at Fiesta Key

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On December 7th, we departed from the Keys and traveled to Punta Gorda, FL, where we stayed at Encore Gulf View Resort for the following 7 nights. Our time there wasn't filled with much activity, as we were still coping with Myah's illness, which made this period quite stressful for us. We took her to various vets, hoping for a clear diagnosis. It was evident that she wasn't feeling well, suffering from digestive problems, lethargy and fluid retention. Watching her in this condition was incredibly difficult. Ryan visited with us while we were there, so that made our stay a little happier.

Punta Gorda

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We went a little farther north on December 14th and stayed at Winter Quarters Manatee in Bradenton, FL for 3 weeks. We had stayed at this park previously as it is nearest to our son Ryan's home in Sarasota. We wanted to spend the holidays with him, so this worked out perfect.

Sadly, we lost our beloved Myah 8 days after arriving. We sensed something was seriously wrong with her, but we continued following the professional treatment advice. On December 22nd, she stepped out of the RV for the last time, took a few unsteady steps, and collapsed on the ground. Within seconds, she was gone. Pat and I were utterly devastated. Just a couple of weeks earlier, she had turned 9 years old, and two months ago, she was a playful, energetic, adventure-loving dog. How could she have deteriorated so rapidly and then passed away? It just didn't make sense to us. The vet specialist suggested it might have been an embolism or blood clot, but there's no way to be certain. He assured us she didn't suffer at the end. We hope we did everything possible for her.

Myah was a part of our RV adventure from the beginning, accompanying us through much of the United States and parts of Canada. She was the perfect travel companion and loyal friend we could have wished for. She was always by our side during hundreds of hikes across the country. Her favorite spots were the snowy mountains, where we always found a way for her to play in the snow whenever possible. She was fearless, always ready for a game of ball, and incredibly smart. She was instrumental in helping us make new friends on our travels. Her absence has left a significant void in our lives. We will always miss her but are so very grateful for the time we spent with her.

RIP our sweet girl, Myah

We spent Christmas with Ryan, but we weren't really in the holiday spirit. We felt so sad and out of sorts that it was difficult to do anything. It quickly became clear that we couldn't continue our RV lifestyle without a dog by our side. The loss was just too painful. Having a dog with us was a significant reason why we decided to become full-time RVers. A few days after Myah passed, we began looking for a puppy. After I posted on the Aussiedoodle Lovers page on Facebook that I was seeking an Aussiedoodle breeder in Florida, someone contacted me. She had a litter of 6 female Aussiedoodles and one the same color as Myah (blue merle), available in two weeks.

The day after Christmas, Pat, Ryan, and I decided to take a 2-hour drive to Crystal River, FL, to see the puppy and meet the breeder. Naturally, after meeting her, we knew she was the ideal pup for us! She was very calm, and her beautiful coat was incredibly soft. Soon after our meeting, we decided on the name "Sierra" to align with our adventure theme.

Meeting Sierra and her parents for the first time.

The close of 2024 was a mix of emotions. We kicked off the year in Arizona, enjoyed Spring in Colorado, and spent June in Western NY with family and friends. During the summer, we discovered all the beauty Atlantic Canada has to offer. Our journey south included a stop in Asheville, NC, where we narrowly avoided a devastating flood. We began Fall in Chattanooga before heading to Florida for the Winter. Throughout 2024, we covered over 10,000 miles. The year was largely an adventure, and we continue to love our nomadic lifestyle. However, we've realized that life can sometimes present unexpected challenges, making you question your path, but then a new furry friend arrives to fill the void and bring joy. As we enter 2025, we carry hope for continued good health and new adventures, rolling down the highway one mile at a time.