"Do you think we're too young to do this? I don't want to be an old man sitting in a chair under an awning."

When we hit the road in 2 years or so, we'll be 59 and 57.5 (do not even think of rounding up  ). 

His question is actually a very good one, because of the two of us, I am the one who can keep busy, researching stocks (I love investing), writing, doing a little virtual consulting, reading, etc, etc. He is very social, extremely handy, loves to fix things, a mechanical genius (in my opinion) but definitely (and admittedly) needs some structure in life to keep focused and self-satisfied.

We've always been "mobile" (pilots, motorcyclists and now have a sailboat that we enjoy.)

BUT...in a brief stint between careers, in a new hometown without social connections yet established, we noticed that left to our own devices we'd whittle the day away mindlessly surfing the net or engaged in other fruitless pursuits. 

So, I ask you all, and especially the gentlemen in our community...what's the man to do? How can he keep his very active mind busy, engaged and productive?  How does one create a little 'structure' in this free-flowing lifestyle?

Thanks for any ideas, thoughts and suggestions!

Well, the one part of your question I definitely have an opinion about!! LOL I don't think you're too young to do this! My DH and I are planning to full time in hopefully 3 1/2 to 4 years. We will be 56 and 47.5.  

I asked my DH about the second part of your question, as he also is the "handy" type who likes to keep busy. He says he's looking forward to taking a break from always fixing up things and doing repairs. He hopes to explore some new hobbies, like photography and exploring the country, being active in a more recreational way. And of course, there will always be the maintenance of our home on wheels. He most definitely does not plan to be parked in a lawn chair watching the rest of the world going by!!

I didn't realize that either being in an anchored house or being of a certain age bracket determined your interests and lifestyle. You are in the best position to answer the question - if you stay exactly where you are, what will he do??

Actually, being in a traveling lifestyle should naturally enhance opportunities for interesting activities, rather than limit them. You'll meet more people, see new things, experience new foods, everything about you life will be expanded, not contracted.

We are back in Milwaukee right now, visiting relatives and some friends we haven't seen in almost 5 years. Most of them are still doing the same things as before we left. We on the other hand have visited 49 states, been to dozens of national parks, seen most of the nations monuments and "places to see", and over all been doing things they only wish they could do.

It will be fine, go for it!


-- Edited by Luvglass on Sunday 12th of September 2010 08:25:34 AM

Fred is right on. We embarked on the adventure in 2007. Up until that time we both worked 60-70 hours a week. Work was our life. After 3 years (I'm the guy) I will tell you that with new locations and people we have no problem keeping busy. I think we do more now than in our past life. Your concern is unfounded I think.
In 2007 we were 57 & 55.

-- Edited by igotjam on Sunday 12th of September 2010 08:45:24 AM

I know many RVers younger than you that full-time and are never bored. Keep in mind, you determine your own pace. Now if you want to sit in the desert boondocking for months on end, then he'd better find a hobby like photography, woodcarving, etc. LOL!

Seriously, we find we have to take down days to rest...there is always something to do. As to the social interaction, all hubby needs to do is open the hood of your vehicle and stand there. Guaranteed within 15 minutes there will be several guys gathered around chatting.

I wouldn't say too young since I am 34 and embarking on this after almost killing myself working 12-20 hour days for the last decade. I plan to resurrect old hobbies as well as pursue new ones and other interests I never seemed to have time for. Add to that experiencing life, learning more and more about my rig, not to mention customizing it, and doing whatever from day to day to bring in $$$ as that is a necessity, both fiscally and for my sanity at the moment, lol. I really don't for see boredom being a major issue.

You guys are the best. Thanks so much for taking time to write with suggestions, thoughts and comments. I'm confident we'll be fine - and I am sure that he'll be just as busy as he wants to be. Two years, +/- and we'll find out... :) Thanks again!

We are both younger than you and have been full-timing for seven years. We are not looking to quit anytime soon, we love it.

Buy him a book called "1000 PLACES TO SEE In the USA & Canada BEFORE YOU DIE" by Patricia Schultz  (her second such book)
After you see/visit all of them check back and we can come up with a few thousand more places in the good old US of A. 
Being  50-ten myself, I thought that I was fairly well travelled having visited 32 of the 50 states. Not according to this book.. we got around 950 more places to go yet... 

Bill

I was given an early retirement package that was too good to turn down so I retired at 47 years old. Unfortunately I was to young to tuch the money without penalty so I had to get another job. However, I did find that for about two months I became a couch potato. Finally I got so bored that I started tackling project around the house that had been put on hold while working. I actually began treating these like a job. Start at 8AM, 15 minute break at 10AM, one hour lunch at noon...etc.

I was able to get a lot of projects completed that had lingered for years. At some point I used the same strategy in my search for a new job. I devoted 8 hours per day looking for work. It paid off and here I sit in my corporate office working at skimming through the RV forums.   Kind of like a couch potato again....

-- Edited by The Bear II on Thursday 30th of December 2010 10:16:45 AM

I agree with you Bear, need to add some structure. I am not retired yet (grrrrr) but for the first time in a long time, I took the last two weeks of the year to burn off my remaining vacation time without actually having a plan of going anywhere. About 3-4 days into my 15 days off I realized I had been nothing but a couch potato. I would have very good intentions when I woke up but by the end of the day I had basically done nothing. I started wondering what I would do if I was retired. Is that what it would end up being even if I was travelling in an RV, the only difference being couch potato in an RV instead of a house? Yikes! Well I did what you did. I created a list of things to do for the week and things to do by the day. I treated it like work and it actually became very satisfying, not to mention getting things done around the house that I had neglected for some time. You need to create a routine that also has flexibility in it when you are travelling!