Thank you to Howard and Linda for granting my wish...a folder just for us SOLO travelers (male and female).
I think there are a lot of topics that we could discuss and thus help each other resolve various issues. I know as a hopefully soon-to-be full-timer, I have a lot of questions and I will post those individually.
So let's use this folder to quickly introduce ourselves. I'm Donna a.k.a. Froggi and my RVing experience was over 12 years ago when my husband and I full-timed for two years while we worked.
Fast forward and I'm a widow who rides a motorcycle and is ready to get back into full-timing. House to go on the market shortly, starting to sort through STUFF (again, did this a year ago...long story detailed in my blog).
I do have concerns as a single RVer, mostly due to age and lack of physical strength. I'll be posting lots of question and love to hear from any other solo's as to how they're handled these issues.
bago40 said
11:21 AM Jun 17, 2007
Hey Froggi Donna, I'm Bago of course, real name Okey. A confirmed Bachelor so far. I started full timing this year. I am still working but my MH is my full time residence. I'm already realizing the benifits especially here in Florida where the housing market is in the tank. I found a great park to live in, the people are friendly and there are more single people there than I would have imagined. This is a wonderful experience - learning to live full time in the rig. I hope we get more reponses to this folder. Glad you and Howard got it off the ground!
Froggi said
12:25 PM Jun 17, 2007
Hi Bago! Nice to see someone else found this folder....I think it will be great for us solo folks. I'm still having fun looking for the 'perfect for me' setup....LOL!
V4Vagabond said
02:43 PM Jun 18, 2007
Hi Froggi and Bago,
I'm a gonnabe single RV fulltimer, as soon as I can get my act together.
No, really, sooner than that.
I'm working on the 'selling my house' part. So many things to be handled.
I am mostly excited and eager for this change in my life, but every once in a while I get some dark 'what ifs' that I try not to entertain.
And I am very interested to find what I can learn on this forum.
Vee
Froggi said
02:53 PM Jun 18, 2007
Hi Vee! I know what you mean about the what-ifs. LOL! I want my cake and eat it, too...kinda like my Mom used to tell me, "Jordan Marsh taste and Woolworth's pocketbook". (Nowadays guess that would translate into Saks or Macy's taste...)
I'm still trying to figure out the best rig for me....could be a toy hauler trailer or a motorhome pulling a pickup truck with my motorcycle in the back. <g>
Feel free to start a dreaded what-if thread in here...if we share them, maybe we can banish some of the fears!
bago40 said
04:16 PM Jun 18, 2007
Hi Vagabond and Froggi, Vee, Got butterflies huh? Have you started looking for your rig yet? Froggi, Ah yes, the perfect set up! Isn't it exciting? The only thing I didn't pay enough heed to was the advice to make sure the bath had enough room to move around in. I like my rig though. I've heard there is a new lift and carrying aparatus that attaches to the back of motor homes. Supposedly it lifts the bike right off the ground and puts it in place for hauling down the road. I believe I saw one on a 2008 RV show a couple of months ago come to think of it. I hope someday to get a Harley-Davidson, used of course. And make that a Dollar store pocketbook! Are either of you planning to attend the RV-DREAMS 2008 rally? I do. and I'M planning to be at the Tampa RV show in January - the one at the fair grounds, not the Tampa bay RV show. There they have different clubs that park their rigs together and there are seminars and entertainment for the RV-ers parked there after the regular show is over each day. Good to meet you both! All the best in finding your rigs!
Froggi said
04:23 PM Jun 18, 2007
The trouble with the lifts is that about the only way to be sure your weight-compliant is to get a diesel pusher....definitely WAY outta my Dollar Store budget. LOL!
I haven't looked far enough ahead on the calendar to think about the RV Dreams event. I do plan on the Escapade in Sept, even if I end up hotel-ing it without a rig.
So much to do, so little time to do it in....
I'm in the process of buying and trying out a small BMW. It's almost 300# lighter than my Harley and is a dual-sport so it will do better in the dirt, grass, gravel found in a lot of camping areas. I pick it up the end of the month (driving to Houston to get it), then by the end of July I should have decided if it will work for me or not (I'm in-seam impaired and even lowered I may not be able to get comfortable with it). If it will work then the Harley goes up for sale and I get to bank at least $8 or 9k.
bago40 said
08:52 PM Jun 18, 2007
Froggi, You are on your game! I hope you're beemer works out for you. I get into all the excitement (I know, I know) when others talk about fullfilling their RV- dreams and forget about the little things like weight restrictions. Sounds like you have much to do best wishes in your searches! It will be interesting to hear how it all turns out. As for me I guess I'll go the pick-up route since I like the rugged look any way. Since I hate paying good money for feul I'll ride the bike to make up the diffierence. One of the great things (I think) about this life style is that there always seems to be alternatives! And maybe its just me but, I keep praying about it and things always seem to work out.
