Or if you are a wannabe like me, why do you want this life?
Just a fun thread. I'll have to sleep on my answer...
Mallo said
06:32 AM Jun 24, 2011
Evolution...
We bought a fifth wheel I could use for my work so it was suitable for winters in MD, DE, PA but the plan was to get four weeks use out of it per year.
The first year we were out 90 days, the second year we were out 190 days and I moved to South Dakota for residency t(he Brideandjoy kept her PA residency) as I was out of state long enough to make the swap.
The third year we were slated to be in the state less then 90 days (way less) so we put the house up for sale. This year I'll have been in the state of PA less then 8 weeks all told closing up the sale and moving my mother. We just simply prefer this mode of living.
Mallo
heyduke said
10:00 AM Jun 24, 2011
i'll bite... we were two people who never camped together (she hated it) never had a popup camper, never had a travel trailer, fifth wheel or a motorhome. about four months ago we started fulltiming in a motorhome we bought about 5 months ago... so we sold everything, stored nothing and took off in a motorhome that I could barely drive... four months later we are in the florida keys and don't regret anything that got us here... we took on this journey to see the USA and to search for a place to ultimately retire... we may never find it but that won't stop us from looking...
bjoyce said
11:25 AM Jun 24, 2011
Like Mallo our RV trips got longer and made us wonder why we had the house. Plus the house needed a housesitter and cost us a bunch of money just sitting there, plus something always was broken. It will be eight years full-timing in a few weeks with no regrets.
Luvglass said
01:19 PM Jun 24, 2011
We, just on a whim, decided to chuck it all in and sell everything, buy an RV and take off. Neither of us had ever camped or had an RV. I did have a large boat for about 10 years though, so had some experience with 12 volts and holding tanks. We sold the condo, everything we owned and took off 6 months later.
It's been 5 1/2 years and we are still enjoying the lifestyle. Can't imagine going back to a sticks and bricks. Hope I die in the rig. :)
What a country - what a life!
injunear said
01:52 PM Jun 24, 2011
Fulltiming has been our dream sence that first tent camper in 1979.
We never traveled before I joined the Navy, but after that it was in our blood.
We've begun to get things in order to start this new adventure. Maybe end of next year, maybe sooner.
Wayne
bzffr8 said
05:30 PM Jun 24, 2011
For Maxine and I , we have been RVing for years. We always had the travel bug and would rather be out camping than be at home working and collecting stuff. While working, I ran across Howard and Linda's website back in 2006. I was hooked. I showed Maxine the site and we both got caught up in their web. We both decided why not us. The plan was put into motion and now we have been fulltiming now for almost a year. No regrets what so ever. We had the desire, Howard and Linda provided the courage.
PIEERE said
07:00 PM Jun 24, 2011
Hauled Rv for a dealer from Indiana and Michigan to the champlain Valley of NY after I left the military in 1974. (BITTEN). Then in 1978 got married and moved to AZ., In one of those TT's, did a bit of camping. When life handed me a bunch of lemons, I made lemonade and acquired another camping unit and then another, eg. more. I am still bitten by the lifestyle and hope to die doing what I love. Pieere
Waggin Tails said
07:18 PM Jun 24, 2011
For us the idea was born in 2007. My wife and I were returning from a family reunion when she dropped a bombshell on me that forced me to rethink my retirement plans. Since then we developed our retirement plan. The rest of the story is too lengthy to post here so I refer you to my blog. Click here for the rest of the story.
We are currently in transition and will begin aouur fulltime dream in 7 months.
Roll Me Away said
07:06 AM Jun 25, 2011
As a child, camped with my dad, granddad, and now because I've experienced condo, apartment, house living, it is wonderful to make friends, see areas of my state, and not have to deal with all the hassles that come with a sticks and bricks. As others have said, I'll die in this lovely rig happily, as life just got more full of adventure, stories, new scenery. It can get a bit solitary for singles, but I find that rare...the poodle listens as long as the cookies last. And so we roll away.
ahoweth said
07:54 AM Jun 25, 2011
We have camped since 1971 in one fashion of RV or another. We always hated Sundays, because it meant we had to pack up and head back to the grind of our daily working lives. We hated it, and I don't mean casually. When retirement became a possibility, we had already done the math and our home work on hitting the road full time. So when the door opened, it did not hit us in the rear as it closed. We were gone. We have been full timing since 12/28/2004 and we do not foresee an end in sight. Even if our retirement incomes go away, we can get by better in our RV than in a sticks and bricks house, of that we are certain. Health issues might be the only fly in the ointment, should it come to that. I guess you could say we were always destined to do this.
