Hi Linda, I found a link on your website last night where you and Howard were interviewed...so we can hear your voices! It was recorded several years ago. I really enjoyed the questions and your answers.....(do wish the interviewer would have let you guys finish your thoughts before going on to the next one)!
Anyway, I was very interested when you were listing the things that you were afraid you were going to miss about moving from a large home to a 5th wheel. One was the long showers....he cut you off before you could finish.
I am bathtub person....love to soak in a long hot bath. I know that RV's can be ordered with tubs....but they are usually small. Anyway, most of the things you thought you'd miss - turned out you didn't miss at all.
I would hope my tub baths would be the same!! :)
The Bear II said
01:19 PM May 28, 2010
Melstar,
I know you directed this at Linda, but for the tub experience you can stay at a hotel for a couple of days or use the hot tub in most RV parks.
Or find a remote Hot Spring, we found one near Yellowstone on a hike in the wilderness. The locals used it and a gas station clerk told us where to look for it on our hike.
We use the rv park hot tub or
stay at a hotel for a couple of days just to use the tub. Don't forget to bring the candles and rose petals.
Happytrails said
01:27 PM May 28, 2010
I'm not sure if I can answer you question about soaking in the tub but I can say....
I have found that I don't miss many of the things I thought I would. My likes and desires are so different. Things that you might think are soooo important just become less important in this lifestyle. So I hope that you can get your tub fix in ways suggested by The Bear II.
If your hot tub soak is for relaxing you might find you are already relaxed and don't need it for that purpose. Just saying.....
Melstar said
03:15 PM May 28, 2010
Thanks to The Bear II and Happy Trails.....I did think about that most RV parks have hot tubs....that would be nice! You guys are right....the trade off....relaxing life style vs. a tub! Maybe a shower with a seat......ummmm....I know they have those in RV's!!
I have an inflatable bathtub that I don't use if you are interested. I purchased it a couple years ago and used it a couple times. It fits on the floor at the foot of the bed in a fifth wheel, DW used it outside once (of course with her bathing suite on). Comes with foot pump and inflatable pillow and everything needed. $50 plus postage. Paid over $100. Bob
Linda said
07:03 AM May 30, 2010
Melstar,
I was never a bathtub kind of gal. I always take showers, but I did have a hot tub in my sticks & bricks. Yes, I do miss it occasionally but it doesn't last long.
That's what I have found in this lifestyle, you may occasionally miss things but not for long.
There is so much to explore and things to do and new people to meet that things aren't as important.
Fanciesmom said
09:12 PM May 30, 2010
That is so tempting!
We moved to this mobile home having been told all about the "garden tub" in the master bath. Not told that it wasn't usable. I'm a shower girl, but we sold our hot tub before the move out here and I miss that sooooo much.
We have a friend who has one on his houseboat - we'll keep this in mind!
desertnurse said
02:10 AM Jul 23, 2010
I am SOOOO not qualified to chime in, as we are going fulltime next month (no experience at all). But the thing that makes me sad to leave is my garden. I know I will be in some of the most beautiful nature this country has to offer, but I love puttering around in my little garden, growing my own salads.:(
But it doesn't make me too sad for too long. I just think about he adventures!
phyllen said
05:06 AM Jul 23, 2010
Me too with the tub. But now after living in our rig for a year and a half, I am okay with it.
As far as the garden, I do miss going outside and picking a tomato or two. Nothng like Jersey tomatoes and corn!
But there is NOTHING I miss so much that I want to go back to a S&B at this time in my life.
53 Merc said
06:50 AM Jul 23, 2010
Yeah, I miss things too. Lawn mower, trimmer, weed whip, hoe, shovel, hedge trimmer, leaf rake, lawn trash bags, sprinkler repair, removing seeds from sprinkler heads, sweating in the heat and other fun things. I find when I need a fresh tomato or salad greens, there is usually a Farmer's Market somewhere. Geez, ain't those stix and brix fun?
nessiekatt said
07:19 AM Jul 23, 2010
I too can't wait to miss the things that 53 Merc misses.