Froggi said
09:52 PM Jun 18, 2007
How true, Bago. I have been back and forth at least 4 times since Saturday. The toy hauler makes more sense if I can manage the hooking up and backing up. LOL!
Will definitely keep everyone updated....if nothing else, you can follow along in my blog.
sgad said
06:22 AM Jun 19, 2007
Hi Froggi and Bago40 and V4Vagabond, My name is Scott. I have been planning on fulltiming for several years now and purchased my rig two years ago (no camping experience). I finally retired at the end of last year. I am a bachelor, had a home, and was caring for my mother who suffered from Alzhiemers for several years. She passed away in early April so I put the house on the market and hit the road--so I guess I have been officially fulltiming for about a month and a half now. My rig is a 38 foot diesel pusher towing a Chevy Colorado four door truck. My main concern at the moment is lack of social interaction. One of the things that drew me to this lifestyle was the apparent comraderie of the RVing community. I even took extra care to include everything I would need for 'pot lucks' among my kitchen utensils. My experiences so far, however, are that most campers (at least in the campgrounds that I have stayed at so far) are very transient. moving in and out for one night stays and although they are certainly easy to strike up conversations with they are just not there long enough for any sort of social activity. Consequently, the campgrounds do little to organize any sort of activities--even for holidays. I was particularly down in the dumps on Mother's Day since it came around so soon after my loss and the campground offered nothing that would help take my mind off of it. This greatly concerns me particularly around holidays. Fulltime couples and families have each other to celebrate with but what about us singles?
Froggi said
09:36 AM Jun 19, 2007
Hi Scott, Couple of thoughts passed across while I was reading your post. I think the "events" are probably more prevalent in 1) higher end, larger campgrounds with activities directors and lots of planned events that 2) you find during "the season" in high tourism areas....or....in places that are tied to organizations like the Escapees where there is already a sense of family.
It's hard to "not" have someone to share with...that is one thing I miss the most about losing my husband. I still talk out my plans and thoughts but no one answers <g>. Tough to lose that sounding board.
One thing I remember from our first holiday in a campground back when hubby and I full-timed was that we needed to start NEW traditions that fit our new lifestyle. The same has held true for a new life as a solo.
As to general interaction, I've always noted that there is a GUARANTEED way to meet new guys in a campground (usually doesn't work with the women). Just open the hood of your RV, stand there and stare in at the engine for a bit...before you know it, you'll have a cluster of folks trying to help. Honest...it's lilke an emergency beacon to guys....
Welcome to our little corner of RV Dreams...hope to hear more about your travels and how you handle things!
bago40 said
09:51 PM Jun 19, 2007
Hey Scott, It is defenitely different for us guys. First let me say I am sorry for your loss. I'm 46 years young. I don't travel much yet but, I am full time in my MH in Lee's Travel Park in Largo, FL. It is a nice average community of Rv-ers and although we are in the summer months there are alot of permanent Residents. I signed up for the year at $300.00 a month which includes water sewer and garbage. Cable, satelite, phone are available. I'm told there are plenty of gatherings and activities during those holiday times and up to the summer months. The comraderie is out there! It may take some time and a few campgrounds before you find the right one. Although I warn you most of the single campers in the park I'm in are guys.. Froggi I'm looking forward to following your adventure.
