Advertisement Some snowbirds even carry their homes with them — perhaps a camper mounted on a truck frame. Meet French Island’s Clyde and Mary Greve of Nakomis Avenue, among many area ’birds who’ve “migrated” to a warmer clime. It’s the 14th year they’ve taken wing. (Prior to heading out they routinely celebrate Christmas with their two sons in Des Moines, Iowa. “It’s important to enjoy family holidays before we leave,” says Mary.)
It’s been a month since the Greves packed their fifth wheel pulled by a ½-ton pickup and once again ventured to Fort Myers Beach, Fla., where temperatures hover around the mid-80s and mornings require a light jacket. It’s their favorite hangout when away for any length of time from their cozy Hiawatha Island domicile.
Some snowbirds develop leisurely patterns. On their way to Fort Myers Beach, the first day Clyde and Mary stopped at Mount Vernon, Ohio, timed just right to reach an RV park to plug in their fifth-wheeler, go out for dinner and return to a warm camper. The second day their destination was south of Chattanooga, Tenn., where they began enjoying warmer temperatures. The third day? On to Wildwood, Fla., just 200 miles from Fort Myers Beach, making it easy to ensure noon check-in on the fourth day.
Once at Fort Myers Beach, Mary and Clyde continue patterns from years past, with an occasional twist.
They take up residence in Indian Creek, an adult RV park with 1,200 parking sites. Mary, 76, once again becomes a beachcomber (she loves to collect seashells); Clyde, 78, finds solitude in other ways — perhaps in a gazebo to read. They both love photography, so a few trips to the Everglades, to a wildlife park, or to a preserve are in order to satisfy these shutterbugs.
But they don’t have to leave Indian Creek to find things to do.
Mary is an artist in oils but also dapples in watercolors. She belongs to a painters’ group; everyone paints what they like. Critiques are given to make their work the best that it can be. Intrigued by acrylics, Mary is adding them to her portfolio this year.
Indian Creek also offers dancing groups (including ballroom and clogging), golf, fishing, tennis and group exercise opportunities. Outside entertainers (country music, comedy) are brought to Indian Creek. There is no time for boredom. A bus system, much like a trolley, is available on those days when you just don’t care to drive.
The Greves have been retired for several years, Clyde from a career in library science at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and Mary from a career as elementary school librarian in the West Salem (Wis.) school district.
Both have had medical challenges, Clyde with a heart attack in the late 1990s, and Mary with open heart surgeries for valve replacements. They believe keeping active is most important. Says Clyde: “You often hear retirees refrain: ‘I don’t know how I had time to hold a job before.’ There is truth to this. When I get up in the morning, there is nothing planned, but by nightfall I’m not half done with what I wanted to get done.”
The Greves look forward to their snowbird jaunts, but the best part, they agree, is coming back home in a few months to enjoy the first little sprig of green, and the daffodils, and neighbors. “It is a time to get back into our walking routine, and to those wonderful interruptions of someone calling to ask if we’d like to go out for breakfast, often followed by going to someone’s house for dessert,” says Mary.
They don’t want to quit their snowbird adventures, or occasional spur-of-the-moment trips in summer. Travel, to most U.S. states and New Zealand and Australia, has provided much enjoyment. Mary said: “If I should die tomorrow, I want our sons to know that I have had a wonderful life. I’ve told them this. The secret is: If you want to do something, well, at that moment do it — don’t wait.”
Clyde describes the snowbirds’ return. “I like our greening-up season and the river activities here. We enjoy fishing. You know, we’ve caught 14 types of fish right off our dock.”
Almost in unison, these snowbirds chirp: “Wisconsin is the most beautiful state; it’s like everywhere U.S.A.“
Larry Olson can be reached at lolson6311@charter.net or at larry.olson@lacrossetribune.com, or by mail addressed to the La Crosse Tribune, 401 N. Third St., La Crosse, WI 54601.
