“After the divorce, I decided that our house was going to be way too big for my family in a couple years. My kids were going to be out, and it would be this five-bedroom home with just me. We talked about selling it right then, but decided to hang on to it a few more years.

“I didn’t have a grand plan for what I would do or where I would go. But I did love the Hill Country, and always dreamed of living there. I’m big into nature. Before I became a teacher, I worked for environmental agencies and nonprofits. So I wanted to be where I had easier access to state parks and stuff that I really love.

“When my boyfriend, Eric Anderson, and I started dating, that was something we had in common. We talked about moving in this direction once our kids were a little older.

“Then I heard about an opening in Dripping Springs ISD, and I was offered a position at the middle school doing yearbook. When I got the job, Eric suggested that we look for an RV park and buy an RV. Since I love camping and being outdoors, that sounded great. So I came up here and went to like 12 different RV parks, and I found this beautiful little place. The way it’s laid out reminds me of a state park.

“I love that I now spend so much more time out in nature. With a small space, you live very minimalistically, and you don’t stay inside a lot. You get out. You go hiking. We cook our meals, and bring them outside to eat. We set up a projector outside for movie nights.

“I used to get the itch to go camping all the time. I’d watch the weather and try to plan things, so I could pack my stuff quickly and go on weekends. But I don’t feel the urge to do that so often now because I live only 15 minutes from Pedernales Falls State Park. If I want to go, I just go.

“It was difficult to part with the house. It was in the family so many years. It’s where I grew up and my kids grew up. But it was time for a change for us and for the kids. We wanted to shake things up, get them out of their comfort zone, and be a model for taking risks and trying new things. We just love it.”

— Laurie Adcox Haffelfinger

Both of their daughters moved into the same RV park, living in their own places. “We’re all right there in a little triangle together.”

Related:

• Cancer experience draws family closer

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Before our coronavirus staycation began in earnest, me and the Mrs. escaped for a quick trip east of our Baytown home to check out a few of our favorite things. In one day we hit up Sea Rim State Park in Sabine Pass, Village Creek State Park in Lumberton, and Big Thicket National Preserve in Kountze. As you might have guessed, we were pretty tired by nightfall. But all that hiking was worth it. Not only to help celebrate her birthday, but to enjoy lots of fresh air, nature and peacefulness in the midst of this weird moment in time.

At Sea Rim, we had the beach all to ourselves. At Village Creek, it was just us and the trees. By the time we made it to the Big Thicket, we were worn out, so we didn’t stay long. But the next morning, with a little more pep in our step, we stopped by Beaumont Botanical Gardens to view the beautiful scenery.

All in all, it was a nice getaway before returning home to hunker down for who knows how long.

What have you been up to during the coronavirus pandemic? What activities are helping to take your mind off the situation — for a little while, at least? If you care to share, use the message feature on The Baytown Project’s Facebook or Instagram page to submit a photo and a few thoughts. Or you can email baytownproject@gmail.com. I’d love to share your story with others.

— David Berkowitz

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He looked up. He looked down. He looked all around. And he seemed a bit confused.

I figured he must have spotted a baby bird or some other small creature, then lost track of it.

Wrong. He’s a geocacher who couldn’t locate his target.

The post Geocaching keeps this retiree pretty busy appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“I live down the way. I can walk, but not that far. Right now I’m going crabbing.

“When I catch them, I usually give them away. If I catch fish, I give them away. I don’t keep anything. If I go buy something, I give that away, too.

“That’s just the way I am. I like to help people. I’ve always been like that.”

— Joe Rangel, 71

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“We water and take care of trees all over the city. We help raise them at the city’s tree farm. When they reach 30 gallons, we plant them in the parks.

“He and I have worked together for about 20 years. He’s deaf but can read lips and manages just fine. We both like working outdoors. It’s a pretty neat job.”

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