sgad said
05:30 AM Jun 20, 2007
Hi Bago40. Thanks for the condolences. A year ago, in early July, I was on the road to the LOW pre-conference and conference and happened to end up in a KOA in Twin Falls/Jerome, Idaho on the 4th of July. Now you can't get much more family oriented then a KOA franchise but I was amazed that their only concession for the holiday was a suggestion as to the best place to set up your lounge chair to view the community (Twin Falls or Jerome, I'm not sure which) fireworks display. I was disappointed that they didn't at least set up some firepits or grills and encourage the residents to bring their favorite BBQ to cook. To me it would have been the ideal time to have a full-scale pot luck picnic! With this experience still fresh in my mind, I started out early (in mid-May) checking out campgrounds for this coming fourth. My first question was--are you planning anything for the 4th? Universally, the answer was NO, although several mentioned nearby public celebrations--parades, fireworks displays, craft shows, etc. So considering where I am at right now (northern Missouri), I asked myself where is the most typical American town where I would be most likely to experience a real 4th of July celebration and decided on Hanibal, Missouri (i.e. Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, the Mississippi River. etc.). The entire week is devoted to a celebration called "Tom Sawyer Days". I made reservations at a campground just outside of Hanibal called Injun Joe for June 26th thru July 10th. I figure this will be my best chance to 'experience' the holiday with others. I'll let you all know how it works out. Let me say that my remarks concerning social interaction are not meant as a code for a dating service. I'm just talking about sitting around a campfire with fellow campers (male and female) enjoying a meal, drinks, or just talk. Unfortunately I think that you and Froggi are right. Froggi centered on those upscale campgrounds who employ activity directors. I have yet to experience such a campground but suspect that their cost would somewhat exceed my budget. On the other hand, having reviewed my sources on camp life, I find that as you describe your current situation, many of the writers who exalt the campground social life are those who spend months in 'residential' type parks--those who spend all winter in one campground in Florida or Arizona and then move back north to their 'home' park for the summer. Somehow this seems to contradict the whole RV/Fulltimer philosophy which to me means traveling and seeing the country. Now maybe come next winter, when my travels become more restricted due to weather and I have worked some of the wanderlust out of my system, I will be looking for a longer term camping arrangement. Until then maybe Froggi is right--I think that Escapees campgrounds tend to have holiday activities because in a sense even new arrivals are 'family'.
bago40 said
04:47 PM Jun 20, 2007
Sgad, The prospects for your 4th sound good. I hope it works out. I suppose every dream has its drawback Rv-ing full time as a single may leave few opportunities for social interaction in the summer months. They probably are out there somewhere, just hard to find. Obviously. I have joined the Winnebago-Itasca Travelers club (WIT) which has a singles group listed, tried to e-mail them once but it came back as undeliverable. I went back to the site and found a phone number. I'll see if I can't glean some info. from them on a list of single oriented things for full timers like us. I know January is a ways off but, there is an RV super show in tampa at the fairgrounds. It is fairly large and many RV-ers stay there for about four or five days. There is something to do for the campers every day and when the show closes to the general public well into the evening. Just a suggestion if you happen to be down this way. I'm almost 100% to be there. Escapees may be your best bet as far as traveling goes, some of the other people who have been travelling around more in the RV-DREAMS family may have more information on that for you. The campground I'm in does have folks who are there year round but you wouldn't know it to look at the campground. Its a bunch of 5th wheels and motorhomes, maybe three parkmodels. Informal looking etc. I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes at Injun Joe's. In the upcoming months you may want to check out the upper midwest I remember reading about a lot of summer and fall activities in Minnesota. (Just something to check out). Keep us posted on your travels and what you find. I'm looking forward to the day when I can travel more. I agree that is more of the fulltime dream.
-- Edited by bago40 at 17:51, 2007-06-20
-- Edited by bago40 at 22:32, 2007-06-20
sgad said
07:20 AM Jun 21, 2007
Bago40, of course you are right. Long before I was able to retire and hit the road I joined many RVing organizations--Escapees (and their BOF SOLO for singles), FMCA (and their internal group Singles International), Good Sams, the Travel Supreme owners association and other groups such as L-O-W (Loners on Wheels) and Boomers (another Escapee BOF). As I said in my first entry in this thread, I am relatively new to actually living this life style instead of just dreaming about it, so I have been reluctant to get into the 'rally' scene--they all seem so crowded and require commitments so far in advance that I am reluctant to participate (the RV-Dreams rally next June being the one exception to date). I sort of want to get a feel for life on the road and how I best fit in before I commit to chasing rallies around the country. I believe that there is a whole slew of festivals all over in the fall (coinciding, I'm sure, with traditional harvest seasons) which I may try to catch. Actually, I think this 'festival' trend has leaked over into the summer months in order to take advantage of the tourist/vacation crowd. You can usually tell the difference because the summer ones are event oriented (i.e. 49'ers days or Lewis and Clark days or Old West days) and the fall ones are crop oriented (Pumkin days or Harvest days or Apple fest). I am one of those types who need some kind of framework (no matter how loose) to base an overall plan of travel on. Some people set out to visit all of the major league baseball ballparks, some all of the national or state parks. These are all just goals to aim for and, of course, much of the fun is in what they come across along the way. Visiting RV rallies can be much the same but once you start planning to attend certain events (baseball games or RV rallies) you have to set up schedules that require you be at certain places at precise times or dates. This is too much like work used to be. I have nieces and nephews, an ex-sister-in-law and her ex-husband (my brother) who live scattered across the northeast and southeast, so I figured I could take in much of the eastern United States and visit with them at the same time. But now that I'm actually on the road I may pull out my material on festivals and clubs and give them a second look. P.S. Maybe we should start a new thread on travel plans and social opportunities instead of continuing in this one.