GlendaLaine said
08:12 AM Jun 25, 2011
We each camped on & off for many years before getting together, so in 2008, we bought a 17' Casita. By 2009, we realized we really never liked ending our camping, traveling, visiting, & sight seeing trips by returning to our S&B home. We weren't quite emotionally ready to make the leap to full timing tho until unemployment & breast cancer convinced us that we just couldn't afford the financial or physical demands of maintaining a house & property. So by June 1st we had gotten rid of everything we didn't think we'd need & took off full timing in our little 'egg' trailer with a dog & 2 cats, currently workkamping in the Blue Ridge Mountains - & LOVING IT! We're adjusting & continuing to downsize. The few times I've thought about living in a house, I'm even happier living in & taking care of this much smaller space. I love the discipline needed to stay organized & uncluttered. It's a work in progress but we're enjoying the flexibility & freedom. Glenda
BruceandTrisha said
08:17 AM Jun 25, 2011
It started when Bruce took me tent camping - a first time experience for me - I was immediately hooked and he was delighted that I fell in love with something he absolutely loved. We camped every weekend - couldn't wait to get away and settled in among the trees, next to a creek. When our lease was up on our duplex, we decided to camp for the summer at a local campground - sold and donated all our stuff and spent four months living in our tent. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything - it was life changing!
A dream was born -- and the unfolding began! We were offered the job as camphosts - which required that we live in a camper, not a tent. The Big Foot camper AND truck literally fell into our laps and we have been here for over a year . . . stayed through the winter, survived the blizzard - welcomed Spring!
The dream continues as we build our home business which is generating the income we need to take off before next winter. People always want to know where we are going for the winter - and our reply is that we are going . . . no itinerary, no destination . . . just go where the road leads us.
Loving this life! It keeps getting better and better!
Terry and Jo said
01:04 PM Jun 25, 2011
Well, being 65 years old, I've about done it all from sleeping under the stars, to lean-to's, travel trailers, and now fifth wheels. I have always loved camping, and Jo loves it as well.
Since I am a "serious, amateur photographer", I have always wanted to travel and take pictures of this country and its beauty. I just never mentioned it to Jo because I never felt that we could ever afford to do that. Imagine my surprise when a few years ago, she came up with the idea herself. Needless to say, I've jumped at the chance.
While we aren't yet "traveling" full-timers but "static" full-timers instead, we are living in our coach full time until we can retire and start the traveling part. While we started with humble modes of camping, we looked at big RV rigs and commented, "They aren't leaving home; they're just taking it with them." Now, we resemble that remark.
As for our future, I've been telling folks lately that I fully intend to live to 103 years old and die fighting over a prime campsite.
That is, if the wildlife don't get me first.
Terry
nikkib4fl said
05:47 PM Jun 25, 2011
Thanks everyone! The more I read, the more I believe I belong among you.
I've always wanted to roam; I've actually moved 36 times! I ran away from home when I was only 4 years old--it was nothing personal--something out there was just "calling" me.Years later, the rock band "Foghat" would give that feeling a name: Road Fever. I have an incurable case!
However, my dream of living in an RV officially started when I was 13. My best friend's parents bought a Winnebago and we spent almost every weekend in it whether camping or not. When I was 14, I spent the summer touring the west with them. I loved the idea of a "home" where if one grew tired of the view it was possible just to drive away and change it. I was hooked and have been so ever since.
Years passed and life happened and my RV dreams were shelved. I still thought about the life, but I never gave myself permission to live it. In 2006 however, I began to consider the mobile lifestyle again. I am still considering it.
I am not deterred by the idea of RVing on my own, at least not yet. Two of my close female friends have done it and loved it. I've been single for over 10 years now and I treasure my independence and my solitude. The idea of being "out there" alone does not bother me. I can also be extremely social, but I must admit, I like it on my own terms. I'm past that whole mating and dating phase so I am no longer perceived as a "threat" to couples and I make friends easily. I travel often with just my dog and I prefer to do so--I seem to meet more people that way. I love being in my 50s and I feel most comfortable around active seniors, others who have moved past the "acquisition" phase and into the "appreciation" phase of life! It's not that I don't still enjoy a ****tail or a party--I do--I just usually prefer to be in bed by 10pm and up with the sun, and a clear head!