I love the long hot showers, but the hot tubs work for me.
I miss my 52 inch flat screen plasma tv and my man cave!!
Pinon said
04:41 PM Sep 1, 2010
I love gardening also. I am thinking after we have been traveling a while we may spend a few months at some of our stops, and we may garden a little. For instance, in Albuquerque (near where we live now) you can rent a large plot at the community gardens for $75 a season. Or our family in Louisiana, SC, or NC would let us make a raised bed in the yard. None of these things might ever happen - but the possibility of them lets me know if I really want to garden I still could. Pinon
Delaine and Lindy said
10:29 AM Sep 3, 2010
Melstar, great choice on the 5th wheels. We have had both the 36 Tk 3 and the 38 RSSB 3 with the slide which is call a vanity slide. If you go with the Mobile Suites 38 RSSB 3 you will have to have at a minimun a F-450. We pulled our 36 TK 3 with a 2008 Chevy 3500HD DRW's and the Freightliner. We are still using the Freightliner but we also double Tow a Chevy HHR behind the Mobile Suites.
As for bath tubs we don't use bath tubs. We only use showers, we have the walk in type shower in our stick house. We did have a 10 person Hot Tub when we had larger houses. There are many high-end RV parks that now have Hot Tubs. And we were in Glennwood Springs, Colorado in June and there is a Hot Springs there which is awesome.
Sushidog said
05:40 PM Sep 3, 2010
One of the criteria I use to select campgrounds is the quality of the showers. Thouh I'm not full-timing yet, next month I'm going to stay 4 nights at the Rose Creek CG on my trip to Franklin, NC. The deciding factor for choosing this CG from DW was the on-site gem mining. The deciding factor for me was the great showers, with a hot, forceful stream that you can lounge in for an hour if you like.
This is the humble shower stall in my Aliner.
We have to sit to shower and have only 6 gallons of water on board. Though adequate for dry campgrounds, its too cramped for everyday use. I like using the CG facilities if available. Of course, I could do like this Aliner owner and install my own hot tub.
Chip
janieD said
08:53 PM Sep 11, 2010
I have read this thread from time to time and really couldn't think of anything I really missed and then the last week we were in Iowa I did realize there was one thing I missed and that was having a basement during severe weather. I get a little freaked out at some of the storms we have had this summer. Our S&B had a great walkout basement that I could even watch the storms come in from the west which I loves - now that same storm gives me the jumps.
two travelers said
03:55 PM Sep 12, 2010
We plan on keeping our Time Share just so we have a place to go 2-3 times a years and relax in the whrilpool tubs and spas. It also allows for a meeting place for the kids and grandkids to meet up with us as we travel.. because of all the things I will miss it will be my kids and grandbabies.. I am not too proud to say I will miss them most of all. I am pretty sure in 2 years when we hit the road they will have gotten old enought that they are not in our lives like they are today..so that will help make it easier.
Remi said
04:46 PM Sep 12, 2010
I am about to step off on the full time life and I know I will be missing long, hot showers & soaks. With my tendency in that direction, I will probably end up actively seeking out the best places to do such while RVing and make it into a bloody iPhone app (I am an IT geek, lol). I know I will be seeking out every soakable hot springs on this continent over the coming years, lol.
desertnurse said
12:10 AM Sep 13, 2010
After seeing a wildfire shoot down the hill and wathcing so many people grabbing and running, I am liking this lifestyle more and more...