bago40 said
08:15 PM Jun 21, 2007
sgad, I think your idea of a new thread is a good one. Info. organized like that would be a life enhancer for us singles! I've got plenty on my plate this summer but, I could do a little research. I really love the Northeast by the way. Some friends and I took a vacation up there a few years ago in his MH, when I lived in Cleveland. We camped in New Hampshire then went to Bar Harbor, Maine. We had a great time! Three people and three dogs in a 24' MH. What a blast! Anyway sounds like you've done the research on the clubs. Looking forward to the new thread. Bago.
LakeConroePenny said
07:46 AM Jun 30, 2007
Quote >>>My main concern at the moment is lack of social interaction. One of the things that drew me to this lifestyle was the apparent comraderie of the RVing community. I even took extra care to include everything I would need for 'pot lucks' among my kitchen utensils. My experiences so far, however, are that most campers (at least in the campgrounds that I have stayed at so far) are very transient. moving in and out for one night stays and although they are certainly easy to strike up conversations with they are just not there long enough for any sort of social activity.>>>
Have you joined your local chapter of Loners On Wheels ? Or another local RV group, maybe for the brand of your RV ? They will be small rallies, and maybe more to your liking. Rallies seem to tie folks together. Penny, TX
-- Edited by LakeConroePenny at 08:48, 2007-06-30
sgad said
09:22 AM Jun 30, 2007
Hi LakeConroePenny. Thanks for your reply to my plight. Please note that in my entry dated June 21st I mentioned that I do belong to numerous RV groups including Loners On Wheels and my manufacturer's (Travel Supreme) association. Yes they have rallies and yes the Life On Wheels rally I attened last summer was full of 'group' activities--they even managed to organize all of the singles to meet over coffee each morning and go out to diner together each night. I have certainly not ruled out this avenue and, in fact, fully expect that in the future I will pursue this to one degree or another. But right now--on the road as a full-timer for a mere one and a half months--I am still trying to discover my own travel persona. I don't even like to call and make reservations thus committing to my next campground two weeks down the road much less register at a series of rallies six months away. Don't get me wrong. On my second night on the road (in Amariilo, TX) I found myself parked right next to a fellow single whose routine was to follow the Loners on Wheels circuit and he was quite happy with that. But beyond having a need to feel comfortable with myself, my rig, and my suddenly new lifestyle first, I also would like to try the resort w/activity directors route and the club campgrounds (like Escapee) which I also believe are alternatives to the solitary lifestyle. I also think that Froggi may have the kernel of a great idea that needs to be thought out--starting a new 'tradition' of camper initiated get togethers in commercial campgrounds (see her entry in the social interaction--not dating thread)--maybe just bite the bullet and post a notice in the campground office like "Will be sitting around the campfire at site (such-and-such) at 8 tonight. Everybody welcome--bring your own drinks, marshmellows, and chairs--be sure to bring your own disignated driver!"
SKOOBDO said
09:56 AM Jun 30, 2007
My name is Allison, and I posted in the the other welcome folder also. I've been full-timing solo since 2006, and recently retired. I plan to find a campground in Arizona to use as a home base while I travel off and on. I'm in oklahoma and will be traveling route 66 to Arizona starting next week. I've been to several rv rallys and plan on visiting my relatives in California also while I travel. Life has been great and very enjoyable. I find that there are some parks that are for folks just stopping through, but many others have long term RVers that are very nice to visit and talk to. The last place I visited in Nebraska, the couple next door invited me to all their cook-outs and I had a wonderful time. Being alone does not mean you're lonely at all. I do like the fact I can do what I want when I want, so soloing has its benefits for sure. This seems like a great forum and I'm happy to be a member.
