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| Mike on the balcony attached to our site, which overlooks an oak filled ravine. We're enjoying sipping wine here each afternoon, watching the blue jays and squirrels that are everywhere. |
We are having fun!
We've spent the last three days here with friends, visiting about five wineries a day. The RV Resort has complimentary tasting coupons to about 50 of the wineries in the area, so our tastings have all been free thus far. Our strategy going in had been to enjoy the free tastings, and write down the names of the wines we really liked, then wait for a 20% off coupon from our local wine store before buying anything. The savings in doing it this way is easily 40% over the cost of buying the wine directly from the winery. (Which is ironic, don't you think?) But this year, the wineries, darn them, have gotten clever, and are offering 12-bottle case specials of 40% to 50% off retail all over the valley. So we have altered our strategy, and bought two cases so far, which we are splitting with our friends.
We allocate wine to our Entertainment budget in case you are wondering!
We're here through the week in order to take advantage of the RV park's Stay 6 Nights, Get One Free perk, but today we're taking a break from wine tasting and heading to Morro Bay to do some hiking and enjoy fish n' chips at the harbor. Tonight the plan is to take advantage of Happy Hour at Downtown Brew back here in Paso Robles and enjoy $1 tacos and $2 margaritas for dinner . . . hey, we're on fixed income now!
I kicked off my early retirement 3 years ago with a month long RV trip. It felt kind of weird at first to be gone more than the normal 2 week vacation, but now I don't even think about it. Enjoy your retirement!
ReplyDeleteHi Mike.
DeleteMy husband hasn't had a slow day since retiring 10 days ago, so I'm thinking it hasn't really hit yet. Actually, it will be interesting to see how long it takes to hit as we have ongoing trips planned throughout the entire summer!
I just visited your blog and see you are a trail runner, as am I, though I certainly run the streets as well when that's the only option. We are running here in Paso Robles as a matter of fact, about six miles a day through rolling vineyard covered hills. A very nice way to kick start the day.
I have bookmarked the RV resort...what a great idea. Did you get that special site with the balcony because they knew Mike had just started his retirement?
ReplyDeleteGlad you mentioned happy hours....Betty and I will often find a good local happy hour with half off appetizers and make that our dinner. It helps both the budget and our weight.
Have a great trip.
Well, actually, the balcony was a surprise! We've stayed in this same site, #10, for three years now, when it was tagged as a lower cost unpaved Regular site. Two months ago they apparently paved it, and also added the balcony. It's now a more expensive Deluxe site, but they grandfathered in our Regular rate ($49 per night vs. $69) because they failed to let us know. We like it so much though, we will probably stay with it even at the higher rate . . . we'll just be sure to stay long enough to get the discounted weekly rate!
DeleteTamara,
ReplyDeleteYou are making me feel guilty about not getting any exercise today (other than a short walk). We took off on a road trip for a few days and I forgot to pack my running shoes. Tomorrow I have to find a Walmart!
We just polished off a plate of extreme nachos and two Margaritas (no discount coupons)- cheers to you guys. Have a great trip.
Suzanne,
DeleteIf I could skip exercising and still feel sane, and not gain weight, I probably would!
Today we did a butt-kicker of a hike, but man do I feel good now that we're back at camp and cleaned up! It's the ying and yang of it all. ;-)
ReplyDeleteits really very nice post to read and am really thankful to you give me such awesome idea to spend with my friends .....
Paso Robles wines