rebecca62 said
01:09 AM Sep 13, 2010
We are almost full time now just purched our 32 foot class a 3 days ago. And tomorow someones coming to look at furniture for sale,House is on the market.We were selling any how regardless of this decision. Last few days ive been thinking what will i miss.I have for 10 yrs lost so much in things do to moving around with a ex,cant take much on the bus,lol So i dont own alot really. I have divorced self from thigs learnedmany yrs back that things really dont keep you happy ,its lovng that special someone,helping others that brings the joy. I think only thing i shall miss is our 4 by 8 pool table because Ted,husband and i play it almost daily down stairs,I wont miss our 2400 square foot home with its 4 bedrooms,we dont use i might add. I think for me is a bit scary making this move but ive always had wander lustor is that wonder lust ,,oops i dont want to grow old wondering what i have missed and for us staying here or buying another home would have placed usin a rut,Life is to be enjoyed.We have no kids,no ties a steady monthly check coming in so this seemed perfect.Oh im sure it will take some adjusting but hey,you have to roll wiht the punches,just think of the advnture new people to meet,things to see,,i am READY
bjoyce said
07:22 AM Sep 13, 2010
Spending the last couple weeks in an extended stay motel with a kitchen has reminded us both about advantages and disadvantages of RVing. We have more room, we have more hot water, we have unlimited high speed internet, but we want our motorhome back. We are bored and so is the cat.
Remi: There are a couple ways to have unlimited hot water in an RV. They make on demand propane hot water heaters for RVs and there are diesel motorhomes with diesel furnace/hot water combos (Aquahot, Hydrohot and Oasis) that provide unlimited hot water. But there are many hot springs around and they are a treat.
Remi said
08:57 AM Sep 13, 2010
Oui, that hedonistic part of me is tempted to rip out the water heater and visit Lowe's for one of those on demand units, but I don't want to have to have shore power or genny to run it. The on demand propane looks interesting though. My endevour is gas, so the diesel options are out for now, but depending on how much I miss it, that other sounds great. Mercu bien
earthmommy said
12:08 PM Sep 13, 2010
I was just thinking about this earlier while I had my 1-year-old daughter in the tub. She really loves the water and a warm bath really settles her down. Not sure how we'll work that in a Class C.
Thanks for the link Bill. I bookmarked for reference if I decide I cant cope with 6 gallons of hot at a time
rebecca62 said
12:48 PM Sep 13, 2010
I did same thank you
travelinmama said
08:24 AM Dec 18, 2010
I read all of the posts. We lived in apartments and I don't miss anything. I have a great kitchen, my bathroom is big. I wasn't ever really a bathtub gal either. I have a w/d, don't miss the laundry mats.
Okay, maybe one thing, we had a Ford Focus that got a consistant 31 mpg and I miss that. Our big truck doesn't even come close. It limits are explorations into unknown places. Driving separate doesn't interest us.
Ivey said
07:24 PM Dec 23, 2010
I will miss the long hot showers but can get that at CGs. I will miss the extra room in a 3000 sq foot house but the big outdoors will fix that. What I will miss the most is the fenced in back yard where I can just let the dogs out. Don't have to go out with them when it is raining out or when I simply don't feel like going out.
Hdrider said
07:23 AM Jan 1, 2011
I agree,, the fenced in property for nthe dog WILL be what I miss the most for our dog when we end up full timing. And the garage to let him dry off in before going inside. I will probably mis my toys for a while to,,, Harley, Sandrail ext sitting in the 40x50 shop. But I will get over all of that soon enough,, they are just things after all.
janni said
08:20 AM Jan 1, 2011
Don't have a dog but the cat goes out every day(40 degrees yesterday and she was outside the mh on leash). We tow a small trailer with Roadliner in it and then trailer becomes "garage" at destination.RC airplanes being built. Bought a small bandsaw the other day and whenever I go out there to sit and have coffee, there is usually one or more guys hanging out. Yes, they are just "things" but there are ways.........
granny said
06:20 PM Aug 17, 2011
I agree with you on the gardern. We have a great garden and love growing our own food. We are so excited though to visit farmer's markets in season. Also we are planning container gardening. We will see how that goes.
One of the reasons we love the garden though is the calming effect it has at the end of a long day so if we are out in nature most of the time at campsites that probably won't be something we will miss.