Am I afraid? Some--but I'm a little addicted to fear.I'd rather be terrified than bored.And besides, life on the road can't be much harder than maintaining my S & B house by myself, right?
I feel that this life is making me numb--sedating me without relaxing me. What feels like stability to some, feels like stagnation to me. When I am on the road, I feel awake, aware, stimulated: empowered. I am at my best when I am free. I want to discover who I am again, without all of this ... stuff. Surely there is more to me than this! Does that make sense?
I long to see this beautiful country from the road, to touch the earth and meet the people.I want to photograph it, to write about it. And I want to do it while I am still "young" enough to do it on my own...
Terry and Jo said
07:03 PM Jun 25, 2011
Yep. It sure sounds like you will fit to me. The dream is there, the willingness to face the fear, and also like the pioneers of olden days, there is that yearning desire to see what is just beyond that ridge, or past that bend, or over that mountain.
Now, while many of us have a partner with whom to share all we discover, it isn't hard to share with others in the forms of photography and with blogs. While my blog may tend to scare some off, what with some discussions about politics and religion, I have found that my appreciation of even those factors, especially in regards to God, has really enhanced my appreciation of the beauty of this country.
Terry
Mallo said
06:52 AM Jun 26, 2011
>>And besides, life on the road can't be much harder than maintaining my S & B house by myself, right?
Easier really.
Mallo
heyduke said
06:51 PM Jun 30, 2011
nikkib4fl I say go for it... fly like an eagle...
phyllen said
08:50 AM Jul 1, 2011
We've met lots of singles on the road. You can do it too!
For us it seemed a way to have it all. I have two daughters - one in NJ, the other in MD.
Leonard has a son in Alabama, a daughter in Lousiana and a daughter in Houston, TX. After living in NJ for 23 years he wanted to move to Louisiana or Texas when we retired. Me, not so much.
So - this is a great compromise - we see all the kids and grandkids on a rotating basis. We are both happy with the solution and with the added bonus of seeings lots of other great things in between.
dczrose said
06:49 PM Sep 27, 2011
Boredom with life and trying to get away from the "free babysitter syndrom" known to most grandparents.
LibertyLinda said
10:05 AM Oct 2, 2011
Nikki, If you have a home, you can do the fulltiming - what's stopping you? We are wannabes and are actively pursuing - we can't "just go" but are putting all our resources into getting out of here in about 3-5 years, which will fly by. I appreciate your independence streak (I only married a year ago at the fine age of 48) ~ never let that get in your way This life is no dress rehearsal, you truly only do live once.
Or if you are a wannabe like me, why do you want this life?
Just a fun thread. I'll have to sleep on my answer...
We bought a fifth wheel I could use for my work so it was suitable for winters in MD, DE, PA but the plan was to get four weeks use out of it per year.
The first year we were out 90 days, the second year we were out 190 days and I moved to South Dakota for residency t(he Brideandjoy kept her PA residency) as I was out of state long enough to make the swap.
The third year we were slated to be in the state less then 90 days (way less) so we put the house up for sale. This year I'll have been in the state of PA less then 8 weeks all told closing up the sale and moving my mother. We just simply prefer this mode of living.
Mallo
It's been 5 1/2 years and we are still enjoying the lifestyle. Can't imagine going back to a sticks and bricks. Hope I die in the rig. :)
What a country - what a life!
Fulltiming has been our dream sence that first tent camper in 1979.
We never traveled before I joined the Navy, but after that it was in our blood.
We've begun to get things in order to start this new adventure. Maybe end of next year, maybe sooner.
Wayne
While working, I ran across Howard and Linda's website back in 2006. I was hooked. I showed Maxine the site and we both got caught up in their web. We both decided why not us.
The plan was put into motion and now we have been fulltiming now for almost a year. No regrets what so ever. We had the desire, Howard and Linda provided the courage.
For us the idea was born in 2007. My wife and I were returning from a family reunion when she dropped a bombshell on me that forced me to rethink my retirement plans. Since then we developed our retirement plan. The rest of the story is too lengthy to post here so I refer you to my blog. Click here for the rest of the story.
We are currently in transition and will begin aouur fulltime dream in 7 months.
Glenda
A dream was born -- and the unfolding began! We were offered the job as camphosts - which required that we live in a camper, not a tent. The Big Foot camper AND truck literally fell into our laps and we have been here for over a year . . . stayed through the winter, survived the blizzard - welcomed Spring!
The dream continues as we build our home business which is generating the income we need to take off before next winter. People always want to know where we are going for the winter - and our reply is that we are going . . . no itinerary, no destination . . . just go where the road leads us.
