• Walkabout AUS
  • Lady Sue Stafford
  • Bec Stafford
  • Walkabout AUS
  • Lady Sue Stafford
  • Bec Stafford

USA RV Trip 2022

Back again for another University graduation of our daughter from Penn State University. This time her Masters whilst assistant coach at PSU. Lue lisää
  • As The Sun Sets

    8. kesäkuuta 2022, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    As the Sun Sets over Atlantic City we prepare for our last night in the USA. Tomorrow we make our way back up to New York JFK for the flights home. Unfortunately this trip we haven’t missed home at all, and could easily have just continued on as we were. Alas, circumstances don’t allow it.Lue lisää

  • Departure Day

    9. kesäkuuta 2022, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Stopped into the Brooklyn area for a coffee and traditional baked New York Cheese cake, stunning.
    Sue’s eyes show her delight in something she hasn’t had in over 40 years. I must admit it was fantastic.
    Now time to fuel up the car and make it to the airport, although it will be a long wait as our timing got us back here sooner than expected.
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  • Departure JFK, NY

    9. kesäkuuta 2022, Yhdysvallat ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    Well it’s that time again when we have to go through the torture of masks on our faces to protect us from the virus we’ve supposedly been vaccinated against, one day logic is going to return to the real world if the real world ever gets a chance to exist again. 18.75 hours from now we will hit Singapore, ok we’ll preferably land in Singapore not hit it. 😂. We’re maxed out on our luggage capacity as we came with 2 cases and returning with 4, all maxed out to the 23kg. 2 were Bec’s in anticipation that she would get the new AIS Melbourne gig, so it helped getting some of her stuff home.
    As far as an airport experience, it has been the worst airport checkin and departure I have experienced. Sorry to say it, but JFK is staffed by clowns.
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  • Take off from JFK

    10. kesäkuuta 2022, Yhdysvallat ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    Take off was little bumpy with strong winds but a clear night for some great shots. Disappointed that we got no aerial of Manhattan as we took off and turned NE. Our flight took us across the top of the Atlantic and Europe, Iran, India and into Singapore. Never been that route before.Lue lisää

  • Trip Summary

    12. kesäkuuta 2022, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Time to lay out a bit of a trip summary to preserve into history. 😂
    After so many trips to the USA and abroad generally, this trip will be one to remember with the assistance of the final trip album once completed.
    It was all driven by COVID, which stopped us from our usual annual overseas trips, and having not seen our beautiful girl for nearly 2 1/2 years.
    The idea of the RV road trip came about due to the enjoyment of our previous one 6 years earlier. The 2 areas we have not seen were the SE and the NW, so it could have been either one, but ultimately after chatting with Bec she felt beaches and warmth were the job after a bitterly cold winter in Pennsylvania.
    So the decision was made, now to find the rig. A website RVshare provided what we needed and a great negotiated rate gave us the rig we used.
    Travelling from the NE right down the coast saw us cross 20 borders travelling through 15 states. Down to the lowest tip of the USA across to New Orleans, and back up through Nashville and the Shenandoah Valley.
    The sites, the cultures, the accents, and the shift in weather made for a stunning trip, one to remember.
    Trip now done all too quick, and discussions have been had with the RV owner to allow us an extended 6 months or longer trip in the near future.
    Cannot wait.
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  • Bec’s Future

    12. kesäkuuta 2022, Yhdysvallat ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Throughout the trip Bec was in Limbo about what her future was to hold. Having been an elite athlete, then asst diving coach at Penn State University for the last 2 1/2 years she decided her future was in coaching and developing new athletes and young adults.
    At that point she was in discussions with various Universities in America for head coach positions at some pretty high level campuses. Suddenly along came another possible offer.
    For years Australian coaches have been wanting her to come home but no real positions were on offer. Bec was not interested in part time coaching and working another job to support herself, hence the big focus on the American NCAA Division 1 universities.
    Mysteriously out of the blue came a request from one of our past gold medal divers Matt Helm, for Bec to apply for an upcoming opportunity back in Australia. She had to submit an application video and then follow up interviews via Zoom.
    Feedback from Matt was that her video was one of the best received, and he responded after her final zoom interview with “Amazing!!!!”.
    Whilst on our flight from JFK to Singapore we got the news that the Melbourne position had been granted to her.
    This is a position with AIS & VIS for a fast track traineeship under Australia’s top coaches to become an Olympic Coach. An incredible opportunity that now finally brings her home. She has now flight bookings to return, pick up her new car, and drive to Melbourne for commencement July 1.
    Such an amazing achievement for someone so young, but so mature.
    Could not be more proud of our girl’s achievements and couldn’t have been a greater ending to our reunion trip.
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    Matkan lopetus
    12. kesäkuuta 2022