We have just started researching the fulltime lifestyle and hope to be doing it by the end of the year. I keep thinking of all the things I MIGHT miss but what we will gain seems to outweigh it all.
Missing the grandkids that live close is at the top of the list but with school starting again we could go for a couple of months anyway without seeing them. Also our youngest granddaughter lives in CA so we are planning on heading there.
The Crumps said
01:15 PM Aug 19, 2011
We rented our house to a great friend because selling it would have meant a great loss in these times. We gave her a break on the rent so we can store our "precious items" and some furniture in the house. She is also handling our mail so we don't have to change our address. WA is an income tax free state and our RV tab renewal was only $150.
So, we've been FT since April but because of medical reasons we couldn't leave our home area yet. We opted to do a two month house sitting in a $2 mil 3 story home. It's beautiful here in these 8,000 sq ft, but we can't wait to get back in our RV! I hate stairs!!! It's nice to have laundry and a nice shower/tub, but I'm bored silly! Being retired means freedom so house sitting ties us down. We can't wait to get on the road.
Medical issues are resolved and we will be on the road Sept. 7 to start seeing this beautiful country!
suse1023 said
04:21 PM Feb 5, 2013
i'm a newbie and glad to have found this discussion, even if it is an old one. i fear i will miss my mom's crystal lamps. silly isn't it? but i know my cousin will love them and i can visit them. i'll also miss my big bathtub but hope campground hot tubs will do it for me.(is there a way to sanitise them before i get into it?)? above all i'm going to miss my horse next winter, as we will not bring her until we've had a year on the road to learn what we need to learn before we bring her needs to the table!
the truck is for hauling my hawk custon stock trailer, which is too small for living quarters so it's for sale, sniff;i love that trailer! by next year i hope to upgrade to a horse hauler with living quarters. my truck has less than 50 thousand miles on it, i hope it will be big enough so i don't have to replace it too.
JayKim-no regrets said
09:34 PM Feb 6, 2013
Susie, I don't think anything is 'silly' to miss, if it means a lot to you then you will miss whatever 'it' is that you leave behind...
Our youngest Son passed away just over a year ago 6 weeks after he went away to college, we still had at least 10 tubs of all sorts of things he had kept, things like Legos, dinosaurs, figures, books etc. We had 3 yard sales when we were moving out of the S&B, I had such a hard time putting those things in the sales, although I knew we could not keep them. I wanted to put them in a storage unit, but for how long? when would I be ready to let them go? In the end hubby found a juvenile diabetes charity (Our Sons disease) they were thrilled to take everything we had, we even got to visit and meet some of the parents and kids there. It was still tough, but it helped a lot to know that his things were going to a great group of people that appreciated where they came from!
It's in his memory that we call our full timing journey "no regrets", we all have those special things that are hard to leave behind, hopefully, we get to pass them on to loved ones to take care of, or to other people that understand how much they meant to you
Good luck with your travels, hope you find a way to take your horse with you! Huggies Kim x
bigboomer said
10:01 PM Feb 6, 2013
Kim,
One cannot imagine the loss of a child and our thoughts and prayers go out to you for comfort and solice knowing there is a better place for your son. Your attitude is inspiring and we wish you and Jay nothing but good times down the road. Whatever the reason and whatever you believe there is always a plan and it is up to us to execute the plan to our fullest.
Keep the Faith!
Les
JayKim-no regrets said
05:15 PM Feb 7, 2013
bigboomer wrote:
Kim,
One cannot imagine the loss of a child and our thoughts and prayers go out to you for comfort and solice knowing there is a better place for your son. Your attitude is inspiring and we wish you and Jay nothing but good times down the road. Whatever the reason and whatever you believe there is always a plan and it is up to us to execute the plan to our fullest.
Keep the Faith!
Les
Thank you Les, your thoughts and prayers are definitely appreciated! Both Jay and I take comfort in knowing that Matthew is in a far better place now, he is with us every minute of our day, not only do we carry his ashes with us, but we carry his spirit too, he would have loved this new adventure!