I Luv Ouray said
11:01 AM Jul 1, 2007
Scott, I read your post that said you will be near Hannibal, MO and I wanted to let you know that 2 of Howard and Linda's good friends are workamping there this summer at Mark Twain cave and I'm sure they would love to meet you. Their names are Ed and Marilyn and you can find the link to their website under the RV blogs section of this forum. They call themselves the Happy Wanderers. Check it out.
Julie
sgad said
02:44 PM Jul 1, 2007
Julie, Thanks. Linda already gave me the heads up and I changed my reservations from the Injun Joe campground to the Mark Twain Cave and Campground. Unfortunately Marilyn had been under the weather prior to my arrival and just as she recovered, Ed came down with the same thing so we weren't able to get together much yet. Both Ed and Marilyn did manage to drop by this morning and we all went out to breakfast together and then they drove me around town. Hopefully tomorrow night we will meet around their rig and share a bottle of wine I had dropped off for them earlier. Scott
Spirit_Moves said
06:50 AM Apr 5, 2012
Hi, I am solo 64y/o F that is gonnabe a full-timer. Planning on getting a Artic Fox 24NR and sit it in RV park nearby while I find the right truck to meet my needs. For me rving will be a life long dream becoming a reality. Once I get my truck there won't be enough road..So many choices and I love choices and variety. I probably was cut out for this life before I was born and was too hardheaded to get it..LOL I have been looking for sometime and now it is time to get with the program..Life is too short to wait and this has been on my bucket list for years. I love your Post and all I am learning here..
Roz said
10:35 AM Apr 5, 2012
Thank you, Miriam for breathing life into this five year old thread! It has rekindled precious memories of Scott Gad (sgad).
We arranged to meet up in a Cracker Barrell in New Braufels, TX for an extended chat and chew in October of 2009. He died of Cancer the next Spring. What a wonderful man!
He and his Scottie dog travelled after his retiring from teaching, his second career, after being an engineer for many years.
Scott would tell you to go for it! He lived more each day than most people live in a month, and even a year for some. We stayed in touch by e-mail and telephone until I got the final call from his brother.
God rest your sweet soul, Scott M. Gad!!!
Spirit_Moves said
08:07 PM Apr 5, 2012
Hi Allison,
Great post and I have found in life my motto "I am alone as I choose to be" saying that I will wander up to someone's campsite if I see they are open to company. After taking a road trip recently in a car I found interestingly variety of people in the states I traveled in. Sometimes people would ignore me which I always just smiled. Often I would find the most interesting of all people to speak to about anything or everything. I also found with our technology(cell phones) that I had at least five people with me as I drove many miles usually averaging 500mi a day..Can't wait to have the rig behind me so I can cut that mileage way down and take in the lifestyle. Who knows maybe I will be at your campsite someday..
Happy Trails
Spirit_Moves said
08:20 PM Apr 5, 2012
What beautiful memories and inspiration to all he sounds like a beautiful soul wish I had met him on the road. We all need those kind of people to remind us of our own abilities and challenges. In my life I have found we can pretty much do what we put our mindset too. I was told by my physician in 2001 I might as well accept it that I would be in a wheel chair..whoa it is 2012 and I do my walks everyday, swim, hiked, rafted the Animas, horseback rode, even tent camped and SUV camped..(bit more challenging the later..LOL). Last MRI was gloomy prognosis but then I walked out gave thanks for my abilities and that I didn't have cancer dada and said I am okay.. Had friends this last trip saying oh you won't be able to do it...I didn't listen to them but to my spirit and well I did great had to do it my way which is simplify simplify. So I have no doubts I will get to fulltime for 5 to 10yrs at the minimum.
Believe in Yourself it always works!
WestWardHo said
04:27 PM Apr 6, 2012
I like this category, we can all learn from it. I'm not single, but I was for many many years. (in fact we were recently married in our "trailer trash" wedding in Gold Canyon, AZ. We had so much fun. During my single years I had wonderful married friends in Cleveland that always included the singles. I've done that since and sending a gentle reminder for couples to include singles. If you ever come across our Kodiak you're welcome. Lots of good suggestions and attitudes on here. I recently saw on a HGTV makeover show that in a particular neighborhood people would put out front in their yard a pink flamingo on Fridays and all neighbors who wished to came bringing snacks & drinks for Friday Happy Hour. Loved the idea.
Sherry
PIEERE said
02:44 AM Apr 10, 2012
Spirit Moves; Welcome: I like that: Alone as I want to be! All I have to do is introduce myself and most are receptive; the ones that are not leave me the option to walk away. I love people and like to learn all I can about the culture, customs and lifestyles and how they vary geographically.