Loving this life! It keeps getting better and better!
Well, being 65 years old, I've about done it all from sleeping under the stars, to lean-to's, travel trailers, and now fifth wheels. I have always loved camping, and Jo loves it as well.
Since I am a "serious, amateur photographer", I have always wanted to travel and take pictures of this country and its beauty. I just never mentioned it to Jo because I never felt that we could ever afford to do that. Imagine my surprise when a few years ago, she came up with the idea herself. Needless to say, I've jumped at the chance.
While we aren't yet "traveling" full-timers but "static" full-timers instead, we are living in our coach full time until we can retire and start the traveling part. While we started with humble modes of camping, we looked at big RV rigs and commented, "They aren't leaving home; they're just taking it with them." Now, we resemble that remark.
As for our future, I've been telling folks lately that I fully intend to live to 103 years old and die fighting over a prime campsite.
That is, if the wildlife don't get me first.
Terry
Thanks everyone! The more I read, the more I believe I belong among you.
I've always wanted to roam; I've actually moved 36 times! I ran away from home when I was only 4 years old--it was nothing personal--something out there was just "calling" me. Years later, the rock band "Foghat" would give that feeling a name: Road Fever. I have an incurable case!
However, my dream of living in an RV officially started when I was 13. My best friend's parents bought a Winnebago and we spent almost every weekend in it whether camping or not. When I was 14, I spent the summer touring the west with them. I loved the idea of a "home" where if one grew tired of the view it was possible just to drive away and change it. I was hooked and have been so ever since.
Years passed and life happened and my RV dreams were shelved. I still thought about the life, but I never gave myself permission to live it. In 2006 however, I began to consider the mobile lifestyle again. I am still considering it.
I am not deterred by the idea of RVing on my own, at least not yet. Two of my close female friends have done it and loved it. I've been single for over 10 years now and I treasure my independence and my solitude. The idea of being "out there" alone does not bother me. I can also be extremely social, but I must admit, I like it on my own terms. I'm past that whole mating and dating phase so I am no longer perceived as a "threat" to couples and I make friends easily. I travel often with just my dog and I prefer to do so--I seem to meet more people that way. I love being in my 50s and I feel most comfortable around active seniors, others who have moved past the "acquisition" phase and into the "appreciation" phase of life! It's not that I don't still enjoy a ****tail or a party--I do--I just usually prefer to be in bed by 10pm and up with the sun, and a clear head!
Am I afraid? Some--but I'm a little addicted to fear. I'd rather be terrified than bored. And besides, life on the road can't be much harder than maintaining my S & B house by myself, right?
I feel that this life is making me numb--sedating me without relaxing me. What feels like stability to some, feels like stagnation to me. When I am on the road, I feel awake, aware, stimulated: empowered. I am at my best when I am free. I want to discover who I am again, without all of this ... stuff. Surely there is more to me than this! Does that make sense?
I long to see this beautiful country from the road, to touch the earth and meet the people. I want to photograph it, to write about it. And I want to do it while I am still "young" enough to do it on my own...
Yep. It sure sounds like you will fit to me. The dream is there, the willingness to face the fear, and also like the pioneers of olden days, there is that yearning desire to see what is just beyond that ridge, or past that bend, or over that mountain.
Now, while many of us have a partner with whom to share all we discover, it isn't hard to share with others in the forms of photography and with blogs. While my blog may tend to scare some off, what with some discussions about politics and religion, I have found that my appreciation of even those factors, especially in regards to God, has really enhanced my appreciation of the beauty of this country.
Terry
Easier really.
Mallo
For us it seemed a way to have it all. I have two daughters - one in NJ, the other in MD.
Leonard has a son in Alabama, a daughter in Lousiana and a daughter in Houston, TX. After living in NJ for 23 years he wanted to move to Louisiana or Texas when we retired. Me, not so much.
So - this is a great compromise - we see all the kids and grandkids on a rotating basis. We are both happy with the solution and with the added bonus of seeings lots of other great things in between.
Boredom with life and trying to get away from the "free babysitter syndrom" known to most grandparents.
Nikki, If you have a home, you can do the fulltiming - what's stopping you? We are wannabes and are actively pursuing - we can't "just go" but are putting all our resources into getting out of here in about 3-5 years, which will fly by. I appreciate your independence streak (I only married a year ago at the fine age of 48) ~ never let that get in your way
This life is no dress rehearsal, you truly only do live once. 