Our plan is to enjoy what time we have left in the best and most appreciative way we can!
God Bless, Kim and Jay x
PD CFK said
12:55 AM Feb 8, 2013
JayKim, sending you a (HUG) :) August is not that far away. Bless you both. Pat and Charlie K
Hdrider said
06:33 AM Feb 8, 2013
Hdrider wrote:
I agree,, the fenced in property for nthe dog WILL be what I miss the most for our dog when we end up full timing. And the garage to let him dry off in before going inside. I will probably mis my toys for a while to,,, Harley, Sandrail ext sitting in the 40x50 shop. But I will get over all of that soon enough,, they are just things after all.
Since I wrote what we thought we would miss we have gone fulltime. I was correct that we would miss the fenced yard for our dog. But mainly so he had a place to run and he could go out for his duties instead of needing walked a couple times each day.
The garage for him to dry off really isn't missed because we spend time in drier areas so it's not a big deal.
And I don't miss the toys nearly as much as I thought I would.
What we do miss and didn't take into concideration is a larger refer. If we switched to a residential it would be better but we like to boondock and would rather deal with what we have rather than run the genny all the time.
JayKim-no regrets said
05:46 PM Feb 8, 2013
PD CFK wrote:
JayKim, sending you a (HUG) :) August is not that far away. Bless you both. Pat and Charlie K
I found a link on your website last night where you and Howard were interviewed...so we can hear your voices! It was recorded several years ago. I really enjoyed the questions and your answers.....(do wish the interviewer would have let you guys finish your thoughts before going on to the next one)!
Anyway, I was very interested when you were listing the things that you were afraid you were going to miss about moving from a large home to a 5th wheel. One was the long showers....he cut you off before you could finish.
I am bathtub person....love to soak in a long hot bath. I know that RV's can be ordered with tubs....but they are usually small. Anyway, most of the things you thought you'd miss - turned out you didn't miss at all.
I would hope my tub baths would be the same!! :)
Cindy T
Bob
I was never a bathtub kind of gal. I always take showers, but I did have a hot tub in my sticks & bricks. Yes, I do miss it occasionally but it doesn't last long.
That's what I have found in this lifestyle, you may occasionally miss things but not for long.
There is so much to explore and things to do and new people to meet that things aren't as important.
We moved to this mobile home having been told all about the "garden tub" in the master bath. Not told that it wasn't usable. I'm a shower girl, but we sold our hot tub before the move out here and I miss that sooooo much.
We have a friend who has one on his houseboat - we'll keep this in mind!
But it doesn't make me too sad for too long. I just think about he adventures!
Pinon
I think only thing i shall miss is our 4 by 8 pool table because Ted,husband and i play it almost daily down stairs,I wont miss our 2400 square foot home with its 4 bedrooms,we dont use i might add.
I think for me is a bit scary making this move but ive always had wander lustor is that wonder lust ,,oops
i dont want to grow old wondering what i have missed and for us staying here or buying another home would have placed usin a rut,Life is to be enjoyed.We have no kids,no ties a steady monthly check coming in so this seemed perfect.Oh im sure it will take some adjusting but hey,you have to roll wiht the punches,just think of the advnture new people to meet,things to see,,i am READY
Okay, maybe one thing, we had a Ford Focus that got a consistant 31 mpg and I miss that. Our big truck doesn't even come close. It limits are explorations into unknown places. Driving separate doesn't interest us.
I will probably mis my toys for a while to,,, Harley, Sandrail ext sitting in the 40x50 shop. But I will get over all of that soon enough,, they are just things after all.
I agree with you on the gardern. We have a great garden and love growing our own food. We are so excited though to visit farmer's markets in season. Also we are planning container gardening. We will see how that goes.
One of the reasons we love the garden though is the calming effect it has at the end of a long day so if we are out in nature most of the time at campsites that probably won't be something we will miss.