If you read my post; I just escaped The Grim Reaper and am making and re-evaluating the third chance at life I have. Guess I was saved to learn how to do it better this time around. Bless You! Pieere
I think there are a lot of topics that we could discuss and thus help each other resolve various issues. I know as a hopefully soon-to-be full-timer, I have a lot of questions and I will post those individually.
So let's use this folder to quickly introduce ourselves. I'm Donna a.k.a. Froggi and my RVing experience was over 12 years ago when my husband and I full-timed for two years while we worked.
Fast forward and I'm a widow who rides a motorcycle and is ready to get back into full-timing. House to go on the market shortly, starting to sort through STUFF (again, did this a year ago...long story detailed in my blog).
I do have concerns as a single RVer, mostly due to age and lack of physical strength. I'll be posting lots of question and love to hear from any other solo's as to how they're handled these issues.
I'm still trying to figure out the best rig for me....could be a toy hauler trailer or a motorhome pulling a pickup truck with my motorcycle in the back. <g>
Feel free to start a dreaded what-if thread in here...if we share them, maybe we can banish some of the fears!
Hi Vagabond and Froggi, Vee, Got butterflies huh? Have you started looking for your rig yet? Froggi, Ah yes, the perfect set up! Isn't it exciting?
The only thing I didn't pay enough heed to was the advice to make sure the bath had enough room to move around in.
I like my rig though. I've heard there is a new lift and carrying aparatus that attaches to the back of motor homes. Supposedly it lifts the bike right off the ground and puts it in place for hauling down the road. I believe I saw one on a 2008 RV show a couple of months ago come to think of it. I hope someday to get a Harley-Davidson, used of course. And make that a Dollar store pocketbook!
Are either of you planning to attend the RV-DREAMS 2008 rally? I do. and I'M planning to be at the Tampa RV show in January - the one at the fair grounds, not the Tampa bay RV show. There they have different clubs that park their rigs together and there are seminars and entertainment for the RV-ers parked there after the regular show is over each day. Good to meet you both! All the best in finding your rigs!
I haven't looked far enough ahead on the calendar to think about the RV Dreams event. I do plan on the Escapade in Sept, even if I end up hotel-ing it without a rig.
So much to do, so little time to do it in....
I'm in the process of buying and trying out a small BMW. It's almost 300# lighter than my Harley and is a dual-sport so it will do better in the dirt, grass, gravel found in a lot of camping areas. I pick it up the end of the month (driving to Houston to get it), then by the end of July I should have decided if it will work for me or not (I'm in-seam impaired and even lowered I may not be able to get comfortable with it). If it will work then the Harley goes up for sale and I get to bank at least $8 or 9k.
Will definitely keep everyone updated....if nothing else, you can follow along in my blog.
My name is Scott. I have been planning on fulltiming for several years now and purchased my rig two years ago (no camping experience). I finally retired at the end of last year. I am a bachelor, had a home, and was caring for my mother who suffered from Alzhiemers for several years. She passed away in early April so I put the house on the market and hit the road--so I guess I have been officially fulltiming for about a month and a half now. My rig is a 38 foot diesel pusher towing a Chevy Colorado four door truck.
My main concern at the moment is lack of social interaction. One of the things that drew me to this lifestyle was the apparent comraderie of the RVing community. I even took extra care to include everything I would need for 'pot lucks' among my kitchen utensils. My experiences so far, however, are that most campers (at least in the campgrounds that I have stayed at so far) are very transient. moving in and out for one night stays and although they are certainly easy to strike up conversations with they are just not there long enough for any sort of social activity. Consequently, the campgrounds do little to organize any sort of activities--even for holidays. I was particularly down in the dumps on Mother's Day since it came around so soon after my loss and the campground offered nothing that would help take my mind off of it. This greatly concerns me particularly around holidays. Fulltime couples and families have each other to celebrate with but what about us singles?
Couple of thoughts passed across while I was reading your post. I think the "events" are probably more prevalent in 1) higher end, larger campgrounds with activities directors and lots of planned events that 2) you find during "the season" in high tourism areas....or....in places that are tied to organizations like the Escapees where there is already a sense of family.
It's hard to "not" have someone to share with...that is one thing I miss the most about losing my husband. I still talk out my plans and thoughts but no one answers <g>. Tough to lose that sounding board.
