Hi Reader,

Your replies to our first issue made my whole week. Some of you have been with us since our Germany days, and hearing from you again after ten years brought happy tears more than once. Thank you for writing back. We enjoy every single message.

Where we are

Still parked in Naples, and the snowbirds really starting to flow in now. You can feel the season turning: more out-of-state plates, longer lines at the grocery store, and restaurant waits that creep up a little more every week. We're soaking up these last quiet weeks and then will bask in the chaos until January, when we head out on our biggest trip yet: seven months up the East Coast all the way to Maine, then over to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (More on that soon.)

The one thing worth knowing

How we decide where to spend winter

Last issue was about when to book. This one is about where. Here's the short list we run through every year:

• Freezing nights are a deal-breaker. In an RV, frozen pipes and a propane tank that empties 4x as fast are no adventure. We check the overnight lows, not the daytime highs.
• We stay put for a while. We both work Monday to Friday, so we settle in for one to two weeks and move on weekends. Slowing down means less driving, less stress, and more time to get to know a place.
• Run the numbers on a longer stay. A two-week or monthly rate is sometimes cheaper than a shorter stay. We've booked extra nights we didn't strictly need because the longer stay cost less.
• Base yourself near what matters. For us that means family and a short drive to the things we want to explore, so day trips stay easy and the truck stays hitched less often.

Weighing a few winter options? Our free RV Trip Planner keeps your stops, rates and drive days side by side.

Worth the drive

Buffalo Chips, Bonita Springs

Just up the road from Naples on Old 41, Buffalo Chips has been a local favorite for more than 40 years. It's casual and a little old-school, and the walls are covered in Buffalo memorabilia. Go for the chicken wings. My pick is the Zippy Cajun sauce. And don't skip the fried green tomatoes.

Heads-up: as season ramps up, the wait gets longer and longer. Go now, or go early. The main entrance is around back, off the parking lot.

From our kitchen

No Ordinary Thanksgiving is back

Thanksgiving was always one of the most-loved corners of No Ordinary Homestead, so we've brought it back for 2026. It's the same from-scratch, stress-free game plan I still use every year, refreshed with updated turkey timing and food safety guidance. You'll find the game plan, our tried-and-true menu, simple sides, desserts and my sweet dinner rolls all in one place.

​Plan your Thanksgiving with us →​

See you in two weeks,
Tiffany & Stefan

P.S. Locals and snowbirds: what's your go-to Southwest Florida spot we should try next? Hit reply and tell us. It might end up in a future issue.