We have just started researching the fulltime lifestyle and hope to be doing it by the end of the year. I keep thinking of all the things I MIGHT miss but what we will gain seems to outweigh it all.
Missing the grandkids that live close is at the top of the list but with school starting again we could go for a couple of months anyway without seeing them. Also our youngest granddaughter lives in CA so we are planning on heading there.
We rented our house to a great friend because selling it would have meant a great loss in these times. We gave her a break on the rent so we can store our "precious items" and some furniture in the house. She is also handling our mail so we don't have to change our address. WA is an income tax free state and our RV tab renewal was only $150.
So, we've been FT since April but because of medical reasons we couldn't leave our home area yet. We opted to do a two month house sitting in a $2 mil 3 story home. It's beautiful here in these 8,000 sq ft, but we can't wait to get back in our RV! I hate stairs!!! It's nice to have laundry and a nice shower/tub, but I'm bored silly! Being retired means freedom so house sitting ties us down. We can't wait to get on the road.
Medical issues are resolved and we will be on the road Sept. 7 to start seeing this beautiful country!
i fear i will miss my mom's crystal lamps. silly isn't it?
but i know my cousin will love them and i can visit them.
i'll also miss my big bathtub but hope campground hot tubs will do it for me.(is there a way to sanitise them before i get into it?)?
above all i'm going to miss my horse next winter, as we will not bring her until we've had a year on the road to learn what we need to learn before we bring her needs to the table!
here's our beginner rig--
2001 F350 4x4 dually diesel ford
1998 25' hornet tt
the truck is for hauling my hawk custon stock trailer, which is too small for living quarters so it's for sale, sniff;i love that trailer!
by next year i hope to upgrade to a horse hauler with living quarters. my truck has less than 50 thousand miles on it, i hope it will be big enough so i don't have to replace it too.
Our youngest Son passed away just over a year ago 6 weeks after he went away to college, we still had at least 10 tubs of all sorts of things he had kept, things like Legos, dinosaurs, figures, books etc. We had 3 yard sales when we were moving out of the S&B, I had such a hard time putting those things in the sales, although I knew we could not keep them. I wanted to put them in a storage unit, but for how long? when would I be ready to let them go? In the end hubby found a juvenile diabetes charity (Our Sons disease) they were thrilled to take everything we had, we even got to visit and meet some of the parents and kids there. It was still tough, but it helped a lot to know that his things were going to a great group of people that appreciated where they came from!
It's in his memory that we call our full timing journey "no regrets", we all have those special things that are hard to leave behind, hopefully, we get to pass them on to loved ones to take care of, or to other people that understand how much they meant to you
Good luck with your travels, hope you find a way to take your horse with you!
Huggies Kim x
Kim,
One cannot imagine the loss of a child and our thoughts and prayers go out to you for comfort and solice knowing there is a better place for your son. Your attitude is inspiring and we wish you and Jay nothing but good times down the road. Whatever the reason and whatever you believe there is always a plan and it is up to us to execute the plan to our fullest.
Keep the Faith!
Les
Thank you Les, your thoughts and prayers are definitely appreciated! Both Jay and I take comfort in knowing that Matthew is in a far better place now, he is with us every minute of our day, not only do we carry his ashes with us, but we carry his spirit too, he would have loved this new adventure!
Our plan is to enjoy what time we have left in the best and most appreciative way we can!
God Bless, Kim and Jay x
Since I wrote what we thought we would miss we have gone fulltime. I was correct that we would miss the fenced yard for our dog. But mainly so he had a place to run and he could go out for his duties instead of needing walked a couple times each day.
The garage for him to dry off really isn't missed because we spend time in drier areas so it's not a big deal.
And I don't miss the toys nearly as much as I thought I would.
What we do miss and didn't take into concideration is a larger refer. If we switched to a residential it would be better but we like to boondock and would rather deal with what we have rather than run the genny all the time.
Thank you so much
.......Yes, we cannot wait!!
huggs Kim x