One thing I remember from our first holiday in a campground back when hubby and I full-timed was that we needed to start NEW traditions that fit our new lifestyle. The same has held true for a new life as a solo.
As to general interaction, I've always noted that there is a GUARANTEED way to meet new guys in a campground (usually doesn't work with the women). Just open the hood of your RV, stand there and stare in at the engine for a bit...before you know it, you'll have a cluster of folks trying to help. Honest...it's lilke an emergency beacon to guys....
Welcome to our little corner of RV Dreams...hope to hear more about your travels and how you handle things!
A year ago, in early July, I was on the road to the LOW pre-conference and conference and happened to end up in a KOA in Twin Falls/Jerome, Idaho on the 4th of July. Now you can't get much more family oriented then a KOA franchise but I was amazed that their only concession for the holiday was a suggestion as to the best place to set up your lounge chair to view the community (Twin Falls or Jerome, I'm not sure which) fireworks display. I was disappointed that they didn't at least set up some firepits or grills and encourage the residents to bring their favorite BBQ to cook. To me it would have been the ideal time to have a full-scale pot luck picnic! With this experience still fresh in my mind, I started out early (in mid-May) checking out campgrounds for this coming fourth. My first question was--are you planning anything for the 4th? Universally, the answer was NO, although several mentioned nearby public celebrations--parades, fireworks displays, craft shows, etc. So considering where I am at right now (northern Missouri), I asked myself where is the most typical American town where I would be most likely to experience a real 4th of July celebration and decided on Hanibal, Missouri (i.e. Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, the Mississippi River. etc.). The entire week is devoted to a celebration called "Tom Sawyer Days". I made reservations at a campground just outside of Hanibal called Injun Joe for June 26th thru July 10th. I figure this will be my best chance to 'experience' the holiday with others. I'll let you all know how it works out.
Let me say that my remarks concerning social interaction are not meant as a code for a dating service. I'm just talking about sitting around a campfire with fellow campers (male and female) enjoying a meal, drinks, or just talk. Unfortunately I think that you and Froggi are right. Froggi centered on those upscale campgrounds who employ activity directors. I have yet to experience such a campground but suspect that their cost would somewhat exceed my budget. On the other hand, having reviewed my sources on camp life, I find that as you describe your current situation, many of the writers who exalt the campground social life are those who spend months in 'residential' type parks--those who spend all winter in one campground in Florida or Arizona and then move back north to their 'home' park for the summer. Somehow this seems to contradict the whole RV/Fulltimer philosophy which to me means traveling and seeing the country. Now maybe come next winter, when my travels become more restricted due to weather and I have worked some of the wanderlust out of my system, I will be looking for a longer term camping arrangement. Until then maybe Froggi is right--I think that Escapees campgrounds tend to have holiday activities because in a sense even new arrivals are 'family'.
-- Edited by bago40 at 17:51, 2007-06-20
-- Edited by bago40 at 22:32, 2007-06-20
I believe that there is a whole slew of festivals all over in the fall (coinciding, I'm sure, with traditional harvest seasons) which I may try to catch. Actually, I think this 'festival' trend has leaked over into the summer months in order to take advantage of the tourist/vacation crowd. You can usually tell the difference because the summer ones are event oriented (i.e. 49'ers days or Lewis and Clark days or Old West days) and the fall ones are crop oriented (Pumkin days or Harvest days or Apple fest).
I am one of those types who need some kind of framework (no matter how loose) to base an overall plan of travel on. Some people set out to visit all of the major league baseball ballparks, some all of the national or state parks. These are all just goals to aim for and, of course, much of the fun is in what they come across along the way. Visiting RV rallies can be much the same but once you start planning to attend certain events (baseball games or RV rallies) you have to set up schedules that require you be at certain places at precise times or dates. This is too much like work used to be. I have nieces and nephews, an ex-sister-in-law and her ex-husband (my brother) who live scattered across the northeast and southeast, so I figured I could take in much of the eastern United States and visit with them at the same time. But now that I'm actually on the road I may pull out my material on festivals and clubs and give them a second look.
P.S. Maybe we should start a new thread on travel plans and social opportunities instead of continuing in this one.
Have you joined your local chapter of Loners On Wheels ? Or another local RV group, maybe for the brand of your RV ? They will be small rallies, and maybe more to your liking. Rallies seem to tie folks together.
Penny, TX
-- Edited by LakeConroePenny at 08:48, 2007-06-30
Don't get me wrong. On my second night on the road (in Amariilo, TX) I found myself parked right next to a fellow single whose routine was to follow the Loners on Wheels circuit and he was quite happy with that. But beyond having a need to feel comfortable with myself, my rig, and my suddenly new lifestyle first, I also would like to try the resort w/activity directors route and the club campgrounds (like Escapee) which I also believe are alternatives to the solitary lifestyle. I also think that Froggi may have the kernel of a great idea that needs to be thought out--starting a new 'tradition' of camper initiated get togethers in commercial campgrounds (see her entry in the social interaction--not dating thread)--maybe just bite the bullet and post a notice in the campground office like "Will be sitting around the campfire at site (such-and-such) at 8 tonight. Everybody welcome--bring your own drinks, marshmellows, and chairs--be sure to bring your own disignated driver!"
I read your post that said you will be near Hannibal, MO and I wanted to let you know that 2 of Howard and Linda's good friends are workamping there this summer at Mark Twain cave and I'm sure they would love to meet you. Their names are Ed and Marilyn and you can find the link to their website under the RV blogs section of this forum. They call themselves the Happy Wanderers. Check it out.
Julie
Thanks. Linda already gave me the heads up and I changed my reservations from the Injun Joe campground to the Mark Twain Cave and Campground. Unfortunately Marilyn had been under the weather prior to my arrival and just as she recovered, Ed came down with the same thing so we weren't able to get together much yet. Both Ed and Marilyn did manage to drop by this morning and we all went out to breakfast together and then they drove me around town. Hopefully tomorrow night we will meet around their rig and share a bottle of wine I had dropped off for them earlier.
Scott
Hi, I am solo 64y/o F that is gonnabe a full-timer. Planning on getting a Artic Fox 24NR and sit it in RV park nearby while I find the right truck to meet my needs. For me rving will be a life long dream becoming a reality. Once I get my truck there won't be enough road..So many choices and I love choices and variety. I probably was cut out for this life before I was born and was too hardheaded to get it..LOL
I have been looking for sometime and now it is time to get with the program..Life is too short to wait and this has been on my bucket list for years. I love your Post and all I am learning here..
Thank you, Miriam for breathing life into this five year old thread! It has rekindled precious memories of Scott Gad (sgad).
We arranged to meet up in a Cracker Barrell in New Braufels, TX for an extended chat and chew in October of 2009. He died of Cancer the next Spring. What a wonderful man!
He and his Scottie dog travelled after his retiring from teaching, his second career, after being an engineer for many years.
Scott would tell you to go for it! He lived more each day than most people live in a month, and even a year for some. We stayed in touch by e-mail and telephone until I got the final call from his brother.
God rest your sweet soul, Scott M. Gad!!!
Hi Allison,
Great post and I have found in life my motto "I am alone as I choose to be" saying that I will wander up to someone's campsite if I see they are open to company. After taking a road trip recently in a car I found interestingly variety of people in the states I traveled in. Sometimes people would ignore me which I always just smiled. Often I would find the most interesting of all people to speak to about anything or everything. I also found with our technology(cell phones) that I had at least five people with me as I drove many miles usually averaging 500mi a day..Can't wait to have the rig behind me so I can cut that mileage way down and take in the lifestyle. Who knows maybe I will be at your campsite someday..
Happy Trails
What beautiful memories and inspiration to all he sounds like a beautiful soul wish I had met him on the road. We all need those kind of people to remind us of our own abilities and challenges. In my life I have found we can pretty much do what we put our mindset too. I was told by my physician in 2001 I might as well accept it that I would be in a wheel chair..whoa it is 2012 and I do my walks everyday, swim, hiked, rafted the Animas, horseback rode, even tent camped and SUV camped..(bit more challenging the later..LOL). Last MRI was gloomy prognosis but then I walked out gave thanks for my abilities and that I didn't have cancer dada and said I am okay.. Had friends this last trip saying oh you won't be able to do it...I didn't listen to them but to my spirit and well I did great had to do it my way which is simplify simplify. So I have no doubts I will get to fulltime for 5 to 10yrs at the minimum.
Believe in Yourself it always works!
I recently saw on a HGTV makeover show that in a particular neighborhood people would put out front in their yard a pink flamingo on Fridays and all neighbors who wished to came bringing snacks & drinks for Friday Happy Hour. Loved the idea.
Sherry
If you read my post; I just escaped The Grim Reaper and am making and re-evaluating the third chance at life I have. Guess I was saved to learn how to do it better this time around. Bless You! Pieere